Relaxing but still planning.

Well I'm suppose to be breaking and I kind of am.

I'm not looking up new venues...but I am responding and looking up venues as they contact me from the expos. I find it kind interesting that Scott is now playing with the elopement idea after I told him he had to start vetting. 😆

Just because I'm not venue hunting doesn't mean I'm not doing other things.

I have been looking up dresses and plan on going looking the week after next. I'm shopping around for centerpiece ideas, DJs, and Photographers. There is a lot that has to wait for the venue to be booked but even things (like DJs, etc) that normally are booked after the venue you can talk to people now and get pricing. 

I know once the venue is taken care of everything else will fall into place but I'm putting the work in now. Also I really like talking to people. Even if I go a completely different way I can (and have) share the information with others. 

We do have some tours planned this weekend on places I've vetted. Let's see if we fall in to love with anything at a price we can afford.

Premier Bridal

 I'm going to say "Thank God!" I went to the smaller one first!

The premier bridal expo is one of the larger expos to happen in Jacksonville. However, it is a one day event that should be held in two. So if you're going to one here's what I learned:

They had no COVID plans until two days before. And even then no one was listening.

Mother of the Brides are RUDE! I am not going to tell you how many times I was interrupted but them, cut off in line, and physically into pushed. If brides and grooms (which these events are designed for) can be courteous then moms you can be too. We know you know you want the best deal for your adult children but honestly it doesn't reflect well on the stereotype on the whole.

Vendors have no time to talk much. Mostly it was scan this for info and scan that for info. How are they suppose to sell their businesses/services if they have no time because of the level of people? 

Arrive EARLY. I mean by 40 minutes to an hour at least.

Caterers. There will be FOOD! The lines will be long so don't wait until you feel hangry.

Use your map! They give you one and when it's disorganized like this one it will be your best friend.

Vendors that have time to talk. If you think it's something you might be interested in go in and start the conversation! However, if you find it not for you be courteous and bow out so someone else has a chance.

Also look for the vendors you know your interested in first. 

All and all I was put off by this expo. It really comes done to the planning on it.
It doesn't mean I'm giving up on them just that this one was rather unpleasant.

Break

Venues

I have been hardcore on the venue search and I'm getting into burn out mood. I have appointments set for the last weekend in January and more set in February. I told my Husband-2-Be that I need a break from it so I'm stepping away from venue hunting until after my February appointments. If people give me suggestions I will write them down and look at them later. 

This is a necessity. I will not let this wedding become a major stress factor in my life. I will still be doing wedding things (I am a planner) but I'm going to focus on the fun things for a change. 

I'm going to get my girls together. Order a few try on at home dresses and have a girls night in. I'm going to go to expos and network (I really enjoy talking with people). 

I might even settle on some music to walk down the aisle too.

I know I'm on a tight budget and that doesn't make things easier. But there comes a time when stepping back is better than trudging on. I've reached it.

Dresses

Is it very messed up, in my opinion, that there is no way to rent a bride's dress in Jacksonville, FL! But I'm not going into a rant there.

So I need to look to buy but see above for the budget issue. What to do? Luckily I have time. So I'm not at the stressing stage yet. I'm going to enjoy the window shopping while waiting for sales!

Closing...

I need more than a simply day here or there break from the venue search but I'm still trying to get an idea for the wedding. It should be fun to do and it is but at times focusing on one thing (especially a big thing) can run a person into burning out. I want to do the fun things for now and stop focusing so hard on that one major thing. 

 

 

Bridal Expo

First bridal expo today! :)

It was fun, but boy, did I learn a few things for my next one.

Bridal labels are a must! Get a yourself some label paper and make your own. Make sure it has your name, the wedding date, address, and email. If you need to add your number I would write it in. The dangers is a sore hand! You will be signing up for a TON of contest. LOL

Also remember the people you typed at! 

If you are following blogs and/or groups: Please be active in them and remember things about them. I ran into one of the DJs I've been talking to in a group and I started off "Hey, your so and so from that group. I'm so and so and we talked about..." We chatted a few minutes before I moved on but a little later he found me in the expo and slipped me a card with a better price than what he was offering elsewhere. Don't expect these as rule but please remember the active people you talk to. It's amazing when you meet someone in person that have only been words on a screen and see what genuine person are.

People get the swag! Sometimes you have to sign up and sometimes they are just handing it but take it! You never no what deals or ideas you might get from them.

Be upfront with the vendors but be kind as well. If you know a vendor isn't going to be for you, you can still be kind in saying so and move away so they can help others. Think: If the vendors you have no interest in are bogged down with people than the ones you are interested be might be open for a more in depth chat. 

Bring someone with you! Friend, bridesmaid, fiance, parents...it doesn't matter. This is suppose to be fun and not only should you get a chance to share the experience with someone you'll need their help with the organizing the swag later on but they also might have a better chance a building a rapport with a vendor you might be struggling to talk to.

Last but not least....HAVE FUN. You are looking at things in a business way but at the same time when are you going to run into another group of complete strangers more interested in your wedding plans than maybe even yourself?

Cats (nothing to do with Weddings)

 I thought I would share this but last Thursday cat was sick and couldn't hold anything down. In doing xrays they found he had a blockage (turned out plastic) so large they were planning surgery in the morning. By morning he had started to move it (THANK GOD) so they gave him kitty lax and we pampered him and stuff him full until there was no plastic to be found in the litter box.

Please be mindful of plastics and pets. We usually are but it took only one bag.

Venue Hunting

And the hunting is back on in earnest...

Today we went to Gainesville, FL to check out some places. One place my other half really liked but their updated pricing puts it $1500 outside our budget and that's without catering. The second was inside the budget but it's not a love. It's an option.

But the hunt continues...

Community, Plans, and Ideas

Overall the bridal community is awesome!

I was up late last night sharing info I have gained about venues as was receiving feedback on others as well. It is relaxing and exhilarating to be able to express your woes, triumphs, excitements, worries, etc and have them understood. 

Plans:

This weekend I am going to look at a few more venues and at the end of the month I will too. Besides that I'm focusing on the two expos I have this month. It will be my first time ever and I'm super excited. 

I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I had a spot I fell in love with but then they changed their wedding packages and it became impossible to do but now I'm comparing it to others. This is the second time we fell for a place but once the talks started something ruined it.

The above awesome community have even given more suggestion to go through. Keep me busy.

Health Planning; New Year

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's a new year and the wedding planning is going to hit a new high because the wedding expos starts!

But before that let's talk health planning... 

Are you planning to lose weight? Maybe only tone? 

This is a tricky thing for me. Until this year I have been working with a nutritionist to do just that and I have only gain weight and had health problems on top to boot. 

My current plan is not to rush it or stress over it.

I'm going to do low impact exercises because of my knees and focus on toning and diet and see how that works.

Also drink more water. It's true but so hard! I want some flavor. LOL

But whatever your plan is know that stressing on will only make it worse. Find a friend to help kick your butt into gear.