Corinna & Jason, by Wendi Hroncich

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Voting has begun!!

Hi All,

The voting for Best of Western Washington has begun. We are honored to be nominated again this year in the wedding planner category! With our top 5 finish last year, we are hoping to pull out a victory in 2009!

It is because of all of you that we will be able to do so. Please vote for all your favorites! Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to us!

Click here to vote for Ethereal Events!

Voting ends October 10th.

Here's the Story

Yesterday I shared the copy of a news story for Q13 Fox I was a wedding consultant on. Click here for the video clip.

ALL the information in the story was provided by myself or my client Angela Alanis, used by reporter Dana Rebik.


Photo by Kurt Smith Photography

Weddings on a Budget

I work with clients that have budget's of $20K to $500K and everywhere in between. One thing about them is the same, they want to get most for their money while keeping it elegant and beautiful. So, the other day when asked to be the wedding consultant by Q 13 Fox's Dana Rebik for a story she was doing on Bride's on a Budget I couldn't pass it up. The story ran on this morning's news program! If you missed it, here is the copy:

How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget
Local wedding planners say a majority of brides are slashing budgets due to the tight economy.
Dana Rebik Staff reporter
August 10, 2009

Seattle - Planning a wedding on a tight budget is stressing out many brides right now.

For some, the tough economy means no elaborate ceremonies or receptions, but there's a lot you can do to plan a frugal yet fabulous wedding.

Angela Alanis got married on May 30, 2009 in Seattle and says she was stressed for months about paying the bill.

"It was a shock when the venue and catering bill was going to be the entire budget! We really had to prioritize," says Alanis.

Seattle wedding planner Wendi Hroncich of Ethereal Events says she saw a slight decline in wedding planning budgets in 2008, but in 2009, it's a demand among most brides. In fact, a recent survey shows 40% of brides have cut their budgets this year because of the economy.

So where do you start when it comes to cutting costs? One easy way is decor, and skipping elaborate centerpieces. If you have a wedding of 200 guests at 20 tables of 10, having a large elaborate centerpiece at each table could cost you 200 dollars on the high end per centerpiece. That's a total of $4,000! If you choose to use colored linens at about $15 dollars a piece, and a smaller arrangement like floating flowers and candles, you could be paying about $600 dollars for your centerpieces. That is a savings of $3,400.

Some other ideas include bringing your own alcohol and caterer to your reception, assembling your own invitations and using an iPod for dinner and cocktail hour, and only hiring a DJ or band for dancing afterwards.
Copyright © 2009, KCPQ-TV

All the information in the story came from myself and my wonderful bride (married May 30th) Angela Alanis!

Here are a few additional budget saving tips Dana's story didn't mention:

1. Double use your flowers:

Using the flowers from ceremony to reception is not only green, it is also smart and budget friendly. If you're having aisle posies attached to chairs or pews, or on stands lining the aisle of your ceremony you can transfer them to table tops of your reception for an easy and elegant center piece. The brides maid's bouquets can be used as extra decor on the guest book table, cake table, head table, buffet, and anywhere else you like a little something extra. The bridal bouquet makes a wonderful centerpiece for the sweet heart table. If you double use the flowers from ceremony to reception there is so much more to work with and less money spent.

2. Use items other than flowers or perishables for decor. Feathers and colored glass stones are really popular right now. You rent them from your florist or designer, and since they reuse them over and over the cost is far less then flowers.

3. Having a cocktail style reception not only elevates your swank factor, it is also a huge savings from a formal sit down meal. You are paying for finger foods rather than a huge meal. Many cocktail receptions have ample amounts of food, just in smaller portions so guests never go home hungry and you aren't spending beyond your means.4. Get Hitched Give Hope is a great way to save money on your wedding. It's coming up on October 29th, 2009! There are incredible deals to be had on your dress, Coordination, DJ, live music, flowers, and so much more! Bride's last year got as much as 70% off high end vendors! This will save you HUGE amounts of money! Write it on your calendars now, 10.29.09.

5. Last, but not least: Hire a Wedding Coordinator. This is the most important piece of advice I'm giving to you today! We save you time, money, stress, mistakes (like losing your deposit on a bad vendor), headaches, etc. We will work with in your budget and find the best vendors available to you in your price range. We are not looking to make you spend more money. If we were so limited to only a small set of the highest end vendors WE WOULD NOT BE VERY GOOD AT OUR JOBS! We are here to find the perfect fit vendor for you, and you alone!

If it's not in your budget to have a coordinator plan the whole wedding, that is okay. Hire one to sit down with you to get you started. Many coordinators especially myself are available on an hourly or package consultant basis. Mine is called 'Jump Start to Planning!' It has been so helpful for so many clients!

Best of luck planning! Really try to enjoy this magical time in your life!

If you have a tip on how you saved money please send it to me. I'll post it on my next blog. I love to hear from you!

Dear Wendi Wednesday...How to Beat the Heat!

Picture from King 5 News's website

For this week's Dear Wendi Wednesday, I am taking a break from the boys to address an important issue. As many of you have noticed from the week straight of 90+ degree temperatures we are in the dog days of summer. Personally, I could not be happier! I love the sunshine and heat. The thing I don't love is how it takes a toll on my couples, their family and bridal party on wedding day.

Wendi, do you have any tips for not only surviving, but thriving in the heat on wedding day?

• Drink LOTS of water
• Bring fans (hand held or battery operated) to cool yourself and others off
• If you drink, don't drink alcohol in excess - add a glass of water in between every alcoholic beverage
• Take breaks during pictures to go inside and cool off (if inside is not an option, look for shade to cool down in)
• Plan some time to relax - whether it's 45 mins instead of 30 before your ceremony, or not joining cocktail hour take some down time.
• Be flexible! This goes attire, seating of guests, location of pictures, etc.
• Let the men take off their jackets. They're dying in all those layers of wool or polyester blends.
• Keep a slight bend in your knees - Never locked them out. (This will help prevent people from passing out during the ceremony and pictures)
• Keep water near by for your flowers. They will look fresh all day long if you keep them in water when you can.
• Have your cake delivered later in the day, as close to reception time as possible. Never put it in the direct sun. (Cakes tipping over or leaning is not that uncommon on HOT days)
• If your cake does have a severe lean, cut it early. You don't have to serve it right away, but better to cut the cake out of order then not have one to cut.
• Live it up! Sunshine is far better than rain!

Have a suggestion? I'd love to hear about what you are doing to stay cool and comfortable this summer! Email me: wendi@etherealevents.com

Mishap Monday - Who has the Hummer?

This week's mishap was a first for me! It unfortunately happened just last weekend to my fabulous couple.

Wedding Day was going perfectly for E & R! The ladies hair and make up ended early, breakfast and lunch had been delivered on time, and all the bridal party was there and having a great time. The warm and sunny weather glistening off the lake created the perfect backdrop for pictures!

The day was going flawlessly or so we thought...When it was time to for the Bride and Groom to leave the hotel for the church their car was no where to be found! It turns out the Best Man loaned their transportation to a "friend" of the Groom, and he was no where to be found, nor was he answering his cell phone! He and the Hummer were M.I.A.!

As any great coordinator would do, I calmly packed up the Bride, Groom and Best man into my car and raced them to the church. I must say it was a quite ride! There was little if any conversation to be had besides me making jokes and light hearted comments about how wonderfully the day was going! In the grand scheme of things, this was a very little hick up! I wanted everyone in my car to know this.

After the ceremony was over the Bride and Groom's Hummer was in place to take them to the reception and all was forgotten. The lesson to be learned from this mishap:

DON'T LOAN OUT THE BRIDE & GROOM'S TRANSPORTATION!!!

If you have a mishap to share I would love to hear about it! Write me an email wendi@etherealevents.com or leave me a comment. Have a great week!

Dear Wendi Wednesday...Who Knew There Were So Many Songs to Chose From?

This week's Dear Wendi Wednesday is again for all the men out there in need of some professional wedding help! I find that many of you are given the responsibility of finding the DJ or Band for your wedding. It is an important task, and should be done with careful thought and consideration. It does make or break your party!

After you successfully do so, there is always the task of giving the DJ the list of songs for the reception. I'm talking the "important event" songs, like first dance, cake cutting, etc. I am throwing all you men a bone here by giving you a "real" (not cheesy or over played lists you find after googling "popular first dance songs") list of popular songs for all of your important dances. Many of these have come from my past clients weddings, and are very personal to them. The songs are also interchangeable with other dances or events. It is completely up to you. If anyone has a favorite song they would like me to add to my list let me know! I would love more suggestions!



So, here you go:

First Dance Song
· “More Than Anyone” Gavin DeGraw
· “I’m Yours” Jason Mraz
· “You Say It Best” Allison Krauss
· “Beyond The Sea” Bobbie Darin
· “Our Love Is Here to Stay” Ella Fitzgerald
· “My Best Friend” Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Father/Daughter Dance
· “Who I am” Jessica Andrews
· “ Unforgettable” Duo with Nate King and Natalie Cole
· “What a Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong

Mother/Son
· “Forever Young” Rod Stewart
· “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Israel Kamakawiwo'ole or Louis Armstrong
· “The Way you Look Tonight” Frank Sinatra

Cake Cutting
· “Sugar, Sugar” Archies
· “When I’m 64” Beatles
· “The Best is Yet to Come” Frank Sinatra
· “When Did You Fall In Love with Me?” Chris Rice
· “Let’s Stay Together” Al Green

Bouquet Toss
· “Single Ladies” Beyonce
· “Girls, Girls, Girls” Beastie Boys
· “Wishin’ and Hopin’” Ani DeFranco

Garter
· “Let’s Get It on” Marvin Gaye
· “Sexual Healing” Marvin Gaye
· “Pour Some Sugar on Me” Death Leopard

Last Dance
· “Last Dance” Donna Summers
· “Save the Last Dance” Michael Buble
· “Piano Man” Billy Joel
· “Home” Michael Buble

Introduction to reception
· “Eye of the Tiger”
· College Fight Song

Dear Wendi Wednesday...Man's Best Friend

In honor of my month dedicated to the Groom, here is an article by Lisa Lombardi, I was quoted in to answer a question I get asked a lot about Man's best friend.

Can My Dog Be in the Wedding?

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, June 23rd 2009, 1:34 PM
Kaycee English considers her dog Bowser part of the family, so including him in her wedding was an obvious choice.

Hadn't she spent the year before her special day scouring Petfinder.com, wishing she could adopt a dog? Hadn't her husband, John, taken the lead on talking their landlord into allowing a pet?

"I really wanted everyone that I loved there that day," said English, who lives in Freehold, N.J., and dressed Bowser in a tuxedo T-shirt for ringbearer duty.

The idea of dogs walking down the aisle or sitting for wedding photos may be strange - even repulsive - to some, but a little planning can make things run smoothly and bring families closer together.

Stephanie Baker of Bowling Green, Ky., said she and her husband, Steven, adopted their blind dog Tucker when his story on Petfinder "tugged at our heartstrings." They rarely leave home without him and felt strongly about including him in their wedding.

She made one wedding photo a tribute to her mother, who has cancer. Baker posed in the same position with Tucker as Mom did with her own dog at her wedding 35 years ago.

"If it's something that's important to you, do it," Baker said. "If you have strong feelings about wanting to include someone, you'll regret not doing it."

Finding a venue that allows dogs may not be as big a deal as you might expect. Jessica Sempek of Skokie, Ill., said she was the first to ask her chosen location if dogs were allowed and the reaction was, "Why not?" Sempek and her husband, Scott Stewart, had a young nephew walk their dogs Lady Bug and Emmie down the aisle.

"He took his job so seriously," Sempek said.

Once you have your location, be prepared to answer questions about the details, like how long you expect the animals to be there, and many sites will accommodate, said Wendi Hroncich, a wedding planner in Seattle.

"Most venues generally want the bride and groom to have anything they want," she said.

The experienced brides are loaded with pet planning tips:

- Designate someone to be responsible for a dog during the ceremony and to transport the pet there and back. The human should be someone who's not involved in the proceedings. If it's a child's role to walk the animal down the aisle, an adult should supervise before and after.

- Don't forget to schedule a dog's trip to the groomer. "They went to the spa just like I did," Sempek said.

- If you're boarding your dog after the ceremony, check timing. Julie Hall of Silver Spring, Md., said finding a kennel for her pooch Maddy with late enough drop-off hours was difficult.

- Bring treats to help persuade the dog to participate in the photo shoot and make sure it can sit and stay on command. Before her wedding, Hall took her pet to obedience classes.

Most couples don't bring their pets to the reception - it's too long and overwhelming - but being part of the ceremony really isn't a challenge for most dogs, Hroncich said. "All they have to do is go down the aisle and then sit."

Sempek found that the only unexpected behavior at her wedding was little 9-pound Emmie's reaction to the music. "She wanted to pick a fight with the cellist," she said. "That was the only time they barked all day."

In the end, all the couples thought the effort was more than worth it - and reluctant relatives came around.

"After the fact," English said, "people look at the photos and say, 'How cute is this one,' and it's always the one with the dog."

Check out the article and more here

(Article from NYDailyNews - Written by Lisa Lombardi)