Dreamy Affairs Signature Events

WOW, What a day!

2012-01-09T10:43:00.000-08:00

We were at The WNOK Bridal Show yesterday and Wow, what a day! We started out at 9am with Doug, Craig, Ann Marie, Grace and Liz working hard to put our booth together. The show was open to the public (excited brides, groom, moms and bridesmaids) at 1pm and we didn't stop until 5pm. We talked to 475+ brides (not to mention all those who came along) and we were excited to see so many grooms in attendance today. We wanted to thank the following people for such a great day:

First, we couldn't have done our booth without our friends at Carolina Event Services. Thank you Ann Marie and Craig for your vision and execution of our booth design!!! Our booth showcased a ceremony arbor that was draped in crystals and hanging wisteria flowers and fairy-lights swirling around the grapevine legs of the arbor. We had a grapevine chandelier hanging inside the center of the abor with crystals draped over the top of the arbor. We used a variation of reds (the "in-color" of 2012) to highlight our booth (linens, uplighting and flowers). The guest table was draped in an embroidered burgundy linen with a tall centerpiece and candlesticks. The cocktail table had a burgundy pintuck linen that was swagged on four side with crystal broaches. We had so many comments on how beautiful the booth looked. We even had 2 grooms who suggested to their brides that they go ahead and get married in our booth, "right here, right now".......Needless to say, the brides didn't go for it. :)

Also, a very special thank you to Adam Ruffin, Emma, Kim and Katherine at Palmetto Party Rental, for graciously allowing us to use their tables for our booth. They have always been there for us at each and every wedding & bridal show. They are THE BEST rental company in town by far!!! Can't beat their quality or their prices!!
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We wanted to thank Angela & Michael Koska (with Michael Koska Photography) for their hard work in putting together a great bridal show. They did an awesome job in having a classy and very organized show that ran smoothly. They promoted the show on radio and television medias, thus the huge turnout of 475+ brides in attendance. We are looking forward to the next one!

Last, but definitely not least, a HUGE thank you to Grace, Liz and Brittany for always being there, no matter how sick or how tired, for me and for our brides with the best customer service possible!! Thank you for standing on your feet for hours and promoting our services. Of course, we couldn't do without the "muscle men" in our company...Doug and Trey. Thank you all for your love and support and hard work. You all are the best team in the entire world!!!!!

We appreciate all the brides who stopped by to talk to us about our planning services and we look forward to meeting with the brides who made appointments to come in and talk to us this week!!

What a great way to start off 2012.....WOW, WHAT A DAY!!

WNOK BRIDAL SHOW TODAY

2012-01-08T05:34:00.000-08:00

If you, or someone you know, was recently engaged, please come out to the 2012 WNOK Bridal Show today from 1pm to 5pm, at The Convention Center in downtown Columbia, SC. I will be there, along with over 100 other wedding vendors, for you to talk to about your upcoming wedding. Tell me you saw our blog and you will receive a special gift! Hope to see you soon.

Leslie

COMING SOON! Stay tuned....

2011-03-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

     We took a brief hiatus from being Dreamy Affairs
     but we are coming back, bigger and better than
     ever before!

     More details to come...... so stay tuned!

     Thanks for all your continued support!!

     Leslie

Dana and Lee

2010-05-16T22:29:00.000-07:00

When Dana's mom, Linda, hired us last year, Dana's vision for her dream wedding revolved around The Lace House. She and her fiance, Lee, loved everything about the house and grounds so much, that they planned to have their ceremony and reception there. We were thrilled because we love The Lace House as much as they do!

Although we relied on The Farmer's Almanac to guide us on weather issues, the local weather forecast caused us a few frantic moments throughout the past week. But yesterday was a beautiful summer day with blue skies and a HOT day and a warm night. The perfect recipe for a dream wedding day!! (Another one for TFA)

Dana's dream wedding became a reality yesterday, May 15th at 6pm at The Lace House. Dana and Lee were married on the mall in front of #210 of their closest friends and family. Dana knew she had a long aisle to walk down and wanted to see Lee's face as she walked down the aisle, but was afraid she wouldn't see it from the back of the long aisle, so the groom agreed to not turn around until he received the okay from Father Chiles. The look on Lee's face as he saw his stunningly beautiful bride was priceless!! The crowd ooh'd + ahh'd when the fountain came to life behind the newly-wedded couple as they kissed.

As a special surprise for his new bride, Lee had a horse-drawn carriage waiting at the iron gates to wisk his princess away, while their guests enjoyed great food and drinks.

Dana and Lee's guests dined on a menu of award-winning shrimp & grits, beef brisket, spinach tarts and an awesome fruit tree, plus Dana's favorite (chocolate covered strawberries) plus much more, all catered by Capital City Catering. Jonathan and Joanne and staff were as great as their food!

The dance floor was adorned with hanging chinese lanterns that lit up the area for the guests as they danced and dined outside. Dana chose hot-pink satin linens for her cocktail tables and lime green crushed linen for her guests tables, which were so stunning against the rod-iron and grounds of the house.

Scott with American Floral provided the beautiful (as always) hot pink, green and orange flowers. The two ceremony arrangements that were in front of the fountain where so beautiful and large, I had to show you a picture (Caroline, my intern from France is standing between the two arrangements just to show you the actual size and she is 5'5")

We love brides and MOB like Dana and Linda..........it was the little details that they loved. Dana and Lee's favors were monogrammed chocolates in pink and green that had a hidden message in the mirror under the glass plates; the cake had a green monogram with matching pearl dots throughout with mini hot pink and orange spray roses; framed pictures of Dana and Lee throughout the house; personalized tissue boxes in the bathrooms (with their names and picture on the box); rod-iron shepherd's hooks with hanging lanterns that outlines the sidewalk; luminaries that had Dana + Lee on the bag and glass cylinder vases with their names on the inside of the glass (just to name a few).

Dana and Lee had an awesome "Dream Team" that worked tirelessly to make their wedding day a "Dreamy Affair" and to them I owe so much!!!! Doug, Brittany, Trey, Shelly, Jamie, Liz, Jordan and Caroline. YOU ARE THE BEST TEAM EVER!!! Thank you so much for working through the heat and the bugs, and for never failing to give excellent service to the couple, family and guests! You started early that morning and worked non-stop until midnight. I am truly blessed to have you on my team!! Thank you for all you did to make Dana and Lee's wedding a real "dreamy affair"!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!

Leslie

The Lace House: Chamberlain & Trish

Photographer: Patty Hallman (and Corey)

String Trio: JHaning Music

Florist: American Floral

Carriage: Carolina Carriages

Caterer: Capital City Catering

Bartenders: Ed's Bartending

Cake: Connie White

Rentals: Palmetto Party and Celebrations

THE LOST ART OF RSVPs

2010-04-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

Every one knows when you receive any invitation (especially a wedding invitation) that asks for an RSVP, you reply....NO ifs, ands, or buts!! NO excuses! And yet, statistics show that only 80% of people today actually reply as requested. WHY? Is the etiquette of replying becoming a lost art? It would appear that way, especially to many wedding planners.

Most wedding planners admit that they have been asked by most of their brides, "What do we do about all the people who have NOT RSVP'd?" The answer is, unfortunately, to have someone (NOT the bride or groom) to call and confirm the receipt of the invitation and to get their response. This is extremely frustrating and time-consuming for everyone involved and all because some people cannot comply with proper etiquette.

Here are some RSVP guidelines, to help everyone comply with proper etiquette....

How soon after I receive the invitation should I RSVP? Most reply cards come with a self-addressed and stamped envelope, so you should reply immediately! A courteous guest will always RSVP within one week of receiving the invitation, but definitely NO later than the "reply date" printed on the card. If the RSVP card only has space to confirm attendance, it is a nice gesture to write a little note on the card saying you regret not being able to attend. Afterall, the envelope and stamp are enclosed....it's not costing the guest anything but a few minutes of their time.

What should I do IF I forgot to RSVP? Just be honest and call the person receiving the RSVP's (the parents, bride, or wedding planner) and ask if it is too late to attend. Most likely, you will be welcomed, but a more accurate number will be given to the caterer. This is much less embarrassing than just showing up without RSVPing, hoping no one notices, only to cause the host a last minute charge. The host may tell you to come anyway, or they may have to tell you that they are at their full guest-capacity and hope to get with you in the near future. Don't be upset if the latter happens...afterall, you are the one who didn't RSVP before the deadline.

What should I do IF I RSVP'd, but cannot attend? Please place a call to the person who received the RSVP card (or the host), no matter how "last minute" it may be, but never be a "no-show" for your hosts. Your "no-show" could cost the host as much as $100 per person and is considered unforgivably rude. IF the host doesn't answer the phone, then please leave a message that you are unable to attend. A nice gesture would be to follow-up the call with a hand-written note (another lost art) apologizing for missing the event.

Can you imagine having planned for months to have your wedding reception, only to have over 30 people show up who did not bother to RSVP? After all, how would anyone really know? Easy....one situation would be that the reception is a sitdown dinner and the venue had been given the final headcount several days earlier. When these 30 people show up (probably as if it were no big deal), the venue and caterer is left scrambling to find enough food to feed the additional people, not to mention setting up tables, chairs, linens, and centerpieces at the last minute. Then, the parents are left with a large "unexpected" invoice to be paid before leaving the reception.......putting a damper on their joy of the festivities.

A wedding is usually a thoroughly planned event that costs an average of $18,000, so expecting their guests to RSVP and follow proper protocol and etiquette really isn't that much to ask or hope for......Please don't let technology (texts or emails) take the place of complying with the etiquette of mailing back the RSVP card!

Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!
Leslie

An Awesome Destination Wedding Site in our own back yard

2010-03-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

If you want a destination wedding with white sandy beaches at a quiet resort, look no further than South Carolina's hidden jewel......Haig Point located on Daufuskie Island, is right off the South Carolina coast between Hilton Head and Savannah. It is absolutely perfect for a quiet resort "southern style" wedding. Haig Point has a historic lighthouse (often used as the honeymoon suite) and a beautiful historic mansion (which houses a library, hotel rooms, the resident post office, the business center, breakfast and dining areas). Each room has a "Charlestonian" feel with southern charm, while overlooking the ocean.

Haig Point is only accessible by taking a 30 minute ferry ride from Hilton Head. The ride allows you to constantly see land (Hilton Head) while catching a glimpse of dolphins swimming along side of the boat. Haig Point offers numerous ceremony and reception sites, including beach weddings and oceanside tented receptions or their Calibogue Club ballroom. In addition, they offer rehearsal dinner options including a bonfire on the beach. All options include staff that is customer-oriented and satisfaction is guaranteed.

This is only one of several wedding ceremony sites (ocean front)

Haig Point is within sight of Hilton Head Island, and the Hilton Head Island Lighthouse is seen, even on a cloudy day. Haig Point offers water taxis to Hilton Head Island for shopping or even dinner (just in case you have some city-slickers with cabin fever).

Although Haig Point is within sight of Hilton Head Island, you get the "old southern charm" of big oaks trees with hanging moss and shell-filled walkways and streets. The only two modes of transportation are golf carts and walking. The serenity of the island is a perfect setting for romance and everything else you would want for your wedding.

For your leisure time before or after the wedding, the resort has a beautiful beach club with a pool and cabanas that overlook the ocean. There is a great boardwalk that connects the pool and the indoor reception site that holds up to 140 people with dancing and entertainment.

Haig Point is remodeling the Calibogue Club ballroom that will not only offer new colors, carpets and cosmetics, but will include new tables and chavari chairs. The Calibogue Club has a great southern porch that over looks a small pond that is guarded by the resident alligator.

Under the 2nd tree from right lies the resident alligator.

And if all of this hasn't convinced you to consider Haig Point for your destination wedding, let the guys know that the Rees Jones' Signature Golf Course has appeared multiple times in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses,” and earned a position in Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 in the World.”

If you would like more information about having your destination wedding at Haig Point, please call Leslie at Dreamy Affairs at 1-803-727-657.

CHOOSING YOUR ATTENDANTS - Who is really qualified for the job?

2010-03-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

Once the ring is on her finger, the first thing a bride wants to do is tell everyone. The second, is to start asking friends and family to be part of her wedding party. Most brides think that choosing their wedding party is the easiest choice they will make....NOT true. Choosing the wedding attendants should take a lot of thought BEFORE they are asked . Otherwise, it can cause a lot of headache and heartache along the way.

Asking friends and/or family to be a part of the wedding party on one of the most important days in a bride's life should be considered an honor. Unfortunately, some attendants don't view it as such. Once the chosen few have been annointed, tell them honestly, gently and politely what they will be expected to do and/or pay.  Being the bride takes a lot of research and planning. Knowing the costs of what an attendant will pay, or at least the approximate costs, should be told to them at the time they are asked to be an attendant.

Over the years, I have seen brides mad, hurt and even cry over their attendants.  Hopefully, the list of duties below will save future brides the same heartache.

MAID (or MATRON) of HONOR: You have the most prestigious, and yet longest, job description of the group. You will be expected to be the sounding board, therapist, and head cheerleader for your bride. You ARE the "Yes-girl" for the bride!! Once you say "yes" to the job, you accept the duty of being with your bride EVERY step along the way. You should go dress shopping with your bride, you should attend EVERY bridal shower with your bride, and actually you should get the bridesmaids together to throw a bridal shower (or get together with the Best Man and groomsmen and thow a couple's shower) and organize a "group gift" for your bride/couple. You agree to pay for your entire wedding wardrobe (dress, shoes, hair, make-up, nails, plus whatever else your bride desires) no matter what your opinions are of the wardrobe, which could cost you upward to $400. You should spearhead the bachelorette party (talk to all the bridesmaids BEFORE you plan, to know who will and will not/ cannot help pay for the party). One duty MOH were asked to handle in previous years was to spread the word on where the couple is registered. Most couples today have started putting their registry info inside invitations (showers and wedding), which is still considered by most guest "not acceptable". BEING THE "MOH" IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!! If you don't think you can fulfill the duties, then be honest with your bride and say so. Don't let your bride down by falling down on the job!! Be MADE of Honor!!

BRIDESMAID: Saying "yes" to being a bridesmaid, means agreeing to buy your own wardrobe (dress, shoes, hair, make-up, nails and whatever else your bride desires) no matter your opinions of the wardrobe! And by the way, this wardrobe is NOT cheap. You are looking at paying as much as $350-$400 out of pocket (depending on your bride's choices). Your job duties include being the epitome of grace and charm, a true peace-maker + peace-keeper, for your bride, at every pre-wedding event + the wedding weekend. You should offer to assist the MOH with paying for the bachelorette party for the bride. IF you are NOT able to pay and/or uphold the duties of being a bridesmaid, be honest with your bride WHEN she asks you. If you want to honor your bride by being in the wedding, offer to be the attendant for the guest book and/or programs instead. Trust me, she will love you even more for being honest! You will save face (and your relationship) with your bride by being honest at the beginning. If you have always been a bridesmaid and never a bride....remember, one day you will be the bride and you will want the same honesty and courtesy given to you as you should give your bride now!

ATTENTION ALL BRIDES: If you have someone that you want involved in your wedding but know (or think) she is not financially able to afford it, be honest when talking to her. Tell her the approximate cost of being your attendant and offer her the choice to be an "honorary attendant" or attend the guest book or programs. Remember to say it gently and non-offensively.  This is your wedding, but she is your friend/family. Your engagement period lasts a few months, but relationships can last a lifetime.

Also, IF you agree to pay for something for one attendant, offer to pay it for everyone. BUT remember, these additional costs can inflate your budget faster than you can blink. BE VERY CAREFUL about increasing items you agree to pay..........do research, call around for prices BEFORE you agree to pay for them (i.e. hair, make-up, or manicures). This cost should be included in your total budget. You don't want to come up short (financially) the week before your wedding. PLANNING AHEAD WILL HELP KEEP YOUR WEDDING THE HAPPY OCCASION IT WAS MEANT TO BE!!

Is there REALLY a difference between a "Director" and a "Wedding Planner" ?

2010-02-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

As you start your journey of planning your wedding, you will discover there are several wedding professionals willing to assist you in planning your wedding. You will find that their titles vary (i.e. coordinators, directors, planners and consultants). Is there any difference? If so, what IS the difference? After all, you are on a tight budget and want to be sure you hire someone with professional training and experience……but how do you really know?

First, most “directors” are people who have been trained by their church to oversee the wedding rehearsal and ceremony, to ensure the bridal party adheres to the church’s bylaws. The director’s main job is to ensure the safety and integrity of the church. The director will not clean up the bridal room, nor do they make sure that your guest book, as well as other items like flowers, are taken to the reception site. Once the ceremony is over, so is the director’s job. Sometimes, a director has been self-taught, without any training at all.

There are several people who call themselves “wedding planners” who started out with little to no training before helping her friend or family member plan their wedding. These planners have been taught through a 3-month course or “on-the-job” training.

Bridal Consultants are professionally trained to plan, negotiate, design and execute the wedding of their bride’s dreams. They are required to take continuing educational classes annually to stay up on the latest trends and are held to a high standard of excellence by an international organization. The consultant takes an oath of excellence from work ethic to customer service. A consultant has been professionally trained in the art of negotiation, in order to save their brides money at every phase of the planning process. Consultants are trained to think “outside” the box, so their brides are offered unique weddings of their own choosing and NOT a “cookie-cutter” wedding. Consultants offer a wide-variety of services due to the fact that have an international connection with other wedding industry professionals, which saves you money from bridal gowns to invitations to linens and much more. Consultants have been trained to handle every possible problem that may arise before and during your wedding.

When choosing the person you are entrusting with one of your most important days of your life, ask yourself: “Do I want to hire the person who is the cheapest?” OR “Do I want to hire the person who is professionally trained with years of experience and who will save me the most money so I can have the wedding of my dreams while staying within my budget?”

Make the most important day in your life a dreamy affair with a professionally trained Accredited Bridal Consultant. After all, you ARE worth it! Why trust anyone else, but the only expert in town?

Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

Gina's Bridal Portrait Shoot

2010-02-25T18:34:00.001-08:00

For my brides who hire me to be their full-service wedding planner, I attend almost everything with them. And one of the things I love doing the most is going to the bridal portrait photo shoot with my brides. I assist the bride witheverything from "fluffing" the dress to moving the bride from one location to another, so the mom can sit back and watch and enjoy the moment (and remember those moments for years to come). Most photographers enjoy having me there, to assist them too. But more importantly, all the moms love having me there! They get to watch, take pictures and just admire their little princesses. I love getting to know my brides and attending the photo shoot helps my brides get more comfortable with me.....in preparation for the wedding day.

Most of today's brides like having their bridal portraits "on-location" at various spots around town. Today, I had the priviledge of joining my bride, Gina, and her mom, Beverly, and her sister-in-law, Jessica, to assist her during the photo shoot.

Of course, I can't show any pictures of Gina's shoot today, because, as we all know, tradition dictates that no one see the bride in full dress until she walks down the aisle. But, I can tell you that Gina was stunning today! Not only that, but she was a super-trooper today; she braved the wind, the ice-cold air, and hours of posing.

I can't wait to post pictures of Gina and John after their wedding next month, March 20. So stay tuned....

Thanks Gina for being such a beautiful person on the inside and out! I'm so proud you chose me to be your wedding planner!!

Only 22 days to go!!

The WNOK Bridal Show Today

2010-02-21T19:14:00.000-08:00

We had a booth at the WNOK Bridal Show today at the Columbia Convention Center in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. The show was from 1pm to 5pm. We got to see some of our favorite friendly vendors and meet some new friends as well. Here I am standing inside our booth at the show today. Although it may be hard to see, our colors were brown and lime green. We offered a small candy bar and the candies and/or wrappers all color-coordinated. Of course, the candy was a huge hit, and the centerpiece vase of large calla lillies was filled with coffee beans, which had everyone stopping by to smell. The green lanterns that hung on the cloth backdrop added a little extra flair to the space. We put lights under the table linen, which had a lot of people taking pictures. (NOTE: A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO PALMETTO PARTY RENTALS FOR THE 48" TABLE, THE BROWN LINEN AND THE 4 BROWN MAHOGANY CHIVARI CHAIRS. WITHOUT YOU, OUR BOOTH WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE SAME................YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!)

                                                             Leslie Ellison, Accredited Bridal Consultant

Attending a bridal show can be very overwhelming for a couple. They know they need to hire certain people, but when they enter the room, they meet so many vendors that they are not sure who they met when they walk out the door.

Because it can be so everwhelming for the bride and groom, we thought we would offer some advice to couples who attend a bridal show:

GO IN WITH A PLAN. If you have already started planning your wedding, make a list of the vendors that you need or want to hire for your wedding.

1. DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Split the list of vendors you still need to hire between the two of you. For example, if a DJ is important to the groom, then put the DJ on his list and when you visit a DJ booth, let the groom ask him questions about availability and favorite music. If flowers or photography is important to the bride, then have this on her list so she can ask questions. IF you both come upon a vendor that is not on either list, but is something you are interested in possibly having at your wedding (i.e. ice sculptures, videography, etc) spend some time meeting with and talking to the vendor. Take their card and printed material, thank them for their time & tell them that you will get back to them later.

2. BE ORGANIZED. No matter whose list the vendor might be on, if you decide the vendor is not in your "preferred" list, then don't even take their printed materials. The costly materials are something that another couple who are really interested in the vendor could use and one less thing for you to have to go through and throw away. Assign one of the couple to hold the "A-List" vendors' materials and the other to hold the "B-List" vendors' materials. The A-List group can be the vendors you are very interested in talking to again (setting up an appointment for more information). The B-List group can be the vendors you might be interested in hiring or will go back through the info at a later date. This will help you when you get home. You can go through the A-List materials and make appointments without having to go through all the cards and materials you gathered at the show. Make that decision of whether to put in the A or B group as you walk away from the booth.

3.  DO RESEARCH. Once you get home, check out web sites and google/yahoo search to see what is out on the internet about the vendor. First, be sure they have a web site. Any vendor who is serious about their wedding trade will have a web site that is easy to view and read. Next, check for previous customer referrals, and see if there are any comments on the internet sites. Finally, check to see if the vendor is a part of an organization or association that promotes their field. Most associations require their members to maintain continuing education hours and a code of ethics, which will only promote their talents and help them to be a better vendor for the couple.

4. MAKE A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT. If you interested in learning more about the vendor, or if you have decided to hire the vendor, call to make an appointment as soon as possible. Most bridal shows have over 200 couples that are all looking for similar things, so don't lose out on the vendor of your choice by waiting too late to hire them!

We hope this advice helps those couples that plan to attend a bridal show in the future.
Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

Kelly & Adam's Rehearsal Celebration

2010-02-13T22:28:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 5, 2010:

Kelly & Adam are such an awesome couple!! Kelly is full of life and wants to please; Adam is quiet, funny and rock solid. Kelly is a Clemson fan; Adam LOVES Carolina! Although they are different in so many ways, they compliment each other perfectly! Of life's top-10 most stressful situations, the couple went through at least six of them throughout their engagement, and yet, they came through with a stronger faith and a deeper love. I absolutely loved working with them!!

Even the pouring rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the couple and their guests, who were greeted by a row of Charleston lanterns lighting the pathway leading up to the front door of The Historic 701 Whaley. Upon arrival, each guest had their picture taken in front of a hand-painted backdrop of a winter, dormant-tree forest (hand-painted by Kelly's sister, Stephanie, an art teacher) and then wrote their well-wishes in a photo guest book.

Kelly's vision of lots of candlelight (in the windows and on the tables) along with crystal trees on the guests' tables with a large crystal tree on the buffet table was perfectly designed and created by Brittany Whitmire with Dreamy Affairs Weddings. As their guests ate, they watched a picture video of Kelly & Adam, followed by heart-warming toasts from Kelly & Adam's friends and family members.

Simply Delicious catered a mouth-watering buffet of Beef Tenderloin and Chicken Marsala, with lots of side dishes (which pleased the groom). The groom's cake (a chocolate pound cake with fudge icing, sported the USC-vs-Clemson rivalry) was served with an ice cream station. Needless to say, no one left hungry!!

Despite the cold rain outside, we created a "star-lit" dance floor inside, which was a huge hit among the guests. We had glass globes hanging by brown satin ribbon from the 20-ft ceiling (all at various heights) with LED lights glowing inside the globes, which made the guests feel they were dancing under the stars. The "Deja vu Band" (They are out of NC and a MUST-have!!) entertained the guests for hours! The 5-man band were absolutely awesome and the guests danced the night away!! One of the highlights of the night was the "Hitch-movie line-dance", started by the bride and groom.

The couple and their guests left after midnight, to get a good night's sleep for the wedding ceremony tomorrow. Watch for our BLOG on Kelly & Adam's Wedding Ceremony, coming soon.

A special thanks to Kelly & Adam's "Dream Team" (Trey, Liz, Leslie, Doug, Brittany, Laura and Shelly) You worked tiredlessly through the rain and pain! You were awesome!

KELLY & ADAM'S VENDORS FOR FRIDAY:
Wedding Planner/Designer: Dreamy Affairs Weddings
Photographer: Dana Willoughby Photography
Caterer: Simply Delicious Catering
Flowers: Brittany Whitmire
Cake: Simply Delicious Catering
Rentals: (Linens, China, Stage): Palmetto Party Rental
Venue: The Historic 701 Whaley Street

A LiveScribe Pen - Every Planner's MUST-HAVE!

2010-02-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered a new technology that is truly a Must-Have for every wedding planner - a LiveScribe pen. The pen combines an ink pen + a microphone with an added bonus of downloading the written words along with the audio onto software (downloaded on your computer) and is saved for future use. It ensures that you don't "forget" anything that is said during your meeting.

Honestly, anyone who knows me can tell you that I am NOT a "techy" person; quite the opposite! However, the pen is so easy to use and the software was easy to download onto my computer. I did it all by myself without having to call my favorite IT guy. (Yes, he was shocked as well.)

When I saw it at the office supply store, it peaked my curiosity. Afterall, the older I get the more notes I have to make. So having a pen that would record my notes AND everything that is said (so I could add to my notes or refer back to and never forget), sounded really good to me! So I went ahead and took the leap.

I used it during a training session the other day. I plugged the pen into my computer and downloaded my notes as soon as I got home and was amazed at how easy, fast and accurate it was. Plus, the audio was very clear. It was really impressive. I bought the 2G LiveScribe pen so I have about 200 hours of recorded notes. There is a 4G pen which holds 400 hours. Also, you can save the notes as a jpeg file and send it to anyone. What a concept.

As a wedding planner, I can't imagine that any of my brides would mind having the meeting recorded since we are only talking about future plans for her wedding that we need to remember and execute perfectly. However, the pen allows you to record, pause and stop any time you wish. Just be sure to ask if you can record the session, for legal reasons.

Of course, I see students of all ages using it; people who sit through meetings using it; or business owners who make quotes using it (which is everyone in the wedding industry). Mostly I see people like me using it to be sure that nothing is forgotten, missed or left behind.

What a great invention!
Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

YOU'RE INVITED!!

2010-01-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

As a wedding planner, usually the second source voted most-likely to cause controversary I observe between the couple and/or the parents (the first being the guest list) is the INVITATION.   You may have heard that the invitation sets the tone for the entire wedding......but WHAT does that REALLY mean? And does it STILL apply today?

The invitation is meant to give all the necessary information about your upcoming wedding to your guests. A simple little card (invitation) can tell the guest who, where, when, what time, what level of formality, the color theme of the wedding, what attire is expected and where the reception will be. Social media is encouraging modern brides to be creative, and yet the brides still want to maintain some traditional decorum. So what's a bride to do? Here's our advice:

1. Know your guest list!  Invitations are ordered on the number of "Households" NOT "individuals". You may have 287 people on your list, but actually have 121 households (i.e. invitations). Since invitations are ordered in bundles of 25, you would think you would need to order 125. However, we recommend that you "order up" another 25. A reorder of 25 invitations can cost you up to 5 times more than the cost between 125 to 150 invitations at the time of placing the original order.

2. Order your invitations 3 to 4 months before your wedding. This allows you time to proof the order and to get them delivered to you.

3. Mail out your invitations... We advise that you have the invitations addressed, folded, stuffed, and ready to mail out as soon as you receive them. The industry recommends to mail them out 8-10 weeks before your wedding IF you have a lot of out-of-state guests. Mail them out 6-8 weeks if you have mostly out-of-town guests and 4-6 weeks if you have mostly in-town guests.    Remember, most caterers require a final head-count 3-10 days before your wedding. If you only send out your invitations out 4 weeks before your wedding the guest may only have 10 days to respond. Please check with your caterer on their deadline date before you choose the "REPLY BY" date.

4. The wording sets the formality of your wedding.
A.  FORMAL wedding: the invititation will have an inner envelope (lined with no glue) and an outer envelope (with the return address printed on the back flap and calligraphy on the front). The invitation has embossed printing. The wording will use the British form "favour of a reply" and "honour of your presence". All words are spelled out (days, dates, years, titles, streets).....the ONLY EXCEPTION is Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr. (which all require periods). In the past, formal invitations were printed in black ink with gold or pearlized trim. Today's invitations may have colored ink that coordinates with the bride color-scheme.
B. INFORMAL wedding: can range from NOT including reply cards to hand-made invitations in one envelope.

5. Reply cards. We strongly advise brides to word their response card as follows:
M______________________
_____ declines with regret
_____ accepts with pleasure
          #_____ will attend

This particular wording should give your guest a clue that they should return the reply card, whether they can attend or not. This will lessen the possibility of you having a large number of reply cards missing, which increases your anxiety level. You still may not receive 100% of the reply cards, but just know that once you are married, you will become more apt to return those RSVP cards (because you know how stressful the situation was for you).

Hope this was helpful!.....And YES, the invitation still sets the tone of the wedding, even today.
Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

2010 Pick......Best of Weddings by The Knot

2010-01-23T09:34:00.000-08:00

We had an awesome, yet totally unexpected, surprise this week....Dreamy Affairs Weddings was selected as a 2010 Pick of The Best of Weddings (Wedding Planners) byThe Knot! This is truly a wonderful honor and the highest kudos for the ENTIRE staff at Dreamy Affairs Weddings, because it was our BRIDES who voted us the best!

Dreamy Affairs Weddings has a wonderful staff who ALWAYS has the couple's best interest at heart. Even though most of the staff work behind the scenes, many of our couples, and even their parents, seek out the staff at the end of the reception, hug them and personally thank them for making their wedding day a dream come true! To not only feel appreciated, but to see the look of extreme joy and happiness on their faces, is like a shot of a 5-hour energy drink, erasing the exhaustion of an extremely long work-day.

Our couples aren't just clients, they are family!!! We have couples (and parents) that stay in touch with us, months, even years, after their weddings. We have been notified of, and often asked to plan a baby shower for, upcoming births for our former brides. We receive Christmas cards from couples, with their latest picture on the front, proudly showing their growing families. We consider each and every one, an addition to our family by the end of the planning process!

Dreamy Affairs Weddings is truly a FULL-service wedding planning company. We not only help our brides find reputable vendors and design their reception. Yes, we have even been known to drive 90 minutes to pick up something that our bride deems necessary for her reception. We also go to engagement shoots with our couples. We go to the bridal session with our brides, so Mom can stand back and enjoy the moment, while we assist the bride with her dress, hair, makeup and to ensure the dress doesn't get dirty during the location shoots. We attend meetings with our couples and their vendors, to ensure their wishes are carried out to the very end. We go to the hair-stylist and make-up artist with our brides for a trial run, the bridal shoot and the wedding day. We are available by phone, email, and text 20/7 (I do require a little sleep......although many of our brides get emails at 3:00 AM) and make every effort to respond to their calls, emails and texts as quickly as possible!! I think it is because we not only advertise that we are full-service BUT because we ARE TRULY "full-service" weddng planners, that our brides have voted us the best.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VOTED US THE BEST!! We love you all and plan to continue giving our service-driven attention to ALL our brides for as long as we continue in this business. Who knows, maybe we will be voted winners for 2011!!

Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

HOW MUCH SPACE?????

2010-01-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

Most brides search for the venue to host their reception that will reflect their style as well as have an atmosphere that would allow their guests to eat, drink and have a party. They want enough space to mingle freely, yet have an intimate feel about it. Recently, we have noticed a trend where brides want a venue that would host their ceremony and reception, with cocktails between the two. Most of the time, the process is more confusing than it is fun! WHEN you ask the venue representative if the venue can hold ALL of your guests, they most always will assure you it is large enough to hold all your guests, when in reality, it is NOT. But, how do you know?

Although there is no perfect answer, because every reception is as unique as the couple who host the reception, here is a "recommended" formula that will help you calculate how much space you will need for....
Ceremony............................Allow 8 Square Feet Per person
Cocktails (pre-meal)..............Allow 8 Square Feet per person
Dance floor..........................Allow 3 Square Feet per person
Sitdown Dinner.....................Allow 14 Square Feet per person
Heavy hors d'oeuvres............Allow 12 Square Feet per person

Ask the venue for their calculations on how many square feet they allow for each. If your calculations vary greatly from the venue, take a few seconds to REALLY think it over before you sign the contract. No one wants their guests to leave early because there was no room to move, not enough seating, or because the facility was too hot (because the air couldn't accommodate the number of guests in attendance).

Find a venue that you love AND that will accommodate ALL of your guests. Everyone will enjoy your wedding!
Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

PEAK verses OFF-PEAK

2010-01-11T20:53:00.001-08:00

Once the ring is on your finger and your family and friends have been told of the engagement, the next step is choosing your wedding date. Some couples choose their date based on a favorite month or the anniversary of their first date or their first kiss. Some even have to consider their school or work schedule. Believe it or not, in South Carolina, a lot of couples even take two college football schedules into serious consideration before choosing a date. And sometimes, for no other reason than a three-day wedding weekend, some couples choose to get married over a holiday weekend. The most common holiday weekend is Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Valentine's Day.  Unfortunately, most couples don't realize that holidays can (and most often do) mean higher costs for certain items in your budget. Flowers, facilities/venues, and transportation can be up to 3 times higher during a PEAK season with less "wiggle-room" in your contract negotiations.

PEAK season is a time when there is a higher demand for certain items or services, thus meaning "higher cost" for your budget! If you are on a very tight budget, choosing a PEAK season date will most likely ruin your budget.   One example is IF you are getting married in April or May, it could be during PROM season in your area, you can be assured that transportation (limo) services for your wedding will be affected by the PROM season prices. So be prepared to pay triple the regular cost with a 3 or 4 hour minimum. Not Fair, but true!

OFF-PEAK season is when there is less demand (or even NO demand) for certain items or services, thus helping you to stay within or even under your budget. Although January and February are typically slower months (OFF-PEAK) for the wedding industry, there is a PEAK season right in the middle. Valentine's Day begins the last week of January and goes through the middle of February and is considered PEAK season for flowers. A wedding during this time can cause your floral bill to double or triple.  Even if you choose to NOT use roses, your flower budget could still be higher than you expected.

Even if couples remember to investigate PEAK and OFF-PEAK times, most forget to research community activities. Large events (sporting events, political events, etc) can fill all hotels, cause detours and/or traffic jams, all of which can wreck havoc on your wedding itinerary.

PEAK or OFF-PEAK....matters not really, as long as you plan, communicate, and research long before you sign any contracts for your perfect date!

Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!
Leslie Ellison, ABC
Accredited Bridal Consultant

Association of Bridal Consultants - SC State Coordinator

2010-01-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

One week ago today, I received a call from Mr. David Wood, President of The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), confirming that I was the new (and first) State Coordinator for South Carolina. I am truly honored to be the first SC State Coordinator!! Although there is still a lot of work to be done, we have a great group of bridal consultants who have volunteered to assist me in making SC a great ABC state!

ABC MEMBERS: Linda Smreczak, PBC, has agreed to spearhead the Hilton Head Island Local Networking Group (LNG) meeting and has scheduled a meeting for March 2010. The Columbia LNG meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, from 12noon to 2pm. Ariel's Special Events has graciously offered to host our meeting and Simply Delicious will be catering our lunch. We are still waiting confirmation on our speaker (from the SC Dept of Revenue) and we hope to have him/her confirmed by next week. This is their busy time of the year (tax season), so we are hoping that one of the bureau speakers will be able to attend and inform us of any new SC tax rules.

FOR BRIDES: If you are planning your wedding, or most of your wedding, a question a lot of you may have is, "How do I know if this vendor is reputable and reliable?" Finding any wedding vendor (from photographer to coordinator) who is a member of The Association of Bridal Consultants will ensure that your vendor is experienced, ethical, and reputable. The ABC organization takes great pride in having very HIGH standards, and requires each vendor member to abide by those high standards! You never have to worry about your vendor if they are an ABC member!

I look forward to traveling throughout South Carolina in 2010 in hopes of starting a LNG in the Upstate, Myrtle Beach and Charleston areas. If you have any questions about The ABC or the benefits of the membership, please don't hesitate to contact me at (803) 727-6357, or dreamyaffairs@aol.com.

Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!
Leslie Ellison, ABC
Accredited Bridal Consultant

THE PERFECT DRESS

2010-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most exciting things you will get to do as a bride is to shop for your dress. NOT just any dress, but YOUR wedding dress...the PERFECT wedding dress. Unfortunately, you may find that the search for the perfect dress takes a lot longer than you had imagined.  You may have to go to four or five bridal shops before you find "the one".   This can be a huge stress-inducing issue, mainly because you don't have a lot of free time (between work, school, the gym, and spending time with your fiance') and you know that most dresses have to be ordered which can take 4-6 months to arrive.  To make matters worse, your friend has bragged that she found her perfect dress at the first store (and according to her, it was the first dress she tried on). Believe me when I say that your friend is the rarity, not you. On average, most brides go to 3 stores before finding "the dress".

Chances are, you have already seen hundreds of dresses in magazines and online and have an idea of what you want, but when you try it on, it just may not be "the one". Then you will start questioning yourself....what now?.....will I ever find it?.....should I just settle for another one?.....why haven't I been able to find the one?   At that point, just take a deep breath and relax and follow these 5 tips.

Here are our Top 5 suggestons:

1.   CALL the bridal store you want to visit and ask the manager/owner if they would schedule a special appointment for you to come in after-hours and try on dresses. Most privately owned shops are more than willing to work with you, than the large chain stores. Some stores even have late store hours one night a week.

2.  EVALUATE your body shape (upper figure, linear, apple, pear, or hour-glass) and research what style of dress looks best on your body shape. Not every girl looks good in a strapless dress and yet that seems to be that featured style displayed in every magazine today.

3. LESS is best! Take someone with you that is like-minded with the same sense of style as you that you know will give you their honest opinion. If that person is not your mother, then take your mother plus one more. DON'T, however, take an entourage! The fewer people, the less frustration you will have finding the perfect dress.

4.   TAKE the exact under-garments that you will be wearing on your wedding day with you when you try on wedding dresses! That includes the shoes you will wear on your wedding day. Most brides don't purchase their shoes until a few months before the wedding; however, some dresses (i.e. lace-trimmed dresses) are made to the exact length for you, because alterations would be extremely labor-intensive AND expensive to do. Thus, the shop will REQUIRE you to have the shoes before they measure you. IF you don't have the shoes, you may end up with a dress that has an unnecessary (and unsightly) seam.

5. DON'T get hung up on the size of the dress.  If you wear a size  8 and they measure you as a 10, the manufacturer may use a European cut and size chart, which is different than the American size chart. The store will measure your bust, waist and hips and compare all three measurements to the manufacturer's size chart.  They will take the largest of the three and see which size you will require to be ordered.  So if you're "pear" shaped, then your hip measurement may determine the size of your dress. If you are an "upper-figure", then your bust measurement may determine your dress size. Write down your measurements and compare one store's measurement to another store's measurement. Ask to see the manufacturer's size chart if you have any questions about the size, to confirm you will receive the correct size dress.

Look in the mirror and listen to your heart. When you try on "your perfect dress" you will know it!
Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!
Leslie

D.I.Y. WEDDING WORKSHOP

2010-01-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

Once you get over the excitement of getting your gorgeous ring, you will start to tell your friends and family. Next, you will choose your wedding date and then, most likely, will start to think about which of your closest friends and family you want to be in your wedding party, at the same time, you begin to search for your prefect wedding dress. When the romantic haze starts to clear, you will probably start to make a list of everything you can think of that you will need to do in the upcoming months. THAT is when reality hits you between the eyes...... you are not really sure where to start. What should you do FIRST? You've heard that venues and vendors stay booked-up at least one year out, so you feel pressured to go ahead and sign contracts to ensure you have your dream wedding. So many questions and so little time....You may have already started having panic attacks just trying to figure it all out......DON'T PANIC YET!

As the only Accredited Bridal Consultant in Columbia, I am offering a DIY Wedding Workshop to assist brides, grooms and mothers-of-the-brides with advice on How To Get Started, Etiquette for the Modern Bride, Choosing Reliable Vendors, Staying Within Your Budget and more. Take your wedding from "Cookie-Cutter to Classy Couture" and plan your day, your way.

There will be food, cake samples, and door prizes. Lots to learn and lots of fun!

You won't want to miss the special Wedding Workshop coming up this month. There is a special offer of $100 off any wedding planning/coordination package to those that register before January 15, 2010.

Sunday, January 24, 2010, 2pm to 5pm

The Wingate Inn - Lexington, located at I-20 and Hwy 378 (Exit 61).

Bring your fiance', your mom, Maid-of-Honor and/or your friends.

http://www.dreamyaffairs.com/ (Workshop tab)

Check out our web site for future workshop dates and other services.

Here's to Happy Planning and Dream Weddings!

Leslie

My Favorites of 2009

2009-12-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

2009......it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The opulent weddings with enormous budgets of the past few years seem to be far and few between throughout this past year. Although the economy caused couples to re-evaluate their wedding choices and to decrease their budgets, we noticed that couples became more flexible as we became more creative.

With each wedding in 2009, the Dreamy Affairs Team became better, faster and larger. Even with all the funny behind-the-scene situations, (sometimes we huffed; sometimes we puffed, but most times we laughed) the awesome Dreamy Affairs team was able to keep things running smoothly, without the couple and/or guests ever knowing of any little glitches that occurred during the wedding day. They put in MANY LONG hours, LOTS of sweat and mounds of determination to make each wedding a "dreamy affair" for the bride and groom.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to say a very special THANK-YOU to Doug, Brittany, and Trey, who have been there every step of the way with me!! Dreamy Affairs would not even exist without your love and support and hard work! Also, to all those that worked long and hard,as well as put in blood, sweat and tears, you were the best team EVER!! Thank you to Laura, Tori, Christina, Nicole, Shelly, Taren, Terri, Gary, Linda, Ron, Andrew, Jenn, Liz and Elizabeth for making 2009 one of the most memorable years for Dreamy Affairs Weddings. You are truly an awesome team and I can't wait to work with you again next year. All of you are truly my favorites of 2009!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!