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5 Tips For Attending A Virtual Wedding Show

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Thanks so much Covid for changing the way we plan weddings (insert total sarcasm voice here).

You can’t interview vendors in person. Talking about your wedding with your family and friends after dinner is mostly non-existent. And you can forget about attending a wedding expo or wedding show.

Or can you?!?

Have you heard of a virtual wedding show? No, check out our article on What Is A Virtual Wedding Show??? Interested? We thought you might be! How about some tips on making your experience amazing?

  1. Put the date and time on your calendar as soon as you sign up and make it a priority.

    I know stuff happens, but you won’t get any benefit if you don’t actually attend. Besides, most of the discount codes won’t be given out until the end of the show.

  2. Download the appropriate app before the show.

    This one seems a little silly, but it will make clicking the link and getting into the show faster and easier day of.

  3. Take a peek at the schedule and see who you want to be sure to be present for.

    You may have already booked a vendor or two already and are really interested in others. Look at the schedule to make sure you’re online and in a place to listen and interact when those you are super interested in will be presenting.

  4. If you have the time, listen to everyone, even vendor categories you may have already booked.

    You may pick up some tips, tricks and advice to help with those vendors already booked.

  5. Open the emails that come before and after the show from the organizers and participating vendors.

    This is where the discount codes, special offers and other goodies will be given to you. You don’t want to miss them.

I know this isn’t ideal. It isn’t normal. It isn’t what you dreamed about. And trust me, my heart is breaking for you. But I do love that I get a more intimate experience with you while you decide which vendors to hire. I love that attending a virtual option keeps you safe. And I love that the vendors that chose to step into this mode of working with you are among the most progressive and professional in our area.

Mark November 15th, 2020 on your calendar and get your ticket to the Arizona Online Wedding Show!

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What Is A Virtual Wedding Show???

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Virtual Conference Image

So there is pre-Covid life which I think most of us are really missing right now. And then there is during Covid life, which unfortunately is our current reality. And I’m going to be honest with you, during Covid life is really, really terrible in so many ways - no parties, no get-togethers, limited travel, limited everything including how you plan for your wedding.

Remember this -

Engagement Ring


Leads to this (usually) -

But in-between we have a whole lot of this -

Wedding planning involves a ton of research, talking to loads of people and spending tons of money. Pre-Covid, you would talk to your friends over dinner for referrals and to make plans, meet with more than a few professionals as you try to hire just the right person for the job, oh and attend wedding shows/open houses.

All of which YOU CAN’T DO RIGHT NOW!!!!

Does this mean that you’re supposed to wing it? Not plan a wedding? Try and figure things out using Google and praying that you are hiring someone with value, integrity and who has just the right stuff?

Or…

You could attend a virtual wedding show. What’s that you say?? You’ve never heard of a virtual wedding show?!?! Let me tell you all about it!!!

A virtual wedding show has so many perks that I don’t know why we didn’t have them pre-Covid!

  • They are typically free or very low cost to attend.

  • You don’t have to fight through traffic and pay for parking.

  • Crowds are non-existent (unless you have 1,000 of your best friends staying at your house).

  • No back breaking bag full of promotional materials that you took just to get someone to leave you alone.

  • They are full of curated, professional vendors that are on a schedule so you can pop in and only watch the ones you are interested in.

  • You can interact with the vendors on a one-to-one basis and ask all the questions, without feeling over-whelmed.

  • Typically you are still offered a discount or some other perk for signing on.

  • You can attend in your PJ’s or hanging out by the pool.

  • No need to get a babysitter, you can watch on mute while the kiddos are in the other room.

  • Need an excuse to get together with your besties but don’t want to expose them to 3,000 other people? Have a watch party with mimosas!

  • No masks or social distancing AT ALL!

You’ll still get to meet amazing vendors! You’ll still get to work on planning your wedding! You’ll still get those moments of “OMG, I really am getting married”.

So, you’re hooked and ready to sign on for the next show???

Mark your calendar for November 15th, 2020 at 11:00 am and register for your free ticket to the Arizona Online Wedding Show!

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Real Event - Plancation 2019 - Doubletree Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert - Gilbert, Arizona

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Sweet I Do_Plancation 2019_Doubletree Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert_Gilbert AZ_Placation SM.jpg

I typically only plan and coordinate weddings, but this one conference has and always will have a place in my heart and space on my calendar. Plancation is a three day conference for women that use paper (and digital) planners to help make sense out of this thing we call life. Some are in it for the pretty pages, some for the organizational pluses and some for memory keeping (or some combination of all three), but we’re all thankful for a place to go and people that share our same obsession for all things paper.

This was my third year attending, second year planning the conference and let me tell you, the group who put this shindig on pulled out all the stops this year! Being the fourth year we took it back to high school, specifically Sweet Planner High (based on the books/TV show Sweet Valley High). First year attendees were freshmen, second year sophomores, etc. ID badges were mocked up like school ID’s and the tables were all based on cliques from our high school days. Attendees were able to vote on their clique (or choose to belong to none) and when we opened the doors they were able to choose the table that best fit their clique. Friday night included prom and attendees were encouraged to make their prom dress from planner supplies (or just find a fun and fancy prom dress from the thrift store). Saturday included a competition to have a group of people dressed up cosplay style in their favorite high school based movie (this girl was good girl Sandy from Grease). Saturday night was our traditional glow stick pool party. Sunday was our self care day and attendance in pajamas was encouraged (and may or may not have included a few mimosas).

All in all it was yet another amazing conference with loads of new friends and old, lots of memories, tons of encouragement and some goodies as well!

Check out Planner Girl Chatter on your favorite podcast platform for more shenanigans (definitely not suitable for work or kiddos, lol). And if you are interested in joining the next Plancation adventure check out the website Plancation.

Professional Team -

Venue - Doubletree Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert

Coordinator - Sweet I Do’s

Audio/Visual - Divinity Event Lighting




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2019 Year In Review

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I know that everyone says this, but wow, 2019 seems to have flown by! Going into the 10th year of business, I had the privilege of being part of so many events this last year! 11 weddings, 2 styled events, a handful of personal events and 1 charity event that is dear to my heart. Whew!

First up was our sping styled event. I love this event because I get to chose every single element, from the colors to the style to every tiny detail - navy and gold with geometric touches, yes, please!!

When your daughter asks for a Wonder Woman party, you give her the absolute best Wonder Woman party ever complete with a super hero obstacle course and you can’t be a super hero without the accessories!

Caitlin and Colin were married in the spring at the gorgeous Sanctuary Camelback Mountain and happened to be our first wedding off the season. These two missed their own wedding rehearsal to search for their sweet puppy that made a break for it as they were on their way to the resort. Best news ever, just as we were wrapping up, we received a message that the puppy had been found!

Photo - Laura Segall Photography

It has been a privilege to participate in the annual Tables That Bloom event for the 5th year running. Every year there is a different theme that the best designers in the valley get to try and bring to life. This year it was to “Live Life In Full Bloom”. Put on by the Gamma Delta Foundation to benefit the Foundation for Blind Children, we look forward to creating an amazing design with the always fabulous PJ’s Flowers and Events. This year we were at the gorgeous McCormick Ranch Golf Course in Scottsdale, Arizona with our table - “Moments”.

Photo - CWLife Photography

Arizona is one of those places that when it’s beautiful it’s beautiful and when it’s hot, well we just don’t go outside. Other than the heat, the weather is usually pretty mild. But then there was that one night, let’s just say that the wind was vicious and the tents went tumbling head over heels. Good thing Jacquelyn and Andrew had Sweet I Do’s on their side!

Photo - George Street Photo & Video

The day after the wind storm of 2019 (who needs sleep!) we were over at Desert Foothills for the rustic wedding of Kayla and Cameron. The danced the night away and I think drank all the Jack Daniel’s in the valley, plus they had their adorable puppy Ruger with them!

Photo - Charlotte Francis Photography

We don’t do many candy buffets any more, but when we do, we do them big and fun! Addison was celebrating her 9th birthday Greatest Showman style. What do you think of our circus themed candy and treat table?

Our last wedding for the first part of the 2019 season was for Enisa and Mike! They got married at Starfire Golf Club and celebrated with friends and family at Legacy Ballroom. The weather was a fickle one this year and the power went out at Starfire a few hours before ceremony start time. No power means no air conditioning. The staff and I went into crisis management mode and the guests were made comfortable, had loads of water and shade and just minutes before we were supposed to walk down the aisle the power came back on.

Photo - Ina Ivanova Photography

June brought our 2nd styled event of the year. Yellow always makes me feel happy! Thanks again to our fabulous floral partner PJ’s Flowers & Events!

Summer is usually pretty slow for me in Arizona, partly on purpose so I can spend time with the kiddos when they’re out of school and partly becuase no one wants to get married in Arizona when it’s 115* outside. I do have one conference that I have helped coordinate for a couple of years now. It’s for an amazing group of women that travel from all over to spend a weekend together. We laugh, we cry, we jump in the pool with a gigantic unicorn named Eunice… This year’s theme took us back to high school…

The first wedding of the fall season was a very intimate wedding reception for Elise and Sean. They were married in San Diego and had a small celebration at Paige Springs Cellars (if you haven’t been there, go! now!!! and thank me later).

Our second (and last) candy buffet of the year was for Nicole and Tyler on a referral from Anthem Country Club (where we are a preferred vendor (just saying)). They love salty and spicy treats mixed with a little sugar just for fun! The best displays are when couples bring their tastes into it!!!

Nicole and Tyler Anthem Country Club Sweet I Do's Salty, Spicy and Sweet Wedding Candy Buffet Sweet I Do's Wedding Management Specialist Anthem Arizona.jpg

When your venue sets up a fun new display the day before your wedding, you embrace the fun! Melinda and Matthew were married under the fish installment at the Desert Botanical Gardens. One of my favorite images is the happy couple with the happy bunny installation!

Photo - Laura Segall Photography

Right after our wedding at DBG was our first double wedding weekend! First, we celebrated the night away with Gabby and Jon at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort. Our first full flip in 10 years and the staff was amazing and executed the plan flawlessly! And seriously, that desert background is like nothing else in the world!

Photo - Elyse Hall Photography

The following day we celebrated with Michelle and Ben at The Clayton House! It was a day filled with family and all the drama sisters can bring, as well as all the memories and moments that family can bring as they toasted, danced and celebrated late into the night!

Photo - Ryanobull Photography

Next weekend brought us to the Shemer Art Center for Hannah and Brian. When you bring together 200 of your closest family and friends at one of the most unique museums in the valley you get one heck of a party!

Photo - Brooke Magee Photography

While the fabulous Miranda was caring for Hannah and Brian, I was celebrating with Elizabeth and Ryan at the Farm at South Mountain! I adore when couples bring parts of themselves into the wedding and Elizaabeth hand-drew all of the place card posters and created all of the centerpieces and flowers for her and Ryan’s amazing wedding day! It was a great wedding to end the season with!

Photo - The Pros

All in all it was another amazing year, filled with love, laugher, learning and growing! Will you be on our 2020 Year in Review?

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What Is In Our Wedding Day Emergency Kit

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Let’s chat about wedding day emergency kits! So, I know that most couples when planning their wedding use Pinterest to help keep track of all the ideas and visions of things they like or want to have for their wedding. Inevitably there are pins on emergency kits that contain things to make sure your wedding day emergencies are covered. I thought it would be fun to talk about what a wedding day manager includes in her kit and the why behind it.

My kit is huge, for real, it is a four case rolling makeup kit plus side bag full of all the things you can think of (and a few I bet you can’t) that have been needed at a wedding or event. Take a peak…

Huge, right!?!?!

So what’s inside my Mary Poppins bottomless kit of all things wedding?

Typical Stuff

Yes, we have a ton of the typical stuff you’d expect to be in an emergency kit - Tylenol, Advil, Imodium AD, Pepto, Midol, Shout wipes, a Tide pen, tampons, pads, nail glue, eyelash glue, super glue, tape, envelopes, note cards, SO MANY PENS, lighters, scissors and on and on. Probably half of the kit is filled with things that are in your bathroom medicine cabinet and your kitchen junk drawer.

No So Typical Stuff

Then we get into the kinda unusual, but once you think about it it makes sense stuff - zip ties, s-hooks, t-pins, fabric glue, double sided fashion tape, a sewing kit, boutonniere pins, tweezers, hand sanitizer and so many more things. This would be the odds and ends in your laundry room and household repair kits.

Strange and Unusual

Finally we get to those things that just don’t seem to have a rhyme or reason - extra black socks, fake rings, garters, shoelaces, extension cords, umbrellas, bug spray, a cake cutting set, table numbers, batteries (every size imaginable), flashlights, chalk (a wedding dress’ best friend), cash, phone chargers (all brands), bungee cords, a complete tool set, a hatchet, garbage bags, toilet paper and that is just the tip of the kits goodness.

Everything in the kit has been needed at at least one wedding or event. And sometimes the emergencies just keep happening and the kit keeps giving up all its treasures. I can’t remember a time that I was asked for something and was unable to make it happen (thank goodness for over prepared wedding day managers).

If you’re a wedding vendor, what is the most unusual thing in your kit? If you’re getting married, what is the one thing you hope your wedding day manager or wedding planner has in their kit? Just married, what did you need to use from your kit (or your manager or planners kit)

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Real Event - Plancation 2018 - Arizona Planner Girls - Planner Girl Chatter

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Imagine in this world full of tech this and on line that that there is still a group of people that are all about the paper. That will spend loads of money and schedule their vacation, that will travel to what has to be the hottest place in the summer to attend one conference for one thing and one thing only – the paper planner. You know the sanity keeper, the appointment book, the paper calendar. But it isn’t your momma’s planner, oh no; there are stickers and washi and pens and accessories galore to make it as gorgeous and personalized as you want it. Planning and coordinating this multi day event was the highlight of last summer!

Plancation

Plancation is a yearly event put on by The Arizona Planner Girls, a group of women that love all things related to paper planners. It is a combination of conference & trade show with a good dose of staycation shenanigans thrown in for good measure! 

Pre-Camp

Leading up to the event were a number of “group” activities for the attendees. Because this year’s event was summer camp themed, we placed the attendees into random teams when they purchased their tickets. Each group of “campers” were given the task of coming up with a name, hashtag, chant, colors & mascot that they would use throughout Camp Plancation. There were 10 teams total, plus “Team Lurkers” - the admins & myself. Points were awarded on the timely completion of the tasks. As the countdown to Camp Plancation continued there were flash competitions varying from finding Easter eggs hidden on participating vendors Etsy sites, to listening to the Spotify song list created by the Games Master, to being the first to post a picture of themselves with their planner on IG with the correct hashtags. Competition was fierce & it was neck and neck between a couple of the teams heading into the Friday reception.

Check-In

At check-in attendees were given their camp ID, their team sash (think Girl Scouts sash), camp shirt & a few other goodies. Final points would be determined by a group scavenger hunt. The goal – take group selfies with various shop vendors & post FB and IG with the correct hashtags. The more people that participated the more points the team received. At the end, the teams needed to take a selfie with Team Lurkers & they received their first camp patch – a cute badge with the logo of the event. 

Camp - Day 1 - Morning Session

Saturday morning began with an amazing breakfast & shopping. The winning team got to enter the session hall 15 minutes prior to the remaining teams. Doors opened & the ladies were welcomed into the room & given the first of many swag items.

We opened up the Make & Take tables (the teams taught attendees how to make planner specific items that they could then take with them). Following breakfast, we started the conference with a Camp Welcome, a hula hoop competition between the teams & then we jumped in with our keynote speakers – two of the three founders of KitLife (www.kitlife.net), a paper planner company that believes life should be more than a to do list. They presented on how we seem to get stuck with harmful habits (without realizing that we are stuck and just how harmful they may be) and that there are ways to change them. They provided items to assist with this process in the Saturday morning swag drop. After the session, attendees were given their second badge - a yellow light bulb patch.

Following the KitLife team was an amazing speaker that taught us how to take our boring handwriting & make it fun & whimsical (attendees got an amazing lettering pen & pencil in their swag drop). 

Right before we broke for lunch the teams from the hula hoop competition got to select a mystery envelope – a song that the team had to perform for Team Lurkers at the end of the sessions. Songs ranged from Backstreet Boys to Shania Twain and everything in between.

Camp - Day 1 - Afternoon Session

After lunch and shopping, the sessions continued with a fun coloring lesson using Copics. Next up was memory keeping in a TN (traveler’s notebook) & using traditional planner items in unconventional ways. Attendees received their third badge– a pink planner.

Following this presentation we had an afternoon break of pretzels with cheese, popcorn, Cracker Jacks & of course S’MORES! Our final presentation of the day was how set up your own simple, but super effective photo corner to take all those amazing IG pictures. The final badge of the night was handed out – a green camera.

Before we finished the formal session, the teams were called up to perform their songs from the morning session. These were absolutely the most hilarious moments of the conference. Team Lurkers were serenaded, danced with & chased around the room. In the end we had to have a dance off & still couldn’t determine a winner. Both of the first place teams won $5.00 gift cards to Starbucks.

We opened up the final set of Make & Takes & did one last round of shopping to end the day. Attendees were on their own for dinner which would then be followed by the annual pool party with the largest floating unicorn ever!

Camp - Day 2 - Morning Session

Sunday began with a continental breakfast & shopping as well as the option to finish any of the Makes & Takes from the previous day. The sessions for Sunday were much more laid back & casual & included open planning, planner show off and we ended the day with an episode of Planner Girl Chatter, Arizona Planner Girls podcast (NSFW). The final badge of the conference was handed out to those that made it through the whole conference – white headphones. We said farewell to our campers & concluded the conference. It was an amazing event that brought loads of laughter, tons of community and friendships galore.

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Wedding Alcohol Calculator

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Buying the alcohol for your wedding? Have no idea how much to buy? Let us help! Check out our guide below!

Tips

  • Buy in bulk and/or by the case. Most Sam's Club and Costco's will allow you to shop without a membership and will accept returns of unopened bottles/cases. Bevmo will ice and deliver your alcohol if you purchase more than $500.00 in products.

  • Make sure to get a licensed/insured bartender to serve your alcohol.

  • Get event/wedding insurance with an alcohol rider to protect yourself and your guests.

  • Ask your bartending service if they provide glasses, ice, napkins, mixers, etc.

  • Tip your bartender through their contract/personally and ask that they not put out a tip jar.

 

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You Can't Save Money By Avoiding the "W" Word

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And trying to lie about it may cost you in the end!

Wedding Cross Out.jpg

You've gotten engaged and are busily planning your wedding. You think you have a good idea what everything will cost. You start shopping around and discover almost everything seems to cost more that you expected!!!

The Myth

You do a little research and think you've discovered the reason - everyone out there (i.e. all the "experts" on the internet) claim that you're paying more because you're using the word "wedding". That there is this huge conspiracy of professionals that are part of the "wedding industry complex" just waiting to take advantage of you.

The Reality

Wedding professionals do typically charge more for a wedding. Now, I know what you are thinking - "I told you I was getting taken advantage of by saying it was for a wedding. I'm just  gonna say it's for a party and save some $$$$!"

You may save some money, but you will lose many, many things.

The Losses

  1. You'll lose your professionals trust. It's not a great way to start a relationship by lying to your vendors/professionals. They won't trust you for the rest of the night and trust is a hard thing to work without.

  2. You may void your contract by lying. Big deal right? Once they show up what are they going to do, leave? No way! They'll still do the work, so you win a discounted fee for the same service, right? Wrong!!! They can chose to leave, to refuse to work unless their fee (probably at a higher cost then if you had just told them the truth) is paid or hold your end product hostage until you pay up.

  3. They won't be properly prepared for your wedding. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt because you lied and said it was a casual party versus dress clothes - a real possibility! Show up a little late because timing isn't critical to a birthday party - sure thing! Bring the incorrect items or amount of items because you didn't give an accurate head count or portray the importance of no substitutions - count on it! Reduce the amount of staffing because it is just a party and has no critical moments or needs any extra care - yep! And the list can go on and on...

  4. You'll lose the time and extra care that goes into a wedding. I know, I know, every event should have the same amount of time and care, but reality is a wedding is a one time, one shot deal. Every pro that I know takes a little more time, a little more care, puts little more work in when they know that they have one chance to capture/work/create that once in a life moment.

Truth

Do you want to know why products and services cost more for a wedding?

Because there is a level of expectation with a wedding that doesn't exist with most other events.

Photographers capture more images, have more people to pose, have a vested interest in making sure that every single image is flawless. And to do this it takes TIME and TALENT, both of which cost money.

Florists hunt up the most perfect blooms they can find, spend extra time arranging and rearranging those blooms, spend extra time ensuring each and every flower will withstand the rigors of posing, moving and handling that occurs during a wedding. This takes TIME and TALENT.

Bakers spend more time ensuring that every decoration, every angle of a wedding cake is perfect. Typically a head baker handles the wedding cakes and an apprentice or new team member handles low key event cakes to "practice" on.

Do you see the recurring theme here - TIME and TALENT.

Weddings take more time and talent to execute. To get that Pinterest/IG worthy wedding takes time and talent.

Time and talent rightfully cost more money. You wouldn't be happy if someone came into your place of employment, had half the skills and education you did and worked half the time you do, but made the same salary as you. Why would you expect your wedding professionals to work for less and produce more?

I know this seems preachy, and it is. This lie that we charge you more just because has got to die. We charge more because we do more. If you don't see how or understand why, please just ask. We'll be happy to explain all the more that you get when we are working a wedding versus any other event.

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Real Sweet 15 (Quinceanera) - Krystal's Birthday Candy Buffet - Estrella Vista Reception Center - Avondale, Arizona

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Krystal was getting ready to celebrate her Sweet 15/Quinceanera Party at the Estrella Vista Reception Center in Avondale, Arizona and just had to have a sweet candy buffet. Her aunt, Angelica knew we were a fabulous company and could make magical things happen (we set up a fabulous display for her wedding a few years before). A few phone calls later, and Krystal's candy buffet filled with her favorite sweets was in the works!

The Details

Krystal had so many favorite candies that it was hard to narrow it down to the few special treats on the table! Her guests (and her very large, happy family) enjoyed Dum Dum Lollipops, peanut M&M's, peach gummy rings, Kit Kat bars and marzipan treats! To add a bit of glitz and glam, guests took home treats in metallic silver Chinese take-out boxes. The table was decorated with a gorgeous silver rosette table linen and loads of rhinestone candle holders.

Real Party - Talitha's End Of Summer Fire and Ice Party - Mesa, Arizona

Talitha throws the most epic end of summer parties ever! We've been honored to set up candy buffets for her for two years in a row and this one had to have been the best yet (there were fire dancers at the party)!!!

Her guests enjoyed fun candies that fit the theme of fire and ice including Hot Tamales, milk chocolates, cherry sours, cinnamon discs and the returning favorite Rice Krispie treats. Guests took home their goodies in fun red and black organza treat bags with custom tags.