Event Planning| Savvy Ways to Cut Costs without Cutting Style: Dessert

You are having a wedding reception or a milestone party (i.e. birthday, graduation, or retirement party) and all 50-150+ of your closest friends and family members will be there. You want to impress them and have the party they will never forget (no pressure) BUT you don't want to take out a second mortgage on your house. Well you won't have to because after reading these tips you'll have a classy yet savvy event. Dessert: The new trend of individualized desserts (cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, mini cakes, etc) for your guests is a great way to not only personalize your affair AND save you money. Individual desserts can save costs in one of two ways...both of which gives you two uses for the price of one. I. First, you can use these individual desserts as a centerpiece in lieu of the typical floral option. The centerpiece (mini cake or cupcakes) can be a simpler version of your cake or can compliment your wedding theme by matching the bridesmaids’ dresses, invitations, or the room’s décor…just remember your wedding cake is the focal point. The centerpiece can be placed on a charger, cupcake stand, a toile—anything you want that will match your events’ theme perfectly. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. Just make sure the venue provides each table with a knife if it's required. After the guests watch you cut your cake, they can return to their tables to help themselves…and as we learned in kindergarten, sharing is caring. You save money because you do not have to purchase a traditional centerpiece (flowers, vases, ribbons, or candles) and extra sheet cakes to feed your guests. A two-layer centerpiece is adequate with an eight-inch cake for a smaller gathering or twelve inches for a larger group. Or eight to twelve cupcakes per table based on the seating arrangement. Not only will these centerpieces be a factor your guests will always remember but they will enjoy these edible pieces as well. II. Your individualized desserts can also be the favors for your event. Just place them in a creative container. Your guests will have something unique to take home. You can use monogrammed cookies or cupcakes in any flavor or style that you like. The individualized desserts can match the decoration of your wedding or event cake…the choice is yours. Take it one step further by adding your guest’s name or including a little handwritten note thanking each guest for sharing your day with you. Be careful—more personalization on the part of the baker means additional expenses. However, little notes written or printed by you cost next to nothing. Before making a decision on individualized desserts, comparison shop. Make sure you choose the bakery or the design that is right for you and your budget. The choices are endless since bakers now offer lots of flavors and design options. Happy Planning! a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha

Hey guys...welcome to Indigo Bleu's blog. I promised it would be full of resources as well as updates on our different projects. So to keep my promise, I've been tirelessly reading bridal magazines (oh the burden of looking at satin, lace, and wedding cakes :), going to local association meetings and reading many a blog to present you guys with the latest in fashion, event trends and most importantly MONEY saving tips.

So visit often, ask questions, and share your planning experiences. A K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time ~Kenesha

Savvy Ways to Cut Costs Without Cutting Style: No No No to a Cash Bar

You are having a wedding reception or a milestone party (i.e. birthday, graduation, or retirement party) and all 50-150+ of your closest friends and family members will be there. You want to impress them and have the party they will never forget without having a cash bar BUT you don't want to take out a second mortgage on your house. Well you won't have to because after reading these tips you'll have a classy yet savvy event. No No No to a Cash Bar: Okay, you are probably wondering how paying for alcohol will save you money. Well trust me (and industry experts). You can still provide your guests with alcohol without having them reach into their wallets and without emptying yours. You can serve beer and: a) a signature drink, b) wine, c) one premium liquor or d) themed drink(s) only (no beer) By limiting the options, you are saving money without breaking the bank AND most importantly, you are still giving your guests what they are expecting (we know a little alcohol livens up the dance floor). a) Signature Drink: For instance, if you serve a signature drink and beer, most everyone will be happy. By having a signature drink, you won’t need to use top-shelf alcohol and your guests will never know. b) Wine: You can substitute the signature drink with wine and serve your favorite type or a variety of house wines. If your guests are wine enthusiasts (like my friends) then provide a variety of wines you know they would enjoy and not the house wine. c) Premium Liquor: You could also serve one premium liquor that can be used in a variety of ways. For example, if you serve gin, your guests could have a gin and tonic, a martini, or a gin daiquiri. d) Themed Drink: For a themed drink, you could serve something that holds a special meaning for you and your fiancé. For instance, if your fiancé proposed while you were on vacation in Cabo, you could serve Coronas and Tequila. Your guests could have margaritas (classic or frozen), a Tequila sunrise, a Conchita or a Caribbean Ice Tea. The possibilities are endless. To make a non-cash bar inexpensive you can do a few things:

1. First, you can serve alcohol for the first two hours of your event (maybe for one hour at the cocktail hour and for the first hour of the reception). However, please ensure there are enough bartenders so your guests are not standing in line for the entire cocktail hour.
2. Secondly, you can instruct the bar staff to tell guests that they can only have one glass at a time, however, they can come back as often as he or she would like. This would limit the amount your guests take at one time and will actually limit the number of times they return to the bar for a refill (well at least for some of your guests).
3. You could also find out from your venue if you can provide the alcohol. If you are able to do so, you can get your alcohol from a wholesaler, which may accept the bottles you did not use and refund you the cost at the end of the event.
4. If you are not allowed to provide your own alcohol, instruct the bartenders at the venue to serve one bottle at a time. They should not open another until the first is completely empty. This prevents you from having two or three half-empty bottles of the same thing at the end of the night.

Whatever tact you choose your guests will enjoy themselves and so will you and that is the ultimate goal of having your event. Happy Planning!

a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha

Savvy Ways to Cut Costs Without Cutting Style: Cocktail Hour

You are having a wedding reception or a milestone party (i.e. birthday, graduation, or retirement party) and all 50-150+ of your closest friends and family members will be there. You want to impress them and have the party they'll never forget (no pressure) BUT you don't want to take out a second mortgage on your house. Well you won't have to because after reading these tips you'll have a classy yet savvy event.

Cocktail hour or cocktail only reception: Instead of having a buffet, have the venue's wait staff walk around the room with the hor d'oeuvres on trays. This will save money and give the feeling of class you are trying to achieve. Everyone wants to be pampered and catered to and that is true of your guests.

You may be wondering how a silver-trayed service will save you money, well wonder no more. When guest select the food they want on their own, they are more likely to take more than they’ll EVER eat (ain’t that the truth). With a circulating wait staff, your guests will have plenty of options and they won’t take more than they can handle. You could also have the wait staff serve each guest at the buffet station if the circulating wait staff is not an option or do a combination of both.

Another plus is that you can choose at least five different things and make them as distinctive or as fun as you want them to be. The hor d’oeuvres can really reflect the theme you are going for. So have your comfort food with a twist (like a mini Kobe Beef Short Rib Sandwich) or a Foie Gras lollipop. Whatever it may be—pamper your guests with a little attention and just have fun.

The staff at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios executed the cocktail hour perfectly. Each guest was lavished with attention and the choices were amazing. The guests had plenty of options and the food seemed endless. It was a perfect precursor to the Reception that followed.

a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha

Wedding Planning| A Guide for the Savvy Bride| Bridal Bailout IV of IV: Online Wedding Marketplace

There are a lot of wedding websites that allow you to find local vendors, post a review, or read the comments of other brides who are busy planning a dream wedding as well. These online wedding marketplaces or blogs are a great way for you to find deals galore. Sites such as Wedding Wire and Wedalert have vendors listed in your county. Most importantly, they show you wish vendor is offering a special offer just for registering with that online site. Once again, when you mention to vendors where you found them, they know their investment in that medium paid off and they will continue to advertise there...which means more savings for you and your fellow brides. Another forum I love because you find great deals and tips, are wedding blogs like Wedding Bee. You will be amazed at the wealth of information you will find. Brides-to-be talk about different online retailers, vendor specials in your area, or DIY tips. Of course there are the vendor ads on the sites as well. No matter the online forum (marketplace or blog)...with just a little patience and a whole lot of time you will be able to find the things you would like to have at your wedding without the high price tag. That Ivory 100% cotton 5 1/2" W x 7 3/8" L engraved invitation may not be a pipe dream after all...or you just may find the next best thing at a fraction of the cost. The savings are out there if you just take some time to find them. SUMMARY: So let's recap. By taking a little time out of your schedule, you can save hundreds of dollars and still have the wedding of your dreams. Plus attending an expo or surfing the web will keep you from spending money at a restaurant, the movies, or on those killer pair of shoes. So think of it this way, the time you spend finding savings IS actually keeping more money in your pocket. (Your fiance will thank you). Happy Planning! a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha

Bridal Bailout III of IV: Local Industry Associations

If you contact local industry associations like the Association of Bridal Consultants or the International Special Event Society, you can receive a list of vendors in your state. So one Saturday sit back with a cup of tea or glass of wine (depending on the time of day), a notepad, a pen and just surf the web. Most vendors have a website but if they don't, make a list of those you have to call the following weekend. Do not put if off any longer than a week or else you will never call them. You'll be surprised to see how many vendors have a special offer listed on their website or on their blog, especially during their off season. With a little time and perseverance you may be able to find deals on some of the services you need to have the wedding you envisioned...all without breaking the bank. Part Four: Online Wedding Marketplace

a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha

Bridal Bailout II of IV: Bridal Expo Discounts

Most local bridal magazines like (201) Bride or NJ Wedding advertise a list of upcoming Expos and bridal showcases. A majority of these Expos are FREE for brides. If you are in the North Jersey area check out these magazines or their websites and make a day of it. Drag your best friend, your mother, or *gulp* your fiance (the poor guy) and have some fun. You'll walk out of the Expo with free gifts, a chance to win large prizes, and you get to interview some local vendors all under one roof. The best part is you can sign up to receive an email from the vendors you like. When you receive the follow up email or phone call from the vendor, you can take some time to check out the vendor's services. However, the follow-up email usually contains a discount on a service or product. Therefore, you are getting something extra for less from the vendor you want to use. For the few hours you spent one night at a bridal expo you may receive a percentage off of catering services or an upgrade and free leather bound photo album from a photographer--all things that you may not have purchased before because they were outside of your budget. Definitely take advantage of these FREE bridal expos because a few minutes of your time can save you some money or earn you a free gift...and you just may have some fun there too! Part Three: Local Industry Associations

a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha

Bridal Bailout I of IV: Your Time Equals Money

With everything going on with the economy, I understand your reservation about spending money on what you may consider a luxury. That makes sense. But I am here to tell you that now more than ever, things are on SALE. We are inundated with signs saying "everything must go", "buy one and get the other 50% off", just to name a few. It seems like everyone, from brick and mortar stores to online retailers, have a sale this season...and wedding vendors do as well. So take advantage of it.

It may require a little more time on your part but as the saying goes, "time equals (more) money"...in your pocket. Most wedding vendors offer discounts to individuals who:

1. attended an Expo or bridal showcase where the vendor had a table
2. signed up to for the vendor's newsletter to receive special offers, or
3. noticed the vendor's ad in a bridal publication or on a website

The key to remember is most vendors invest money in attending shows and/or advertising. When you mention how or where you saw them and book an event with them, they know that investment was a good one for them...and for you as well.

So take advantage of these "sales". Yes, it will take some time (attending an expo, sorting through emails you receive after subscribing on a vendor's website, or going online to find local vendors) but it is worth it...and it's FREE.

Part Two: Bridal Expo Discounts a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha