Good Morning! It is a beautiful day with amazing 6o degree weather! I am excited to announce that my husband and I are expecting our 3rd child. We are looking forward to expending our family. We are having a little problem that I'm hoping some fans can help me with. We can't decided if we should find out the sex of this child. We have a 5 year old son and a 20 month daughter so my thought was to let the last one be a surprise. However, my husband wants to know right a 18 weeks. I would love to hear your opinion on the matter :)

June is almost here and weddings are happening every weekend. We still have a few dates left for 2012 and have already started booking for 2013 so book soon. I am super excited to see what this season has in-store for us! It seems like purple is the color this year. if your getting married whats your colors?

Well today we FINALLY got snow! Now if you know me and my husband you will know our house is divided on this topic. I HATE the cold weather and really dislike the snow. Now Nick (my husband) he loves it! He gets to sit in a low truck and go. So I thought today would be a good day to bog :).

I am super excited for a couple who is looking for a "vintage" feel to their wedding!! They are in luck because that is my favorite style of wedding to do :).

Here are some ideas I have (all photos are from pinterest)

~Happy Planning

Melissa

Hang tin can with baby's breath from the ceiling of a barn and you have an amazing feeling :)

Burlap is in! You can either make if yourself (which could save you money depending on your guest count) or rent them :)

What a cute and simple idea. Wrap your table numbers around your vases and you got not only your table numbers but centerpieces....

Having a small wedding? I love the idea of renting a few tables and having your reception in a back yard.

This is also a great idea for your rehearsal. 

Have a larger wedding reception rent out a barn or tent :)

Lace lace and pearls :)

I SOOOOO want to do this :)

Take a frame and sting to hang your escort cards :)

I have this!! If anyone is interested in renting :)

Well its true I'm hooked on Pinterest!! Who ever invented this site would know that we would all be hook.

For those who don't know what Pinterest is, it's simple. If you like to scrape book but don't know how or have the time then this site is for you! And for those who can of course. You can plan your wedding by "pinning" everything you want.

One bride printed her board and brought it to our meeting. It was nice to see what they were wanted for their day.

And now you can follow us too! So if you are looking for ideas for your bridal shower, stage party and even your wedding check us out!

I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

~Happy Planning!

With the winter months coming that means Bridal Shows are sure to follow! Bridal Shows can be very helpful but also very overwhelming.

Here are a few Bridal Shows that are coming in your area.

• Exciting Events

November 12, 2011 to November 13, 2011   - Show Times: 10-4 Best of the Best Bridal Show (800) 925-8880 Waukesha County Expo Center 1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha, WI 53186

Spectacular Vendors: Bridal fashions, photography, favors, floral, wedding cakes and so much more!

• Bridal Expo Milwaukee

November 13, 2011   - Show Times: 10:30-4:00 Fashion 2:00 Bridal Expo (414) 427-4325
Sheraton Hotel 375 Moorland Road, Brookfield, WI 53005

Our huge array of bridal exhibitors offer couples the very best in selection including Photography, Flowers, Wedding Invitations, Limousines, DJ Entertainment, Ensemble Music, Bakeries & Formal wear. Order your 4 free tickets, while supplies last!!

• Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee

November 18, 2011   - Show Times: 5:30 -7:00pm Special Event Open House (414) 577-5007
Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Park Place 11600 W Park Place, Milwaukee, WI 53224

Looking for a location to host a Wedding Reception? We would love to show you what we have to offer!

• Milwaukee Bridal Shops

November 25, 2011 to November 27, 2011 Amsale Bridal Trunk Show (414) 332-9482
Zita Bridal 761 N. Jefferson Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Amsale Collection, Blue Label, Little White Dress Collection Trunk show! By appointment only, please call. All gowns will be 10% off during the trunk show.

This is just the list until the end of the year. Make sure to check back to see the listing for 2012.

If you have any questions please let us know.

~Happy Planning

Melissa

Good Morning!

Every year I get emails about just want to "pick my brain". And I don't mind giving some quick advice but there are things I need to know in order to do that.

I need to know your budget for you wedding and your guest count (a guess). Why you might ask? My job is to keep you in or under your budget. I wouldn't want to send you to a Reception Hall that requires you to spend $5000.00 in food and alcohol if your budget is $5000.00.

Some people may ask why do you need an Event Planner I know how to stay on budget. That may be very true but did you know that Event Planners have contracts with vendors? And those vendors give you a discount. Or if there is a new Reception Hall in town Event Planners can negotiate everything because those Reception Halls are wanting business.

I hope this helps any bride who is looking to pick someones brain :).

~Happy Planning!

Melissa

WOW!! Where has the time gone?? We have been so busy that I have not had time to blog :(.

I'm here to get you up to speed on what has been going on with Elegant Events! My mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in July 2010...so I have been raising money anyway I can for this cause! Case High School's Pom Squad and I put together an amazing Pink Out Event on October 14th, 2011. We got over 24 gift cards to Target, $20.00 off a 60 massage and 10% their food order to Charcoal Grill. We got in touch with the local Cancer Hospital and gave each woman a package! It was a GREAT NIGHT!!

We raised over $1000.00 for Susan G. Koman!! I was surprised by how many people have been affect by Breast Cancer! As a woman and a mother to a daughter this is something that could affect one if not both of us.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Sweetest Day this weekend as well :).

~Happy Planning
Melissa

Many of you have heard of Susan G. Koman run/walk coming up on September 25th, 2011 in Milwaukee. But what most of you don't know is my mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2010. I am happy to say that she is doing great, however some women are not so lucky.

About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without normal control. It is a widespread and random disease, striking women and men of all ages and races. It is the most prevalent cancer in the world today, with about 1.3 million people diagnosed annually. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, and at this time, there is no cure. But there is hope. Thanks to heightened awareness, early detection through screening, improved treatment methods and increased access to breast health services, people have a greater chance of survival than ever before.

Breast Facts
A lot of changes occur in a woman's breasts during her lifetime, and it's important for her to understand which of those changes are normal and which are not. The first step to doing this is to become familiar with the structure of the breasts and how they function. This section of Understanding Breast Cancer provides key facts about breast health and introduces the topic of cancer and other breast diseases.

Understanding Breast Cancer
Making sense of the ever-changing world of breast cancer can be overwhelming. Are you newly diagnosed with breast cancer or has a friend or loved one shared the news that they have breast cancer? Have you heard some news about a new treatment and have questions about it? Or are you just looking for some information about breast cancer? Consider this your one-stop resource for the latest information on breast cancer risk factors, early detection and screening, diagnosis, treatment and support. Plus you’ll find the latest on complementary therapies, life after treatment, quality medical care and much more! The Understanding Breast Cancer Guide provides an overview of the entire Understanding Breast Cancer section to give you quick access to areas of particular interest.

For every new "LIKE" to our Facebook Page between now and September 25th, 2011 we at Elegant Events $1.00. Please spread the word and help us raise some money for an amazing cause!

Happy Planning!
~Melissa

In other blog postings, I speak about the importance of the “day of” coordinator to your wedding planning team. Now, I want to talk about the benefits of hiring a planner – not necessarily to plan every single detail of your wedding – but at the very least, to give you advice and guidance throughout the entire planning process. The only way I know to tell you about the benefits of having a planner, is to tell you the value I bring to my own couples. I have the ability to make magical things happen with just one phone call or email – like a super hero! It’s pretty funny that some people will not respond to a bride for a week, but will respond to me right away. I often wonder why that is – since the bride is their actual client. I think it’s probably because I bring more repeat business. Whether it be good or bad – it’s true.

It’s totally not my style to push people around – however, when someone doesn’t respond to one of my brides…they know it. Plus, if people want my business, than they have to show me how they will go above and beyond for my couples.

I have no alliances to anyone, with the exception of the two people that hire me – the bride and groom. It’s my job to get you what you want. I had my wedding years ago. It was wonderful, but it’s over. It’s not my job to plan my wedding, but to take your vision and make it a reality. We are here to advocate for you. We negotiate with vendors, whether they are our suggestion or yours. We help to smooth things over with your family and friends.

A few of my couples have asked me to talk to vendors when they are having a difficult time getting their points across. They ask me intervene.

One advantage of having a planner throughout the entire process is that you are able to take advantage of their hard-earned networking. A good planner will have many connections within the community – which allows you access to the best vendors in the area. If the planner is well-respected in the community, the vendors will want to go above and beyond to impress you and your family – thereby impressing the planner which helps ensure repeat business.

At one of my recent weddings, the bride and groom contracted a videographer and opted for associate coverage (no assistant). On the day of the wedding, the owner showed up with an assistant. Not bad! Above and beyond!

Experience is one of the most important aspects. A good planner will have years of experience. Having done umpteen more weddings than the bride and groom – they know the ropes and know how to avoid the pitfalls of wedding planning. The wedding planner will ensure that your process is smooth and stress free. They will make sure all the nuances of wedding planning are taken care of with professionalism.

Additionally, I totally believe that time is money. A planner will save you time and stress which will be worth their weight in gold.


Happy Planning!
~Melissa

So over the past few years many couple have asked what is the difference between an Escort Card and a Place Card. To help couples planning their wedding here is the difference.

So what are escort cards?


They are cards that are used to inform your guests of their assigned table where place cards are to let your guests know of their assigned seat at that table.

The wording that you would use on each card is the guests' name and then table number 1 (or the table to which they have been assigned). The way that you would address the cards would be

• Adam Scott - the full name of your single guest



• Dr & Mrs. Oliver Williams - for a married couple



• Amanda Jameson & Guest - if an invitee has brought with them a guest whose name you do not know

So what are place cards?

Place cards are not a necessary accessory for your wedding reception but you might want to use them if you are having a really formal affair. They way they differ from escort cards is that each one has the name of a guest and they are put at each place setting. In order to use these cards you need to have the name of each guest attending your wedding reception so that a card can be made for every single person. If this is not possible than you can just use escort cards.


Happy Planning!
~Melissa

Good Morning!

I am SO excited for today! Every year I volunteer our time for an amazing cause! I am a member of our Neighbor Watch and we put together a night of fun for everyone in the neighbor (mostly for the children)!

This year we have our mayor coming to kick us off! We have pony rides, a petting zoo for the little ones and dunk a cop (I see may adults lining up for this one...LOL) and a DJ to keep everyone dancing ALL night!

I will post pic when all done!

Happy Planning!
~Melissa