Business Checklist!!
We are beginning to make our plans to formally move our business to Florida and adjust our various services and packages to meet the need and demand of the area considering the resources we have. I don’t know about you but I am a list generating, task operating, check list freak. If I don’t write the different steps out and stick to it, I will end up missing something very important. So here are the details of what needs to be done before we can open up our doors. It is still a crude list, but it is a start.
- Before we can really do anything productive we have to start with getting the business legally established in Florida.
- I will have to check online to all the various sites where FAE is mentioned and ensure that ever where is updated to the new location
- Meet and greet other local vendors through different organizations and affiliations
- Find office space. Whether I find some where to rent or work out of the home need to set up the office area to be wedding inspiring.
- Start looking into the different local bridal shows so we can get our name out there.
- Start looking into different local means of advertisement and marketing.
I think that is a good start. Once we get at least those items taken care of we are ready to rock and roll. I am sure that with time that list will need to be adjusted but until that time comes we are moving forward …
Forever Always
Can I Make A Comeback?
As you can see, I have been MIA for several months now. After relocating to Florida successfully we had some other family changes arise that are taking a little bit longer to adjust to. As those changes make their way to a close I am preparing to get back into business and make some changes. To start our new chapter here in Florida we will be taking it slow and starting at a different angle. We will be adjusting our services offered just to test the waters, get used to the market down here and meet and greet other professionals in the area. I can’t be certain how long this process will take but I am hoping for no more then a year. Hope you stick by us as we start to implement these changes. Any feedback or concern please let me know.
ForeverAlways
Wedding Invitations - Wording
Be prepared, this post may seem a little long but there is much you must know when it comes to the ‘proper’ wording on wedding invitations. What you say and how you say it on the invitation is very important and I want to make sure you have all the low down on it before you start to print or press that order now button.
Formal wedding invitations require adherence to the longstanding traditional wording even today. Your wording, spelling, and the order in which the information is provided on the invitation must all match the appropriate rules. Most templates follow these rules so should be okay if you are just plugin and printing. But just in case here is a guide line and explanations for your planning pleasure.
To start the post out here is a sample invitation wording with their descriptions:
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Andrew Vash (Invitation Line)
request the honour of your presence (Request Line)
(or) request the please of your company
at the marriage of their daughter (Relationship Line)
Barbara Jean (Bride’s Name)
to (Joining Word)
Lieutenant Christopher Sean Chance (Groom’s Name)
on Saturday, the seventeenth of June (Date Line)
the year two thousand and eleven (Year Line)
at three o’clock in the afternoon (Time Line)
The Love Palace (Place)
Fifty South Main Street (Address)
Sunset City, Hawaii (City and State)
Any Additional Information*
The invitation line of indicates who will be hosting the wedding. Depending on your family situation it may be the bride’s parents, grandparents, sister, friends, step-parents or the bride and groom themselves. The request line invites guest to the wedding while also stating where the wedding will be held. If the ceremony is to be held in a temple, church of any house of worship, the correct wording is ‘request the honor of your presences.’ While if the ceremony is held outside of a church, temple of off sanctified ground the correct wording is ‘request the pleasure of your company.’ (neat little fact there). The relationship line will depend on who is hosting the wedding. Many times it will state ‘their daughter’ however, this will change to match your current situation. The next line will be the brides name which usually only list the brides first and middle name unless the last name is different from the hosts last name, then you would list the full name. There are two joining words to use, ‘to’ and ‘and’. Usually ‘to’ is used but ‘and’ can be sued if the bride and groom are the ones hosting the wedding themselves. The joining word is followed by the grooms full name. Then we have three lines for the date and another three lines for the location. Other information you can include on an invitation would be the name of the reception location if different from the ceremony address and whether the wedding is a black tie affair so guest plan accordingly.
Here is a quick wording rule, Spell Everything Out. It is best not to use abbreviations and spell everything out. So no short cuts, it is Main Street … no Main St. That includes times, dates, months and years - Two Thousand and Nine not 2009. The only abbreviations that are acceptable are Mr., Mrs., and Ms.
Hope this information is helpful in your wedding planning.
Forever Always,
Philippa Channer
Wedding Invitations - Types
If you opt not to send out Save the Date announcements chances are the wedding invitation will be the first time many family members and friends see the first formal mention of the wedding day.
Today there are hundreds, even thousands of invitations to choose from, but have you ever wonder why they come in so many styles, colors and shapes? Because they were designed not only to invite your guest but to also convey the mood, and ambiance for the occasion. For example, people who receive invitations made of fine paper with their names and addresses penned in calligraphy across the front of the envelopes, know that someone has gone to a lot of trouble and expense to invite them to a formal affair. While others, who receive invitations with a cow girl and cow guy emblazoned on the front, know they are being invited to a wedding with a western theme and will probably have a barbecue reception, not so formal. Remember that formal or informal does not equate to elegance and style. You can have an informal wedding but still be very elegant.
The invitations can be purchased from many different sources. If budget is a concern you can even prepare in the invitation yourself on your own home office printer. When considering preparing the invitations at home the different costs to consider would be the paper, ink and all the various envelops involved (more details to come regarding the many parts of the invitation). While preparing the invitations yourselves give you the freedom and creative to design your own invitation it is nice to know that there are already many invitations and designs out there to chose from. There are great sources online that have wonderful designs and creations to choose from that you can customize how you like. A wonderful source is at Wedding Paper Divas who provide all event stationary. They offer a unique, innovative discovery experience distinct from other wedding invitations companies! From exclusive designs, exceptional quality and easy personalization to their fast turnaround, their specialists are passionate about always exceeding your expectations on every wedding invitation and bridal stationery piece.
Have choosing your invitation. Make sure that the design says something about you and your style of wedding.
Philippa Channer
www.faevent.com
Wedding Rings - Purchasing
When it is time to purchase your rings there are a few jewelry buying basics you are going to want to consider before putting down your cash. The average couple purchases three different rings for their marriage. The first ring will be the engagement ring which is a ring worn by a woman indicating her engagement to be married. The next two rings are the wedding bands exchanged during/before/after the wedding ceremony.
Budgeting- Out of the three rings to be purchased, the engagement ring tends to be the most expense and considered purchase. It is suggested that you figure out how much you can afford to spend before you step foot in a store. The standard rule is two months salary - but - this is also a rule that the diamond industry created! However it’s still a decent place to start, but then figure out your personal budget. Depending on your personal style and current budget you can find wedding bands from as low as $125.00 and up. According to the Diamond Information Center an average band can cost you around $742.00. This is based on different metals used, engraving and warranty purchased.
Timing- Chances are it may not be possible for you to just walk in and out of a jewelry store the same day with a ring. Not only will you need to save up for it, but depending on what you order it could take a couple weeks for them to set the stone, do any engraving, re-size the ring if necessary or even custom design your ring. So if you want to propose on a certain date, make sure you start working on the ring early. Don’t wait too long to purchase the wedding bands either. You should start looking for wedding bands at least two months before the big day. Take time and look for your rings and reconsider all your options. If you are considering a custom piece you will want to allow even more time. It can take as much as 30 days to have a piece engraved.
Lifestyle - What type of style are you looking for in your rings? Modern or traditional? Flashy or understated? When considering the engagement ring look at the jewelry your future bride wears on a daily basis. If it is all silver with intricate designs - look for a platinum engagement ring with intricate designs. If it’s just a few heavy gold pieces, well, then go in that direction. For wedding bands there’s no point in buying a beautiful ring that doesn’t feel good on your finger or that you’re going to feel you need to remove. You need to remember that you will wear this band everyday. You should try to pick a ring that fits into your life without disruption. Try to avoid wide chunky bands if you lead an active lifestyle instead opt for a thinner band. If you work with your hands, you may want to consider a simple design, rather than a diamond engagement ring that will continually trap dirt. If certain metals or combinations of metals irritate your skin, spend the money and buy platinum rings. The fact that it is hypoallergenic for the average person, due to its purity, makes it a good choice.
Quality- This purchase is hopefully one that will last a life time. this is something you want to be with you for a very long time, you don’t want to jeopardize quality here. With all rings, check for quality. On the inside of the ring, the shank, there should be some markings. There should be a manufacturer’s trademark, a sponsors symbol, the mineral content in fineness and finally which metal - gold, silver or platinum. Make sure it has these markings. If two or more metals were used in the construction of the ring, there needs to be a quality mark for each one. It has been suggested to stick to the mom and pop jewelers and try to avoid the national chains which often sacrifice quality for mass marketing. But make sure the store is accredited by the Jewelers of America or is a member of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Before you buy, find out what the return policy is so that you can exchange it if you didn’t do your homework properly.
Cleaning and Caring - You can clean your wedding rings easily. To clean a ring that has no stones, simply rub it with a soft and lint-free cloth, such as chamois. You can remove tarnish with a solution of soap, water with a few drops of ammonia. Dip a brush into the solution then gently brush the ring. Making sure the drain plug is used, rinse the ring, then dry with a soft cloth. With warm soapy water brush your ring and stones with a soft brush, rinse and dry with a cloth. You should use care when wearing finger-hugging valuables such as platinum! You can do things to reduce damage to your ring. Don’t wear your ring whilst you are doing rough work or sports as they can nick and scratch it, and don’t wear your ring whilst using chemicals such as concentrated chlorine (found in bleaches, cleaners and swimming pool disinfectants) as they can cause pitting or discoloration. Matte finishes show scratches much more than rough finishes, and platinum, which is much softer than gold, scratches and nicks more easily. Fortunately, it’s simple for your jeweler to restore you ring to its original splendor by reapplying or changing its finish and/or plating.
Philippa Channer
www.faevent.com
