Despite all the snow and rain and generally over wintery weather, its been a week. On a personal note, the path that I thought my life was heading down changed - my husband and I have spent the last few months gearing up to move outside of Manhattan into a home and after putting in an offer on a place, my husband has decided he doesn't want to leave the city. So, now we're looking to move within NYC ... now, I love NYC but I was so excited at the prospect of driving to the supermarket and having a backyard for Maxwell and Lulu, so I am a bit bummed out. But, hopefully we'll find a new fabulous apartment and my dreams of a country rustic home will be realized in a few years.
I also had the chance to attend a fabulous workshop hosted by Emilie Inc and Splendid Communications - I am still digesting it all! I made some fabulous new friends, met friends that I've only known online and had a fabulous experience. Emilie blogged about it while the workshop was happening - her studio is so sweet, I was envious!
Here are some good reads around the wedding world:
Destination I DO Magazine announced their new destination etiquette guide - check it out as it contains really helpful information for your destination wedding!
The City Bride posted about the word cheap and weddings. She's spot on, read it here.
Denver Photog, Katie McLain wrote a great post on wedding coordinators - its very poignant and love her perspective!
And, Laura Hooper, the talented stationer, wrote a wonderful post on how to address your wedding invitations - really helpful advice in here from a calligrapher!
If you're in the Northeast, good luck digging out!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Business & Wedding Planning: Interviews
We've all been through interviews. Some people are very good at talking about themselves in a positive and non-bragging way and they thrive in an interview setting. Some people get so nervous they aren't able to communicate how amazing they are and they flounder a bit in interviews. And some people just need interview training. But, its a fact of life, in order to get hired for just about any position, you must interview.
The same reality applies to your wedding planning process. You as a bride and a groom, must interview venues and vendors in an effort to find the best fit for the role they will play in your wedding. You can think of a vendors webpage as their resume - it showcases their 'objective', lists {via image and text} their accomplishments and their bio section is much like a cover letter. If you like everything you see on "paper" you contact them for a consultation {which really is a fancy way of saying Interview}.
Keep in mind though, that your consultation is a two way street {much like a job interview} just as you are assessing the vendors skill level, expertise, experience and what they can offer you, the vendor is also assessing you as a potential client. They are noting how easy or difficult they perceive you to be to work with. They are determining what role you want them to take on at your wedding - are you looking for someone passive or aggressive? Lastly, just as you are evaluating the fit of this vendor with you and your personality - they are doing just the same. Like wants to work with like - just as an employer does when looking for a potential employee.
And, like a post Interview must do - thank the vendor in a follow up email {or hand written note} thanking them for their time, the vendor should do the same. And, if you decide to work with someone else, notify the other vendors of your choice - its common courtesy.
{via ehow.com}
The same reality applies to your wedding planning process. You as a bride and a groom, must interview venues and vendors in an effort to find the best fit for the role they will play in your wedding. You can think of a vendors webpage as their resume - it showcases their 'objective', lists {via image and text} their accomplishments and their bio section is much like a cover letter. If you like everything you see on "paper" you contact them for a consultation {which really is a fancy way of saying Interview}.
Keep in mind though, that your consultation is a two way street {much like a job interview} just as you are assessing the vendors skill level, expertise, experience and what they can offer you, the vendor is also assessing you as a potential client. They are noting how easy or difficult they perceive you to be to work with. They are determining what role you want them to take on at your wedding - are you looking for someone passive or aggressive? Lastly, just as you are evaluating the fit of this vendor with you and your personality - they are doing just the same. Like wants to work with like - just as an employer does when looking for a potential employee.
And, like a post Interview must do - thank the vendor in a follow up email {or hand written note} thanking them for their time, the vendor should do the same. And, if you decide to work with someone else, notify the other vendors of your choice - its common courtesy.
{via ehow.com}
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wediquette: Can You Cancel a Vendor Contract?
After signing a contract with a vendor, we're now feeling like we need to cancel the contract. Is this even a possibility? How would we go about cancelling a contract?
Firstly, you need to have a concrete, viable reason for wanting to cancel the contract with the vendor. It could range from your engagement ending, wedding date changing, wedding location changing ... those are all valid reasons for wanting to make your contract with a vendor null and void. {There are non-valid reasons as well - I am sure we all know what they are}
Secondly, read your contract. There are cancellation terms in there that you agreed to when you signed it, which means, your vendor is under no obligation to change those terms for you after you claimed to have read the contract and signed it. Your vendor probably has various dates and percentages of payment that go along with cancelling - 6 months out, 3 months out, less than 30 days out etc. Figure out where you fall within the parameters first. Then, figure out what amount you owe the vendor. If you are merely changing the wedding date or location - you may not need to cancel the contract. Your vendor may move with you to the new date and location. If you really just want to part ways with the vendor, put it in writing and submit it to them - if you'd like to negotiate the amount of money you are owe them or are forfeiting, ask if they are amenable to that. If your reason is valid enough and there is a high chance they will re-book that date, you may be in luck. Keep in mind that no vendor must give you back money simply because you ask.
Contracts are in use to protect the vendor and to protect you. If you must cancel your contract, make sure you understand the terms clearly.
Firstly, you need to have a concrete, viable reason for wanting to cancel the contract with the vendor. It could range from your engagement ending, wedding date changing, wedding location changing ... those are all valid reasons for wanting to make your contract with a vendor null and void. {There are non-valid reasons as well - I am sure we all know what they are}
Secondly, read your contract. There are cancellation terms in there that you agreed to when you signed it, which means, your vendor is under no obligation to change those terms for you after you claimed to have read the contract and signed it. Your vendor probably has various dates and percentages of payment that go along with cancelling - 6 months out, 3 months out, less than 30 days out etc. Figure out where you fall within the parameters first. Then, figure out what amount you owe the vendor. If you are merely changing the wedding date or location - you may not need to cancel the contract. Your vendor may move with you to the new date and location. If you really just want to part ways with the vendor, put it in writing and submit it to them - if you'd like to negotiate the amount of money you are owe them or are forfeiting, ask if they are amenable to that. If your reason is valid enough and there is a high chance they will re-book that date, you may be in luck. Keep in mind that no vendor must give you back money simply because you ask.
Contracts are in use to protect the vendor and to protect you. If you must cancel your contract, make sure you understand the terms clearly.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Oui Oui, Merci New York Chic Clutch Hunt
Merci New York is hosting the Chic Clutch Hunt - an opportunity to win a very fabulous clutch from Amanda Hunt.
The Chic Clutch Hunt Giveaway Guidelines {win a Le Pouf clutch, valued at $298}:
Visit the Amanda Pearl website and comment below with your favorite Amanda Pearl piece {it need not be bridal, so have fun perusing her entire line}!
To increase your chances of winning the Le Pouf clutch, there are four additional ways to enter this contest:
1. Tweet this: I just entered to win the @AmandaPearly #chicclutchhunt giveaway at Merci New York! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/doaqQR {via @MerciNYC}. Then leave a second comment once you’ve tweeted.
2. Blog about the Chic Clutch Hunt giveaway {feel free to use our oh-so-pretty giveaway graphic!} and comment with your blog link.
3. Post about the giveaway on a message board and comment with your link.
4. Share the Chic Clutch Hunt giveaway on Facebook and let us know via a comment.
The giveaway winner will be chosen at random and announced via the Merci New York blog on Monday, March 8th at 8:00 PM EST.
GOOD LUCK!
The Chic Clutch Hunt Giveaway Guidelines {win a Le Pouf clutch, valued at $298}:
Visit the Amanda Pearl website and comment below with your favorite Amanda Pearl piece {it need not be bridal, so have fun perusing her entire line}!
To increase your chances of winning the Le Pouf clutch, there are four additional ways to enter this contest:
1. Tweet this: I just entered to win the @AmandaPearly #chicclutchhunt giveaway at Merci New York! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/doaqQR {via @MerciNYC}. Then leave a second comment once you’ve tweeted.
2. Blog about the Chic Clutch Hunt giveaway {feel free to use our oh-so-pretty giveaway graphic!} and comment with your blog link.
3. Post about the giveaway on a message board and comment with your link.
4. Share the Chic Clutch Hunt giveaway on Facebook and let us know via a comment.
The giveaway winner will be chosen at random and announced via the Merci New York blog on Monday, March 8th at 8:00 PM EST.
GOOD LUCK!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Weekly Round Up: Exciting Launches & News
We made it to Friday! My semi-exciting news is that hopefully *fingers crossed* we'll have figured out this moving thing in the next week or so and then I can rest easy. We're trying to test living outside of Manhattan in an actual house. I cannot wait. Its an old farmhouse and its darling and I can't wait to decorate it! But first, we have to finish negotiations.
But, moving on to wedding news! A few noteworthy things have popped up this week, check them out:
Urban Wed, the brainchild event of Brooklyn Bride was announced this week - if you are in NYC on either March 23rd or 24th, its a must do. I'll be there as well, if that makes it more enticing!
Paloma's Nest launched a new website this week - its simply fabulous. Caroline's creations are amazing and inspiration. Click here to peruse her shop and blog.
Every Last Detail posted a great piece on Why to Hire a Wedding Planner - its a must read.
Have a fun weekend!
But, moving on to wedding news! A few noteworthy things have popped up this week, check them out:
Urban Wed, the brainchild event of Brooklyn Bride was announced this week - if you are in NYC on either March 23rd or 24th, its a must do. I'll be there as well, if that makes it more enticing!
Paloma's Nest launched a new website this week - its simply fabulous. Caroline's creations are amazing and inspiration. Click here to peruse her shop and blog.
Every Last Detail posted a great piece on Why to Hire a Wedding Planner - its a must read.
Have a fun weekend!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Business & Wedding Planning: Trusting Your Wedding Vendors
Most business relationships are built on Trust. Trust, according to the Dictionary is defined as "reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence". When there is trust between two businesses or two people working together - you have the confidence that the other person or business will perform to the best of their ability. They'll get the job done, they'll be fabulous to work with. In essence - trust between colleagues or businesses means that each side will eventually get what they both want.
The exact same concept should be applied to your wedding and more importantly, your wedding vendors. Just as you trust your future spouse, you should have trust that your vendors will perform to the best of their abilities. You've met with them, accepted the proposal, signed a contract and you TRUST that on the actual wedding day, they will give you 110% in effort and execution. You trust that each vendor you've picked has the same goal as you - that your wedding is going to be awesome. If during your consultation, you get any sense from the potential vendor that their end goal is different - walk away. Vendors want to work with clients who trust them. Trust that they understand your vision. Trust that you as the client, believe in them. Believe in their knowledge and skill. Trust is a mutual feeling and should be treated as so. No one wants to work with someone who doesn't trust them.
If you don't get the sense that the wedding vendor you are interviewing is someone you can trust, don't move forward with them just because you're getting a deal or you like the price. You want to work with people that instill trust in you.
The exact same concept should be applied to your wedding and more importantly, your wedding vendors. Just as you trust your future spouse, you should have trust that your vendors will perform to the best of their abilities. You've met with them, accepted the proposal, signed a contract and you TRUST that on the actual wedding day, they will give you 110% in effort and execution. You trust that each vendor you've picked has the same goal as you - that your wedding is going to be awesome. If during your consultation, you get any sense from the potential vendor that their end goal is different - walk away. Vendors want to work with clients who trust them. Trust that they understand your vision. Trust that you as the client, believe in them. Believe in their knowledge and skill. Trust is a mutual feeling and should be treated as so. No one wants to work with someone who doesn't trust them.
If you don't get the sense that the wedding vendor you are interviewing is someone you can trust, don't move forward with them just because you're getting a deal or you like the price. You want to work with people that instill trust in you.
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