Maine Wedding Planner

Have the Dream Without Breaking the Bank

2011-10-26T09:24:00.000-04:00

The average cost of a wedding has dropped from a peak of $28,000+ in 2007 to about $16,500 according to The Wedding Report in a recent survey of 909 couples and wedding vendors nationwide. A Maine Wedding is likely closer to $14,000. While this is a once in a lifetime event, you shouldn't be expected to take a lifetime to pay it off.

Here are a few money saving ideas from the Maine Wedding Planner:

1. Wedding programs - This is almost like taking dollar bills and tossing them in the trash. 99% of people do NOT save these. Print a couple of copies of your wedding program on fancy paper using your home computer..

2. Bathroom baskets - These are rarely used in Maine, but again, money is better spent elsewhere.

3. Out of Town guest bags - While a nice thought and gesture, most people forget to bring them home from the reception

4. Full open bar - Alcohol is expensive on its own, but when it's free it may cost you a small fortune. It can potentially cause problems from people that over-drink or that drive while impaired. In Maine, the host of the party and the bartender is responsible if an intoxicated driver is out on the road.

5. Pew bows/flowers - no one notices once they sit down, besides, the ceremony location you've picked is already beautiful.

6. Chair covers - Placing your money in a fireplace would be less wasteful.

7. Outrageously expensive invitations - Yes, you need to invite people but there are ways to do this and be frugal.

8. Ornate centerpieces - Many people "forget" to bring theirs home.

Save money by not wasting it on items that people will never remember. Instead, spend your time and money on aspects that truly affect how much you and your guests ENJOY the day.

2012 Wedding Planning Season

2011-10-19T09:45:00.000-04:00

Jim Casey, President, Maine Wedding Planner

Hello to all 2012 brides-to-be!

Yes, 2012. It's a bit strange to hear someone mention that year, but it is only 2 months away!

Congratulations if you are going to be married in 2012! It is an exciting time in your life, but can also be among the most stressful.

Thanks to the recession, the average cost of a wedding has come down as much as 30%, but do not expect that trend to continue forever. This may be the best time to get married in over a decade, economically speaking.

It is still possible to overspend on your wedding day without ever knowing it. What can you do to avoid getting caught in the vacuum that is wedding spending frenzy?

Make a budget.

Sounds like a simple concept, but in reality it isn't. Why?

There are a lot of factors that go into formulating a budget. Will your wedding and reception be on the water? Expect to pay top dollar.

Want to have it at a private home? Caterers charge extra for on-site service plus you then have to make sure to find one with a liquor license...then you have to rent a tent.

What it is really all about is prioritizing. What is the priority for your wedding day? Artistic photography, live music, elegantly planned?

Below are some of the typical costs for a wedding in Maine. The lower end would be the VFW Hall and American Legion type of weddings while the higher end represents exclusive resorts on the coast.

Invitations, Announcements and Thank You Notes $ 250.00 - $500
Flowers $ 400-$2,000.00
Photography $ 900.00 - $ 5,000
Videography $ 700.00 - $ 3,000
Music (DJ) $ 400.00 - $ 2,000
Music (Band, Etc.) $ 1,000. - $ 6,000
Officiant & Ceremony Site $ 200-700
Transportation (Limo, Carriage, Etc.) $ 350-800
Gifts for Attendants $ 300-$600
Wedding Rings $ 250-$1000
Engagement Ring $ 1,000 - $3,000
Rehearsal Dinner $ 750-$3,000
Bride's Gown $ 700-$4,000
Wedding Veil & Headpiece up to $ 200.00
Bridesmaids' Apparel (for 5 bridesmaids) up to $ 1000
Mother of the Bride's Apparel up to $1000
Groom's Rental Tuxedo $ 150
Groomsmen's Rental Tuxedos $ 100-150 per
Catering $ 2,000-$ 25,000
Honeymoon up to $ 5,000

Again, you can see the wide range of costs dependant upon where the wedding is located, how much experience your professional has and how much in demand they are in.

Off-season weddings can be up to 50% less expensive than those on any Saturday between May 1st and November 1st (considered Maine's Wedding season)

Now that you have an idea of the cost, it is time for you to prioritize. What is important to you?

The DJ? The Food? The Photography?

Splurge only in areas that you truly believe matter to the success of your wedding day. When you do, your guests will thank you for it and more importantly, your guests will thank you for it.

Choosing Your Wedding Date

2011-10-12T09:20:00.000-04:00

This is possibly one of the more difficult things you do when planning a wedding. The majority of couples plan their weddings on a Saturday between June and October here in Maine.

Did you know by adjusting the date to a Friday or a Sunday you can save as much as 20% or more off the total cost of your wedding?

1. More Quality Vendors Available

Most quality wedding professionals book their services as much as 18 months in advance. If you are flexible enough to move the wedding day to a Friday or a Sunday, you are at least 75% likely to find your choice open for the date.

2. Save Money

The fact that vendors have much more availability on Fridays or Sundays gives you the opportunity to save money.

In order to increase this "off-day" business, many professionals will give you discounts of at least 5% to as much as 25% or more. Call your professionals and get all of the details.

Photography and Videgraphy

2011-10-05T11:44:00.000-04:00

This blog is way too short considering the intricacies of photography and videography. These are two of the most important decisions you male for your wedding day. They are the memory gatekeepers. They represent your only chance to capture intimate moments.

Photography

When choosing a photographer, check samples of their previous work and clearly understand their price and payment schedules. Also remember that a professional wedding photographer should be an active participant in the wedding day activities, thought not so much as to intrude or dominate the Bride and Groom's available time.

One other important factor is the time of year that you book your photographer for. The fact is that from late April until mid-June, there is a lucrative business called prom season. Some photographers take advantage of this fact and will "dump" you to shoot a school prom. While this is a great temptation for some, the quality vendors listed on the Maine Wedding Planner will NOT do that.

A growing trend is for newlyweds to take pictures prior to their ceremony. This allows more time after the ceremony for visiting with friends and relatives.

Another popular trend is to have one disposable camera, or a new roll of film, at each reception table to allow friends to capture informal pictures.

Videography

Before selecting a professional videographer, check references from friends and your photographer. It is important that your professional photographer and videographer are able to work together in harmony. Also check with the ceremony location in advance to learn if there are any video restrictions.

Determine in advance if the video producer you are considering to contract will be using professional video equipment, or cameras that are available at inexpensive department stores. Ask about the training of the actual camera person and the video editor. Finally, inquire if they will be using bright lighting equipment that may affect the comfort of your guests

Wedding Insurance: A Smart Move During a Bad Economy

2011-09-25T09:30:00.000-04:00

Your wedding day has taken months and months of planning. It is the week of the wedding and suddenly, your father has fallen ill. He is too ill to attend the wedding. What are you to do? Hold the wedding without your father?

If you had to postpone or cancel, do you have the financial resources to cover the cancellation costs or the rescheduling of such a huge event? With the average wedding costing approximately $20,000-30,000, most people do not. That's why wedding insurance through a reputable company such as WedSafe is the answer.

While you are not covered because someone got cold feet, many other instances of postponement or cancellation are covered. There are also areas of coverage that you may have never thought of.

1. Out-of-Business Vendors

You put down a substantial deposit with a band, venue, consultant or other wedding professional and they suddenly go out-of-business. Normally, you would lose all of that money. Wedding Insurance would cover these losses.

2. Photo/Video Problems

Your photographer and videographer worked hard at your wedding to capture memories that will last a lifetime. Two weeks later, the photographer calls and informs you that the film did not print properly or the videographer calls to inform you he/she lost your videotape.

Obviously, Insurance can never recover the photos and video that was recorded, but they can reimburse you for loss of those services.

WedSafe Wedding Insurance will go as far as having your wedding party get together again to take replacement photographs. Please read their policy for more details.

3. Wedding Attire Issues

Gowns and Tuxedos that are damaged, lost, or stolen is generally covered by this type of insurance. Please read policy details.

4. Wedding Gifts

Gifts received at a wedding are covered too. Say a table collapses and breaks all of the breakables inside the gift boxes, you are covered.

5. Professional Counseling

Planning a wedding is an emotionally draining experience. Having to cancel a wedding is simply overwhelming. That's why wedding insurance from WedSafe will cover the cost of Professional Counseling.

6. Liability Insurance

This is a separate insurance offered by WedSafe. While most good wedding vendors will have their own form of liability insurance, it is not a bad idea to have that extra security blanket

Outdoor Weddings - Part II

2011-09-18T09:27:00.000-04:00

Last week we discussed some of the advantages of having an outdoor wedding. Today, the focus is on the actual planning and some ofr the precautions you need to take.

1. Have a Backup Plan - Rain, Fog and more This is the most important element to have in case something goes wrong with the weather or the location. Not having a backup plan can lead to chaos for your vendors and make your guests uneasy.

In a normal season, Maine is fog free and fairly rain free during July and August except along the immediate Atlantic coastline. In July 2009 though, Maine received extended bouts of rain and fog causing havoc with hundreds of planned outdoor weddings. In fact, all but one weekend day in July featured some type of rain event.

Discuss ALL possibilities with your wedding professionals before deciding on an outdoor event.

2. Bugs, Birds, & Bees The three "B's" can cause discomfort for many of your guests. Also consider dogs, cats, and other uninvited guests! Seagulls can especially be problematic with coastal locations.

3. Dirt Having the reception near a dirt road? Brides need to be cautious when walking about because of the length of their train. Be especially careful when walking near pavement, stones, gravel or wood splinters.

4. Parking Distance Please consider the distance that elderly people may have to walk to get to your reception/ Also make sure if you have handicapped guests that close parking is available to them.

5. Location Many outdoor receptions are spread out so far that people at one end of the location are almost in the next county! At such a location, it is nearly impossible for all guests to be aware of what is going to happen. Try to have as many things as possible happen in one central location (head table, cake, dance area, bar, dance floor, disc jockey, etc.). Guests who stay away from a central area usually prefer to visit and talk in more private setting.

6. Noise Issues Many outside locations have neighbors who call the police if they hear ANY noises from a party (music, people laughing loudly, glasses breaking on cement, car engines/doors, pin dropping, you know the type). In the state of Maine, many municipalities allow the noise associated with an outdoor wedding to go until about 10:00pm. Some communities have even stricter ordinances which include an unreasonably low music decibel level restrictions on any type of entertainment function. Check with your local town or city hall to be sure what is allowed.

The neighbors could care less that it is your special day. We wouldn't want to disturb anyone!

7. Adequate Shelter You will need to make sure that you have adequate shelter for you and your guests. There have been at weddings where the tent is ripped in all of the wrong places. This can cause problems for those using electricity, or your guests if water seeps onto your dance floor.

A tent is NOT adequate shelter in the case of a lightning storm. Alert wedding professionals will urge you to suspend your event until the storm has passed. Lightning is a major concern from June through August here in Maine and is more likely in inland locations than the cool Atlantic coastal locations. Still, do not try to be a hero and tough it out in a lightning storm. On average, 90 people are killed every year in the U.S. by lightning.

ANY party is not worth your life, or your wedding professionals. Be smart and stay alert if the Weather Service warns of possible bad weather.

8. Tent Rentals If you do rent a tent, check rental prices before planning an outdoor ceremony/reception to prevent sticker shock at the last minute.

9. Did someone forget to use deodorant???
Love the smell of cow manure??? Check to see if your location is near a pasture where horse/cow manure is common. At other outdoor locations, trash cans may be upwind from where the guests will be seated. MMM...spoiled milk smell in 90 degree weather! I can just taste it now...

10. More Weather Problems, etc

Is it 98 degrees and sticky, only 50 and windy, or is there a torrential downpour taking place during your ceremony? Believe it or not, this can happen in consecutive days in Maine!

Weather forecasters are right about 90% of the time in a 48 hour forecast. It's the other 10% that seems unavoidable. As previously stated, have Plan B available just in case the weatherperson was someone that looks younger than the legal drinking age!

If there is an electrical storm, then your event SHOULD be suspended for the safety of your guests. Imagine everyone dancing to "Electric Avenue" only to get a shock from a powerful lightning bolt!

To ensure the wind will not wreak havoc, use heavy table items (large flower vases and no paper napkins), and pin or bolt down everything down that can be pinned or bolted down. Space heaters between each table near the dance floor and sweaters/coats are nice touches to increase the comfort level on a cold day.

For outdoor Brides, Bridal veils will blow in the direction of the wind. At an outdoor wedding ceremony, a Bride might prefer to be on the downwind side of the person accompanying her down the isle, and on the downwind side of her soon-to-be husband during the actual wedding ceremony.

Watch that wedding cake on a windy day. Have you ever seen the video of the bridge in Washington State that collapsed in just 40 mph winds the first day of its operation??? If a 40 mph wind could demolish that bridge, what would it do to your cake? Also, the tablecloth on the cake table could blow upwards and hit the cake

Rented tents, canopies, and/or tables with umbrellas are popular items to protect Guests from extreme heat, a bright sun, and those pesky ultraviolet rays. Large trees are popular options, but usually require a series of successful environmental impact studies before renting.

If you have your wedding in a park with a pond or other water backdrop, make certain that the water WILL NOT BE DRAINED the day of your event. I had this happen to a close friend of mine. The backdrop was ruined by seeing the muddy bottom of the park pond rather than the lovely water.

Other considerations at Outside Events include food (keep it simple?), a keg of beer (a refreshing idea!), and always keep the bar/dance area/music area together (a must!!!).

Outdoor wedding ceremonies/receptions can be very special and magical events. Bed and Breakfasts, mansions, parks, and personal residences can provide a wonderful ambiance quite different from the more familiar church/banquet room settings.

Remember What 9/11 Represents

2011-09-11T11:46:00.000-04:00

This is a departure from the normal wedding blog because I always feel it is important to recognize the sacrifice that 2,974 people unwittingly made on Tuesday September 11, 2001.

It was a morning like many others in September in the Northeast. Sunny skies, mild temperatures and lots of news on television that did not matter.

Then, the shock of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center's North Tower at 8:46 a.m.

You know the rest.

To many, 9/11 represented the worst in people. How could 19 men hijack 4 planes, send them hurtling into buildings, and kill scores of innocent people in the process while claiming it was in the name of God?

We will never know or understand the answer to that.

At that time, I had just left my job in the WCSH-TV newsroom just six weeks prior. I have always been an news junkie and admittedly watched the news coverage of that day many times over the past eight years.

Every year when I think back to that day and the weeks that followed, there are two things that stand out and showed the best in people.

1. Sacrifice of Fire, Police, and Rescue Personnel - Who can ever forget the video of the firefighters continuing to run up the stairways of the towers to rescue the thousands of injured people despite the inherent danger. 411 of these brave men and women died that day

2. Hope and the Uniting of our Country - In the weeks that followed 9/11, it did not matter if you were a republican or democrat, if you were white, black, hispanic, etc. What mattered is that you were an American. For those few short weeks, we collectively grieved and looked out for one another.
It may never happen again in our lifetime.

It's too bad that it takes a tragedy of such proportions to bring out the best in people.

Choosing your vendors

2011-08-27T08:27:00.000-04:00

Good morning!

How is the wedding planning going? Does it seem a bit overwhelming? I'm sure it is. In fact, this is third most difficult task a woman will do in her lifetime.

Here is some advice that may sound crazy in some ways, but will save you a lot of time and make your life easier.

1. Write down on paper or in a wedding notebook how many wedding vendors you will be hiring. The percentages next to the vendor is what per cent of weddings use these types of professionals for their weddings.

8% - Wedding Coordinator
85% - Church
15% - Ceremony Facility
100% - Officiant/Priest
100% - Hair/Make-Up
94% - Tuxedo
99% - Dress
69% - Reception Facility with in-house catering
12% - Reception Facility with your own catering
19% - Professional Caterer
89% - Photographer
74% - DJ
18% - Band
8% - No Entertainment
81% - Ceremony Musician
19% - Ceremony Music done by DJ or Band
21% - Videographer
91% - Florists
9% - Using own flowers or none at all
94% - Cake
3% - Alternative dessert
3% - No cake at all

(All numbers were for 2006 weddings according to The Wedding Report)

That's 14 different vendors.

While that chart gave you an idea of what others have done for their weddings, it is your turn to do some research.

There are four/five major wedding vendors that book the fastest

1. Function Facility and/or caterer
2. Photographer
3. Entertainment
4. Ceremony Musicians

This is the order you should book these vendors. This way, all can give you an accurate price based on where you are having your ceremony and reception. A wedding vendor traveling to an island resort will cost much more than one going to a local facility.

How should you narrow down your choices?

1. Pick one vendor type on your list per week

2. Commit two full days of a week - one to research on the internet (Monday), one for appointments (Friday or Sunday - most of us work Saturdays)

3. Make no more than three appointments for each vendor type - bring your checkbook or credit card, show them that you are serious

4. Go with your gut instinct and hire your vendor within 24 hours of your meeting
(Making a wedding vendor wait is NOT in your best interest. Most brides know at their initial meeting whether or not they click with a vendor and risk losing that vendor to someone else by saying they will "think about it"

5. If it is obvious you will not be hiring someone after your meeting, tell them as much and tell them why.

That's this week's tip. See you next week!

Maine Wedding Planner Redesigned

2010-10-21T21:49:00.002-04:00

This is Jim Casey, owner of Maine's most popular wedding directory, Maine Wedding Planner.

It has been amazing to see that over 2,000 people per month visit my website, designed to help match vendors with brides and grooms.

Now, for the first time since 2007, I have decided to completely overhaul the site.

The site looks better than ever and I think as a bride and groom, you will be pleased to look for your favorite vendors in the site.

Outdoor Weddings in Maine - Part I

2010-09-04T10:21:00.000-04:00

Each year, many people plan outdoor wedding receptions and parties in Maine.

Some of the advantages include :

Convenience of not requiring guests to travel from a wedding ceremony to a wedding reception.

Savings of money can be realized by only requiring one party location, and at events held at a residence (yours or your relative's, friend's etc).

Unique outdoor party locations such as a mansion, park, or even in your own back yard can give your event that extra bit of luster.

The advantages can sometimes be overshadowed by poor planning and the location you choose. The next few pages will detail some of the things you need to plan for when choosing to "rough it" outdoors.

Next week, I'll talk about the challenges that fickle Maine weather can pose to your Outdoor wedding plans.

Emergency Bridal Kit

2010-08-20T09:31:00.000-04:00

As with any smart planning for a wedding reception, it is important that you put together an Emergency Bridal Kit for those little problems that can pop up on your wedding day. Here is a list of items you may want in your EBK:

1. General Items

Bottled water
Candy bars, hard candy, gum, mints, or similar treats
Cellular phone w/ all Vendors & Bridal Party Phone Numbers
Credit cards/checks/money
Directions to wedding ceremony/reception
Pen & paper
Sitting Stool For Bride (In case her train is too long for a chair)
Special Reminder Note: Check on Wedding Day that a responsible person will have wedding rings & marriage certificate at wedding ceremony

2. Spare Items

Band-Aids
Deodorant
Dusting/talcum powder
Electric razor/aftershave lotion for men in Bridal Party
Hair spray/brush/barrettes/bobby pins
Hand lotion
Handi wipes/hand towel
Kleenex tissues
Makeup bag
Masking tape (for ripped hems)
Nail polish/glue/remover
Perfume
Safety/Bobbie pins
Sewing kit (needle/thread/buttons/etc.)
Smelling salts
Sunscreen
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Visine (In case of tears)

3. Clothing

Bow tie/cufflinks/shirt studs/black socks for men in Bridal Party (extra)
Earring backings (extra)
Flat shoes/slippers
Going away clothes after wedding ceremony/reception
Nylons/pantyhose (extra)
Throwaway garter

4. Health/Personal Items

Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil/Aleve/etc.
Antacid
Antihistamines
Birth control (unless you want to produce babies!!!)
Cold/allergy pills
Feminine hygiene products (tampons/pads/etc.)
Pepto-Bismol
Prescriptions/medications