The New Bridal Budget

We are so excited to have been featured in the Jan/Feb issue of San Antonio Weddings Magazine. ADE had an opportunity to chat about The New Bridal Budget. For over the past ten years the wedding industry has seen a shift from the traditional planning of the wedding were the brides parents and/or family pays for majority of the wedding. Now you see that couples tend to split the budget between the two of them. Reason being I have seen more brides getting married in there mid 30's and are settled in

their careers.

A few tidbits from the article:

• The bride and groom pay for the entire wedding themselves
• The cost are divided equally between both families
• Each family is responsible for covering the cost associated with the number of guest they invite.

Budgeting is very crucial to not only planning your wedding, but also in your marriage.

Real Weddings

It's a wrap...The wedding of Shulanda and Gary is complete. My staff and I traveled to my home town of Houston and had a fabulous time last weekend. The couple was a joy to work with these past few months. As with most clients miss working with them all after all the planning and the wedding is over. I have attached a few pictures from my camera.
Congratulations to Gary and Shulanda

Highlights of the evening:
Bridal Colors: Wine & Sky Blue
Theme: Feathers

Vendors:
Photographer: HTown Photography
Flowers & Linen: Darryl & Co and Linens n Decor
Cake: Bavarian Cake
Ice Sculpture: Ice Designs
Band: Austin Lydia & Company
DJ: DJ Unlimited
Venue: Ashton Gardens
Menu consisted of: Cocktail hour - Mini crab cakes, Smoked chicken quesadillas, cheese and fruit display, Signature drink
Dinner - Southwest Caesar Salad, Cilantro Adobo Marinated Flank Steak, Herb Garlic and Lemon Crusted Roast Chicken, Shrimp Etouffee, Green Beans, and Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes.

Networking

I had an opportunity and was invited to attend a Networking Event at Granberry Hills for wedding consultants in San Antonio. It was great to meet new consultants and reacquaint with some old friends. The ambiance was wonderful, however the food was fabulous. The food was catered by Columbia Culinary Team. The presentation and the food was wonderful.
The menu consisted of:
Hors d' oeuvre
Buttermilk Fried Oysters w/Achiote Aoili
Lemon Chive Crab Cakes w/Smoked Bacon
Mini Lobster Sliders w/White Chocolate Blue Cheese (I could not get enough of those)

Salad
Heirloom tomato Bibb salad w/country croutons and a creamy gorgonzola Dijon dressing

Main Course
Grilled Beef Tenderloin w/port wine cream
Crispy Ricotta English Pea Ravioli (Favorite)

Dessert
Pecan Crusted Banana pudding w/spiced rum caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream

I had a wonderful time, can't wait for the next event at Granberry Hills.

Put A Ring On It

A little something for my grooms to be. Over the next few weeks a lot of women across the country will be blasting Beyonce's single to her new album "Put a Ring on It" to allure there mates to the jeweler for Valentines Day. Those of you who made the cut for Christmas ...Congratulations to you. The others will be shooting for Valentines Day. A few things to know about buying a ring for your mate.

• What style of jewelry do she wear? (Gold, Platinum, White gold)
  

• Does she like diamonds? Some women may prefer an emerald, or sapphire ring.
  

• Know her ring size.
  

• What type of stone not only does she like, but what look good on her finger.

Happy Hunting!!

After the Proposal...Now What

He ask and you said "Yes!" After the proposal you have called your mother, and your bestfriend. What do you do, Where do you go? For those of us who has gotten over the shock that the person you have been dating and fell in love with has finally ask for your hand in marriage, what do you do first? I have compiled a list of things that should take place within the first 30 days of your proposal:

• Days 1-7: Contact close family and friends.
• Days 7-14: Research wedding consultants in your area. A wedding professional will guide you through step by step planning to get you through the planning process for your wedding.
• Days14-21: Decide on a starting budget. Sit down with your fiance and parents to decide on how much you are willing to spend on the wedding.
• Days 21-28: Contact the wedding consultant you would like to hire to discuss your budget and begin the wedding planning process. With the help of your consultant the planning process will allow you various ways to allocate your dollars. The beginning stages of planning is crucial because you are constructing the blueprint of the wedding planning process.
  

Something Old, Something New

As 2008 is behind us and we look forward to a brand New Year. I would like to first thank everyone who has been an inspiration behind ADE this past year, my clients, family, friends and business acquaintances. It has been a pleasure working with you all. As we reflect on 2008 we look back at things that we no longer want to bring into the new year.
Something Old... 2008

• Old Habits
• The Economy
• Increase in Oil Prices

Just to name a few...

The exciting thing is we have a brand New Year and a brand new day to look forward to.
Something New ...2009

• New President - Barack Obama
  
• New Resolutions
• New Goals
• New Engagements

• So, as we prepare for 2009 Get Ready, Get Ready for this marvelous ride.