Sunday, November 22, 2009

Engaged? Book Your Vendors Soon!

Here's a little tip if you are engaged and still looking for vendors for your wedding. Most engagements occur between Thanksgiving Day and Valentine's Day...so that means there will be a lot more engaged couples booking vendors for their 2010, 2011 (and beyond) weddings.

So that means reception halls, photographers, florists, and others, are going to start filling up their calendars from a new "rush" of brides who are just getting engaged.

If you are engaged...get on our website and start making some phone calls and emails to vendors that you haven't booked yet.

If you think you might be getting engaged...make sure you start making phone calls to get your vendors booked shortly after you say "I do."

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A Great Wedding Fair

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association handed out nearly 200 Bride Guides at the MyMinnesota wedding fair that happened this past weekend in Monticello.

This is a great fair. I have been to my share of wedding fairs...as a vendor and as someone looking to get married. And honestly, some of the wedding fairs aren't all that great. But I was really impressed with the organization and professionalism of this fair. So kudos to the people at Majirs that helped put this event on!

If you're looking for an upcoming fair, you'll have to wait a couple of months! There are no local wedding fairs until January. Checkout our website for upcoming fairs- and check out a few of our great vendors while you're there!

Monday, November 9, 2009

My Minnesota Wedding Fair - November 14



One of the best local wedding fairs is taking place this weekend in Monticello. The 9th annual "My Minnesota Wedding Bridal Expo" will be held Saturday, November 14th at the Monticello Community Center.

This is a great chance to meet a lot of vendors in a small amount of time. Nearly 60 vendors will be at this fair.

Tickets are $5 at the door, but brides are FREE if you send an email to advertise@majirs.com with your name, address, e-mail address, your groom's name and your wedding date.

Please visit www.myminnesotawedding.com for a complete list of vendors and for more information about the bridal expo.

The details:

9th Annual " My Minnesota Wedding Bridal Expo"
Saturday, November 14th
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Style Show at 4:30 in the Mississippi Room

Monticello Community Center
505 Walnut Street
Monticello, MN 55362

Monday, November 2, 2009

Customized Jewelry Event

J. F.Kruse Jewelers invites you to a custom design party, "It's Your Story...Wear It!"

You will hear stories from customers and employees who have made custom designed jewelry created at J. F. Kruse Jewelers.

The stories are remarkable. Some customers have used heirlooms, keeping the sentimental value of stones and metals while creating something meaningful of their own.

There will be door prizes, wine and appetizers!

Don't worry about a long sales pitch... There will be 15 minutes of "education", and 90 minutes of entertainment!


Event Details

Location:
Westside Liquor Learning & Event Center
1001 2nd St. S., Suite 1005
Sartell, MN 56377

Time:
November 12, 2009
7 - 8:30 p.m.

RSVP: pam@buzz-company.com or Pam at 320-266-8198 (please RSVP by November 9)

You will learn about how to:
  • Create something uniquely yours
  • Update your style pieces
  • Give new style to inherited pieces

Door prizes will include:
  • $200 toward a custom designed piece at J. F. Kruse Jewelers
  • Gift Certificates to local restaurants

Each person attending will receive a goodie bag with fun gifts!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

India Night Will Explain Traditional Wedding Ceremonies

St. Cloud State's India Heritage Club is hosting “Vivaah: Experience the Wedding of a Lifetime,” which will explain the traditional Indian wedding ceremony and rituals that are a part of the ceremony.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. on November 7th in Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University.

Tickets are available at the door or at the Atwood Memorial Center Information Desk starting November 2.

  • $8 for students
  • $12 for faculty and members of the community
  • Free for children 5 and younger

The India Heritage Club is a student organization that works to promote and share Indian culture.

For more information about the event, contact Neha Patankar at pane0903@stcloudstate.edu or Priyam Chibber at chpr0601@stcloudstate.edu.

Monday, October 26, 2009

2009 Bride Panel

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association is hosting its second annual Bridal Panel on Tuesday, November 17th. This is a chance for wedding vendors to hear first-hand from brides about their wedding planning experiences.

Would you be willing to share your wedding planning experiences with a room full of local vendors?
  • What was the most frustrating part of planning your wedding? The best part?
  • What is some information you wish you would have known at the start of the planning process?
  • Where did you do most of your research and find vendors?
If you are a newlywed (married within the last year) and would like to serve on this panel and get a great meal and other free stuff, shoot me an email!

If you are a local wedding vendor and would like a complimentary ticket to attend this event, shoot me an email!

This was a huge hit last year for vendors and newlyweds...it would be great to see you this year!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Tips for the Bride on a Budget

Gina Artisensi-Skime from The Crown Room put together some great tips for the Bride on a Budget. Take a look at these tips before you finalize vendors for your wedding!

Don't look at the word budget (the amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose) as a negative. Rather, look at it as getting the most professional "bang" services for your buck. Here's a few tricks of the trade to stretch your professional wedding-day dollars.

When establishing your budget, decide what aspects and services are the most important to creating your perfect wedding day and rank them.

Next, select the top three services of importance to you and your fiancé and begin to research the pricing per category and establish this portion of your overall budget. The reception venue and catering, entertainment (disc jockey or band) and your photography are generally the top three items that consume the majority of your wedding-budget dollars.

Choosing a reception venue is like selecting that perfect wedding dress: You want the venue to fit your personality and provide an ambiance, menu, and service that you would like your guests to experience. Inquire about any complimentary mirror tiles, centerpieces, candles, or specialty linen napkin colors that the facility may be able to contribute to your wedding day without any additional charges.

If you find that you are exceeding your budget, look into a Friday evening or a Sunday wedding reception that may include a decreased food and beverage minimum at your reception venue. Consider an off-season wedding date or inquire about any special wedding bundles with a reception venue and a hotel. Do not assume that a buffet-style reception will always be the least expensive route to go; most plated-meal services can be customized into a lower price category than a buffet.

Don't compromise a professional vendor service – even if your wedding-budget dollars are getting tight. Professionals are masters of their craft for a reason: They know their job and they do it well. An iPod or other MP3 Player cannot replace a professional disc jockey. An iPod will not be able to introduce the bridal party for a Grand Entrance into the reception venue; it will not lead your guests in an interactive dance or know how to change-up the music to the correct genre when the dance floor is empty. Inquire to see if the disc jockey or entertainer offers reduced rates on Friday or Sunday weddings or take advantage of the Bridal Show Specials.

Find a professional photographer that captures every little moment of your "day of days." You will find photographers in all price categories, but go with your gut – if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Request to view portfolios of recent wedding albums, as well as references from previous clients. Your photographer may be with you from sunup to sundown; ensure that you are comfortable with his or her personality and style. Feel free to ask your photographer about any off-season or weekly discounts or offers.

Sticking to your overall budget will decrease any financial stress between you and your hubby-to-be. Keep in mind that your guests are present at your wedding ceremony and reception to celebrate your marriage and not all of the other extras!