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3 Biggest Mistakes in Wedding Planning - WHat they are, how to avoid them!

4/30/2018

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How to avoid these three big pitfalls in wedding planning! 

The most expensive parts of a wedding are often the mistakes you make while planning! We can help you avoid making those wedding planning mistakes. A wedding planner's job is to do three things - 
  • Help keep you calm under pressure. Whether that means helping you through writing your vows, giving advice on how to handle a meddling MIL or nosy aunt, or sewing you into your dress because a seam ripped - your wedding planner will be there for you. 
  • Give you advice... on EVERYTHING. Your wedding planner should be in YOUR corner. They should have your best interest at heart in every decision that's made  - from picking the venue to when to cut the cake. They should help you find just the right vendors to help with your day. A great wedding planner has a network of suppliers, vendors, and creative pros who can do pretty much anything the wedding needs! 
  • Be the expert, manage the wedding. Your wedding planner should be the person in the room that manages the day, the vendors, the guests, the parents, the in-laws, the weather, the vendors' needs, the guests' needs... everything. Something isn't what was planned? Run for that wedding coordinator. 

The mistakes! WHat they are, how to avoid them. 

The most expensive part of planning a wedding is making mistakes! This info will hopefully help you to make great planning decisions!
FIRST - Think about the budget, make it match the vision. We wrote a blog post HERE on how to think about budgeting for a wedding. 
  • You should sit down with each of the financial contributors. Ask them what their most important line items are. Does your mom love calligraphy? Are flowers super important to your fiancee? Make sure you take all the opinions under consideration when you're deciding how to spend the budget. The more you know about the desires of all of the interested parties, the less likely it is that you'll find yourself in conflict. 
  • Come up with a vision. Think about the guest experience (detailed below). Use our blog post to figure out what you should spend in each category. 
  • Do all of this budgeting BEFORE you connect with vendors, start dreaming, or start choosing. 
  • The budget pitfall is having a dream, and not having the budget to execute it. Before you raid Pinterest and get your heart set on orchids, make sure you have the budget set aside to have that vision. 
  • Your guests' expectations are pretty simple. They don't know what they didn't get... just what they did get! 
SECOND - Don't let your emotion take over. Leave the stress at the door. 
  • By following the first tip, and sitting down with everyone to get their opinions and desires up front, it will help you avoid stepping into a hornet's nest of emotion when you come across the items that are important to each person.
  • Something's going to go wrong. I know... That's terrifying. But it will. Nothing's perfect... your wedding day won't be either. Knowing ahead of time that something is not going to go perfectly means that when it does - you won't freak out. 
  • Nobody knows what you planned. When you plan each part of the wedding, know that some things may not be completely as they are in your head. Nobody but you knows that. They just know the awesomeness that did happen! 
THIRD - ​Guest experience is paramount. Your guests will talk about the whole experience for years... whether you do it right, or very wrong! 
  • Think about guest experience when you make decisions and allocate budget. When you pick flowers, colors, linens, and even flatware. Consider how each element will affect that guest experience. 
  • If you spend your budget on items that don't further the goals, it's wasted budget. 
  • Think about each decision and make sure it is budget that goes towards furthering the experiential plan. Here's our take on being a guest at your own wedding. 
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How to set a gorgeous tablescape, details, details!

3/11/2018

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We LOVE gorgeous tablescapes! Here's how they are created! 

Every great tablescape starts with a vision. You want your guests to experience a specific feeling when they sit down at your table. All the little details on the table is what makes that experience happen. Linens, flatware, glassware, plates and chargers, placecards, centerpieces, candles, pretty little sprigs of greenery or herbs, a menu, and table numbers are just some of the top-of-table things you should think of. 
 
how to set a table denver wedding, colorado dinner party planner,
Pic Cred HERE!
The first thing to think of when setting a table is layout! Here is a diagram that outlines the parts of a place setting. Some tablescapes have all these elements (and potentially more!) and some have fewer. Often at a wedding we see a wine glass and a champagne flute, rather than a red and a white wine option. We often see lots of napkin folds, tucks, and wraps, instead of the napkin on the table to the left. Use this great pic as a starting point to setting your formal tablescape! Don't be afraid to change things up - just make sure if you do, you're doing it intentionally for experience or aesthetics! 

​Don't break the rules just to break them.... have a reason! 
Chargers! Lets talk about what they're for, why we use them, and when to not use them! 
  • They are supposed to stay on the table throughout the meal. They keep any spills or crumbs off the linen (in a perfect world) and protect the linen. They also are a design element that remains between courses for the guests, so they're not staring at a bare table linen. 
  • They should be larger than your dinner plate - usually 12" - so that they peek out from under the dinner plate. 
  • They add a decorative element that stays throughout the meal. 
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denver wedding planner, place setting advice, how to set a table, la tavola linens denver,
denver wedding planner, place setting advice, how to set a table, la tavola linens denver,
Flatware - Commonly mis-named silverware. This should only be called silverware if it exactly that - silver (not the color... the metal!). 
  • Basic items include - salad fork, dinner fork and dinner knife. Common add-ons are dessert spoons and forks, teaspoons for coffee service, soup spoons for soup service. 
  • Check out that diagram above for proper layout of flatware on a table. 
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denver wedding planner, place setting advice, how to set a table, la tavola linens denver,
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Glassware should be set for the meal service. Don't have superfluous glassware on the table that you won't need. 
  • If you're having wine service at dinner, add a wine glass to the place setting. 
  • Champagne toast? You have some options. You can pre-set the champagne glass and have the servers pour champagne, you can have the servers pass champagne that's pre-poured, or you can have a drink-in-hand toast. 
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denver wedding planner, place setting advice, how to set a table, la tavola linens denver,
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We have a love affair with linens! 
  • Think about contrast with linens. You don't want bridesmaids' dresses to match the table linens! 
  • Napkins are very important - if you can choose between getting a little higher-end napkin, or a table linen - go for the napkin for guest experience. They'll have it in their hands and on their faces! 
  • Don't be afraid of patter, or pop in strategic places, but don't go overboard! A whole room full of hot pink may be great - for a 16th birthday party! 
  • Choose your linens carefully. They make a huge difference to a table, and to your guests experience. Remember - they touch those linens, where they may not notice a few extra roses in the centerpiece, they will notice amazing fabric. . 
Photo credits - Ashley Kidder, Rebecca Marie Photography, Nicole Noel photography
Rentals - Event Rents Denver and La Tavola 
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Just Married? Financial Tips For Newlywed Couples

2/1/2018

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​It might be the last conversation you want to have as a newlywed couple, but finances play a huge role in a successful marriage. The recipe for a happy marriage is made of trust and open communication. This is especially important when it comes to money. Money is the #1 leading cause of stress in a relationship with more than 35 percent of respondents stating money played the main factor. Couples who are on the same page about finances feel more secure, argue less, and even have a better sex life. If you’re a newlywed couple, discuss these financial topics together to start your marriage on the right foot.

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Salary, savings, debt
If you haven’t already, it’s time to be honest and talk about your current financial situation. You don’t want to be blindsided in the long run and be in financial trouble. Tell each other your exact salary, credit score, income from side jobs, debt, savings, and assets. Be even more specific and discuss your spending habits such as how you spent your money the previous year, any big purchases, and how much you spend in a typical week. Having a “money talk” might seem like an obvious discussion to have, but a TD Ameritrade survey found that more than 40% of couples did not know how much their spouse made. Some couldn’t even guess the correct number within a $25,000 USD
margin of error.
​Get rid of debt together
Although your spouse’s debt shouldn’t become your responsibility when you get married, it does
affect your future life decisions together - especially when it comes to purchasing a home,
booking vacations and retirement savings. It will be hard to make purchases or save up when
one person has bad credit or bad spending habits. Work as a team and make it a priority to
create a budget together. Cut unnecessary luxury spending like eating out daily or your morning
run to Starbucks. Pay off loans with the highest interest rates first or completely pay off your
smaller loans first to build momentum. If you have multiple loans, consolidate debts into a
personal loan so you only have one monthly payment to make.
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Sharing expenses
Figure out a system to manage money as a couple. Some spouses use a joint savings account to split bills and some keep their accounts separate. Either way, make sure to be on the same page and be open to various bill paying options if your partner uses a different method to make payments than you do. If one partner earns significantly more than the other, find a way to divide expenses that makes sense, such as splitting the costs based on a certain percentage of your income. Another idea is to divide your expenses. For example, one person pays for your rent, and the other pays for your utilities. The last thing you want is one person maxing out his or her credit cards and struggling to pay their share of bills. Be flexible in sharing expenses and communicate with each other when you’re not able to.

Purchases
Are you a spender or a saver? Either way, don’t commit financial infidelity by making secret purchases without telling your spouse. A study from CreditCard.com found that 20 percent of married couples made a purchase of at least $500 USD without telling their spouses with six percent admitting to having a separate bank account the other wasn’t aware of. It’s great to be able to spend independently, but keeping secrets won’t do anyone any good. Communicate expenses and share passwords with each other so you can both view online what your financial situation looks like. You don’t have to tiptoe around each other when you want to make a purchase but there should also be a balance of wants vs. needs items.
Ask for help
If you feel that you’re at a dead end and your conversations about money aren’t productive or helpful, seek help from an outsider. It’s okay to ask a financial adviser, coach or accountant for help when managing your finances - single or married. Seeking a professional’s opinion might ease tension if you often argue about finances. An accountant or financial expert can help with complicated money matters such as investments and taxes, and they will also save you time in the long run. You will need to pay for such services, but depending on your current financial situation, they may be able to save you money in the long run, in addition to saving you stress, time and disagreements. Discussing money in a marriage can be tricky or even downright uncomfortable, but it starts with open and honest communication. With the right money management skills, spending habits, and patience, you will be on your way as a team to overcome any financial situation.
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Nataly & Scott - Winter Elopement

1/25/2018

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Nataly and Scott came all the way from Texas to get married in the winter in Colorado's gorgeous front range. They chose this destination wedding option that matched not only their budget but their vision. They got an awesome photographer, a fabulous officiant, a lovely dinner for family and friends, as well as a great planner, if I do say so myself! All completely within budget. Just because you're not spending 100k on the wedding doesn't mean you don't get a lovely day that reflects the two of you and entertains your intimate guest list! Be you, be authentic, and be direct about your planning. Make the right decisions to make your guest experience feel right! We can help! Thanks to Meredith Harris for the gorgeous photos!  Great job to Yours Truly Cupcake for the cakes! More details about elopements here! ​
Colorado Elopement Planner, Destination Elopement Planner, Intimate Wedding, Elopement Services
Colorado Elopement Planner, Destination Elopement Planner, Intimate Wedding, Elopement Services

CHECK OUT OUR ELOPEMENT SERVICES HERE!

Colorado Elopement Planner. Destination Elopement Planner.

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BRYNN & STEPHEN - ELOPEMENT

1/24/2018

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TEXAS NATIVES FOR A  WINTER PARK Elopement

colorado elopement planner, destination elopement planner, destination elopement, intimate wedding
.Brynn and Stephen came from Texas to the snowy mountains of Colorado for their destination elopement. They braved the extremely chilly weather (a whopping 15 degrees outside) and exchanged their vows at the top of Winter Park. They kept some in some traditions with a bridal bouquet, a cake to cut after the ceremony and sharing a first dance as husband and wife at the restaurant they ate at afterwards. But they also threw in their own flair with Brynn's amazing black dress and her cowboy dressed in jeans. It was the perfect touch to this couple's destination elopement.

​If you want to read more about their special day, Brynn was kind enough to write her own blog post about the elopement! Check it out HERE!

CHECK OUT OUR ELOPEMENT SERVICES TODAY!

COLORADO ELOPEMENT PLANNER. DESTINATION ELOPEMENT PLANNER. SMALL WEDDING PLANNER.

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Destination Elopements

1/24/2018

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Where in the world will your elopement take you?

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​

If you and your loved one are contemplating on whether or not you should do an elopement - let us tell you just how wonderful an elopement can be.  An elopement does not have to mean you go down to the courthouse and sign a piece of paper that says you are married by law. An elopement is your chance to really think out of the box (without having to worry about the opinions of you 200 closest family members and friends).
Is there a special vacation you and your significant other took that defined your relationship? What about a place you have always wanted to travel to? Well this is your moment! Throw a dart at a map and book a flight.  You can get married anywhere in the world so what's stopping you? We have been involved in so many beautiful elopements here in Colorado and none of our couples have been natives of the state.  they have traveled from all over the country to have their special day here in one of the most scenic places in the United States (and we would argue in the world).  From Texas, to Kansas City, all the way to Alabama these couples wanted a getaway adventure that they would remember for the rest of their lives.  We were able to pick their scenic locations based on their preferences and how much snow they were willing to trek through during our snowy winter.  If you aren't too keen on the snowy weather, let us help you find a more tropical location and still take care of the rest of the details for you. This way your only job is to show up and get married! I mean, who doesn't want their wedding day to be sans complications and stress. We take it all on for you so you don't have to, you just get to enjoy saying "I do" to the person of your dreams.

Check out our elopement services HERE

Colorado Elopement Planner. Destination Elopement Planner.

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ELOPEMENTS IN THE NEW AGE

1/23/2018

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Let us help you plan your perfect elopement

"An act or instance of running off secretly, as to be married."
Colorado Elopement Planner, Winter Elopement, Destination Elopement Planner, Luxury Elopement Planner
Colorado Elopement Planner, Winter Elopement, Destination Elopement Planner, Luxury Elopement Planner
Colorado Elopement Planner, Winter Elopement, Destination Elopement Planner, Luxury Elopement Planner
Well in this day and age, elopements tend not to be a dramatic escape from an ivory tower and a battling family... more so a moment in time where two people, madly in love, take their first steps as husband and wife with a great big adventure.  There are many layers to an elopement although it seems like the simple alternative to having a grand wedding.  There is still a fair amount of planning involved especially if you aren't just going down to the courthouse to sign the marriage license.  Here at Sweetly Paired we take care of it all for you! The location, the photographer, the reservations and even getting you a wonderful cake that the two of you can keep all to yourself.  What I'm saying is that you can literally have your cake and eat it ALL too. 

Whether you are planning to have your elopement here in Colorado or are looking to have a destination elopement we are the resource for you! Check out our packages HERE or speak with us directly HERE for a consultation meeting to learn more about the services and how we can whisk you away on your next great adventure. 

Colorado Elopement Planner. Intimate Weddings. Colorado Small WEddings.

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Donovan Pavilion - Vail, Co

1/17/2018

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top 5 Colorado Mountain Venues

vail colorado, fall in colorado, fall colors, bride and groom, fall wedding
Donovan Pavilion is located in Vail, Colorado. Donovan Pavilion is an events facility tucked in between Gore Creek and the South Frontage Road near West Vail.  We have worked there on numerous occasions and are always more than happy to be back in such a gorgeous location.  The mountain views are hard to beat and the facility provides the best staff for any type of event.  They are impeccable and incredibly knowledgeable not only about their venue, but about the area surrounding.  So it is perfect for out of town guests as well who may want to find fun things to do while they continue their stay in Colorado. 
The outdoor ceremony space at the Donovan backs right up to the river which creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere as you hear the crisp mountain water making its way down the stream.  The surrounding areas make for some of the most beautiful wedding photos (as you can see in the ones we've posted below). Then there is the inside of the facility with its tall, vaulted ceilings, multitude of windows to let in natural light, and the beautiful wood finishings to bring a element of drama and nature into the room.

Check out more of the Donovan at their website here for more photos and information.

the outside

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bride and groom. vail wedding planner, colorado wedding planner, mountain wedding planner, vail colorado, mountain wedding, fall wedding
bride and groom. vail wedding planner, colorado wedding planner, mountain wedding planner, vail colorado, mountain wedding, fall wedding

The inside

Vail Wedding Planner. Donovan Pavilion Planner.

WE love vail, colorado!

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TOP 5 MOUNTAIN WEDDING VENUES

1/17/2018

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OUR TOP 5 PICKS FOR BEST MOUNTAIN VENUES IN COLORADO

colorado wedding planner, mountain wedding planner, bride and groom, colorado scenery, bridal gown, mountain weddingBreckenridge, CO
As we continue on during planning season, we know it can be challenging choosing a wedding venue.  There are many factors to take in to account including your budget, your guest list (how many and where they are traveling from), your overall vision and theme, and your undying love for the mountains! Well if a mountain wedding is something that you have always dreamed of then spend the next week checking out our blog posts about our absolute favorite mountain venues right here in Colorado.  Whether you are a native or are planning your destination wedding, these mountain venues offer some of the most scenic view you will ever lay eyes on... and who doesn't want that in their wedding photos?

Here are our top 5! We will be showcasing each one in a post over the next 5 days with our thought, our advice, and some of the most beautiful mountain wedding photos you will ever see.
1. Donovan Pavilion - Vail, CO
2. Park Hyatt - Beaver Creek, CO  
3. Ten Mile Station - Breckenridge, CO
4. Sunspot - Winter Park, CO
5. Spruce Saddle, Saddle Ridge, Wedding Deck - Beaver Creek, CO



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LISA AND MICHAEL - Denver Wedding

1/11/2018

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OPHELIA'S ELECTRIC SOAPBOX 


Lisa and Michael had their unique music inspired wedding at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox in Denver, Colorado. From the musician titled tables to the live band, they infused their shared love for music throughout the planning process. Congrats Lisa and Michael!  ​They enjoyed dancing away the night with their family and friends. The band Woodshed Red played every song to perfection and there wasn't a time where the dance floor was empty.
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Check out the rest of their photos here!

Downtown denver wedding planner.

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    Lilli Black is a wedding coordinator, planner and designer in Denver Colorado. She works in Denver, as well as all over Colorado. She has been in the wedding industry for many years, and has planned more than 1000 weddings in Colorado. 

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