Brides & Grooms Against Breast Cancer

Today is the DC area Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale!
If you were unable to make it, check out other dates and cities on their website http://www.makingmemories.org/calendar_of_events.html .

Also, check out other ways you can support the fight against breast cancer with Grooms Against Breast Cancer http://www.makingmemories.org/grooms_against_breast_cancer.html or create a Pink Bridal Shower, check out information here: http://pinkenvelopeproject.org/pep_bridal_shower.html.

Check out this link to see how you can support the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation by giving donation cards as favors at your wedding reception http://pinkenvelopeproject.org/pep_wedding_reception.html .

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Wedding Planners and LelyCo Events

1. Why should I hire a wedding planner? My hotel/venue has a wedding coordinator do I still need a planner?

As your wedding planner, I will help you create, plan, organize and execute a successful wedding. It is my job to make sure that your wedding day is perfect and goes just as planned. I will visit your vendors with you to make sure that they understand exactly what you envision for your wedding day. The wedding planning process is an emotional one and it is important to have a planner to make sure the process goes smoothly. The job of a hotel/venue Wedding Coordinator on the day-of is just like any other vendor, to take care of their piece of the puzzle. They will be making sure the food and space are in order, and if it is a hotel, they will be helping with your hotel room block and other guest requests. The best way to put it is, as your planner, I oversee the entire puzzle.

2. What makes LelyCo Events unique? What is your experience?

I plan events and weddings because its something that I love. Many wedding planners take on as many weddings as they can, I only take a limited number of clients a year. I want to know every detail, memorized as if it were my own wedding. I will give my complete attention to each client without being spread too thin between many clients. I am here to be your advocate, assistant, and often times problem-solver!

I have been working in the events industry for 8+years. I have worked on planning and executing conferences, celebrity charity events, radio station stunts/events, private events, etc. Also, I have a Master's Degree from the George Washington University with a concentration in Event & Meeting Management. You can read more about my experience on our website, http://www.lelyco.com/.

Also, I am a recent bride! In March 2006 I married my wonderful husband Seth in Tampa, Florida. I understand the stress and pressure of being a bride. I also understand that there is a BIG difference between ivory and white and that it is important to match everything to a certain shade of green! So your requests are not crazy to me! I even hired a Wedding Planner for myself and it was 100% the best wedding decision I made!

3. What is a design brainstorming session?

These are a series of meetings where we create the look, feel, and design of your event. We will start with talking about what you imagine it will look like as your guests enter. We will bounce ideas around until we create a vision for your day. We will work to weave your colors, theme, or feel through out the entire event without making it cheesy or overdone. The final product is simple, elegant and unique.

4. What is your pricing? Can you customize packages?

Day-of coordination (which begins about 4 weeks before the wedding) begins at $1,250.00 depending on the complexity and size of the wedding, please contact us for pricing information for other planning packages . Every client is unique and has different needs so we customize packages for each client.

For more details on our packages visit the Social Events page at http://www.lelyco.com/, click on each package to see what services are included. Please contact us for more information at Info@LelyCo.com.

5. Once I have hired a planner, what happens next?

We will meet and discuss your wedding so that I can get a better understanding of where you are in the planning process. You may have just gotten engaged and have no idea where to start or you may have booked a few vendors but are unsure what to do next. We will put together a budget plan and begin/finalize booking major vendors. From there I will help you coordinate the details from invitations to entertainment to transportation. As your planner I will be at your side through out the process and on the day-of to ensure that your vision is realized.

Wedding Trends and Tips!

The After Party!

Many couples are planning parties after their weddings. Some of the parties are just a continuation of the reception and they hire a DJ to take over after the band or have the current DJ to stay later and change the music to more "club" type music. Other couples are having parties in hotel hospitality suites. We have seen couples have gourmet Jell-O shots with a menu that names each Jell-O flavor after different members of the bridal party.

Items to consider:

• How late will my venue allow me to keep my ballroom- will there be an extra charge for a few more hours?



• Closing time? Do I need to extend the bar service? If so, should I include beer, wine and liquor or limit it to beer/wine only or you can order a limited number of signature drinks?



• Noise! If you have a party in your hotel hospitality suite, make sure to let your hotel contact know. Keep the noise to a minimum because you do not want to disturb other guests in the hotel.



• Late night snack: consider ordering pizza, donuts (Krispy Kreme will deliver with a minimum order), or warm chocolate chip cookies and shot glasses of milk. You can also use this idea to give guests as they exit your reception.
  

Unique Tables

Brides are looking for unique ways to decorate their tables.... some are choosing colorful linens, personalized menus, and some are having their florists create different centerpieces for each table.

Ideas:

• Alternating tall and short centerpieces on each table



• Some brides choose to have unique cakes as centerpieces - this is actually a great idea for budget brides-- you have your centerpiece and cake all in one!



• Colorful linens are a great way to pull together your wedding colors without breaking the bank. You can even use your venues ivory or white linens and then spice it up with a bright colored napkin!

The New Guestbook

There are many alternatives to the traditional guestbook. We are seeing everything from customized photo books that guests can autograph to "wishing wells" where guests can leave special notes for the newlyweds. Some couples choose other items to be signed that reflect something about them such as a giant bottle of wine for wine lovers, a poster of the college where they met, or engraved platter to display in their home. A framed matted engagement picture is a great traditional option to collect your guests signatures.

Mini Hors d'oeuvres & Desserts

Instead of getting bigger, things are getting smaller! Mini grilled cheese sandwiches with shot glasses of tomato soup to entire displays of desserts like mini creme brulee and mini tartlets are hot at weddings. Some couples are asking the cake bakers to create mini versions of their cake or cakes that looks like gifts to be placed at each guests seat.

A-List 2006 DC's Best

LelyCo Events was a nominee in the "Best Wedding Planner" category of the WUSA Channel 9 A List Washington DC's Best Local Businesses.