Cold Spring Events Blog

Not Following a Budget
A wedding budget is absolutely essential to planning your event. In fact I think setting your budget is one of the very first things you should do. When determining the total budge for your event, be sure to consider everything. Often overlooked expenses include printing costs, bar charges, tips, and gifts/giveaways.

Underestimating Time
Planning an event is not as easy as slapping something together in a flash. It takes ample time to thoroughly plan a successful event. Give yourself the gift of planning and overestimate the amount of time you will need to pull all the details together. I recommend no less than 1 year for a large event. You should also create a timeline for planning your event. This will help you will alleviate stress by avoiding last minute, unforeseen challenges. This detailed timeline should include all of the pre-event tasks; who is responsible for accomplishing the task; and the time frame for completion.

Trying to do It all Yourself
Often the party planning responsibility is dumped onto one person. And although the planning may be fun at first, before long you are short on time and high on stress. There are endless tasks that go into planning a successful event. Do yourself a favor and ask your family or fellow employees for help. If you can’t find help anywhere, consider hiring a professional to help shoulder the responsibility.

Not checking, double checking, and triple checking everything
This cannot be said enough. Usually with large events the planning takes place over several months. Do not assume that the person who promised to facilitate your group’s trip to Spain will remember your conversation three months ago or even three weeks ago. Their firm may be very reputable but you are not the only fish in their sea! Always stay on top of things at all times and follow through.

Not making a schedule for the day of the party
Make a list of what you would like your guests to be doing from the moment they arrive until the time they leave. Keep in mind that you may have guests who arrive early and you may have guests who arrive late. The first activity that you do should not depend on all of the guests being there. Also remember to be flexible, if the little ladies are enjoying something - let them enjoy it a little longer. If a game is not working, move on to something else.

Not Hiring Professionals
This is the one time that it is certainly true, there is no substitute for experience and expertise. If you want a smooth and relatively worry free planning process and event, rely on the experts. No one knows their business better than they do. They've seen it all, making them the best source of creative ideas, and experts at handling any challenge. You may be tempted to save a little money, but think twice before you ask friends or accept offers from relatives for major responsibilities for your event. It's better to make a friend out of a vendor, than trying to make a vendor out of a friend." There are professionals to fit every budget. Check references so you feel confident that you are choosing a professional that you can count on.

Forgetting to check dates
Before finalizing any dates for your meetings or events, check that they don't overlap with any religious, public, state, or federal holidays. Also, consider avoiding an overlap with any major sporting events, especially if you're looking to attract a predominately male audience. At the beginning of the calendar year, generate a checklist of all the upcoming holidays and events so that you don't let one slip by you. It's so easy to do!

Neglecting to check references
Having a gut feeling about someone is great, but always check to make sure he's as good as he says he is. Yes, it will take some extra time to check references, but it's well worth the effort. Why take the chance of spoiling your important event with a supplier who lets you down at the last minute or supplies you with second-rate equipment or poor-quality service? A key question to ask the reference is, "Would you use this supplier again for your next function?" You know what to do if the answer is negative!

Here is a great article by Holly LeFevre:

"Day Of" Wedding Coordination:
An Invaluable Service

By Holly LeFevre

Hiring a professional wedding coordinator just for the wedding day, to organize and manage details, can save a bride's sanity.

The big day is approaching, and after having dedicated so much time to the planning and perfecting of every aspect of your wedding (not to mention the money), do you dare leave the execution of these details to chance? You are the bride and should be carrying a bouquet not a clipboard! You will need to have someone that can be responsible for putting all of the elements and details in place on the wedding day. To accommodate these needs, a service that has grown tremendously in popularity is "Month Of" and "Day Of" wedding coordination. These services can take this pressure off of you and allow you to enjoy your wedding day without worry.

"Month Of" and "Day Of" coordinators can be hired for your wedding day at any time during the planning, but generally don't "jump into" your planning until 1-2 months prior to the wedding day. At this point the coordinator will be assisting you in pulling together an itinerary, confirming vendor commitments and double-checking the details, decisions, and services that you have already contracted for. The coordinator will be working with the information you give her to formulate a master plan for the entire day, so that you can rest assured that the details are in place and the event is being managed by a professional. Because these services are not as extensive as a coordination package that covers all the planning from beginning to end, "Month Of" and "Day Of" is a very budget friendly way to get peace of mind on your wedding day.

When beginning the search for a "Month Of" or "Day Of" wedding coordinator, you may find yourself with a number of questions. First of all, wedding coordinators use many different titles (Wedding Coordinator, Event Producer, Event Designer, Wedding Director, etc.), as well as a myriad of titles for their range of services (Wedding Day Service, Wedding Day Direction, "Month Of" and "Day Of"). Ask specific questions of these coordinators to determine if they offer the service that you are looking for.

Secondly, you may be wondering what is the difference between the catering manager at the hotel and a (personal) wedding coordinator? Wedding coordinators offer a different range of services than these other professionals. Specifically a coordinator is working for you, not the hotel or location, and he/she is there to see that your wishes and requests are carried out as well as to assist in planning that is not related to the hotel or location. Ask the staff at your wedding location what they will and won't do to determine your additional needs. Coordinators will work with the personnel at your ceremony and/or reception venue to ease the planning process and provide you peace of mind.

What does this cost? Just as there are many titles for wedding coordinators, there are many different fee structures. It will take some investigating to find a coordinator that fits your needs, and that is within your budget. Typically, pricing ranges from $750.00 to $3,000+ for "Month Of" and "Day Of" services. The number of years of experience, geographical location of the wedding coordinator and typical clientele are just a few items that will affect price. The price will also be determined by a number of specific factors and details related to your wedding. Not all coordinators offer these services, but most do. You can use the Internet, local bridal magazines, bridal shows and referrals from other vendors to find a wedding coordinator. You may also call the Association of Bridal Consultants for referrals, 860-355-0464, www.bridalassn.com.

Typical examples of services that a wedding coordinator would provide for a "Month Of" or "Day Of" wedding service:

"Month Of" Services
Referrals to wedding day vendors (optional)
Access to consultant for related questions (via phone or email)
Meeting with client to develop a timeline for the wedding day Confirmation of vendor commitments for the wedding day
Direction of the rehearsal
Distribution of timeline to necessary vendors and wedding party
Coordination and direction of wedding day events (set hours)

"Day Of" Services
Direction of the rehearsal
Distribution of timeline to wedding party (as prepared by bride)
Coordination and direction of wedding day events (set hours)

NOTE: For "Day Of" service, the bride will take the responsibility of preparing a timeline, confirming details and commitments with vendors, and all other related duties. The consultant will carry out the duties based upon the brides planning and preparations. In these instances where the consultant has no previous interaction with vendors, the consultant is only as good as the information the bride provides.

Whether you are planning a wedding that is big or small, casual or formal, the knowledge, professionalism, and assistance a wedding coordinator can provide for you, is well worth the cost. Of course most wedding consultants also offer more detailed planning assistance as well, but "Month Of" and "Day Of" services offer invaluable planning assistance that every bride can benefit from.

© Copyright Holly LeFevre

Planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be almost, if not more, complicated than planning a wedding. Here is a great planning time-line I put together to help you get organized and start tackling one task at at time!

Bar & Bat Mitzvah Planning Timeline

1 to 2 years before…
o Purchase an organizer or planner
o Select the party date (after verifying ceremony date with synagogue)
o Draw up a preliminary guest list
o Start working on a budget
o Decide on your Bar/Bat Mitzvah project

10 to 12 months before…
o Start thinking about your party theme and color scheme
o Interview and hire an event planner
o Visit and book a party location
o Mail “save-the-date” cards
o Sign your son/daughter up for Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes at your synagogue

6 to 9 months before…
o Interview and book caterer
o Interview and book photographer
o Interview and book videographer
o Interview and book band/deejay
o Interview and book other entertainment
o Finalize your guest list

4 to 5 months before…
o Reserve rental items
o Interview and book florist or decorator
o Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
o Book necessary transportation
o Order invitations and other stationary
o Select menu with caterer
o Shop for a dress or other attire
o Discuss any oneg Shabbat with synagogue caterer

2 to 3 months before…
o Select and order favors and décor
o Purchase accessories, such as a guest book and pen
o Schedule tasking for cake and place order
o Place order with florist
o Meet with deejay to discuss music selection
o Chose flowers and place the order with your florist
o Book makeup artist and hairstylist
o Address invitations or send them to a calligrapher

4 to 6 weeks before…
o Mail invitations (no later than 6 weeks before)
o Provide deejay/band with “play” and “don’t play” lists
o Provide shot list to photographer and videographer
o Put together a party timeline
o Purchase alcohol if not included in the catering package
o Have final dress fitting done
o Assemble welcome baskets for out-of-town guests

2 weeks before…
o Call any guests who have not RSVP’d
o Give caterer final guest count
o Make seating chart and write place cards
o Prepare toasts or thanks to friends and family

1 week before…
o Check final details with all vendors
o Give vendors a copy of your party timeline
o Place gratuities in labeled envelopes

1 day before…
o Get manicure and pedicure
o Relax
o Get a good night’s sleep

Cold Spring Events Home Page

2007 was incredibly successful for wedding organizers. According to recent industry research conducted by Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional), some $203 billion were spent on wedding events last year. Dr. Goldblatt, the founder of International Special Events Society (ISES), says : "Suffice it to say, the marketplace is large enough to support and sustain your endeavour" He notes, that "If you're successful in wedding events area, you will easily adapt to any other event planning. And if you're just entering the market of wedding events, the supply / demand situation has never been more favorable. In short, a lot of money is waiting to be picked up by a hard-working and creative wedding event planner"

Joe's research shows lucidly, that profits in this industry will continue to rise. Just a few years ago, Goldblatt says, average profit margin for a wedding party planner was about 10%. His most recent studies, however, indicate that profit margins have risen to 25% for milestones or kids party coordinators, 30% for corporate party planners and up to 40% for experienced wedding event planners.

Market growth and competition in the wedding planning industry go hand in hand but ISES founder remains positive: A diligent and creative event organizer is standing to make a lot of money in 2008, which will by his estimates witness a 5-6% increase in the annual industry spend.

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In addition to being an event planner, I also consider myself a fitness and nutrition enthusiast. I am always looking for ways to improve the way I look and feel through diet and exercise. I’m not going to lie and say I have the body of a fitness competitor, but I do have muscle definition and plenty of energy to keep up with my two young kids and run my own business.

So for all of you that are trying to get in shape for your upcoming wedding or other important event, I though I would share with you some of my favorite fitness and nutrition resources. The following books, magazines, videos, and websites will help you look and feel your best for your big day.

“The Eat-Clean Diet” by Tosca Reno – This book explains how eating healthy, unprocessed foods will help you lose weight and keep you body running at its optimal level. It has some great recipes in it as well.

“Winning by Losing” by Jillian Michaels – This book was written by one of The Biggest Loser trainers. Her program is great for anyone who wants to make a significant lifestyle change. She shows you how keep a positive mindset, eat healthy to lose weight, and follow a great training program. Everything is explained in great detail and easy to follow.

“The Complete Book of Running for Women” by Claire Kowalchik – Running helped me shed 50 pounds several years ago. It’s a great way to lose weight, increase your cardiovascular fitness, and reduce stress. This book explains the right way to start running, increase your distance and/or speed, and prevent injuries.

“The New Rules of Lifting for Women” by Lou Schuler, Alwyn Cosgrove, and Cassandra Forsythe – Lifting weights can transform you body more than any other activity out there. Who doesn’t want to complement their strapless wedding gown with defined arms and a killer back? This book will show you the most effective way to get the muscle and definition you want.

“Winning by Losing Cardio Kickbox” DVD – Jillian Michaels takes you through an INTENSE 25-minute routine that will kick you butt every time. It always kicks mine!

“Oxygen” Magazine – This magazine is packed full of the latest diet and exercise advice every month. It features only super-fit women, not skinny models without any muscle definition. Don’t be intimidated by the cover, it’s a great magazine for beginners and experienced exercisers alike.

“Oxygen.com” Forum – D you have a fitness or nutrition question? The people on this fitness forum have a wealth of knowledge to share with you. You can ask a question, read about new programs, find healthy recipes, or start a personal journal to keep you motivated and on track.

The holidays are a perfect time to pop the question to that special someone. In fact, over 25% of all engagements take place between Thanksgiving and New Years. Here are some romantic and creative ways to ask, “Will you marry me?”

· With all of your family and friends present, offer a holiday toast asking the important question
· Present her with a special gift that contains the engagement ring
· Dress up as Santa Claus and give the engagement ring instead of a candy cane
· Have her open an “anonymous” holiday card with the question inside
· Visit Santa at the mall together and ask for you holiday wish. (Make sure to get your picture taken with Santa after you ask the big question.)
· Take a walk to view holiday light displays and ask for her hand amid their twinkling glow
· Arrange a unique seasonal excursion such as a sleigh ride or ice skating
· Wrap yourself up in a large, wrapped box and have her unwrap you holding the ring
· Make her a special photo album of pictures of the time and places you’ve shared. On the last page place a card that says, “Will you marry me?”, with the engagement ring fastened underneath.
· Buy a Christmas bauble that is transparent and opens up. Place the ring inside and put the bauble on the Christmas tree - and wait to see if she notices!
· Put the ring box on plate at the Christmas dinner table

Any way you chose to ask, proposing this holiday season is sure to make it one she will never forget!

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You’ve reserved the function room, booked a caterer, selected your menu, and decided between open and reserve seating. There is still one more important decision you to make about your event meal: How do you want it served? There are many different types of meal services, and each one can bring a different feel to your party or special event. Below I explain the most common options, so that you can choose the one that is right for you.

Buffet - A buffet is typically a long table with lavish displays of food. Guests make their way down the line to pick and choose from an a la carte-style menu. Buffets are versatile and work for many cuisine styles. Guests appreciate the variety a buffet offers, and even finicky eaters can find something to nibble on. While this is a less formal service style, a well-planned buffet meal can still be elegant depending on the dishes you serve.

Stations - Stations offer different foods grouped by course, cuisine or a theme at individual tables spaced throughout the reception area. People can sample a variety of different foods, and it allows guests to socialize as they move around the room. Stations can be self-served like a buffet, but chef-manned stations add more sizzle to the party.

Family Style - Family-style service is a casual dining approach. Waiters bring platters and bowls of food to the table for guests to share and pass amongst themselves. People looking to break from a traditional formal reception love the friendly and interactive atmosphere of this service style. Comfort foods are a natural fit for family service.

American or Plated - Plates are assembled in the kitchen and delivered to the table in a parade of courses. Side dishes are used for bread and butter and salad. Plated service offers less variety, so design a meal with broad appeal or offer multiple entrée choices. Be sure to offer foods with a variety of different colors, sizes, flavors and textures.

French - French service is unique in that the final meal preparation takes place tableside. Food is partially prepared in the kitchen and then finished on stands next to the dining table. Servers might mix and dress salads, or carve and sauce meats, and then prepare the plates for serving. The elegance of this style makes guests feel especially pampered.

Russian - Russian service is a seated style that’s highly personal and attentive. Guests feel like honored royalty as waiters bring platters of food to the table and serve them individually. Everything should be easy to serve, and pre-portioned items are always a safe bet. Russian service requires ample table space to keep guests from feeling cramped.

Butler Service - If the traditional sit-down reception isn’t your style, consider a swanky cocktail party with butler service. Food is passed on trays and guests simply help themselves. The unstructured, roaming format makes this style of eating relaxed and fun. Butler service is also ideal for venues where table seating won’t work. Just set up a few standing tables and several clusters of chairs and let your guests move about as they please. Plan on serving a heavy spread of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres so guests will be well fed.

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I am pleased to announce the addition of a "Virtual Planning Package" to my list of services. The package is perfect for bridal couples that are on a budget but still want guidance every step of the way. The service is very similar to a full-service planning package, only everything is done through phone and email instead of in person.

The Virtual Planning Package includes all of the following:

· Unlimited phone & e-mail planning with a Certified Bridal Consultant to plan your wedding
· Providing wedding planning tools (including a comprehensive planning time-line; guest-list planner; flower, music, and photography planners; seating planner; and lists of important questions to ask potential vendors)
· Advise on wedding etiquette (for invitations, family matters, ceremony, toasts, etc…)
· Helping you develop and stay on budget
· Helping you determine and execute the overall feeling and look of your wedding
· Supplying a vendor referral list and contacting vendors for pricing and availability
· Assisting with stationary selection and ordering
· Assisting with menu and cake selection
· Assisting with guest accommodations and transportation
· Developing a wedding time-line and floor plan for the wedding day
· Confirmation with all vendors prior to the event

You can also combine this package with "Wedding Day Management" for a discounted rate this is about half of the traditional planning package. This is a great way for any bride to get the extra help she needs to plan her ideal wedding with minimal stress.

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I am an expert volunteer for the website AllExperts.com. I have lot of brides email me their wedding planning questions. I though I would post some of the inquires and my answers here in case any of you had the same questions!

Seasonal Colors
Question: I'm planning a winter wedding sometime in Jan., Feb., or March in the Northeast. In March, it could be spring-like, or it could be blizzard conditions! I am having trouble envisioning seasonal colors. Since its not a popular time of year to marry, the bridal magazines do not have tend to feature wintery or early spring colors. I don't want red, burgundy, or pine green. What would you do?? Thanks for the thoughtful response to my last question.

Answer: I live in the Northeast, and I know that the weather can be impossible to predict during the late winter and early spring. However, I think there a lot of color combinations that can bridge these two seasons. Here are some of my favorites: Silver & Blue Silver & Orange Chocolate Brown & Lilac Chocolate Brown & Aqua Gold & Cream Gold & Pink You'll notice that with all of these color combinations, the first color is more of a "winter" one and the second is more of a "spring" one. By combining the two colors you are sure to have the right feel no matter what the weather.

Gift Etiquette
Question: My husband and I were recently invited to an out-of-state wedding. We did not recognize any of the names on the invitation. Had it not been for a small card enclosed with the invitation stating that the groom was a grandson of one of my husband's second cousins, we would have throw out the invitation. We hardly know the cousin, don't know the groom's parents at all, and have never seen, let along met the bridal couple. Needless to say, we will not be attending the out-of-state ceremony. My question is: Is a gift expected? Or is a card adequate? Our daughter was married out-of-state a couple years ago and we never even consider sending an invitation to distant relatives out-of-state with whom we've had no prior connection. How should we respond?

If you decline an invitation to a wedding, you are not required to send a gift. Some people chose to send a gift, especially if they know the bride and groom well. In your case, since you do not know the bride and groom at all, a gift is not necessary and should not be expected. Sending a card is a nice gesture and will let the bride and groom know that you are happy for them and wish them well.

Caterer Estimate vs. Actual
Question: I hired a caterer who gave a me a very good quote on my wedding and it was based on this quote that i hired them above many other quotes. However, now that the wedding date is fast approaching (1 week away), the quote has jumped up significantly. They explained that these are the actual costs and that what they gave us were just estimates. I understand a plus/minus 10% or so, but this seems a bit fishy to me. We have not made any changes since the quote (in fact, we took out a few things). Is this normal practice or should i be taking this up with the BBB in my area? What is the accepted increase for caterer quotes vs. what they actually end up charging you (remember, we have made no changes in venue, number of people, menu, items on the list etc).

Answer: I can understand why you'd be upset about this matter. Planning and paying for a wedding is stressful enough without having the surprise of unexpected extra expenses. Getting an accurate quote from a caterer can be difficult and it is important to ask all of the right questions when you first meet with one. The first thing you should do is take a look at the first estimate you received. (I hope you have a written one or else there is really nothing else you can do.) See how it is broken down. It should list the price for each meal and the number of guests expected. This price should not have gone up in the final cost. There could be a lot of other expenses that were not included in the original estimate though. Caterers often charge for linen rentals; china, glassware, and flatware; servers; and delivery/setup. There is also tax and a gratuity usually between 15-20%. If these items were not listed in your original quote they can add a lot to your final bill. That's why it's so important to ask a caterer exactly what is included in the per person price when you first meet with them. However, if these items were included in your original quote and the final price is still much higher, you should find out why. Ask the caterer to explain to you exactly where the price difference is and why you weren't told about the added costs up front. If the won't explain it to you or you are not satisfied with there answer, then you should report it to the BBB. Even if it is too late to do anything about your own wedding, you will save many people this same aggravation in the future.

Destination Wedding
Questions: My girl friend and I just got engaged and we are in our early 30s. As professional adults with little time we have decided to elope. Unfortunately because of this we realize that we will be hurting many of our friends who won't be able to attend because of the distance from our home area to the wedding. We live in SoCal and we're getting married in Napa. The place we've chosen to get married at only allows 12 guests. Obviously this only allows for immediately family to attend which is fine. The problem here and this leads to my question is that we have (at this time) 75 people who we would like to invite to some sort of reception back in the LA area within a week of the wedding. These people know through friends and family that we are getting married however they will wonder why there not being invited. How do we kindly skirt around there invitations while inviting them to the reception. As you can see we don't want to hurt there feelings but we are at the mercy of our choice which we accept.

Answer: It is becoming more common for couples to have a destination wedding and to have a reception later in their hometown. You should be able to avoid hurt feelings by carefully choosing your reception invitation wording. The wording should make it obvious that you were married away and want to celebrate that union with a reception back home. Here is an example:

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Fielding
Invite you to join us
In celebrating the recent marriage of our daughter
Alice Pearson Fielding
To
Arjun Gangadharan
Which took place September 15, 2007 in Napa, California.

Come toast the happy couple
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Grovers Country Club
Los Angeles, CA

This invitation wording makes it clear that this is a reception following a destination wedding and not a second wedding (and no gifts will be expected). The sooner you send out these invitations, the less you will have friends and family wondering if and when they will be invited. You may still have a couple of friends or family that will be disappointed they are not invited to the ceremony. But if you explain to them that you are having it in a place with a maximum guest list of 12 people, they should understand.

Event Planning Checklist

1. Determine the event budget
2. Choose the event concept/theme
3. Select possible dates
4. Select the event location and secure the date
5. Begin a preliminary guest list
6. Secure appropriate vendors (caterer, photographer, videographer, entertainment, florist, etc…)
7. Select the menu
8. Choose décor and floral design
9. Purchase Invitations and other printed items
10. Reserve rental items
11. Prepare & mail the invitations
12. Order cake and other bakery items
13. Purchase decorations, favors, and accessories
14. Make appropriate transportation/accommodation reservations
15. Confirm guest count and inform caterer
16. Prepare seating arrangement (if desired)
17. Review and confirm all vendor contracts
18. Prepare a schedule of events and give copies to all vendors
19. Pick up any items that are not being delivered (cake, rentals, flowers,
balloons, etc…)
20. Decorate for the event and manage vendor setup

Cold Spring Events Home Page

Here is a list of popular Bar/Bat Mitzvah themes to get you thinking. Keep your child's interests, favorite activities, and favorite colors in mind to help you decide on the best theme for their big day.

20's - Roaring Twenties
50's Theme
60's Theme
70's Theme
80's Theme
Around the World
Beach Party
Candy Theme
Caribbean Party
Gangster Party
Fiesta Party
Hollywood Party
Judaism Theme
Jungle Party
Karaoke Party
Luau Party
Magic Party
Mardi Gras Theme
Medieval Theme
Music Theme
Nautical Party
Pirate Party
Racing/NASCAR Theme
Sports Themes
Stars Theme
Under the Sea Theme
Western Theme
Winter Wonderland Party

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If possible, begin planning your party 4-6 weeks in advance. Allow plenty of time for on-line shopping, cake orders and enlisting any friends or family you may want to help.

The best party times are1:00-3:00 or 2:00-4:00. All you will need to serve is cake and a few finger food. For very young children you may want to have the party in the mid-morning because young children usually nap in the afternoon.

Find out what kind of birthday your child wants. They may request a certain color, theme, location, or guest list. After you find out what they want, determine if and how it is feasible.

If you are not inviting the entire class, do not hand out invitations at school. Mail them to the children’s homes instead. If you are inviting the entire class, make sure to get a class roster from the teacher.

If the guests are younger than school age, make sure that an adult will stay with them at the party. You will have too much to do to worry about babysitting small children. Don’t just assume their parent will be staying. When they call to RSVP, be sure to ask who will be accompanying them.

Make sure there is plenty to do. Young children get antsy easily and can become a handful if there are not enough activities to keep them occupied. Some easy games for young children include pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs. Make sure that all participants receive a prize, or none at all. You could also tell stories, sing songs, make an art project, or arrange a scavenger hunt.

Consider having the party someplace other than your home. Roller and ice rinks, bowling alleys, local parks, recreation centers, and swimming pools are all great places for parties. Many of these places have birthday packages that include a party room and employee supervision.

The most popular children’s birthday party themes right now are Disney’s Cars, Strawberry Shortcake, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey Mouse Club House, Disney Princess, and Spider Man.

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Usually my blog posts focus on practical advice or creative ideas for event and wedding planning. It’s my way of helping out frazzled brides and crazed party throwers without pushing too many of my personal tastes and opinions. But as I sit here on this gorgeous spring day in Western Massachusetts, I can’t help but shout to the world, “I love an outdoor wedding!”

As a Professional Bridal Consultant, I have helped plan and manage many outdoor weddings. And the one thing they all have in common is that they are all completely different. I have handled wedding in locations such as back yards, public parks, private camps, mountaintops, and yachts. Each setting offered its own unique backdrop for the couple’s big day. One back yard has a huge made-made pond with a small waterfall. The small bridge that spanned the fall was the perfect place for an elegant ceremony. A small grove among towering trees at a day camp was a beautiful natural setting for another wedding. The top deck of a small yacht provided guests with a 360-degree view of the Boston Harbor during a summer marriage. No cookie-cutter weddings here!

Of course there are obstacles to overcome that are not an issue for inside weddings. You’ve got the weather, bugs, and “nature” to contend with. There also the challenge of buying or renting everything you need for a wedding and setting it up on your blank canvas. You wouldn’t have to worry about supplying a tent, tables, chairs, lighting, and even electricity if you were getting married in a church or banquet room. But the extra work is all worth it if you are able to tie the knot surrounded by earthly beauty in a location that has special meaning to you.

So as you start your wedding planning and begin to think about possible locations, don’t restrict yourself to halls and restaurants. You can create the perfect place almost anywhere you chose. Think about the beach where you love to spend summers, the huge flower garden in your grandma’s back yard, or the vineyard where you and fiancé spent your first vacation. And when people ask you why you’re going through so much extra trouble when you could simply have your wedding at a nearby banquet hall, tell them it’s because “I love an outdoor wedding!”

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Approximately 2.4 million weddings take place every year in the U.S.

88% of Americans marry at least once in their lifetime.

In 2006 the Average Wedding in the U.S. cost $26,800.

Average age for first-time brides is 27 years. For grooms, it's 29.

The average engagement ring costs $2,000.

Average engagement time is 14 months.

The average number of wedding guests is 165.

June is the most popular month for weddings, followed by August, July, September, and October.

The most popular place for weddings is Las Vegas, followed by Hawaii.

99% of couples that get married go on a Honeymoon.

81% of brides intent to change their name after marriage.

One third of engaged couples retain a Wedding Consultant. (If you or someone you know if getting married, please refer to them to Cold Spring Events for a free initial consultation.)

Statistics gathered from the Bridal Association of America, AFWPI, SellMoreWeddings.com, and TopWeddingLinks.com.

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With their wedding day fast approaching, many engaged couples chose to register for gifts. This may seem like a small matter in light of all the planning decisions they are facing, but it is not actually as simple as it seems. These days brides and grooms are faced with a plethora of registry options from a diverse collection of both physical and virtual stores. Before making a hasty decision, the couple should sit down together and make a list of all the items they need and want. Then they can narrow their choices down to one to three stores at which they will register. At least one of the registries should allow guests the option to purchase items online, in case they do not live near or unable to get to a physical store. An be sure to register for you gifts early, because family and friends may want to use them to buy engagement or shower gifts before the actual wedding.

The majority of couples chose to have their wedding registries at tradition stores that carry a variety of household items. Department stores such as Macy’s, JC Penny, Sears, and Target carry everything from appliances to bathrobes. Linen stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and Linen ‘n’ Things are filled with towels, bedding, and curtains. Pottery Barn, Pier 1, and Crate & Barrel are great places to find furniture and endless kitchen items. It is generally a good idea to include one store such as these in your registry options to help you fill any gaps in you may have in your home necessities.

In your quest for the perfect registry, do not overlook virtual stores. Amazon.com has everything under the sun and more, so it is a great one-stop shop for a registry. TheKnot.com has a registry that is specifically tailored for wedding. And if you and your fiancé are sports enthusiasts, REI.com has a registry as well. Several online sites allow you to register for gifts at a large number of stores, all through their single website. This makes registering for and buying the gifts easy for everyone involved. Check out MyRegistry.com, Giftula.com, and WeddingChannel.com. As great as online registries are, you should try to register with at least one physical store to accommodate people who do not like to purchase things over the Internet.

For the bride and groom that already have everything they need, there are some innovative new registry options to consider. You can have guest contribute to your dream honeymoon by registering at HoneymoonWishes.com or SendUsOff.com. These sites let guest contribute a lump sum toward your trip or pay for specific vacation items for honeymoons anywhere in the world. Sandals and Marriott have their own registries if you chose honeymoon with them. If you really would like to receive money for your wedding, you can register at GoGift.com or APerfectWeddingGift.com. Or let your friends and family invest in stocks for your future at RegisterStock.com. And for those couples that would rather give back than receive personal gifts, please go to JustGive.org or IDoFoundation.org and sign up for their charity registries.

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