Barbara @ Barbara's Brides

Promises Message Monday

Barbara — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:03:00 GMT

As busy as our lives are it is important to take the time to give to others
whether it is through a monetary donation or volunteering your time
at a school, foundation, hospital or other worthwhile cause.

Volunteer from your heart

It will make you feel good,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Is your wedding planner a professional?

Barbara — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:47:00 GMT

Extremely interesting wedding advice from Rudy with www.bridetide.com

Of course, I am bias about hiring someone with my experience because after working in the
wedding industry for over 20 years as both a director of catering specializing in weddings
and the past 14 years as certified wedding planner I can claim the title of a professional
wedding coordinator. The author below has many fantastic points.

I want to first preface this post by clearly stating that I am not a professional wedding planner, by any stretch of the definition. I've never planned a wedding (besides my own) and I have no desire to learn all the ins and outs of becoming a professional coordinator. In my opinion, I honestly don't think I have what it takes to become one. I often stand in awe of the magnificent feats of design and inspiration that wedding planners engineer on a regular basis, and while I would love to be able to create such nuptial masterpieces for a client, I respect the fact that I just don't have the creative insight in me to do so. Most people don't. Great wedding planners are a special breed. They don't just "see" the "big picture", they systematically break it down to the purest level: form and function. It's this one element that that truly helps distinguish the difference between a professional wedding planner and a wedding planner.

Professional wedding planners don't create events, they create atmosphere.

With that being said, this brings me back to the main reason I was inspired to write this blog post. The other day, I was chatting with a fellow wedding industry insider about the saturation of wedding coordinators and planners in the current bridal marketplace. We both agreed that everywhere a bride turns, someone with a pretty website or business card is marketing themselves as a "professional" wedding planner. One interesting question that arose was: What qualifications does a person have to have to establish themselves as a "professional" planner? Does a certification from a wedding course or organization instantaneously transform someone into a pro? Is is the total number of events that they have helped coordinate over the years? Is it the total amount of years they have been part of the bridal scene? Is it the volume of awards and accolades they've received from their peers in the industry? We were both perplexed. Both of us just sat silently sipping our drinks wondering how a person decides take it upon themselves to begin distinguishing themselves a "professional" event planner. We finished our drinks, parted ways and both felt an uneasy feeling inside for not coming to an agreed conclusion. I was truly bothered by not knowing the answer.

The next day, I took it upon myself to proactively contact a few fresh faces in the wedding planning world and ask them if they considered themselves a professional planner or not. I was surprised how quickly EVERY single one of them answered a resounding "Yes" or "Of course" when approached. I then proceeded to ask them why they thought so, and they answers provided were quite alarming:

"... because my last three events went smooth and there were no big disasters".
"... because my pricing is probably higher than most competitors".
"... because my wedding planning blog gets of 100K of visits per month".
"... because I have a ton of positive ratings on WeddingWire".
"... because every single bride has sent me a thank you note after her big day".
"... because my mother was an event planner and therefore I'm a pro".

My heart quickly sank. Is this what the newcomers in the wedding industry actually feel makes a competent event planner? Are we basing the integrity of the entire coordinator service off of pricing and thank you notes?

So instead of letting that topic of conversation end, I decided to take the most common sense approach: I'd consult others directly in the industry.

So my question to all you wedding planners, eventistas, coordinators and consultants is: How long have YOU been a "professional" wedding planner and what minimum qualifications do you think a person should have before attaching that elusive "professional" label to their title? Not only is it a viable question, but I feel it's start to creating a soft standard that others in the event business should qualify themselves against before calling themselves a professional wedding planner. Being a wedding professional is an earned privilege, not a right. It's time to stop lying to your brides... and to yourself.

Together, we can advance the wedding industry.

Promises Message Monday

Barbara — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:13:00 GMT

In a world full of negative influences I always try to find the silver lining or look for the
good in a situation, so this week's message was perfect for me:

Blessings only come to those who notice.

Be sure and look for the blessings all around you,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Driskill wedding highlights

Barbara — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:10:00 GMT

Today was full of site tours for my newest couple. It is always fun to see which venue
will be the perfect fit. My couple lives in Burbank, CA so they knew hiring a wedding
planner was the most important first step in making their wedding planning easier.

We toured many different types of venues. The role of the wedding planner is listen
to what the couple is describing and help them find the venue that will bring their
vision to life. Hiring an experienced planner who has relationships with the local
vendors also has its own perks. We had a very short window of time today, but my
venue connections definitely came through. As we toured The Driskill I could see
the excitement growing and it reminded me how many times The Driskill has been
the ideal venue for my couples and had all they wanted.

Here is a walk down memory lane featuring many different favorite photos from
the countless weddings I have done at The Driskill over the years.

One of the rooms in the Cattle Baron Suite

I loved these centerpieces, both the lighting and the design.

Fantastic color combination from Coby Neal.

Another unique centerpiece and colors from Coby Neal.

We had so many compliments from Townsley Designs hanging candlescape

Jennifer was an absolutely stunning, glamour bride

Jennifer's shoes were perfect for her personality

I absolutely loved Roxie and Kelly's Save the Date cards, too precious!

Roxie changed into this hot dress for their Tango first dance

Bouquets of Austin made this beautiful centerpiece

Such a romantic ceremony setting with soft candle light

You wouldn't believe what fantastic dancers they were. One of the best I've seen.

Classic Driskill bridal portrait. Love the flag blowing in the background

You spend so much time shopping for the right shoes, I love shoe shots.

This is one of my favorite mantle looks thanks to Petal Pushers

I love this photo so much it is on my business card

I love the paprika color, abundant candles and how the table glows.

Such a timeless photo in black and white. This truck is outside of the 1886 cafe.

Very grand head table down the center of the Mezzanine

I have also had ceremonies facing the D in the center of the Mezzanine

You can truly capture a timeless photo at the Driskill. It is very bridal friendly.

I know this was a really recent photo, but man these shoes are amazing.

One of my very favorite cakes ever. It was so stunning in person.

Wondering where in The Driskill this photo is taken?
Right inside the ladies room on the Mezzanine. Who would guess that?

Exiting in flurry of petals out the front doors is a great Driskill tradition

The Driskill is in the heart of downtown, so you can get your traditional wedding shot.

This post could have been 3 times as big, but I tried hard to pick a variety of photos so
you can see all The Driskill has to offer.

Stay tuned for more memory lane venue reviews. It was fun remembering the great
weddings I have done over the years. I will feature another venue soon.

Let's see if I can top how many times I said "I love ..." What can I say, I'm passionate
about the beauty of weddings.

Enjoy,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Snow Day Austin

Barbara — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:00 GMT

I don't usually post family photos on my blog, but it doesn't normally
snow in Austin, Texas either. Today was a fantastic day for kids and
adults as well. The simple wonders in life.

Promises Message Monday

Barbara — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:06:00 GMT

I know a lot of people in the Austin area had their world turned upside down last
Thursday, February 18 when a desperate man crashed his plane into a building
at 183 & Mopac. There aren't always enough answers for horrible situations, but
what we can do is make each day count.

"Wrap Yourself in Love"

Cherish those close to you and don't let anger consume you or build.

Blessings,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Groom's Advice on Hiring a Wedding Planner

Barbara — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:08:00 GMT

I found this very interesting article on hiring a wedding planner from a man's
perspective. If you haven't seen this blog before start following it. Very
entertaining and educational to hear a groom's point of view on wedding topics.

Groom's Wedding Blog from TheManRegistry.com

Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin

During a recent bridal fair, I got a ton of questions about what to look for when going after a wedding planner. You know you need one, but you want to make sure you get the right one. You don’t want a “CCP” or a little old blue haired lady that has no idea what the current trends and styles are, so you need to know what to look for yes!?! Oh, “CCP” is a phrase I coined that means “Clipboard Clutching Planner”, this planner resembles a deer in the headlights, but with a clipboard! So below are my 8 Simple Rules To Finding A Wedding Planner.

Finding the right wedding planner is essential for a smooth wedding planning process

1. Can They Provide “The Hook Up”?
Does the Wedding Planner have good relationships with vendors and venues? Can they pull you the discounts? Do vendors and venues want to work with them? We pass on all the discounts that we get from vendors DIRECTLY to our clients, and we get those discounts because we bring those vendors a lot of business and they love working with us. Having your planner be able to “hook you up” is one of the reasons you hire a planner in the first place. Your planner should be fighting for you to get you the best deals they can.

2. Are They Insured?
Pretty simple question no??? A lot of planners are not insured, they rely on venue insurance which doesn’t always cover them. You MUST make sure that in the event of any kind of accident, both you and your planner are covered. Wearing a lampshade on your head at a party (when it’s your choice) can be hilarious, having a lampshade fall from the ceiling and bonk one of your guests on the noggin….not so funny. It’s your ass, so cover it guys!!!

3. You Got A Real Purdy Website
What is their web presence like? Do they have a great site out there? People seem to love this internet thing and do tons of research before they even contact a planner. So take a look at the planner’s website. And this is always a red flag for me…do they have a real email address. Is it weddingplanner25@hotmail.com or is it info@fireflyoccasions.com? Have they taken the time to set up a real email? This may be the web snob in me, but I feel that real email addresses are REALLY important!

4. And Speaking Of Websites…
Really look at the portfolio section. Does the planner have a varied portfolio or do all the weddings kinda look the same? You want your wedding to be as unique as you, so you need to know that the planner can pull off a unique wedding. You don’t want to become just another wedding in the eyes of your guests. Also look to see if the venues in the back ground are different. If the planner works mostly with the same venue I find that they become “lazy” in their design strategies and reproduce old weddings, and you don’t want that either.

Good wedding planners exist so grooms & brides don't have to remember all of this stuff.

5. Full Time, Part Time Or Just Time To Time
Does the planner you’re looking at work as a planner full time? You want to be able to contact your planner when you need to. If they are at their day job from 9-5 do you really think you’ll get their best when they get home and THEN start planning your wedding? When I’m done at work, all I want to do is watch TV and veg the hell out. So are they planning weddings full time or is this a hobby business for them? I don’t want to knock newer planners or part time planners, but if I were building a house, I’d hire a guy who builds homes for a living, not a guy who builds them in his spare time. Hire a professional. I’m just sayin’…

6. “Preferred” Isn’t Always A Good Thing
In the wedding industry there are things called preferred vendor lists. When you meet with a venue they may recommend people to you. This seems great, the venue says they’re cool…so they must be, right? Well not always. Preferred vendor lists can be bought. A vendor can give the venue a chunk of money to be on that list. The venue may not have EVER even worked with them, but they pay, so they play. Ask the venue if their list is based on reputation and talent or if companies can simply buy a spot on the list.

7. Is Your Planner An “Expert”?
Does your planner travel? Do they attend conferences? Hell, do they speak at those conferences? Is your planner an Expert in their field? I feel planners should travel and always be learning more stuff, because let’s face it…you can’t be trekking all over hells half acre looking for new wedding trends. It’s the planner’s job to do the learning for you and bring that to the table when planning and designing your wedding. Ask them if they belong to any Associations, if they speak at conferences and if they travel to track down the latest and greatest in wedding stuff.

8. And Finally, Do They Know You Exist?

Yes, believe it or not, grooms do exist.

When I was getting married, I had to insert myself into any meeting I wanted to attend, because most planners only focus on the Bride. It’s not their fault, they don’t know any better. They focus on the Bride because history tells them the Groom wasn’t interested. Well that was THEN, this is NOW and we’re re-writing history here fellas. Make sure your planner knows you, the Groom exists and that you want your opinion heard. When you meet with your planner for the first time, make sure you attend that meeting. You can get a lot from a first impression, if the planner doesn’t ask you your opinion when they first meet you, it’s a good bet they won’t…ever!

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

I know some of the above points may seem a little harsh, but after some of the questions I got last weekend I had to write this. I hate having the Groom overlooked in the planning process. Now I can’t do anything for you if you take yourself out of the process, but you won’t do that will you???

The thing is, the odds are very good that you will not figure out you hired the wrong planner until your big day comes and it all goes pear shaped. So if you follow these 8 simple rules, you’ll have a better chance of getting it right the first time. And don’t be afraid to ask the planner for references, ask them to hook you up with their past clients, the parents of past clients, hell…ask them for vendor references from photographers or DJ’s etc they have worked with in the past. See what the other pros in the industry have to say about them.

It never gets any better than a first impression, you’ll be spending a lot of time with the planner you choose so make sure it’s a good fit.

I was very relieved to see I have these areas covered for all my current and
future couples.

Give me a call and let's have coffee,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

{Get Real} Sales Workshop

Barbara — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:09:00 GMT

Calling all wedding professionals: photographers, consultants, bakers, hotel managers,
florists, site coordinators and all others. This may be the workshop for you.

We are very fortunate to have the spontaneous, funny and no holds bar Saundra Hadley
in Austin on March 18th to share her sales workshop with us.

Details: getrealaustin.eventbrite.com/

Sign up today because seating is limited.

Looking forward to seeing you there,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Wedding Trends

Barbara — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:07:00 GMT

I love reading wedding blogs and seeing all the great new ideas that brides have. I came across
this inspiring posting from One Wed describing the top wedding trends. What do you think?

http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/2010/02/09/top-ten-wedding-trends-2010

In summary:

OneWed’s Predictions for Top 10 Wedding Trends in 2010:

1. Screw the Trends - Be Yourself

2. Bright Color, Black Backdrop

3. Earth-friendly “I Do’s”

4. GROOMed for Success

5. Everything Old Is New Again

6. Backyard Chic

7. Mix and Mingle

8. Return to Romance

9. Food You Can Eat

10. iDo

The main thing to remember is to make your wedding your own, it is YOUR day.

Happy planning,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Promises Message Monday

Barbara — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:20:00 GMT

Silence might be golden, but laughter is priceless.

This is especially true when I hear children laughing. There is no happier sound.

Find laughter in each day,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Umlauf Gardens Wedding

Barbara — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:11:00 GMT

One of the best "feel good" moments in my job is when one of my vendors
recommends me to their friends or family members getting married.

Umlauf Gardens has challenges, but is a very unique and beautiful venue.
Be sure to hire a wedding planner to take care of the load in, setting up,
decorating and tear down issues so you can enjoy your wedding day.

Thanks to all the vendors who made the day so special:
www.bouquetsofaustin.com Becky at Bouquets is Christina's Aunt
www.thesweetstuff.com
www.premierepartycentral.com
www.dagarscatering.com
www.whitneyleephotography.com Leah Muse was our photographer

Here's to happily ever after,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Valentine's Day Gift Idea

Barbara — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:11:00 GMT

It's no secret I have a serious addiction to delish cupcakes. Oh, why did I meet the owner,
Lisa at an industry meeting. However, she is offering the most amazing Valentine Special.
Call them today and send them the best Valentine gift, besides a diamond ring of course!he "Be My Cupcake" gift basket
ORDER BEFORE WEDNESDAY, FEB 10TH AND SAVE 10%
*Regularly $42.00~ place your order before Wed. and receive your gift basket for only $37.50
~Delivery available~

These are the best cupcakes and your sweetie will love you for spoiling them.

Place your order by Wednesday and save 10%,
Barbara

www.barbarasbrides.com

Promises Message Monday

Barbara — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:14:00 GMT

Need to be inspired? This is a good one.

Perseverance is a synonym of victory

May you have many victories this week,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Fortune Cookies

Barbara — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:02:00 GMT

Loved my Kung Pao Scallops, plus this great fortune:

You are a fun loving person and will find much happiness!

I think this is another t-shirt in the making for me.

Enjoy each moment,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Changes at Barbara's Brides

Barbara — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:03:00 GMT

I am very excited about several upcoming changes at Barbara's Brides.
Over the past year I have met so many amazing wedding professionals
that have inspired me to take Barbara's Brides to a new level while
still delivering the unique boutique style of hands on service I am
known for within the Austin wedding community.

I pride myself on always staying current with not only the Austin
wedding industry, but also educating myself on the latest ideas and
wedding trends across the US. In order to continue offering all of my
brides the best I have, we are making some wonderful new design
changes not only to our website, but we are also creating a new
pricing structure in order to meet the growing needs of our brides.

If you have been considering us as your wedding planner, but just
haven't contacted us for your complimentary consultation, now is
the time since I will continue accepting new clients with the current
prices on our packages page until the new website is completed.

I look forward to assisting you with your wedding planning,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Unveiled Bridal Show

Barbara — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:31:00 GMT

Join us Sunday, February 7 for food, drinks and entertainment.

Meet vendors from the Austin wedding industry in an intimate setting tailored to help you plan the details of your celebration.

Spend an afternoon at one of Austin’s wedding venues and be inspired with ideas for your special day. You will have the opportunity to mingle and converse with wedding professionals showcasing samples, portfolios and information.

Where: Vintage Villas
When: February 7, 2010 3:00-5:00 pm

The style of your wedding at Vintage Villas is only limited by your imagination. Let the vast lake and balcony hills views at scenic Vintage Villas inspire you as you plan the details of your celebration.

Reserve FREE tickets online with code VINTVILLAS. Tickets will be $5 at the door.

Be present to win fabulous prizes!
Raffles will be held every 30 minutes.

All attendees will receive a free gift upon entry.

We are looking forward to being a participating vendor for the first time at Vintage Villas
Unveiled Bridal Show.

Buy your tickets with the code above for free tickets online.

Drop by and say hi,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Promises Message Monday

Barbara — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:57:00 GMT

There is so much in life to cherish and we truly never know what tomorrow
holds for us or our loved ones.

"Love like there is no tomorrow".

Blessings,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Custom Chocolate Guest Favors

Barbara — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:09:00 GMT

Online Shopping Now Available
For Life's Every Occasion ™

Delysia Chocolatier™ just made satisfying your sweet tooth
even easier with the launch of our e-commerce site.

Each of our truffles are handmade in the Parisian style with
the utmost care and attention to detail so that you can
enjoy chocolate creations near perfection. Our truffles are
available in over sixty flavors, from the classic milk or dark
chocolate to the unique curry or honey. With this wide
assortment, there is something for everyone.

We now offer our signature red box of nine hand-selected
truffles for purchase online. Over ten collections are
available, as well as seasonal collections.

Contact Nicole for your amazing chocolates in endless flavors:
http://delysia.com/
info@delysia.com
512-413-4701

Take it from a chocolate lover, try Delysia.
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Amazing cake at Lakeway Resort

Barbara — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:58:00 GMT

I was recently re-introduced to the wonderful bakery www.amazingcakes.com
who did such a fantastic job on Kristen and Ian's wedding cake at Lakeway Resort.
Heather Banks was the talented photographer for the day. Thanks Heather for the
great images. Visit www.eclecticimagesphotography.com

I love it when Blind Date is the band at the wedding. They are wonderful.

Another great wedding on the Lake in Austin. Life is good!
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com

Barbara's Brides team

Barbara — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:33:00 GMT

Here is our great team from our New Year's Eve wedding.

Thanks to Dave with www.dcmphotography.com for the picture.

Welcome to Erika!

Hope your 2010 is off to a fantastic start,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com