9 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - The U.S. Census bureau estimates over two-million people will get engaged this year and ten percent of them will do so on Valentine's Day.
If you were one of the lucky couples to announce your engagement over the weekend we have all the advice on where you go from here.
Local event planner and owner of Ulshoffer Events & Designs, Alison Ulshoffer, says after you've decided on your wedding style, your wedding budget is next on the list.
"Talk to your fiance and whoever else may contribute financially to the wedding," says Ulshoffer. "From there discuss your guest list and then get your team together, your team being your vendors."
With 23 weddings already on the books for 2009, Ulshoffer recommends giving yourself at least a year to plan your event and prepare your family.
She recommends shopping around when it comes to choosing your vendors, but to not get too caught up in the interviewing process.
"Once you start putting all your time into interviews is when it all gets confusing," she said.
Viewing vendors' websites and reading testimonials is an easy way to shorten your list of interviews, along with seeking a professional planner who has basically done the interview process for you.
"Planners are gonna save you a lot of time and a lot of stress," said Ulshoffer. "They know the vendors that will fit with a particular budget."
Planners are also good advisors on money saving tips like registries for certain things like your honeymoon and photographer, or the best ways to save on your venue.
"Private estates, family homes... these things can save you anywhere from 15-hundred to 8-thousand-dollars when booking a venue," said Ulshoffer.
All-in-all Ulshoffer says in this economy she sees couples being more financially conscious of what they spend their budgets on and choosing more intimate settings.
"I feel people are more careful on the quantity and size of the event, but not the quality."
For more information on Ulshoffer Events & Designs click here.
When it comes to venue sites, The Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa in Sacramento is one of our area's hot spots.
Offering lodging specials for brides and grooms, the site is fully equipped with on-site pampering and catering.
Sales Manager Fearon DeWeese says when it comes to booking your venue give yourself plenty of time and to stay open-minded when it comes to a day.
"You want to book about a year in advance," said DeWeese. "More if it's a Saturday or holiday weekend... More couples are looking at Fridays and Saturdays for their event where the rental prices are usually lower."
Arden Hills itself is already booking into 2010, with four weddings alone booked on Valentine's Day. The one tip DeWeese has for couples planning in Sacramento, "always have a back up plan in case it rains."
For more on Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa click here.
After the venue is lined up, time for your photographer and florist.
Photographer Jodi Yorston says it's important not to get too frugal when it comes to documenting your big day, but to also not be afraid of asking if a person will work within your budget.
"Your dress, your venue, your flowers, they're nothing without a great photographer," said Yorston. "In this day in age though, it doesn't hurt to ask for things not listed on a photographers web-site."
Yorston recommends spending funds on photographer coverage rather than an album, because most photographers allow the album to be purchased at a later date, some even allow photo registries where your guests can help purchase wedding photos.
To view Jodi Yorston's photos click here.
And last but certainly not least, the flowers!
Martha Andrews, owner of "Blooms" in Sacramento, says she's in the business of helping couples enhance the overall theme of their wedding.
"We're the icing on the cake," she says. "Like the cherry ontop of the sundae."
Andrews recommends allotting 10-15% of your wedding budget for your florist and to go with someone you feel you can trust.
"You want to be able to ask for something and get an honest answer to if it's only around two to three weeks out of the year," she said. "A good florist will make you feel comfortable that your getting that."
Andrews also says the best way to choose a florist is word of mouth.
"Talk to people who have just gotten married or if you've seen something you've liked at someone's wedding or on-line, get that person's information and go from there."
To view Blooms by Martha Andrews, click here.
News10/KXTV
