**How to get through the fine print of your Wedding Contracts**

I have been planning weddings for over 10 years now and as the years have gone by the contracts that I have to review and negotiate have gotten longer and more complicated! So as a new bride I know this part of your planning can be overwhelming.

One thing I can’t stress enough is how important contracts are when planning your wedding. My motto is “No Contract, No Business.”

Read my tips to get through the legalese of Wedding Contracts and Negotiations!

Unfortunately not everything is pretty and fun when planning your wedding. Sometimes you encounter more of the business side then you might want to. However, wedding contracts are vital to your planning as well as the success of your wedding day!

We live in a very litigious state and contracts are they only thing that can bring resolve and justice to a bad situation.

Tip #1 - You MUST have a written contract with EVERY Vendor you decide to hire for your wedding, even if they are family or friends (trust me on this). I would recommend hiring professionals and let your friends and family actually just be a guest at your wedding.

Tip #2 - Even if your vendor has just a simple one page contract or a 10 pager, make sure it details everything they are offering and what your responsibilities are and make sure your contract lists out the Payment schedule, and total cost for services provided.

Tip #3 - READ the fine print. Slow down, stop, and take the time to read every detail on your contracts. Do Not sign a contract until you have done this. Ask questions. If you’re not comfortable signing on the spot ask if you can take a copy of the contract and review it in more detail.

Tip #4 – All of your contracts should have the Full company name, address and phone number of the vendor and Names of the bride and groom.

Tip #5 - Contracts should have the date and time of the wedding and reception (if you don’t have this information at the time of signing, it should be noted that the information will be added at a later date). Once it has been decided make sure you get an updated contract.

Tip #6 – Services or products being provided should be specified, with as much detail listed as possible. Make sure it includes Set up and Remove times.

Tip #7 - Last, be sure you receive a fully executed copy of the contract. You should be presented with an original copy of the contract, with two sets of original signatures-yours (or the person responsible for paying) and a legal representative for the vendor. In order to make the contract binding, you will need to present compensation at the time of signing.

I know this was a long one from me and not really fun information, but I really hope that this helps. I have heard of so many mishaps with vendors and brides before and after their wedding.

If you hire a Wedding Planner she will review, negotiate and be your advocate in all of your vendor contracts. This is a valuable asset to having a wedding planner by your side.

Eventfully,

LaDawn Williams Bailey-PBC
Professional Bridal Consultant^TM/Certified Wedding Coordinator & Designer

Tags: Wedding Tips by LaDawn
No Comments »

**How to Choose the BEST Wedding Vendors**

Who you hire to help you orchestrate your wedding will be one of the most important decisions you make in your entire Wedding Planning Process. You know as well as I know that there are unethical people in the world doing business. You see it on TV all the time! Here are some of tips to help you avoid costly mistakes when hiring your wedding vendors. You want vendors that are professional, reliable, fit into your budget and style!

(Photo – Kimberly Saxelby True Emotions Photography)

Tip # 1 – Get A Referral – this is a must. It is always best to hear about a vendor from someone you know and trust who has had a direct experience with them and can vouch for their professionalism and their exact experience. This is priceless!

Tip # 2 – Other Brides. Read their reviews on WeddingWire, Yelp or ask for references from vendors of their previous clients. One thing I know for sure, former brides are brutally honest and will tell you like it is/was!!

Tip # 3 – Price is Not Everything. I know everyone is on a budget and you should be, but sometimes you end up paying more with a bad vendor. You choose this vendor because they are the cheapest and then you can never get in touch with them, you start hearing bad things about them or worse they don’t even show up on your wedding day. Never book a vendor simply on price, make sure everything else adds up.

Tip #4 – Ask a vendor you love. Other vendors usually have great referrals. If you have a florist that your family has used for years and that you absolutely love and trust try asking them if they can recommend a good caterer. Or ask your caterer to recommend a DJ who can keep people dancing.

Tip # 5 – Read the fine print. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand. Make sure you understand what your responsibilities are in all worst case scenarios. How much of the deposit do you lose if you have to cancel or change venues? If the vendor books the date for another event do you then get your deposit returned? What reimbursement are you entitled to if the vendor doesn’t uphold their end of your contract?

Tip # 6 – Okay, so the obvious – Hiring a Professional Wedding Planner. This is what we do. We research, interview and locate the BEST vendors in the business and we also have great negotiating power and will never recommend a vendor that isn’t in your budget or that doesn’t fit your style! When a wedding planner recommends a vendor she is putting her name and guarantee behind them.

I would encourage you to follow at least 3 of these tips, if not ALL of them. Don’t just read their reviews on Weddingwire and make a decision. Do one or two more checks. Be cautious and never pay anything in Full up front! Ask questions, don’t be shy this is your money you are investing!!

Tags: Wedding Tips by LaDawn
No Comments »

**Pizzazz Up your Wedding by adding a Signature Drink(s)**

Whether you serve your beverages warm or cold, in mugs or flutes, tart or sweet, with or without alcohol – coming up with the right signature drinks, will enhance your guests’ experiences. It’s your wedding and you’ll be represented in every detail; from the special vows you write for the ceremony to the smallest details, so feel free to express yourself in your drinks too!

Here are some tips to picking the Perfect Signature Drink(s)!!!

Tip # 1 - Choose your drink based on your colors, theme or simply your favorites.

Tip # 2 - Your drink should be Chic and Creative as well as match your lifestyle and personality.

Tip # 3 -Decide to serve just one or two signature drink only for your bar, this could turn out to be quite cost effective. Having a signature drink usually lowers the cost of the wedding bar by at least fifty percent.

Tip # 4 - Come up with a Savvy, Entertaining, Meaningful, Creative Name of your drink to make it fun for the Guests to order.

Tip # 5 – Let your bartenders/caterers know ahead of time about your signature drink and be sure they know how to make it. Keep the recipe simple. Make a display card next to all of the bars with a sign about the signature drink, what the recipe/ingredients are, and maybe even the inspiration behind the name of the drink.

Tip # 6 - Hire a Mixologist to create an exclusive drink just for you and your groom. These are drink specialist that can make sure all your favorite ingredients are incorporated into drinks that pair as well as you and your partner do.They can also create a drink that has never been created before!

Here is a recipe for one of my favorites – “Marasca Fizz”

Rim a champagne flute with 1/4 ounce of maraschino cherry syrup, topped off with fine granulated sugar. Add three splashes of angostura bitters to two cubes of brown sugar; toss the cubes in a flute. Combine a 1/2 ounce of Cherry Heering or cherry liqueur; add the remainder of the maraschino cherry syrup and pour 4 ounces of chilled champagne into the flute.

Tags: Wedding Tips by LaDawn
No Comments »

For the 4th Year in a Row, Platinum Lining Events has won the

“Brides Choice Award” for 2012!!!!

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards ^TM recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards^TM are awarded solely based on the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds. Awards are determined by a combination of four factors: Overall rating (quality), total number of reviews (quantity), review performance from 2011 (recency), and consistency of reviews from year to year (consistency). This year’s recipients represent the top 5% of WeddingWire’s vendor community, across all service categories and all regions throughout the US and Canada.

Tags: News by LaDawn
No Comments »

**Tips for Surviving Bridal Shows!**

Bridal shows can be completely OVERWHELMING for a bride. There are so many other brides, so many booths, everyone is trying to get from point to point and it can really get crazy. I’m going to give you some chic tips and tricks for hitting the bridal expo with ease!!

Tip # 1 – The truth is that there are going to be A LOT of booths, people, and noise at the Bridal Expo. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. YES, there are a lot of choices but you don’t have to choose EVERYTHING or even choose ANYTHING right there and then. Here are a couple of example: Have an idea of what vendors you are looking for and enjoy the rest. Don’t feel like you have to choose ALL your vendors from the Bridal Expo. This is just a sampling. You may connect with some vendors, you may not. This is just a great opportunity to meet people face to face and figure out if they should be part of your wedding day.

Approach each vendor calmly, ready to hear the sales pitch (yes- the sales pitch). The vendors are there to sell to you. You’re there to buy right? Ask them the questions you want answered. Do a quick mini interview, collect their collateral and move on.

If you’re not interested thank them and walk away. Don’t take the flyer and load up your bridal bag full of stuff you don’t want or need.

Tip # 2 – Bring Key People with you to the show. Moms, Fiance, Maid of Honor, but don’t bring a posse of 10 people! It will be too hard to really spend time with vendors and hear about their services. And the group may distract you from accomplishing your goal to meet vendors.

Tip # 3 – Wear Comfy Shoes! You’re going to be walking a mile on a hard trade show floor. Yes, it’s lovely to look fashionable but the brides in stilettos never last long at the bridal expo. If you really want to see everything and be comfortable think about your feet first! (But be a chic bride and leave the stinky gym sneakers at home… opt for some cute supportive flats)

Tip # 4. Have a Plan. You think it might be a bit of a mob scene? Well then you’re absolutely right! If you really want to get some valuable one on one time with the vendors I recommend planning the timing of your visit to the Expo. When the fashion show is taking place the booths slow down significantly. This is a great time to chat with an vendor and really get to know about them and their services. I also recommend first thing in the morning (especially if you want your pick of all those free gifts or specials!

Tip # 5 – Many vendors will be offering prizes at their booths and you’ll be asked to fill out a ballot form. You waste valuable time writing out your contact info again and AGAIN. So print off a couple sheets of labels that include your name, your groom’s name, your wedding date, your address, phone number and email. Then it will be easy to just peel and stick your info to the ballots. Then you can spend quality time checking out all the cool stuff on display!

Be Inspired & Good Luck – hope to see you at a Bridal Show!

Tags: Wedding Tips by LaDawn
No Comments »

2011 was a great year for Platinum Lining Events. I normally take these final days of the year to reflect on everything that has happened in the past year. I can honestly say it’s been a FANTASTIC year! Full of new and exciting changes for me and my business, a year full of WONDERFUL clients and a super arsenal of some the BEST vendors around! My company got a new address and if I can say so myself our new office space is REALLY nice! We were 5 star rated for the 3rd year in a row! We hired a new event specialist and an invitation designer!

Below are Three of our favorite Weddings of 2011!! All of our weddings were special, but I can’t highlight them all!!

I hope they all inspire your upcoming nuptials!

It’s been a great year, I can’t wait to connect with you all in 2012! Stay tuned for some really exciting stuff coming from PLE in the New Year!

May 14, 2011 -

Laura and David

Eclectic Woodsy Wedding @ Highland Springs Resort

Laura and David, two attorneys living in New York came to California to Wed. Their venue was at the Highland Springs Resort, a natural wonder in Cherry Valley. Graced with lavender fields and olive groves and an ancient oak tree that has survived for 1100 years, it is one of the quintessential outdoor rustic and romantic wedding locations outside of Palm Springs. This was our third wedding at this location.

At this time of the season, lavender flowers were beginning to bloom. The olive grove provided an enchanting space for portraits and a cocktail area as well. The palette of soft tans, mist green, light lavender complemented perfectly to Laura’s theme. Platinum Lining Events, coordinated and did all of the design and decor mostly with a long distance connection with Laura and David to design this magical day. The couple only came to California twice during the planning process and we had power meetings every time! The incomparable Lauryl Lane, designed the breathtaking botanical inspirations including a Chuppah made of birch and adorned with floral and moss. The reception tablescapes were not only accompanied with flowers but with vintage bird cages, mason jars a linen, burlap blend table linen and lace runners. Every table was decorated slightly different and we had long family tables, square table of 8 and round tables – a surprising touch. Plus, the ingenious use of wood, moss, and other organic touches brought a natural element to the entire design.

Desi Baytan Photography captured the essence of the day and also got us Featured on Style Me Pretty for this wedding! It was amazing.

To See More of this Wedding Click Here Page

June 11, 2011 -

Euridici & Brian

Elegant Summer Wedding @ Sierra Lakes Country Club

This was such a fun, loving couple! The bride is an elementary teacher and the groom is a business owner!

They got married in the summer and thankfully it wasn’t too hot, it was actually a beautiful day! They had one of the BIGGEST bridal parties I have worked with in a long time (24 people total)!!

They had an elegant, evening wedding with the ceremony outside at the gazebo and then a breathtaking palette of Black and Ivory decor inside at the reception. It was a timeless wedding with simple but elegant touches! Every table had mahogany chiavari chairs, black underlay linens with an ivory organza runners! They had manzinita trees filled with ivory orchids, crystals and candles on half of the tables and the other half had cylinder vases filled with orchids! The groom spared no expense for his beautiful bride!

Euridici & Brian’s wedding was very family focused with the bride and groom blending their families, they made sure their children were an integral part of the ceremony as well as throughout the reception. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding ceremony with the bride and groom also exchanging vows with their children! I was honored to help plan and coordinate this special day!

Michelle Johnson photographed this wedding and I just love working with her. Irises Designs did all of the floral arrangements and Boogie Down DJ Services provided the music!

To See More of This Wedding Click Here!

October 8, 2011 -

Melynda and Rich

Over the Top, Eggpalnt Infused Wedding @ The Beautiful Claremont Doubletree by Hilton

I loved this wedding because Platinum Lining Events got the opportunity to do all of the design/decor, invitations, vendor recommendations, Planning and coordination. But not only were we honored to be such a huge part of the wedding, Myndi and Rich were so incredibly thankful for the services we provided! That is why they were chosen as one of my top 3 Best weddings of 2011!

We transformed the Claremont Doubletree Hotel into a platinum wedding that was oozing with luxury, eggplant infused beauty! We had a white dance floor delivered, floor to ceiling drapery, crystal embellishments, high and low center pieces and the color eggplant exploding all over the walls!

Check out the picture below of me, the bridal party and the Bride getting a quick peek at the room on our way to the ceremony! The brides expression was priceless!

True Emotions Photography (Kimberly Saxelby) captured the essence of this wedding, Wisteria Grove provided all of the floral arrangements, Cucamonga Cakery provided the cake.

To See More of this Wedding Click Here or check out this quick highlight video from True Emotions Photography!.

We would love for you to become part of our client family!

See you in the New Year!!

Tags: Real Weddings by LaDawn
No Comments »