Wedding and Event Tip: Set a Budget

Today's "Tips on Tuesday's" is Setting a Budget. Seems simple right? Oh but how this can be such a shock to many of our clients.

It does not matter if you are throwing a wedding or a backyard BBQ, setting a budget is extremely helpful. It allows you to see what is most important for you to have and what is left to spend for those last minute items that you must have! Here are some basic tips to note:

1. Decide on a realistic budget and stick to it. You do not want to look at your event and not enjoy it because you went 3x's over budget.

2. Write down a list of EVERYTHING you will need for your event by creating categories and sub-categories (i.e. Decor and then a list of what you need) and then assign a percentage of your budget that you will like to allot to each area. This step is so crucial as all of those little things your heart desires can add up.

3. Create a column for your budgeted amount and another one of what you actually paid.

By following these tips, it will make it easier for you to stay within your budget. Seem overwhelming? Give us a call and we can take care of it for you!

XOXO
Aelicia & Rachael

Wedding Traditions: Tossing of Rice

Planning weddings is one of our favorite things to do and who doesn't like the beautiful traditions that come with each wedding. In honor of Wedding Wednesday, we chose one of the wedding traditions that has stood the test of time, even with it's modern twist: The Tossing of RIce!

Something that is so simple has such a beautiful meaning. Tossing the rice was believed to bring the newlyweds good luck, a bountiful harvest and many children to work the land. It first started by guests showering them with nuts and grains. During the years of a poor harvest, rice was used instead. This tradition still continues today, but like I said it has evolved! Guests now blow bubbles, toss rose petals or even feathers to wish the Bride and Groom much happiness!

We love this tradition and all things weddings! Happy Wedding Wednesday everyone!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

AART Event Planning Presents Tips on Tuesdays!!

Planning events, especially in the fast paced Northern New Jersey area, you need to have a game plan. When you have a plan in place, it will help to keep you organized from start to finish and let's face it, organization is so crucial, especially to us Event Planners! We could go on and on with a huge list of tips but we will leave you with one of the tips we feel is the most helpful.

Write Down A Schedule
Creating a schedule can ensure that you will not forget to do anything that is important to you during your event. For instance, if you are throwing a children's birthday party that will be only 2 hours, having a prepared schedule to follow will let you know the appropriate time to allow for kid activities, blowing out those candles and eating that delicious cake as well as opening those thoughtful gifts. Or what if it is your wedding day and you have this amazing idea in place to wow your guests and you want to ensure your photographer captures that special moment? The timeline schedule you created will make sure that your maitre de, Wedding Planner and photographer take that special shot before they pack up and leave for the night.

If you take the time to write down the schedule, no matter if it is an intimate affair, a birthday party or a lavish wedding, you will have created an organized stress free event that you will be able to enjoy. And isn't that what it's really about?!

XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

Ann and Pete: Feathers and Pearls and Pink, oh my!!

Ann and Pete were a wonderful couple to work with. We met with Ann a month before her wedding and we were in love with all the details she already had in place for her big day! The color scheme was fuschia and navy with two types of floral centerpieces: a cluster of low floral arrangements in the brides color scheme and white hydrangeas with feathers for the tall centerpieces! I mean can you say LOVE!!! The brides love of the 50's was an elegant touch. The pearls and feathers were just beautiful. And let's not forget about the bride....absolutely stunning! The night was filled with dancing, great food and the perfect sparkler send off to the bride and groom. Rounding the night was the amazing dessert station and the Feast that the couple had set up for their guests. It was a wedding that everyone will remember. We wish Ann and Pete a wonderful life together! It was our pleasure working with you and we look forward to hearing what the future has in store for you!

Of course, let's not forget about the other fabulous vendors that helped make this an amazing wedding!

MPW Media , B Street Band , Black Eyed Susies , Royal Strings, Jessie Bloom, Westmount Country Club

Wondering what this amazing wedding looked like? Here are some pictures that we took. MPW Media pictures too come soon!








XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

Wine'ducation Networking Event

There is an absolutely fabulous event going on tomorrow, June 1st! You get to drink wine paired with great food, get to listen to amazing chef's, leave with a FABULOUS swag bag and oh yeah did I mention drink WINE!! All you have to do is visit http://nnjwepwineducation.eventbrite.com/ to reserve your spot. Don't forget to mention AART Event Planning when you sign up : ) Additional information is below and feel free to call or email us if you have any questions.

Fleming's Steakhouse, Edgewater, NJ


Guest Speakers: Sommelier Jordan from Serendipity Wine & Spirits, and Fleming's Executive
Chef

Enjoy a fabulous, private evening of wine'ducation, networking and giveaways with other wedding and event professionals under one roof. Our guest speaker, Jordan, is a well-respected NYC sommelier with a clear passion for all things wine. From growing and selecting to swirling, sniffing and drinking, you'll learn about wine like never before! Matching several wines with respective pairings, you'll simultaneously learn and enjoy savory food while mingling with friends and future colleagues.
A member of Fleming's executive team will also provide some insight and suggest appropriate wines for business meetings so the next time you wine and dine with colleagues/clients, you'll know all the right suggestions!
Menu:
There will be 2 stations: one for artisanal cheeses and fresh fruits and one for crudites of fresh vegetables

The wine tasting/pairing:

Miniature crab cakes paired with a sauvignon blanc
Grilled shrimp flatbread paired with a chardonnay
Asparagus wrapped prosciutto paired with a pinot noir
Tenderloin crostinis paired with a cabernet sauvignon
Giveaways include a gift certificate to dine at Fleming's, premium bottles of wine, a private wine tasting and lesson with Jordan at his chic NYC wine store and various promos and discounts within each swag bag!

Fine print: Do not miss this unique event! Tickets sold on a first come, first serve bases. Only 40 tickets are available for this event, so act NOW! Reserve your spot today!

Damian Izsa Scholarship

Last Friday, May 6th, was an important night to us, family and friends. It was the night we honored our dear friend Damian Izsa, who left us too early. He was a remarkable man that could always make you laugh and his laugh will now always echo in our minds.

Damian was an RN at Valley Hospital. He made lasting impressions on everyone he met and his colleagues were no exception. They have set up a scholarship fund in his name so that a former colleague or perhaps a future employee can further their education. A dinner was given and a Tricky Tray was set on place (something that I'm sure Damian would have cringed at lol). Many amazing items were donated by a lot of wonderful friends and family....and even Rachael and I were lucky winners of several items! As of Friday, they had raised over $20,000 and we hope to continue to raise more! Damian, we hope you are smiling down and saw how you are truly loved and missed.

Below are a few pictures from that night. If you would like to make a donation please email us at info@aarteventplanning.com for further information.

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael


Damian's Family: Chris Selser (cousin), Buddy Izsa (dad), Dustin Izsa (brother)


Just a glimpse of some of the guests (there were over 300 people!)


Me with Damian's sister Dana Izsa Emmer

A Royal Affair

So it's almost been a week since the wedding of William and Kate, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and people are still talking about the wedding, the dress and what's next for the newly married couple.


The dress! Simple and beautiful. We love it! Kate was so well poised and definitely looked like royalty. We loved the lace top overlay. It added the perfect elegance. And her bouquet choice was perfect too. It did not over power the dress and just added to the sophistication that Kate exemplified. We even loved the dress choice of Maid of Honor and sister Pipa. She looked just as stunning. I wonder how many brides will be willing to share a "white" dress on their wedding day now! And how cute are the little flower girls!!














One of our favorite parts of a ceremony are the vows and the exchanging of the rings. It's the most beautiful sentiment and where you see the total bliss and love of a couple. It was no different with William and Kate. Look at Kate's smile. She is just beaming with love you can feel it through the picture!

And of course, the kiss! Not just one but two!!! It reminded everyone that even though they might be royalty, they are just like every other couple in love. And just like every couple, they had a reception to attend to. And party they did! The couple danced the night away with many family and friends until well into the next day! I wonder what time the Queen went to bed? LOL



Love,
Aelicia & Rachael

*photos courtesy of celebuzz.com