We hope that you as well as all of us here at the office are determined to making this a great week. We’ve given you some inside scoop into venue searching and some of the characteristics you look for such as: location, capacity, and cost. SJE has been preparing and planning our upcoming weddings, two of which happen to be at Hotel Zaza. So we ask, what’s made Zaza so popular amongst brides?

1. They offer a variety of rooms available for any event. You can choose from their grand Phantom Ballroom to their Piano Man room. Our conclusion, the more options, the better!

2. Beautiful decorations and furniture with an artistic touch that illuminate the hotel.

3. And last but not least, who wouldn’t love a day at the spa? Hotel Zaza offers their ZaSpa as a great way to celebrate your wedding with your bridesmaids and closest friends. Just what a girl needs to relax a couple days before the big day!

As February approaches, we are excited to share just about the sweetest and latest wedding tips and advice throughout this month. There is no doubt that Valentine’s Day is on everyone’s minds and the romantics of this world are hoping to celebrate with a special someone. As pink and red hearts decorate the loving nature of this month, and roses become of exceptional importance, couples may not always be as eager to celebrate the occasion, as many of us might assume. Boyfriends may be a nervous wreck planning a unique proposal, while girlfriends anxiously anticipate the moment when this all may become a reality. Meanwhile, singles dread the middle of the month. All in all, the love that this month brings should be celebrated, whether it’s with your family or your closest friends.

As you may recall, last month we featured a section titled “I’m engaged, now what?”, which guided brides-to-be to their first steps of wedding planning. One of the items we mentioned included finding your venue. We all know that “location, location, location” is important, but what other characteristics should brides be on the look out for when touring venues? Keep reading our blogs throughout the month as we provide the inside scoop for selecting your best reception spot!

The vehicle is pedal- powered, which means that you and your sixteen guests pedal their way along Washington Avenue, making stops at popular spots.  This pedal bike even has a built- in bar, which just adds to the fun! What better way to spend an afternoon or a night out with your friends, family, or co-workers, while squeezing in a little bit of exercise?

Rental and pricing information can be found at the Pedal Party website. http://www.pedal-party.com/

• Make a list of your priorities for your wedding day. Ask yourself what qualities are most important to you and your sweetheart. These characteristics could be the music, the decorations and style, or the food selection.
• Spend time doing some research. That’s right! It’s time to utilize your very own resources and do some homework. With the help of magazine articles and wedding blogs, this is a sure way of helping you organize your ideas or be introduced to something new.
• Prepare a guest list. For some, this can be a time consuming activity. The earlier you can finalize your list, the better idea of your guest count that you’ll have when you’re looking into your venue and its’ capacity.
• Examine your budget. By taking an earlier look into how much you are working with, you are able to figure out how much you’d prefer to spend on certain aspects of your wedding. This way, you can avoid any surprises and take into consideration some of your must-have items.
• Look into hiring a wedding planner. Already feeling a little overwhelmed with your to-do list? Take the time to search and meet with a wedding planner in your area who can provide guidance and reassurance. The advantages of having someone assist you through the planning process and on the day of your wedding are endless!

As we continue to stay in the holiday spirit, preparations for welcoming the new year have begun! Whatever your plans for the 31st might be, we’d like to share a recipe with you, in case it’s your turn to host this year’s party. It is certain that all of you will be sipping some “bubbly” that night, but this idea will surely have your guests craving another drink. Celebrate with this delightful version of chamapagne and limoncello, and ring in the new year with some creativity!

We hope your week is off to a good start! Although it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas, given this Houston weather, the holiday season is in fact upon us. While most of us are busy looking for gifts and planning gatherings with our families, there are some who are tying the knot. To those brides who have considered getting married during this season, there are some advantges and disadvantages to doing so.

Advantages:

• Venues tend to not be booked for weddings around this time of the year. Therefore, the venue you have your heart set on has a higher possibility of being available.
• Not only will your wedding already be romantic, but it is also sure to be a memorable one.
• Churches and ballrooms typically have already beautifully decorated the space, which provides the opportunity of lowering costs.
• If you like to do things differently, winter weddings are unique all on their own.
• Decorated scenery will provide a great background for your wedding pictures.

Disadvantages:

• Your guests may already have scheduled plans to visit family during their time off. Plan your wedding far along in advance in order to avoid having conflicting dates.
• Travel costs are likely to be higher than usual, especially if you are having a destination wedding.
• The weather is always unpredictable, but during this time of the year, you may encounter some snowy days. That is, if you’re anywhere outside of Houston. This could potentially affect transportation, guest attendance, and any outside activities scheduled for the day.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Simply Jubilee Events!

Today I would like to share these one-of-a-kind, cute, and original clothes hangers that we found through Etsy.com. We loved them so much, we thought we’d share the idea! This would be a precious touch to your wedding day!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilafrances

Congratulations! Now that you are happily married, why not visit the happiest place on Earth to celebrate your honeymoon? After having spent a semester in Disneyworld as an intern, I have seen the biggest smiles upon newlyweds walking across Disney property. If you think it is solely a place for kids, this is not the case.

A Disney honeymoon can be booked a year in advance and can offer more than you imagine:

• Great photo opportunities around the park of you and your spouse infront of scenic sites
• Make reservations for romantic dinners at the parks, this can include Mickey and his friends if it’s something you are interested in. You can also share delicious dinners at one of the restaurants in the World Showcase at Epcot or make your reservation for one of Disney’s dinner shows.
• Enjoy a relaxing day outside of the parks at one of Disney’s upscale resorts, this can even include spa treatments
• Watch the fireworks from Main Street infront of Cinderella’s castle
• Wear your mouse ears with a veil and a top hat for your husband to let everyone know what you’re celebrating. Not to mention, these would be great pictures to share with others!

Whether you are there to enjoy the attractions, parades, or the beautiful surroundings, a Disney honeymoon can satisty a wide arrange of your newlywed dreams.

During the month of August, SJE will be posting a variety of ideas on where you and your new sweetheart can embark to celebrate your marriage.

Yes, we all know that the economy has largely affected individuals in more ways than one, but there is no reason not to include your honeymoon expenses into your budget. If you are looking for some ways to save, consider going on a cruise. Cruises are becoming more affordable and are still a great way to share a romantic getaway. The earlier you plan, the better the offers that you can find. Other advantages of choosing to go on a cruise are that most expenses are paid for in advance, you are able to visit multiple places, and of course that you’ll spend every moment of it with your spouse.

So don’t forget to pack your swimsuits and take plenty of pictures as newlyweds!

It never hurts to say thank-you, whether it’s in the most simplistic way or a great big thanks!

The importances of saying thank- you after your wedding is something you don’t want to overlook. After all, it did take an army of people to plan, attend, and support this very special day. The following is a list of the people that should receive a warm thanks.

• Wedding attendees
• Vendors
• Anyone who gave you a gift for any occasion: engagement or shower
• Anyone who hosted a celebration in honor of you and your fiance
• Anyone else who lent you a hand when you needed it throughout the planning process

Even after your reception has come to an end, remember your manners and thank your very special guests.