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.

Create fabulous gift sets with these great bags and coordinating accessories that will fit well within any budget. Check it out for yourself at www.mythirtyone.com/kembrin31!

Thanks, Kem!

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.

The challenge for me is to find a good work-life balance that works for my household. I have a FABULOUS support system that most of my colleagues wish they had and I couldn’t do what I do without it. I work some grueling hours for SJE, however I work just as hard to make sure my family doesn’t get the short end of the stick. Doing this may cause a little sleep deprivation every now and again, however every hour lost in sleep is spent wisely.

I am saying this because I have met some great up and coming planners that are really excited about diving head first into the industry but don’t quite understand how to create balance and set boundaries. So I am sharing a few tips I have learned:

• Be realistic when setting expectations for your clients in regards to your availability and if they are the right client for you, then they will understand and respect you for not overpromising and under delivering.
• Manage your time wisely. Schedule your time to focus on certain items on your things to do list and stick with it.

If you truly love what you do, then it shouldn’t feel like such a chore to put in the work required to be successful.

In August, we will be featuring some of our favorite honeymoon locations and the resources you can utilize to the plan the best honeymoon. So grooms, pay attention because the honeymoon is all on you. No pressure.

Happy Monday! We hope everyone had a great weekend and was able to catch up on the most popular current events. Needless to say, here at SJE we love weddings, and celebrity weddings are no exception.

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky tied the knot on July 31, 2010 in New York. And although their 3 million dollar wedding isn’t exactly the budget everyone has in mind, it most certainly is fun and challenging to find alternatives to our favorite items and inspirations that are often a part of celebrity weddings.

Keep reading our blog as we continue to advise all readers with do-it-yourself projects, budget-friendly ideas, and upcoming wedding trends!

Newly engaged wedding couples are always looking for ways to “cut back” on their wedding costs. Even after formulating a budget, every couple will have a list of things that are just “must haves.” Depending on your personal preference, you can eliminate the cost of alcohol altogether if you are looking to have a “dry” wedding. However, there are ways you can still save money by being selective on the what drinks are served on your special day.

• Choose to limit what you serve to beer and wine, excluding mixed drinks which can be more expensive.
• Have only soft drinks and/or wine available during dinner. This will allow your guests to limit their consumption, if this is something you are worried about.
• Serve mocktails that look tasty and colorful. Guests of all ages will be able to enjoy these!

• Want the guests to have a great time: Many clients and/or potential clients want to show their guests a great time. Some wedding couples have guests that travel from all over the country or the world to come share in the celebration, so making it fun and exciting is definitely a priority. Selecting the right entertainment plays a big part in making this happen. Making sure you select the right DJ/Band, or even jazzing it up with a different element of entertainment, can make your wedding truly AMAZING!
• Photography/Videography: A picture is worth 1,000 words, so cutting corners on securing a reputable photographer/videographer is not an option. There are countless photographers and videographers that specialize in weddings, so do your homework – get referrals from friend’s, check references and see who some of your other vendors may recommend.
• Cuisine: When thinking about your menu, you must also consider your venue. Most venues will either have their own on-site catering or only allow pre-determined catering companies on-site to cater your wedding. It’s unfortunate, but most catering companies/venues will not schedule a tasting prior to you booking them. For the ones that do, be prepared to pay for the tasting. It’s only fair as they do not have a guarantee that you will secure them for your wedding. The cost would typically less than or equal to the cost of the menu price you would be paying per guest. Again, I stress that you should do your homework – check references and get referrals.
• Décor: Décor has become a HUGE priority with brides and, in some cases, the grooms too. Wedding couples want to create that “WOW-factor” and take their guests’ breathe away. This does not necessarily mean over-the-top or extrememly expensive, couples have found ways to create this sensation with creativity, understated elegance and an open mind. Lighting, floral, linens and the “details” have an important role when creating an environment that make your guests gasp (in a good way).
• Season / Date: Wedding couples may be partial to a certain time of year or a date may have significant meaning. A couple may have met at a festival; a few years later got engaged at the same festival; then decide to have their wedding during that festival weekend. Others choose their dates based on the bye week of the favorite sports team. Whatever the reason, discuss the significance and make sure it works for you.

Prioritizing your wedding wishes will help you determine where to allocate your budget dollars wisely. Having an idea of the elements you want to incorporate in your wedding and that are important to you will help give you a great starting point when embarking on your wedding planning journey.

Happy Planning!