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By Carrie Stadtmueller, Content Conductor Ok, now that you have said “Yes” - what’s the next step? Of course, everyone really wants to fast forward to all of the fun stuff – cake tastings, Pinterest surfing for reception decor, finding the perfect dress - but the best and smartest next step should be setting and sticking to your wedding budget. We know. This next step can be a real B. Whether you’re working with $100 or $100,000 (wow, wouldn’t that be a dream??), the general guidelines are the same. First Things First – Think about what kind of wedding you want This might be the easiest part of the whole process. Perhaps you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day since you were a little girl. But, if not - it’s time to get to work. Now is the time to have those conversations with your partner and see if you are both on the same page when it comes to the kind of wedding that you both want. There are so many different kinds of weddings out there - do you both want the same kind of wedding? Perhaps your dream wedding is traditional, but theirs is a destination elopement. Or would you prefer low key and relaxed instead of their formal and high class? This is where you need to start. Planning a wedding can put a lot of stress on a relationship. Make sure you are both on the same page before moving forward. This may mean making some compromises.  Figure Out Who Will Be Contributing Once you have decided what kind of wedding you will be planning, now decide how you plan to pay for it. Will you and your partner be covering most of the cost? Or will your families be helping? Whatever the case, finding out who might be contributing to your wedding is a good first step when you’re calculating your overall budget. It’s most helpful if you can get a handle on a nice “round” number or perhaps what aspect of the event the party will be covering. For example - will the groom’s family be paying for the rehearsal dinner as is tradition? Or perhaps you have a devoted Aunt who really wants to help cover the retainer for the photographer as part of her wedding gift. These conversations can be awkward, but they will be helpful in the long run as you make large financial decisions. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch the Numbers - Including Your Number of Guests Now is where the the math comes in and where you need to get serious about figuring out how much you have to actually spend. Figure out how much you can realistically and comfortably spend. This is also the time where you will want to start making your guest list. The number of guests you intend to invite will ultimately have an effect on your budget’s bottom line. Looking at your wedding as a “per-person” expenditure will help with this process. Take this number and begin negotiations By now, you and your partner will be pros at compromising and negotiating - especially if you had differing opinions on what your “dream wedding” looked like. Use those skills to negotiate what items to prioritize when it comes to staying within your budget. Make it an exercise - each of you can pick two things that are at the top of your wedding priority list. Budget for those items. Everything else is extra until the budget is maxxed out.  Savvy Brides Do Their Research There are a lot of hidden costs when it comes to weddings. Savvy brides do their research and find ways to save money. Even smarter brides realize that hiring a wedding planner can ultimately help you save money in the long run. (see this link on why you should hire a wedding planner). Wedding planners provide so much business to vendors, they are often able to negotiate discounts for their clients. They are also well versed at helping couples set budgets and are masters at sticking to them. At the end of the day….. One thing to remember - at the end of the day, the most important thing is that you will be married to the love of your life. It won’t matter if you have steak and shrimp or the most expensive dress. What matters is that you will be together. Don’t start out your new life together drawing in debt. You can still plan a beautiful and memorable wedding on a much smaller and affordable scale. There are ways to plan a champagne wedding on a beer budget - you just have to get creative. You focus on the feeling of the event, instead of the price tag. Here are some practical tips as you start planning:
Again, remember - its who you’re marrying and the memories you make together that are important, not the wedding and the money you spend.  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken  Summer is in full effect and as we begin to see the world open back up, a number of events are back in full force. A constant favorite is golf tournaments. Thompson Education Foundation is a partner with MBD Marketing and Events and this August we have planned their first ever golf tournament fundraiser! Planning an event for the first time always takes time and energy researching how others have done it in the past and asking for helpful tips from experts. While we have planned others, no client wants a carbon copy of someone else's event. Here are some ideas on how to make any golf tournament a success!  1. Location Location is key to a successful golf tournament. Christine with MBD Marketing and Events say that “It's great to have a committed and supportive golf course partner, as they can make all the difference in the success of the event!” Part of this process involves being prepared for bad weather so having a golf course that can accommodate tents or an inside venue for your guests is something to consider when choosing a location.  2. Number of Players and Inventory The location of the golf tournament can determine how many players you can accommodate. Some golf courses will open up the entire course for your event while others like to reserve only nine holes at a time. You also need to consider the style of play. Timed play, shotgun, 'best ball' or scramble? Each has pros and cons regarding timing. Once you have your head count confirmed, figuring out inventory such as golf carts, caddies, food, goodie bags and any other things needed for the event is important!  3. Food Depending on you golf course partner, food can be offered through their kitchen and snack carts! Now it is time to decide what will be offered to your players. Will you have an early start? Breakfast, mimosas and bloody mary’s are a great way to kick off your event! Maybe you have multiple starts throughout the day and would like to offer a buffet of finger foods instead. Some like to have a banquet after the tournament is over to celebrate and give out awards and say thank you to their guests. There are usually a lot of options when it comes to the food and snacks at a golf tournament. Food and beverage can be the greatest cost at any event, so weighing that cost with ticket prices for your foursomes to ensure monies are still being raised for your non-profit require careful planning and balance.  4. Fundraising Event Sponsors Is the golf tournament you are planning for a non-profit to help raise funds for a cause? Soliciting sponsors for each hole, snack cart, golf carts and to help ensure the players are well fed can be great ways to advertise local businesses while saving on costs. You can easily have 18 sponsors with 18 holes. The rest depends on how large the golf course is and how you would like to accommodate the other sponsors. Christine said that this was part of her more exciting and interesting aspects of the planning process stating, “Creating fun sponsorship opportunities and contests for our golfers brings me the most joy in golf tournament planning.”  5. Contests, Raffles and Giveaways! Planning interesting ways for your players to interact more than just playing golf at your event can really help peak guest interest. From trophies for all sorts of reasons to silent auctions, to having “Hole-in-One” prizes are all a great way to get your players excited to be there and hopefully to make them want to come back again to future events! Everyone loves to help raise money for a good cause but when you can add in a little extra fun with side bets and giveaways, people feel even more rewarded for being a part of a meaningful event! There are always unseen challenges, Christine said that “Making our tournament unique and special, so it's not like all the rest,” was one of her more challenging tasks. “Just like any event, there are tons of moving parts, so organization is key.” Remember to have fun and plan ahead! Happy Golfing!   MBD Marketing & Events is passionate about our work with nonprofits, and we are happy to announce that our client Partners’ first-ever NoCo Grocery Grab was a big hit! On April 30, MBD Marketing & Events brought TV’s “Supermarket Sweep” energy to Fort Collins’ Lucky’s Market, where winners of a month-long raffle won a shopping spree of $500, $750, or $1,000 in groceries. Camera crews were on hand to capture every moment, which will be revealed at a virtual watch party Wednesday, May 19. You might be wondering what went on behind the scenes planning Partners’ big Spring fundraising event this year…  After uncertainty surrounding Partners’ traditional St. Patrick’s Day 5K race this year – the fully-planned event was cancelled last minute due to COVID-19 last year – Partners needed a creative, alternate fundraising event. We designed this unique, COVID-friendly event to raise money for Partners and further their community involvement. After weeks of applications and waiting on our end, Partners received a raffle license through the state, and the event was on. We partnered with iHeart Radio and The VIA Company for production and promotions, including emcee and video production services during the event.
Our MBD team (with plenty of coffee in our systems), radio hosts, and raffle winners arrived at Lucky’s Market bright and early April 30, and each winning couple had the store all to themselves as they attempted to “spend” their winnings within a set timeframe. Volunteers completely reset the store between each round, so every raffle winner had a fresh shopping experience.
Partners, MBD Marketing & Events, Lucky’s Market, iHeart Radio, and The VIA Company collaborated on this event and were instrumental in securing this year’s spring funding for Partners’ work in our NoCo community. Please join Partners for a virtual NoCo Grocery Grab premiere watch party Wednesday, May 19th at 6:30pm, here.  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken Congratulations, you’re engaged! Now what? Before you dive head-first into wedding planning, here are some of My Big Day’s to-dos immediately after you get engaged. 
 5. Discuss engagement length – Make sure you and your fiancé are on the same page about the length of your engagement and the timing of your wedding. For some people, a few months sounds just right. Others wouldn’t dream of an engagement lasting less than two years. You don’t have to pick a date yet, but make sure you and your future spouse’s priorities and timelines are in harmony. 6. Spend time together, alone – Celebrating your engagement can be great fun, but it can also be an overwhelming time that invites everyone’s opinions and advice – whether you ask for it or not. Take some time as a couple to have some fun dates and relax before throwing yourselves into wedding planning. 7. Brainstorm themes, budget, and guest list – Before you really start planning, have some casual conversations about your future wedding. Will it be an elopement, or a blowout event with 500 guests? Do you want to spend your savings on the wedding of your dreams, or would you rather have a small event and save the money for a honeymoon or down payment? 8. Hire a planner! – If we didn’t already help you plan your ideal engagement party, then this is where we come in. We offer packages tailored to large weddings or small weddings, full-service or day-of only, and everything in-between. Learn more about My Big Day’s wedding packages HERE.   Contact My Big Day Marketing & Events Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken The proposal is a story you will tell for the rest of your life. "How did he do it?" "Where did you do it?" "Did you know it was coming?" "How did you react?" Where and how you propose or are proposed to can be as important as the Big Day itself. If you are struggling to find the right location or right time, listen to your gut, and check out a few ideas from us! Where you metMaybe you met at a bar, a friend's house, or at a political rally. Go back to the place where it all began and recreate the first time you met. 
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 | Every couple wants to create the ideal ambiance for their wedding. Choosing the perfect venue for your wedding and reception is all about location and your personal preferences. Your venue should complement the theme of your wedding and speak to your love story, faith or maybe even your passions. Some religions state that the couple should get married in their place of worship. So religion may be the main driving force in choosing your wedding venue. But even if you plan to say “I Do” in a place of worship, your reception venue can be somewhere unique. Couples who are open to alternative settings for their vow exchange can and should think about unique venues like museums, parks, botanical gardens or even the beach (if you’re on the coast). Think about how the venue will photograph, and how the location will look as a backdrop. |
| Of course, you also need to consider the guest list. Is the location easily accessible for guests? What about parking? And public restrooms? When looking at alternative locations, couples should take all aspects of the venue or site into account. As for choosing the reception venue, an entirely unique location may be selected. While some couples exchange vows and hold their reception at the same location, others choose to have their after-party elsewhere. Here are a few tips to decide how to choose the ideal locations for the vow exchange and the reception: Make sure the locations are close. If you’re getting married on the beach, consider reception venues that are nearby. Look at hotels, restaurants or other sites for guests to gather after the vow exchange. Some hotels on the beach also offer all-inclusive wedding packages. So you can have your ceremony near the water and the reception indoors…or even on the patio! |  |
  | Budget is everything.Before you even begin looking for the perfect wedding site, you need to understand your financial bottom line. That beautiful cathedral might charge more than you can afford, but your local family church may allow you to host your wedding ceremony for a nominal fee if you’re a member. The money bottom line also speaks to your reception venue. Yes, that grand resort may seem like the picturesque place to host your guests, but you cannot spend the entire budget on just the reception! Ask about the site rules and regulations. Some venues may require you to use their on-site catering or may stipulate what you can or cannot bring on site. Ask about any rules and constraints...you may even want to inquire about any limitations on décor. If the venue is a closed space, and you’re an allergy sufferer, you also may want to make sure your florist steers clear of flowers that aggravate allergies (like daisies or sunflowers). |
| Check the reviews. If you’re not planning to marry in a house of worship, and you’re looking for a unique venue, always check the reviews before committing or forking over a down-payment. Read all the reviews and then tour the location. Ask for recommendations. If you hired a wedding planner, don’t be shy about asking for site recommendations. Talk to your planner about your personal preferences and be open about your budget; your planner likely will have some great suggestions. Think about a home-based ceremony. If your budget is tight, you could consider hosting the ceremony in your backyard. Or in the backyard of your parents’ house. You’ll need to be sure that the space can accommodate your guest list, however.  |  |
Choosing the right wedding venue is all about finding the destination that strikes the right note. Your ceremony location should speak to your story, personality and even your passions. If the two of you love the outdoors, consider hosting your nuptials at a park or on the beach. Some museums and historic sites also may be open for wedding events. Know your budget before exploring sites, and always read reviews of venues before committing. No matter where you plan your big day, just remember that the vows matter most…not the location.
 | Photos courtesy of My Big Day Events - from our many weddings! Authored by contributing writer, Shannon Lochwood. Shannon Lochwood currently lives in Southern California. She has a passion for weddings and loves to write about anything related to special "I do" moments. In her free time she loves to hike and spend time with her family and her two lovely dogs @shannonlochwood http://shannonlochwood.weebly.com/ |
 | What an amazing ride it's been with this fantastic group of women with WIFE TALK! For nearly a year we worked with the inspired Directors of Wife Talk, a fast growing non-profit. Their goal was to have a relaxing, yet productive retreat up in the Colorado mountains. While the Executive Team was based out of Atlanta, women traveled from all over the country to spend the long weekend up in Breck and take part in the Annual Director's Retreat! |
Guests were greeted with friendly faces from the My Big Day team at check-in. Wife Talk chose to host this event at the new Residence Inn by Marriott in Breckenridge.
Brie from the Breckenridge Tourism Office helped our guests prior to the retreat and upon check-in with booking activities and deciding upon the best way to spend their time while visiting!
 |  Being a weekend after Thanksgiving, everyone was eager to shop downtown! While the My Big Day planners shopped, we had to make a stop at the Oxygen bar (O2 Lounge) to get some much needed air! With some pep in our step, we did some damage downtown and some dining too! We were thrilled to see tons of our guests out shopping and dining too!  |
The full day of sessions started off with some early risers, eager to to absorb - and of course with prayer!
More sessions and break-outs took place throughout the day. The hotel had wonderful accommodations and very helpful staff!
Lunch and dinner were provided by Gilchrist catering, a staple in Breck.
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Of course, it wouldn't be a My Big Day event without signature cocktails and ample signage!
Thank you to our gracious clients from Wife Talk and for all the hospitable folks in Breckenridge who help make lodging and having fun easy!
Contact My Big Day
"Dream Big, Live Big. For Life's Events!"
Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner.
~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~
My Big Day llc
Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068
Email Us
Located in Loveland, CO
As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken
We love lists! And we LOVE events! We know how helpful it is to find a long listing of all the goings on in our community. Below is our active list of all the events you don't want to miss in November and December 2017 in Northern Colorado. We'll continue to update as we hear of new events!
If you have one to add, just email us!
If you have one to add, just email us!
   | Fort Collins Nov 3 Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Nov. 16 Third Annual Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery Lights Thu Nov 16, 2017 at 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Nov. 25 Holiday Preview Sat Nov 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Fossil Creek Nursery, 7029 S. College Ave Fort Collins, 80525 Nov. 26 Sensory-friendly Sunday Where: Chuck E. Cheese 105 W Prospect Fort Collins CO 80524 When: November 26th 2017, 9:00 am - 11:00 am Who: All ages Nov. 30 Parade of Lights Preview / FREE Thu Nov 30, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington Street Fort Collins, 80523 Nov. 30 Holiday Spectacular Thu Nov 30, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Griffin Concert Hall – University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington Street Fort Collins, 80523 Dec. 1 Holiday Tree Lighting at Jessup Farms Jessup Farm Artisan Village 1921 Jessup Dr, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 6:30-8:30pm Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/547175502287069/www.facebook.com/events/547175502287069/ Dec. 2 Family Create a Christmas Wreath (ages 12 and over) Sat Dec 2, 2017 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Avenue Fort Collins, 80526 Dec. 2 Create a Christmas Wreath class Sat Dec 2, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Avenue Fort Collins, 80526 Dec. 3 Holiday Spectacular Sun Dec 3, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Griffin Concert Hall – University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington Street Fort Collins, 80523 Dec. 9 A Christmas Show with Vi Wickam and Friends Sat Dec 9, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason St. Fort Collins, 80524 Dec. 13 The Larimer Chorale presents A Candlelight Christmas Fri Dec 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm First United Methodist Church, 1500 Stover St. Fort Collins, 80521 |
| Greeley Festival of Trees November 24, 2017 - December 2nd Christmas in the Rockies Greeley November 25 - 26, 2017 Hilton Doubletree Inn Lincoln park - Greeley, CO Greeley Lights the Night Parade November 25, 2017 Whoville Holiday @ Union Colony Civic Center Nov 25 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Downtown Greeley: Holiday Open House Nov 25 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Santa at the Colorado Railroad Museum Nov 25 10am-1pm Greeley History Museum Holiday Open House November 25, 2017 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Holiday Homesteaders' Event Saturday, December 2, 2017 - 10:00am |   |
   | Loveland NOV. 4: 2017 Concert for the Kids at the Rialto Theater NOV. 9: The Ice Rink Opens at Promenade Shops at Centerra NOV. 10-11: The Holiday Old House Vintage Market at the Ranch NOV. 10: Night on the Town in Downtown Loveland NOV. 10: The Long Run Colorado’s Tribute to the Eagles at the Rialto Theater NOV. 11: Fall Showcase Presented by High Country Conservatory of Dance at the Rialto Theater NOV. 18 - JAN. 7 Winter Wonderlights at Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra! NOV. 18-19: Applewood Arts Festival at the Ranch NOV. 18: Rocky Bards Celtic Benefit Concert For Wounded Warrior Project at the Rialto Theater NOV. 21: PJ Masks Live! Time to be a Hero at Budweiser Events Center NOV. 25: A Christmas Show with Vi Wickam and Friends at the Rialto Theater NOV. 26: Loveland's Annual Holiday Sing-Along at the Rialto Theater NOV. 26: Santa's Home For The Holidays Where: Promenade Shops at Centerra 5971 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland CO 80538 When: November 26th 2017, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Who: All ages that believe in Santa. Geared towards, infants, toddlers, and kids. NOV. 26: Horse - Drawn Carriage Rides Where: Promenade Shops at Centerra 5971 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland CO 80538 When: November 26th 2017, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Who: all ages, kids should be accompanied by guardians. NOV. 29: Three Holiday Animated Shorts at the Rialto Theater NOV. 30: Christmas Magic: A Holiday Concert at the Rialto Theater NOV.: Colorado Eagles Hockey at Budweiser Events Center DEC. 9th Come on out with the whole family and friends and get everyone on your Christmas shopping list checked off at this FREE ADMISSION/FREE PARKING event! |
Timnath
Dec. 5th - Town of Timnath Tree Lighting Ceremony
The event takes place from 5:30pm-7:30pm, on Main Street in Timnath
Dec. 5th - Town of Timnath Tree Lighting Ceremony
The event takes place from 5:30pm-7:30pm, on Main Street in Timnath
  | stes Park Nov 18: Tree Lighting Ceremony. George Hix Riverside Plaza. 4-7p. Nov 17, 19, 22 & 24: Snowshoe Ecology Walk. Call for reservations. 12:30-2:30p. Nov 17-18: Rick Springfield. Stanley Hotel. 8-11:30p. Nov 18-19: Estes Park Holiday Market. Estes Park Conference Center. Sat 9-5, Sun 10-3. Nov 23: Turkey Trot. 5K run. YMCA of the Rockies. 8a. Nov 23: Community Thanksgiving Feast. Mountain View Church. 11:30a-3p. Nov 24: Catch the Glow Parade. Elkhorn Ave. 5:30p. Nov 25: Holiday House Christmas Bazaar. Estes Park Conference Center. 9a-3p. Dec 1-2: Big Bad VooDoo Daddy. Stanley Hotel. Fri 9-11:30p, Sat 7:30-11:30p. Dec 2: Holiday Home Tour. 11a-3p. Dec 9: Tiny Tots & Breakfast with Santa. American Legion. 9a-12p. Dec 9: Tinsel Tavern Tour. 5:30p-12a. Weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - Sip & Paint. Learn to paint a masterpiece while enjoying delicious drinks. Murphy's Resort. Call for info, 970-480-2955. Mondays & Wednesdays at 6 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm Weekly on Monday, Wednesday at 5:30p and Saturday at 9am Group Bicycle Ride. Via Bicycle Cafe. Weekly on Tuesday - Free 5K group run. Starts at the Stanley Hotel. Warm-up at 5:30 pm, Run begins at 6 pm |
Berthoud
Dec. 13-16 - Berthoud Snowfest
Berthoud SNOWFEST is a winter festival as well as the sanctioned Colorado State Snow Sculpting Competition held in Berthoud, Colorado on 7th Street (west side of Fickel Park).
Dec. 13-16 - Berthoud Snowfest
Berthoud SNOWFEST is a winter festival as well as the sanctioned Colorado State Snow Sculpting Competition held in Berthoud, Colorado on 7th Street (west side of Fickel Park).
Your wedding day is likely something you have looked forward to most of your life. You’ve been dreaming of it for years, and now that you are engaged, you cannot wait for the big day to get here. Be sure to prepare yourself for the road between your engagement and the main event. Wedding planning can be extremely stressful and exhausting, not to mention the strain it can put on relationships. With these tips, you can help alleviate some of that stress so you can focus on the fun.
1. Know yourself, know what you want. Of course, you want to take your parents, your grandparents, and your friends’ opinions into account, but remember this is your wedding (meaning yours and your partners). Be sure to gauge your emotions and how those weigh on what is important to you in planning your day. Take care to nurture your feelings while also taking others’ into account and handling any disagreements with them tactfully and gracefully. This will prevent conflict and controversy and keep everyone on the same page.
1. Know yourself, know what you want. Of course, you want to take your parents, your grandparents, and your friends’ opinions into account, but remember this is your wedding (meaning yours and your partners). Be sure to gauge your emotions and how those weigh on what is important to you in planning your day. Take care to nurture your feelings while also taking others’ into account and handling any disagreements with them tactfully and gracefully. This will prevent conflict and controversy and keep everyone on the same page.
2. Choose your wedding party carefully. Number 1 brings us to Number 2. Be selective in who you choose to surround yourself with while planning and carrying out your wedding. Your bridal party should be comprised of family and friends who know you well, have seen you at your best and worst, and can handle all those ups and downs right along with you. Having people whose opinions you value and you know you can lean on can help you manage tough decisions and the emotional roller-coaster that can accompany planning a wedding
3. Plan ahead. Most wedding planners will recommend starting the planning process 12-16 months ahead of time and to create an all-encompassing checklist. This allows you plenty of time to secure your venue, book your service vendors (think florist, caterer, DJ or band, photographer, etc., etc.), find the perfect dress for you and your bridesmaids and have them altered, order your invitations, and still allow time to make changes or rectify any mistakes that pop up along the way. Waiting until the last minute to plan can lead to difficulty finding availability for everything from a pastor to flights for the honeymoon. You want your big day to go off without a hitch and be magical, not a chaotic hodgepodge, so plan far in advance.
4. Use referrals. Piggybacking off of number 3, use referrals when booking your vendors and service providers. Ask your friends who they used, research local resource guides, and ask for references. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure you know exactly what you are paying for, and they have no question as to what your expectations are. Done in conjunction with plenty of time and planning, this will allow time for any wrinkles to be ironed out.
3. Plan ahead. Most wedding planners will recommend starting the planning process 12-16 months ahead of time and to create an all-encompassing checklist. This allows you plenty of time to secure your venue, book your service vendors (think florist, caterer, DJ or band, photographer, etc., etc.), find the perfect dress for you and your bridesmaids and have them altered, order your invitations, and still allow time to make changes or rectify any mistakes that pop up along the way. Waiting until the last minute to plan can lead to difficulty finding availability for everything from a pastor to flights for the honeymoon. You want your big day to go off without a hitch and be magical, not a chaotic hodgepodge, so plan far in advance.
4. Use referrals. Piggybacking off of number 3, use referrals when booking your vendors and service providers. Ask your friends who they used, research local resource guides, and ask for references. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure you know exactly what you are paying for, and they have no question as to what your expectations are. Done in conjunction with plenty of time and planning, this will allow time for any wrinkles to be ironed out.
5. Sweat it out. Be sure to exercise regularly during your wedding planning. Not only will this keep you in shape and prevent stress eating from packing on pounds, exercising will help you work out the stress, clear your mind, and keep you focused. Whether you prefer yoga, hitting the trails, or cross training, maintaining a regular exercise routine is key in counterbalancing stress. Not only will you look fabulous in your dress, you will be relaxed and on top of your game for your big day.
6. Eat healthy. As mentioned above, this can be a very stressful time. Eating a healthy diet packed with all your essential vitamins and minerals will help your body combat stress and stay healthy. You don’t want to be run down or have a weakened immune system and end up sick. Balance this with plenty of water and enough sleep so you will be looking and feeling your best on the big day.
7. Remember to have fun. So often brides get so caught up in the planning that they forget to actually enjoy the experience of planning their wedding and walking down the aisle. This is likely the biggest decision you have ever made and the beginning of a new life together. Embrace all that comes with it and know that even if things don’t go exactly perfect, the most important aspect of it all is enjoying this time with your partner. Take it all in and make the day yours to remember together for a lifetime.
Planning a wedding is a huge task, but with planning and care, it can be an exciting, enjoyable journey. Using the tips above can help you manage the stress and keep your focus on sharing this experience and starting your life together on a happy note.
***And don't forget -- Hiring a Wedding Planner will give you peace of mind and can even help SAVE you money!
6. Eat healthy. As mentioned above, this can be a very stressful time. Eating a healthy diet packed with all your essential vitamins and minerals will help your body combat stress and stay healthy. You don’t want to be run down or have a weakened immune system and end up sick. Balance this with plenty of water and enough sleep so you will be looking and feeling your best on the big day.
7. Remember to have fun. So often brides get so caught up in the planning that they forget to actually enjoy the experience of planning their wedding and walking down the aisle. This is likely the biggest decision you have ever made and the beginning of a new life together. Embrace all that comes with it and know that even if things don’t go exactly perfect, the most important aspect of it all is enjoying this time with your partner. Take it all in and make the day yours to remember together for a lifetime.
Planning a wedding is a huge task, but with planning and care, it can be an exciting, enjoyable journey. Using the tips above can help you manage the stress and keep your focus on sharing this experience and starting your life together on a happy note.
***And don't forget -- Hiring a Wedding Planner will give you peace of mind and can even help SAVE you money!
 | Authored by contributing writer, Shannon Lochwood. Shannon Lochwood currently lives in Southern California. She has a passion for weddings and loves to write about anything related to special "I do" moments. In her free time she loves to hike and spend time with her family and her two lovely dogs @shannonlochwood http://shannonlochwood.weebly.com/ |
 | For years My Big Day has been a trusted partner in event planning for corporations. We love the variety of customers we have, and the new challenges every conference, meeting, retreat and party can bring! This year we were honored to work with a new client, SAFEbuilt. Their corporate headquarters are based in Loveland, CO - and they have offices nationwide. |
| SAFEbuilt is dedicated to improving people’s lives by helping to create vibrant, thriving communities. They partner with communities on the rise—helping them achieve their development, planning, and compliance goals to become the best versions of themselves. They offer comprehensive community development services, they empower municipalities large and small to envision, plan, and execute innovative solutions that encourage ongoing community improvement. |  |
 | In 2017 SAFEbuilt is celebrating 25 years in business. They are a fast-growing company with passionate employees. With so much growth and a need to connect folks from all over the US, and put together relevant and useful content - My Big Day was brought in to organize details, manage presentations and overall content, assist with employee activities, oversee hotel meals, AV and operations - and the conference as a whole. |
| The 2017 conference was held at the world-leading Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado. Management traveled from all over the US to be part of this 4 day knowledge sharing, training and bonding retreat. Below are some photos from Michelle Badger Photography. We were thrilled to be the corporate event planners for this conference. Meetings, retreats, conventions, business luncheons - we love to plan it all! |  |
Contact My Big Day
Have Fun. Be Young. Let us know how we can help.
Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner.
~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~
My Big Day llc
Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068
Email Us
Located in Loveland, CO
As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken
Have Fun. Be Young. Let us know how we can help.
Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner.
~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~
My Big Day llc
Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068
Email Us
Located in Loveland, CO
As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken
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Small Business. Big Impact. Always Dreaming Bigger! We pride ourselves on giving you something to look forward to. We are a connected collective of creatives - owned an opperated by outstanding women.
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