Why I Cost So "MUCH"...

Simple title. Complex issue. It's a question I get asked over and over and over again - my response is generally more internal than external. See, wedding planners are are different cup of chicken soup that other industry providers. The services we provide are on another level and at their core, are the REASON someone's dreams and visions can come to stunningly, logistical life. Notice I did use the words "stunning" {for all of the loveliness and BLING BOOM you want} and "logistical", {because there is a method to all of the madness}.

For me, I can tell you without blinking one of these fabulous eyelash extensions of mine WHY my prices are not $500 for over 200 hours worth of work. Now...doesn't just hearing that equation say something? Not to mention almost 20 years of full-fledged experience in the industry, book author, television personality and so on...yep, all of those things ring up to be a pretty extensive work resume and assurance to you, the client, that I'm not somebody who got married last Saturday, thought the whole thing was FABULOUS and hung my shingle out when I returned from my honeymoon. And yes - there are plenty of people in the industry who are doing just that.

I'm a professional. I know what I'm doing. Actually, I know what everyone associated with your wedding is doing AND I make it my business to make sure that we are all on the same page. I'm the good cop/bad cop, I'm the arbiter of style, I'm the accountant and sometimes, I'm the shoulder you cry on when stuff just blew the hell up. I'm the first one in...and the last one out. I hold hands, I wipe tears, I make sure you and your new hubby (or wife) have some quality time together away from the hustle and bustle of it all, when everybody thinks you belong to them. In short, I'm the chica who makes the magic happen and ensures you have the wonderful memories for a lifetime to come.

So don't get price confused with ability. If you are looking to solely hire a planning professional by the dollar signs alone...you are sadly, mistakenly, going down the wrong path. This is your wedding...it's not like television, where I can tell the director "cut - let's do that again". It's a one time shot....and it's gotta be right the first time. If the proverbial dollar signs are clouding your vision, look at it this way {and this is a perfect segue into another hot topic we'll talk about!} - consider what your wedding is really about. Don't get blinded by all the hype and wonder you see in magazines, on blogs, websites and television. Truth of the matter is: WEDDINGS COST MONEY. And no matter what your budget is, you need to spend wisely. Why not bring the one person on board who can make sure that happens...so you can wake up the next morning and not be in the poorhouse, rifling through your wedding envelopes, hoping you can "make enough back" to cover normal expenses post-nuptial shindig? Think about it.

In the meantime, while you're thinking (and I really hope you are!), check out this amazingly insightful article from a dear colleague and friend of mine, Shayna Walker Weddle of Williamsburg Wedding Design. She breaks it down FOR REAL in dollars and cents why a wedding planning PROFESSIONAL costs more than $500. Between my musings and her number crunching, it should make things perfectly clear................

Confessions Of The WeddingDIVA: The 30 Day Rule......

Confessions Of The WeddingDIVA: The 30 Day Rule......: "Happy New Year!!!! Are you one of those lucky people who got engaged over the holiday season? You're not alone - lots of gentlemen got on b..."

The 30 Day Rule......

Happy New Year!!!! Are you one of those lucky people who got engaged over the holiday season? You're not alone - lots of gentlemen got on bended knee to "pop the question" and many ladies said "yes"!! But before you head out to the store to buy a wedding magazine, flip through websites to pick out a flattering color palette or get on the phone to call potential vendors, I'm going to ask you to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N....

Yep - that's right, slow your roll! "Why on earth would I want to do that?", you might ask. Rest assured, I don't just "spew" stuff out...there's always a good reason. And this time it's simple and you'll thank me for it later. Take 30 days and do NOTHING regarding wedding planning. You heard me - absolutely nothing.

Being engaged is a big milestone moment, just like getting married. I find that too many people simply rush into planning without savoring this special time. And yeah, it's pretty darn SPECIAL. Asking someone to spend the rest of their lives with you and saying "yes" to the proposal is life changing. It's also a period of time you cannot get back. So...enjoy the sparkle on your left hand, revel in the fact that you are about to start an amazing journey with the love of your life. Talk about your future - together. Discuss all of the wonderful things you are looking forward to. And don't let any hint of white lace, open bars or stretch limousines enter the conversation. This moment in time is about the two of you....

Trust me - there will be PLENTY of hours to dedicate to the planning of the shindig, and that's where professionals like me come into the picture. But for the next 30 days...it's all about the two of you. Take my advice...enjoy this time. Consider it the first "snapshot" of the new life you've got coming..........

Teaching.....

is one of the things I most enjoy. With that in mind (and by popular demand!), I'll be offering a "Weekend Of Learning" Seminar Series in February that focus on two core issues which challenge planners and other wedding industry professionals - Fees/Pricing & Contracts.

The bottom line is simple - you have to be clearly structured when it comes to what you charge AND you need to be able to get it all in writing. The "Make Your Money" and "Sign On The Dotted Line" workshops are one day intensives which delve deep into the "who, what, when, where and why's" of these two issues, allowing you to look at them from a differently honest angle.

Both workshops will be held at the Towson Marriott Conference Center Hotel. You can register for one or both sessions - discounts apply when you sign up for two!*

*applies only to standard registration

Make Your Money
Saturday, February 19, 2011
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sign On The Dotted Line...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Registration Fees:

Early Bird (ends 1/1/11): $195 per session

Standard (1/2/11 - 2/15/11 - $250 per session or $450 for both workshops

Late - $300 per person (based on availability)

Your registration includes:

All materials

Continental breakfast

Buffet Lunch

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks

Certificate Of Participation

Free Parking

A block of rooms have been reserved for our attendees at the rate of $119 per night. The Towson Marriott Conference Center Hotel is an all-suite property, featuring comfortable work space, a kitchenette and spacious sleeping arrangements. Call (410) 324-8100 and ask for the "Weekend Of Learning/DIVA Enterprises" rate.

I hope to see you there!!

It's Been A Long Time.......

since I last posted to "Confessions" - 4 months to be exact! So much has happened and things have literally been a whirlwind around the offices of TeamDIVA!!!

Today marks the Winter Solstice (6:38 p.m. to be exact) and with it, comes the SHORTEST day of the year. After today, we'll watch our nights grows shorter, our days grow longer..which can only mean one thing: Springtime will be right around the corner!!

I'm a winter baby - born on Christmas Day in the middle of a snowstorm, so the cold, icy weather is perfectly fine with me. Winter also gives me a chance to be introspective as well as retrospective, so I'll take the next few days to reflect back on the year 2010.

We had some amazing weddings and celebrations on board this year - from a 50th wedding anniversary celebration in January to start our production season off, to the delicious finale of a peacock-inspired nuptial shinding to close the year out....me and TeamDIVA truly perfected the art of the "hustle" as we moved from event to event, making sure everything was on point and that our clients and their guests were taken care of in a fabulous way!

I also had the opportunity to teach and lecture this year in a variety of locales - from New Orleans to Las Vegas, Trinidad to Mexico (and a few other cities in between!), I racked up some serious frequent flier miles and had the chance to mentor and teach others about the industry I love so well.

Stay tuned for all of the wonderful updates!!!!