Five ways you can save on your Wedding Budget
Are you looking ahead to your wedding in 2023? If so, you’re probably searching for inspiration and ideas of what you can do to make your special day a unique one. North Carolina has some beautiful venues and landscapes, and there are many trends emerging that will make your big day truly spectacular. Here are a few wedding trends that we predict will be popular in 2023.
Smaller Guest Lists
We expect more couples to opt for smaller guest lists this year. After all, the pandemic has forced many people to downsize their celebrations, which has made them realize just how important it is to have an intimate gathering with only their closest family and friends. Smaller weddings also give couples the opportunity to create a more personalized experience, as well as keep their budgets in check. Plus, it’s easier for couples to manage the logistics with fewer guests!
Outdoor Ceremonies
With so many incredible outdoor locations across North Carolina, we expect outdoor ceremonies to become increasingly popular this year. From breathtaking beaches and sprawling vineyards to lush gardens and picturesque farmsteads – there are endless possibilities for hosting an unforgettable ceremony outdoors! The great thing about having an outdoor ceremony is that it gives you plenty of room for creativity when it comes time to decorate – from string lights strung through trees or draped across columns, or wildflower arrangements cascading down aisle runners – the possibilities are endless!
We predict these trends will be popular among North Carolina brides-to-be in 2023. Whether you choose an intimate celebration with close family and friends or something larger with virtual elements included – remember that your day should reflect your unique style as a couple! With so many stunning outdoor venues available as well as plenty of options for personalizing even the smallest details – planning your dream wedding should be both fun and exciting. Best wishes on finding just what you’re looking for!
Summer Weddings -
Cynthia Rose Photography
Summer is a popular time to tie the knot, and for good reason. The weather is beautiful, the days are long, and there are a plethora of venue options to choose from. However, there are also a few things to consider before booking your summer wedding. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the pros and cons of having a summer wedding so that you can make an informed decision about what's right for you.
Anagram photography
Pro: The Weather is Beautiful One of the best things about summer weddings is the weather. You can expect sunny skies and warm temperatures, which makes for perfect outdoor ceremony and reception conditions. If you've always dreamed of getting married outdoors, summer is the ideal time to do it. Just be sure to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather!
Con: Everyone is on Vacation Another thing to consider is that summer is peak vacation season. This means that many of your guests may already have travel plans booked months in advance. While you can't control whether or not your guests can attend, it's something to keep in mind when sending out invitations.
Pro: There are Plenty of Venue Options Summer is also a great time to get married because there are plenty of venue options available. From beachfront properties to rustic barns, you're sure to find a venue that fits your style and budget.
Anagraham photo
Con: It Can Be Expensive While you may be able to get a good deal on your wedding venue, summer weddings can still be expensive. That's because many vendors raise their prices during peak season due to increased demand. So if you're planning a summer wedding on a tight budget, be sure to start your vendor search early so that you can compare prices and find the best deals. Conclusion: As you can see, there are both pros and cons to having a summer wedding
. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what's important to you and what will make your day special. If you're set on having a summer wedding but worried about the cost, remember that there are ways to save money by booking early or getting creative with your wedding location. Whatever you decide, we hope that your big day is everything you've dreamed of!
What is the biggest mistake, couples make when renting event rentals?
That is honestly a tossup between two things:
1- Not listening to your vendors’ recommendations. You have hired professionals to help you make your vision come to life. Let them help you! If your caterer says you need 180 champagne glasses- you probably need 180. I suggest getting recommendations on numbers for tables and décor before our consultations because it helps make the entire process seamless and stress-free.
2- Underestimating the costs of rentals. Many factors play into the prices of rentals: labor, installation + retrieval, travel time, etc. Some brides have come to consultations wanting to recreate pictures they have found on Pinterest, but realistically it’s not in their price range. A realistic understanding of rental pricing before a consultation would be very beneficial.
What items should a couple really think about, that you have seen make a big hit?
Lounge areas and bars! Lounge areas are an excellent option for guests to have an area to retreat to in the middle of the night. It also makes for a perfect photo-op for you and your significant other.
I love bars, especially for tented events! They help elevate the space. Bars can also be a fun design element to bring into the area.
How does a couple know what they need for their event?
Working closely with their vendors- especially their wedding planner. Your planner should be able to give you specifics about what you will need for décor and rental-wise.
If you need to rent tabletop items (i.e., plates, stemware, flatware, etc.), I recommend reaching out to your caterer to find out their specific needs to ensure their service goes smoothly on your wedding day.
Also, review your contracts! Some florists include decor pieces in their quotes, and there is no need to spend extra if you do not have to.
How does delivery and pick up work?
We make this as seamless as possible! Leading up to your event, we will be in contact with your wedding planner, discussing delivery and pick-up times, layouts, and even flipping the event from ceremony to reception, if applicable.
Day of- we will arrive with the pieces you rented and set everything up according to the layout. We will go back over and double-check to make sure everything is correct.
After the event, we will be there to help break down everything. The couple and their families do not have to lift a finger!
Can couples see the items before the event?
Yes! This past year we have worked hard to ensure all of our inventory is online, but nothing will compare to seeing items in person.
The last few brides that have booked consultations have left saying they feel so relieved and excited because they can now visualize how their wedding will look the day of!
How long before the event, should they reserve their items?
The sooner, the better- we really do have books that close! Obviously, book the essential items first, like your venue, planner, caterer, etc., before, but if you have specific things like certain chairs, you want to go ahead and book them! Nothing is worse than telling someone that the one thing they had their heart set on is not available.
The French Bee is so proud of The Carolina Refinery. We have watched it grow and watched Ashley and Blake work so hard to create a business together. They just recently added quite a bit of new inventory to their collection and I can assure you they have wonderful taste. We love having them here in New Bern and know that everytime we use them they will help elevate our weddings to the next level. If you would like to see their inventory go to https://carolinarefinery.com
One of our favorite MUA, Kerri Lockley talks about what a bride needs to know about her wedding make up. The French Bee has worked with Kerri for many years and we are always amazed by her magic brushes.
She can be contacted @. kerrilockey@gmail.com. if you would like to set up a consultation with her for your special day.
1. What factors should come into play when choosing my make up for my wedding?
a. Environment:
Is your event in the warmer months, outdoors or even at the beach? Then your skin likely be shiny or oily in appearance due to humidity and perspiration.
Suggestion: You will likely prefer a matte finish foundation to minimize glistening of the skin.
b. Your Skin type: Are you oily, normal, dry or combination?
90% of ladies have combination skin type where they are oily in the “t-zone”. Communicating your skin type to your makeup artist will help determine the best foundation to meet your expectations.
c. Desired appearance in photographs –
How do you want your skin to look in your wedding party/ bridal portraits? Dewy, Satin, Matte?
Suggestion: Satin, Matte, or a combination of both is best for a more natural radiance.
Pictures last forever, so remember to keep your makeup classy for a timeless look that never goes out of style.
d. Time of Wedding: Large bridal parties require an early start time for hair and make-up. You want your makeup to last all day and well into the evening as you dance the evening away on the dance floor with your pals. Be sure to use products that will last on your skin.
Weddings before 2pm, typically desire “daytime” eye make-up- warm neutrals.
Weddings after 5pm, glam up and go for an “evening” – classic smoky eye with nude lip.
Suggestion: Schedule a trial run with your make-up artist, preferably early in the day. Then go about your normal business for the day. This will give you an idea of how long the look will hold and what it can withstand.
2. How do I know that some looks that I like on models will actually look good on me?
Think about your eye & face shape- If you choose to search for makeup on models, look for those that have similar features that you do.
Have realistic expectations; If you have small eye lids, it is going to be difficult to replicate a highly visible tri-tone eye shadow even when your eyes are open.
A trial run with your make-up artist should help you answer many of these questions along with the opportunity to visually see the look on yourself.
3. What are the mistakes that you have seen happen over your career and how would you suggest to avoid for a bride?
Don’t try to pick “a-look” for your entire bridal party. Keeping a nude/ neutral lip is fine, but a smoky eye may not be the look that is flattering for your future sister-in-law.
Try out false lashes before your wedding to make sure you are comfortable wearing them. The trial run is a great time to do this. Most make-up artists will have a preferred style/ brand that is lightweight, comfortable, and natural. This takes all the guess work from the bride.
Verify the amount of time needed per person with your make-up artist. Rushing at the end is not fun. Plan ahead! Allow 15 minutes before dressing to touch-up lips/ powder as needed.
Make sure your make-up artist can meet your expectations. Ask for photos of recent brides they have worked with. This will give you an idea of their capability.
4. What are the successes that you have seen and that you would recommend to a bride?
Pick a make-up artist you are comfortable with and one you trust. If you are comfortable with them, your entire party will be as well.
Trial run for make-up is key. This is your opportunity to try things and make adjustments.
Plan a little extra time for make-up the day of your wedding; many times, additional people decide to jump-in at the last minute.
5. What is the best way to find a MUA that a bride will be comfortable with and be happy with the outcome..
a. Referrals from recent brides: Word of mouth is the best way to find a great make-up artist. Simply ask a recent bide or post an “in-search-of make-up artist on your Facebook page. You will not believe the suggestions you’ll get
b. Wedding planners: Wedding planners know the dependable, results driven people to provide services for your big day. Asking your planner for a preferred service provider is pretty much a guarantee for excellent results.
c. Photographers: Photographers often tag make-up artists in their work, especially if it’s good. If you see someone’s make-up you like, ask the photographer if they have suggestions or preferred make-up artists they’ve worked with. A good make-up artist makes their job a little easier.
6. What is the best way for a bride to communicate what she wants her final look to be with a MUA.
a.Trail run: wear it, feel it, see how it performs; At the end of the day, what are the pros & cons?
Write them down & communicate this to your make-up artist a day of two after the trial run. This will allow the artist to prepare for any changes needed the day of the wedding.
b. Referencing a previous brides make-up look that you liked. This way the artist will know what end result you are looking for.
7. How should a bride prepare for weather, heat, rain, humidity?
In Eastern NC, we have all of these and too often, all of them at once. Your make-up artist should have weather proof products ( primer, foundation, mascara, setting powder, setting spray) to aid in withstanding these conditions.
8 Does the time of the wedding alter how the Make up should look?
Technically, nothing should alter the way the bride wants her make-up to look, not even the time of wedding. However, for evening weddings, we tend to use a little more eye make-up because of dark background in photographs. The darker it is around you, the less your make-up will show up.
Weddings before 2pm, typically desire “daytime” eye make-up- warm neutrals.
Weddings after 5pm, classic smoky eye with nude lip.
9. Do you like to see a picture of the wedding clothing before doing wedding make up?
No, not necessarily. The only reason I would ask to see the dress, is to gauge the conservativeness or style the bride is going for.
9. What is the biggest NO NO in wedding make up.
a. Avoid these services the day before the wedding as they can cause undesirable skin issues: waxing, microderm abrasion, brow/ lash tent, fillers, botox.
b. Avoid excessive eyeliner.
c. Smoky eye and bright Red Lips. Pick a focal point; either the eyes or the lips, but not both.
d. Cheap make-up yields cheap results. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
Final Thoughts:
Wedding day Photos last a lifetime; keep your look classic and timeless. You will never regret it.
Thank you Kerri, We think this is very valuable and useful information. We appreciate your input
Some Key points when picking out your wedding flowers
Choosing your wedding florals can make or break the look of your special day! At The French Bee, we recommend couples first pick out a partner to marry, then decide on their venue and date/time. Last but not least is choosing the right attire to pair with those dreamy petal-filled moments - before crafting that one perfect floral vision complete with all sorts of magical Pinterest-worthy designs!
From choosing the love of your life to selecting the perfect venue, setting a date and picking out wedding apparel - there's so much to consider when planning for that special day. But don't forget about what could be one of the most beautiful details: wedding flowers! At The French Bee, they understand how daunting it can be trying to pull together all those Pinterest and Instagram ideas into something cohesive - with no idea as far as cost is concerned; which is why they've made a list in order of must-dos before even thinking blooms. With these steps complete you'll soon have exactly the magical floral arrangements you envisioned on your big day!
Venue selection should come next
Date and Time follows
Wedding attire next
All of the above choices will be a big help determininng what your wedding flowers should look like. For instance, wildflowers might not be the best choice for a six o’clock black tie wedding. Wildflowers would be wonderful for an afternoon outdoor wedding.
How do I find a Floral designer
To find the perfect Floral Designer for your project, why not go straight to those in the know - friends and family! Get some ideas from what's trending on social media. Research designers that appeal to you by visiting their websites. Be sure to fill out any inquiry forms quickly so they have time to make a timely response (but don't expect them over weekends). Finally, meet with potentials and see if it is a good fit for both of you!How do I communicate with my floral designer about how I want my wedding to look and feel like
Sometimes it is difficult to catch onto what a client wants right off the bat. Things that can help your floral designer plug into your look are:
Pictures, things that you like and things you do not like. Try to find pictures close to the feeling you want to create, such as an all white sleek elegant cosmopolitan wedding or a colorful garden feel.
Adjectives- I always ask our couples for at least three adjectives to describe the overall feel and look that they want to portray.
Pictures of wedding attire for entire wedding party
Fabrics and swatch samples, This helps with narrowing down the color palette
Pictures of venue, if designer has not seen it
Type of meal, plated, stations or buffet
After showing your designer the pictures, the fabrics and so on, the next thing you will need to discuss is Budget. You should have a range that you are comfortable with spending. They will tell you if your plan is realistic or not. If your plan is out of your budget, ask your designer to come up with a plan that is similar but within your range. It is best to be upfront from the beginning about your budget, because you do not want your designer to come up with an amazing proposal that you can not afford.
Your floral designer wants your wedding to look as good as you want your wedding to look. So if they know what range you are comfortable with, they will be able to design it with getting the most bang for your buck. (this is assuming that you have picked a good floral designer)
What you should expect a floral proposal to look like
After all this input of information your designer should be able to send you a detailed proposal. There should be a list of all items along with the prices that they plan on having at your wedding. Designers will try to give you pictures that are close to what they plan for you, but remember a good designer doesn’t copy other work, so they picture will not be a carbon copy of the actual product that you will get. The proposal should list any additional fees, such as labor, delivery and so on. It should also include the contract that you will need to sign and send in with a deposit to book the designer. Most designers require a percentage to book and the balance will be due 30 days in advance of the event.
Hopefully this has helped your journey into wedding florals a bit easier.
Wow, we made it through another year. As we look back over the past 365 days, we are thrilled to have been a part of so many different weddings and events. We have covered a lot of miles as well, from to Atlantic Beach to Nashville, NC. We would love to show you some of our most memorable moments.
The French Bee wants to thank our clients who mean so much to us. . We become so close with our clients that it feels awkward after the event not to be talking all the time. They put a lot of trust in us and we are honored.
We also want to thank all the vendors we work with. We expect a lot of ourselves, which means we ask a lot from all the people who work to make these events successful. We have made some wonderful friends with some of these special people.
The Venues have to be thanked. Thank you for putting up with all our crazy ideas. Thank you for allowing us to come in early and stay late, setting up everything. We are very grateful.
As you see we have had a lot of fun, food, music and great memories!!
Thank you, to our photographers from the pictures used here, Cynthia Rose, Pamela Jhanke, Anagram, and Jaclyn Nolin
We are a planning and design team in New Bern, NC. We plan a lot of outside weddings and there is a constant worry of rain or thunderstorms. Even worse in Eastern North Carolina, a hurricane. We find that if we discuss a rain plan before the big day, it makes it a far easier decision the day of. You must have some sort of plan. We usually ask our clients to look at weather and the day before the wedding, we ask our clients to make the call. We feel like the wedding will look more put together if we can give our vendors a 24 hour notice of all the changes that are being made.
If a 100% of your wedding is outside, you have a couple of options:
Have a tent for your reception and be willing to move the ceremony under the tent as well as the reception. Have a look at the long term weather forecast and decide if you will need tent sides and/or heaters or fans.
Have a tent on standby which means in most cases you will have to make a deposit and if you end up not using the tent, most likely you will loose your deposit
Roll the dice and decide that come rain or shine that you are going through with it, no matter what (not our most favorite choice)
Have a backup roofed location, if possible.
Sometimes a timeline shift is an option. These days it is easy to pull up radars on our phones and see when a dry moment might be. There may be a chance that you can wait ten minutes and everything clears off. Make sure you have plenty of towels to wipe off the chairs and rain gear for your guest in case it is still a little drizzly. Of course if you have a wedding planner, it will make life much easier for you at this moment. We are used to making these decisions and know the tricks of the trade to help move your guest gracefully and still make your timeline work without seeming too unruly.
The Most important thing is to not let it ruin your day
You can do everything in your power to prepare for the rain, but the best piece of advice we can give, is to embrace it. You’re allowed time to mourn the wedding you envisioned, but don’t let these emotions rule your day. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you’re marrying the love of your life. Plus, rain makes for great wedding stories and even better photos!
A beautiful wedding at Tryon Palace.
As wedding planners with over 25 years experience we have seen a lot in the wedding industry. We have made some mistakes and learned a lot from them. We want to help you understand the different type of wedding planning out there so you are able to pick the best service for you.
Day Of- Wedding Planner
This person is hired to be on hand the day of the wedding. Their responsibilities include:
Timeline to highlight major points in the day
Make sure the vendors that you have hired arrive and on time and know what to do
Place items from client at the appropriate places, such as place cards, guest books, bar signs …
Attend rehearsal and help with execution
Attend ceremony and again help with execution
Attend reception to guide the timeline and make sure things go according to the plans that you have provided them
Pros
cheaper in cost
Cons
Person has not been involved in planning process since inception and very difficult to execute someone else’s plans
They do not help with Vendor selection, which hurts clients, because they may or may not know that particular vendor and will not know what to expect from that particular Vendor.
There is no one helping client select the correct vendor for each persons taste and budget, nor will they know if the vendors selected are up to the task at hand.
I alway use the analogy that you have a team playing for the world championships and you have a new coach starting on game day
Month of Wedding Coordination
This option is significantly better than day of coordination. We also call this service, event management. It is just what is sounds like. Four to Six weeks before event, coordinator will meet with you to start to gather all your plans that you have made up to this point. They take that information and manage your event. They will:
develop a timeline,
confirm all of your vendors
attend rehearsal, ceremony, and reception
Be liaison between vendors and clients
Make sure wedding day runs according to timeline
Set up and take down clients items for wedding
pros:
much better service than day of
less expensive than full service
Allows client to plan wedding, but have someone else execute it
Cons
Again, difficult to jump into someone else’s plans and execute
There is not any design, guest management, stationery help, or budget guidance with this option
There is not the benefit of an experienced planner being with you from beginning to help you avoid the pitfalls
You may not get the pick of the best vendors, vendors will work and respond to a planner better than an individual just because of repeat business
Full Service Wedding Planning
Full service wedding planners are with you from beginning to end. The help with:
FROM START TO FINISH
Budget development and management, including cost-saving solutions
monthly meetings
Venue selection
Vendor selection, according to client budget and style
Full design and execution, including all necessary event rentals, tables, chairs, draping, florals, tents, staging, dance floors, lighting, generators
Catering coordination, menu development.
Hotel accommodations and room blocks and transportation coordination
Stationery and signage needs, help with save the dates, invitations, RSVPS and any wedding signage that you may want.
Cons
More expensive than other options
Pros
Help with all aspects of your wedding
Benefits of experience planner negotiating with best vendors for individual client
Allows you to attend your own wedding as a guest. Enjoy your day with family and friends
Fun Wedding Food, Not the Same Old Stuff
Coral Bay Club weddings in Atlantic Beach, NC. The French Bee Events talks about weddings at one of their favorite venues
1. Safety is still crucial when it comes to F&B experiences.
Food safety, from preparation to presentation, will continue to be a big priority and concern. You’re going to see more passed foods and individual servings, and less buffets in order to limit crowds and grazing,
Guests want options that allow them to prioritize their safety without sacrificing experiences.
2. Creative serving ideas are here to stay.
It’s more about individually packaged food items, creatively displayed. Whether it be a cone, a mini pizza box or a bento box, these displays are here to stay. You’re going to see more small plates and roaming stations where people simply pick up a styled dish rather than serve themselves from a station. You are also going to see hors d’oeuvres served in more ways that are creatively designed while prioritizing safety.
Pickled Quail Eggs
3. Guests are looking for bold and untraditional flavors.
When everyone was on lockdown, people explored more food , thanks to Trader Joe’s spices for the trend. People are much more welcoming to new flavors. So we're seeing more requests for Za'atar and saffron and different curries—things that we didnt see a lot of in the past. . People want to experiment now with interesting, unique, regional flavors
People are experience-starved and ready to be wowed “They want food they didn’t learn to make at home—so less craving stations and more hand-pulled noodles.
There seems to be an increased interest in food and flavors from Asia Pacific. For a few years, industry analysts have anticipated that Filipino food would go more mainstream. Several beloved Korean steak and chicken restaurants have announced major growth plans in the U.S.— You’ll see broad adoption of this into our national food lexicon the way Thai food really became mainstream so many years ago.”
Tuna poké bowl station, anyone?
These clothespins allowed guests to snag a bite without touching others on the plate!
4. Also, elevated takes on traditional foods.
Don’t get us wrong, many attendees still want innovative spins on regional classic comfort food. Consider an amazing action station with a huge marshmallow and use a briquette to roast. How about an elevated corn dog. People always want something elevated and unique, but they still want it to be within their comfort zone.
Guests are looking for sophisticated dishes that are out of the ordinary, but still recognizable.
The Best comfort food, tomato soup and grilled cheese, an unique take on a traditional food
6. Give a nod to nonalcoholic beverages.
Pushing way beyond the juice or soda-based mocktails of the past, there are highly crafted beverages that contain no alcohol, but are delicious and are unlocking new experiences for sober-minded consumers.
Ideas for your Fall wedding.
The French Bee, Wedding Planners in New Bern, NC share some tips on how to keep both sets of families happy on your wedding day
What not to do the Week before your Wedding
If you are planning a wedding, read this to keep from making major mistakes
Find out the difference in a Floral designer and a Florist and what to expect from each.
Find out the traditions behind flowers girls and see some great alternatives to petal tossing
What is a Southern Wedding?