Pink Tie Preferred LLC | Signature Haut-Monde Events

Guess there should be an official announcement, so here it is! Effective January 2, 2012, we will no longer be j. marie & associates.

In order to provide better services to our clients, we decided to better identify which clients are the best fit with our firm. With a new identify and brand, we have now focused our packages to be customizable for the sophisticated client's needs. Whether your looking for a high-quality, stress free wedding that will "WOW" your guests, or seeking to take the planning burden off of your child by hiring an experienced event producer, Pink Tie Preferred, LLC Signature Haut-Monde Events has the ideal package just for you!

As we draw closer to our launch date (#OneTwoOneTwo) we will "sneak" tidbits of info... Still to come: the phone number, logo, and website. In the meantime, you can contact us online at www.facebook.com/PinkTiePreferred or www.twitter.com/PinkTiePreferrd.

why we're not "inexpensive"

there's an entrepreneurial spirit that's living strong in our country - that's part of what makes America so wonderful. howevever, many often jump into new careers prematurely. in the day and age where many brides, after enjoying their own wedding day, determine they are indeed fit to become an event planner for others. while some are actually skilled, many may not have what it takes to really be an asset to the event planning community and the clients it serves. believe it or not, it takes more than "being a bride" to know what you're doing...

so with event planners popping up every five minutes, you're sure to come across several that are willing to offer full planning event services for $300-$500. now, we all have to start somewhere. and thankfully, i'm still employed full-time, so i was able to work for low prices as i started out to gain experience and enjoy my passion. we no longer can offer packages at such low rates, because we've now have over 9 years of experience! not only do clients benefit from our vendor and venue database, but from our proven tips and tricks, experiences and know-how.

our full service packages can entail a minimum of 40 hours... even at $500, that's only $12.50 per hour. even if we worked an equivalent of 40 hours for 52 weeks, that's $26,500 per year. our clients make more than that! we've got to charge more because we've got expenses to carry... website, printing, marketing, etc. in addition, to being paid for our experience and time.

many brides try to cut corners. and for that, we understand and applaud them. we believe the marriage is indeed more important than the wedding. we'd rather have couples who remain happy (and happy partly because they're not arguing about how broke the wedding has made them!). we have a number of ways to help you keep your wedding day within your budget. however, some vendors - you want quality! remember, the same holds true with event planners: you get what you pay for.

bride beware

most of the articles and advice you'll come across as a bride are happy-go-lucky. as well they should be, this is one of the most exciting and happy times of your life. however, it's important that in the excitement you're not taken for a ride. let's share some of the most common ways brides, and others planning social events, can be "scammed"

band. with the technology available today, it is very easy and common for bands to provide potential clients with demos (recording samples). however, it is also possible for the recording to be either altered, or it can involve voices not the same as those hired. j. marie's advice: audition bands in person rather than relying upon a demo.

photos. when you go to interview a photography studio, often times you'll be shown photographs from their best and veteran photographers. unfortunately, it's not unlikely that samples you are shown are done by a photographer different from the one that will show up on at your event. j. marie's advice: get the photography studio to confirm the actual photographer that will shoot your special day. be sure to see samples of his/her work, and interview him/her work as well.

gowns. beware of missing labels or label switching. some shops either switch labels on gowns (placing a designer label on a cheaper gown) or remove labels (to prevent you from being able to identify the gown and shop elsewhere). j. marie's advice: walk out! if you notice a bridal shop engaging in such practices, odds are they're not a reputable place of business.

we could go on, and on... but basically it's this simple: use common sense, and you get what you pay for. one of the easier ways to avoid being scammed by any venue or vendors is to contact an experienced and reputable event planner. we'd be happy to assist you in securing vendors.

who pays for what?

now that it's 2011, are the "traditional" terms still in play? each couple is different, each wedding is different. some couples pay for the entire celebration themselves, while some are completely financially backed by the parents (either the bride's, groom's or both). there are few events that are still 100% on the bride's father. so let's take a look at the more "updated" traditional route, and you can feel free to make alterations that best fit your circumstance and budget.

even among the high-end clientele, no one has a money tree growing on their estate. nor are they careless enough to use money to blow their nose or wipe their... well, you get the point. so let's take a look at the most common way the budget is handled nowadays, and who pays for what.

the groom's family:

father of the groom's formal wear; the groom's cake; and the rehearsal dinner.

the bride's family:

wedding gown, headpiece and veil; bridesmaids' bouquets; grandmother corsages; ceremony and reception flowers; altar flowers; arch; canopy; arch; chuppah; kneeling bench; candelabras; rental items for the ceremony; rental items for the reception; invitations; announcements; wedding programs; favors; church fee; musician/soloist; ceremony site fees; reception site fees; catered reception fees; photography; videography; orchestra, band and/or disc jockey; wedding cake; wedding breakfast and/or bridal brunch; and father of the bride's formal wear.

the groom:

wedding ring for the bride; wedding gift for the groom; groomsmen/usher gifts; bride's bouquet; mothers' corsages; boutonnieres for groom, groomsmen, and ushers; the marriage license; medical visit for the groom (if necessary, or required by state); clergyman/officiant fee; gloves, ties or ascots for the groomsmen; honeymoon; and limousine service.

the bride:

wedding ring for the groom; wedding gift for the groom; bridesmaid gifts; bridesmaid luncheon; accommodations for out of town guests; and medical visit for the bride (if necessary, or required by the state).

attendants:

attire (gowns and tuxedos); the bachelor party; the bachelorette party; gift for the wedding couple; and travel expenses to the wedding.

guests:

travel to wedding; and gift for the wedding couple.

again, you're not obligated to budget according to this list. the best thing to do is to take a look at the overall budget and sit down with everyone who's contributing. once the budget has been established then you can determine how many guests you can accommodate, the type of location to look for, etc.

does your wedding budget not fit this description? are there cultural factors you'd like to include? or perhaps you need a mediator because a financial contributor is now trying to take over? contact us today and a signature event team member can assist you.

first impressions

first impressions are everything, right? this applies to job interviews, first dates and yes, event planning. how your event is presented to guests supplies the first impression. the invitation is your chance to set the tone! guests get a feel for whether the event is going to be laid-back and casual, or formal elegance.


after an overwhelmingly warm response to our holiday card, we are now expanding our services and offering custom stationery. provide us with your theme, color scheme, approximate budget and location, and we'll design an invitation unique as you that fits your personality, as well as the event. custom orders average approximately 6-8 weeks. rush orders can be process, with restrictions and additional fees.


allow us to create and design custom stationery for your event. it doesn't have to stop at invitations. allow us to produce your programs, menu cards, place cards, thank you cards, save the date cards, and more!

TLC's four weddings

so of course, i had to give more commentary about wedding porn! TLC's four weddings is another one of my guilty pleasures. not every event documented via the show is platinum level or high-end. but first and foremost, i'm a lover of love - and it's another opportunity to witness four couples in love. there's not as much drama as found on some of the other, older shows, yet it's still good to see how different personalities are expressed through events. so buckle up and let's embark on the ride of the season premiere!

kally's wedding:
greek chic wedding, 175 guests, $60,000 budget. the judges

notice immediately that there's a train near by that goes by every 3-5 minutes. the church was
gorgeous! the ceremony was in greek, which distracted the judges who counted the train going by a total of 8 times. culture brought into the wedding ceremony and reception is wonderful. however, it helps to be mindful of the guests who may not be familiar with your cultural traditions. you can explain the traditions and why you chose to include them in your program.

kally's reception began with a wonderful cocktail hour - offering hot and cold foods. however, there was a view of the reception room, which eliminated the element of surprise for the guests. as far as food: beyond the roasted pig with a cigar, googly eyes and sunglasses, some of the judges struggled with the food, including the first course which was lobster bisque in a bread bowl, with a small lobster sticking out! thankfully, the guests did really enjoy the venue and participated in the traditional greek dance. for overall experience, kally's wedding fared about average.

kitty's wedding:
sentimental serenade; 420 guests; $45,000 budget.

kitty's gown was made by her aunt and she wore her mother's veil. as a surprise to her soon-to-be husband, she recorded a song she wrote for him to serenade him as she walks down the aisle. while it was a beautiful and sentimental ceremony, the cocktail hour was in a very crowded space and there didn't appear to be enough food.





additionally, the judges seemed to be bothered with the fact that the wedding took place really late in the evening on Sunday. for kicks and giggle,s one judge-bride decided to rally the others on the floor for the bouquet toss. thinking they were safe to hide in the back, they are mortified when the most dramatic actually catches to bouquet. boy is she in for a "treat" when the guy who catches the garter, places it on her leg... kitty's wedding scores not as well as the others...

danielle's wedding:
fairy princess fantasy; 90 guests; $30,000 budget.

taking place at a vineyard, danielle's wedding begins with a ceremony inside of a tent with minimal decorations which included an arch with grapes. after the entrance of the bridesmaids, ushers rolled out the aisle runner, cut, and tape during the processional. as a show of unity, they blended two wines and drank from the cup. a very cute and unique idea that worked well with the location and overall theme. there's a 21 year age difference between danielle and her groom, which the officiant points out that in dog years, they're "only 3 years apart"!

guests are directed outside of the tent for the cocktail hour where the bride-judges discussed the simplicity of danielle's dress. there were limited options for the cocktail hour which included only cold options. and the weather wasn't the best for being outdoors. while dining, the guests enjoy a 12 piece orchestra and guests can swing dance! once again, a guest-judge caught the bouquet! thankfully, the gentleman was a bit more polite. danielle's wedding fared about average...

dawn's wedding:
winter wonderland; 135 guests; $45,000 budget.

immediately the guests are greeted with place cards that are held with an ornament. there was beautiful lighting in the ceremony space. the vows weren't traditional at all, and they stayed true to their individual and couple personalities. the judge-brides didn't all appreciate the authenticity of the vows. the cocktail hours was full of various cuisines. while there was a variety, the space was very crowded.

the reception room was very nicely decorated with lighting and decor... and a choreographed first dance was a hit, despite the fact the bride and groom both had chewing gum in their mouths. the judge brides were impressed with the portion sizes of the food served for the main course, but disappointed in the seasoning (or lack thereof). overall, dawn's wedding scored about average.

so with all the weddings scoring about average (5-7) who stood out? who won? each one was certain their wedding was the best. they had to rank the other weddings not just for "overall experience" but also for food, dress and venue. whose groom will step out of the limo?
the wedding with best scores all around is: kitty and walter! while she may have had the lowest overall experience score (13 points out of a possible 30); she scored a perfect score for her handmade gown and great scores for her venue and food (both receiving 22 out of 30). they won a honeymoon to... Sicily, Italy!

2nd - kally's wedding / 3rd - dawn's wedding / 4th - danielle's wedding


unfortunately, not all of the brides have enough class to lose gracefully. if you watched this episode or catch an airing... you'll know what i'm talking about. it's just sad to see once the weddings are over and marriages have begun that some "bridezilla" qualities aren't that at all, but rather some people are just down right mean! if you caught the episode, feel free to call us and we'll help you incorporate any ideas you liked into your event!

my fair wedding with david tutera

it's here! the start of wedding season... with so many getting engaged over the holidays, most cannot wait to jump into the planning. while some brides know exactly what they want and have planned their wedding since they were little girls. and some brides, believe it or not, have no idea what they're interested in. one of the best ways to get concepts for your wedding is by indulging in what i like to refer to as "wedding porn". one of my favorite sources is My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.


he completely outdid himself with the season 4 premiere. a bride who desired "bling blaux" - her version the next level of "bling bling" was granted a wedding and reception which created fashion week in los angeles. each bridesmaid wore a couture gown unique to fit their shape and personality, and entered working a white runway. there was even music performances for the catwalk by the grammy award winning "hip hop violinist" - Miri Ben-Ari.


according to the bride, joanne - "david tutera is the oprah, plus michael jackson, plus barack of event planning!" if you missed the season premiere, be sure to check online at http://www.wetv.com/ for re-air dates. you can catch new episodes on sunday nights at 9pm est on WE TV.


want your own signature event to wow you and your guests alike? contact us and we'll help you in that process.

picking a reception venue

one of the very first things you want to do is book your venues - ceremony and reception. do your research. get reviews, make sure it works with your budget and guest list, and visit the location personally - don't rely on the Internet and venue supplied photographs. if you're working with a professional event planner they will also be able to assist you with recommendations. professional planners also aware of which venues are most accommodating and usually can help you get extra perks because they've established a relationship.


does it fit the uniqueness of you? in selecting a space for your celebration, it's important to select a venue that has you and your bethrothed's name all over it. if you've got a thing for antique cars, why not look into a local automobile museum? love the outdoors, then try the botanical gardens, a local park or even the zoo. did you go star-gazing on your first date, or the night he proposed? why not celebrate at the local planetarium or science center. whatever the location, don't feel obligated to host your guests in a hotel ballroom or country club. first and foremost, select a location that will stand out to your guests, and match your "couple identity".

consider the space - once you've selected a location there are a few things you want to ask yourself: is there enough room for your guests to be comfortable, seated, eat, dance? does this location match my budget requirements? is there room to have the ceremony on-site, if desired? if the ceremony is at a different location, is the travel time and distance reasonable for guests? will you need to budget additional funds for decor, such as flowers, lighting, premium linens, chair covers, etc.? or are luxury items, i.e., chivari chairs and premium linens available on-site? is there unique beauty

money, money, money - how much is the deposit? when is the balance due? what's the cancellation fee? when you start shelling out funds for the reception, make sure you're not taken advantage of. most venues require a deposit to hold the date. make sure the deposit, if not refundable, is applied against your total balance.

these tips will help you get started. contact us for personalized assistance in selecting your perfect venue...

new website!!

guess what?! we've updated our website! (http://www.jmarieassociates.com/) it's redesign is more reflective of the cutting edge services we offer and trends we're on top of, while being presented with our signature style, elegance and class. go ahead... take a peak! give us your feedback. is there something you'd like to see included, or something not quite working on your end? we'd like to know. thanks for taking a moment to peruse.
here's a few things we've changed...

• scrolling gallery on the home page with actual j. marie & associates events, and some inspirational photos;
• added some of our favorite songs to appeal to your sense of sound while visiting our online home;
• to offer our clients more, and keep things simple, we now only offer one signature package. there's a base price, and adjustments are made to include package additions, and event details;
• there's a more detailed list of a la carte services offered;
• you can now view a calendar to check our availability - even if your date is shaded (to represent unavailable) please contact us, there may be room in the schedule.
• of course, we had to include a link to our blog, right!?
• the comment form has been updated to include a verification code - which helps us respond to actual visitors, and (hopefully) rid our inbox of spammers! (ewwww!)

so what are you waiting for?? oh... guess you're still reading. well, let me stop - so you can visit our new site! go on...... http://www.jmarieassociates.com/

he put a ring on it, now what?

you're engaged! congratulations! whether it was a Christmas holiday proposal or a New Year's celebration you'll never forget... i'm sure you're anxious to begin the process of planning the biggest day of your life!

there are a few items on your very large to-do list that are absolute musts... things that must take priority over other tasks. what do you think the most important task is? some sources may say it is selecting the perfect venue. others may argue it's grabbing your mom and bff and heading to the nearest bridal salon for gown hunting. you may even think the first thing on your to-do list is to set a date. all of theses are great places to start. however, why not take a moment and ENJOY this season in your life? even if you have an engagement that's longer than average, it's still a brief season in your life before you make that commitment. take some time to smell the roses and soak it all in BEFORE you set a date, set appointments, meet with vendors, or select bridesmaid dressed.

i hear you loud and clear: "if i don't get a jump on things, my favorite vendors may book up, or i will lose my reception space." trust me when I tell you, what is for you is for you. no rush needed!

once you have taken the time to processed enjoy, then you can start the planning process. it will go fast and so will your wedding day. smile and show off the bling... and when you're ready to start planning you'll know. and when you're ready, check back with our blog for planning details.