Step 2
Make a list of what you’ll need: a wedding consultant if you’re using one, a ceremony location, a reception venue, food, beverages, cake, flowers, photography, entertainment, attire, invitations and so forth.

Step 3
Prioritize this list. What means the most to you? Is the cake more important than the music? Where can you pinch pennies without sacrificing your vision?

Step 4
Meet with both sets of parents to find out how much money, if any, they are willing to contribute. Be gracious, grateful and understanding, no matter what their responses.

Step 5
Calculate how much money you currently have available, how much you think you’ll need and how much you will have to save. Keep in mind that the average wedding in the United States costs about $15,000 to $20,000.

Step 6
Make a plan to save what you need, using a savings account or certificate of deposit. Consider selling stocks or mutual funds if necessary.

Step 7
Divide your budget according to your priorities. For example, if your top priority is the dress and your second priority is the venue, you might plan to spend 20 percent of your budget on the dress and 15 percent on the venue.

Step 8
Visit at least four vendors or suppliers in each category (florists, photographers, caterers, consultants, etc.) and compare prices.

Step 9
Use a checklist to make sure you ask all of the vendors the same questions. Note their answers in your budget notebook and review your notes before making a decision.

Step 10
Keep a record of the estimated and actual costs of each item in your notebook.

Step 11
Keep all contracts, agreements, receipts and vouchers in the notebook.

Step 12
Review your budget after each purchase to make sure you’re on track. Good Luck!

Even in this current economic recession, with today’s busy brides, it’s even more important to hire a Professional Bridal Consultant. Research from TheWeddingReport.com find that brides are cutting out or cutting back in several areas including Accessories, Beauty and Spa Services, Bridal Consultant, Ceremony/Reception Location, Entertainment/Music, Food & Bar Service and Tuxedo/Suit. However, if you have to cut out something, wouldn’t it be better to have a professional who will be able to assist you in all the many facets and details of your wedding, including the rehearsal, reception and honeymoon? With today’s savvy, technologically efficient bride who may be working and going to school and balancing a career and family, wouldn’t you want a professional who can save you time, money, stress and add value to your wedding?

Here is a brief list of what a Professional Bridal Consultant (PBC), who is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), can do for you: we have the experience and knowledge of local wedding vendors from cake bakers to caterers, to limousine companies to hotels, that we can serve as your coordinator to negotiate the lowest price for you and work within your budget. We can contact vendors that we work with to get you the best quality for your bottom line. If circumstances prevent your DJ from attending the event, we can get a back up for you.

There are many benefits of being a Professional Bridal Consultant which would add value to the Bride, thus saving you hundreds of dollars in your budget. If you want to purchase invitations, accessories, gifts and favors from one of the most popular and well-known manufacturers, ABC members can offer you Carlson Craft products. ABC members can also provide you and your groom luxury included honeymoon packages and destination wedding packages to all of the Sandals and Beaches Luxury Included Vacations throughout the Caribbean. If you want to travel to a destination wedding, ABC has over 4,000 members world-wide that can help you arrange your wedding wherever your location.

ABC Professional Bridal Consultants agree to uphold the ABC Code of Ethics and Standards of Membership. Several of the tenets of our Code of Ethics are: we shall represent each client fairly and honestly, providing all agreed-to services in a timely and cost efficient manner; disclose to clients any payments received from suppliers; and operate an establishment that is a credit to the community.

A Professional Bridal Consultant is committed to providing the best possible wedding for the lowest possible cost. Most brides think that a wedding consultant is an additional fee. To the contrary, a wedding professional is part of the budget and will use their creativity to recommend options that will still make your dream wedding beautiful and affordable, including the consultant’s fee, within your budget. With the combination of our ABC membership, experience, knowledge, creativity and people skills, you can feel at ease that when you put your wedding and special event in our hands, you will be pleased.

At Your Service Events Planner offers full-service events planning for Weddings, Social Events, Corporate Events & Fundraisers. Our Wedding Packages are tailored to fit Every Bride. We provide excellent Quality, Service & Competitive Prices. Call us at: 434.525.1805 or visit us at: www.lynchburgeventplanner.com

Turn your dream into reality

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and is most likely a day you’ve spent hours, days or even years dreaming about. When the time finally comes to start planning the big day, you don’t want to cut corners or settle for a run-of-the-mill, impersonal event. With the help of the American Rental Association (ARA) and your local rental store, you can be sure your wedding day will be one that will be remembered by all.

Rental opens the doors to options you may have never even considered due to time or budget constraints. A romantic outdoor wedding is possible any time of the year with huge tents and elegant canopies, equipped with heating or cooling options. Make a statement by skipping the traditional tiered cake and going with something more unique, like an impressive chocolate fountain with brownie or cheesecake bites or an ice cream cart complete with all the fixings. You can even create dramatic scenery on the walls and ceiling of your venue with a variety of accent lighting options.

Don’t break the bank

While your wedding day may be the most important day of your life, there is no reason why it has to be the most expensive. You can save money on seating, centerpieces and more by renting. Why buy all your wedding supplies when you are only going to use them once? Why bother paying for their storage and upkeep after the big day is over? Simplify your wedding and your budget by letting the rental store take care of the cleanup, maintenance and storage of all your decorations and supplies.

And forget about running all over town, wasting time, energy and money – make one stop at your local rental store and get everything you need. ARA members, which include more than 7,500 rental businesses and 1,100 manufacturers and suppliers, are located in every state, so you can get all the supplies you need in one stop. To make finding the rental store nearest you even easier, ARA offers RentalHQ.com, the world’s largest and most comprehensive rental store locator. Here, people planning their wedding and reception can find the rental store nearest them, read how-to tips and get ideas and inspiration for their event.

Enlist the experts

To make planning your big day even easier, some ARA member rental businesses offer Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs). And most offer on-site support, relieving much of the stress associated with planning a wedding. These professionals are ready and willing to share their knowledge and experience with you, from pre-wedding set-up all the way through the day of the event.

Deadlines, budgets, guest lists – these are all aspects of a wedding that need to be managed and sometimes are better left to the professionals. CERPs know what needs to be organized right away, and what can wait until later. They will think of that one detail that never would have crossed your mind and keep your budget in check.

Enlisting the help of a CERP will not only ease the stress and tension of planning an entire wedding, but it will also ensure that the wedding you always envisioned is the one you will remember for years to come. From the latest trends and themes, to innovative budget saving strategies, CERPs know the ins and outs of planning a wedding.

Don’t let planning your Lynchburg wedding be as stressful as the holidays. Make it an enjoyable experience with the help of ARA and your local rental store.

For most, long gone are the days someone cupped a child’s chin in hand and asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

As children, the answers probably were a ballerina, fireman, basketball player, cowboy or movie star – based on the dreams and heroes admired up close and afar.

“Even as grownups, choosing a career is really an exciting topic, and yes, as we get older, sometimes the process can be a little bit more daunting,” says Danielle Grey, director of Career Services at South University in West Palm Beach, Fla. “When people come to talk to me about career planning, I begin with the hardest part – look inside yourself first. Discover who you are. Then, design what you can do, and what you cannot do, to be effective in the work world.”

The list

Grey directs career seekers to start the evaluation process by making a list. Think of as many things as you can that make you happy and offer some fulfillment.

“The list should include the greatest details you can imagine. Search your heart deeply, and at the end, the list should look like you,” Grey insists. “Don’t dismiss something because you think it might be frivolous, but list everything that comes to mind, for example, from puppies to vacationing in Bermuda to playing soccer.”

As the list takes shape, can you draw connections between your personality and the items on the list? Ask yourself, realistically, why these particular things make you happy or create a sense of fulfillment. Then, ask yourself what things on your list can realistically be converted into a career and, inversely, what career path might bring you the same sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Designating the route

“It’s a good thing to remember, too, that a job is not the same thing as a career,” Grey says. “Many people have jobs, but no defined career.”

Once you’ve figured out a career that fits you, you will discover many jobs that can keep you headed in the right direction. Clearly, there will be jobs that won’t take you in the direction you want to go. It’s important to be aware of the difference, so when you take the next job, it is a job that leads toward your career goals.

You may be looking for any job to begin with, but by seeking employment that aligns with your skill set and ambitions you will create your career path. As a result, you’ll likely be much happier in whatever work you find. As you compare your “list” to what jobs are available in your field, you will hopefully find out that even taking an entry-level position in the right field moves you successfully forward in your chosen career.

Pay attention to the road

Another good tactic for confirming career direction is to spend time with people who are already doing the jobs you see yourself doing someday. “When choosing a career, not only should you investigate the possibilities thoroughly, as they exist today, but also be prepared to adapt – as you change and as you see the industry you choose change,” Grey says. “Talking to people who work in a given field, about what they have seen change and about what they think will change, will give you invaluable information.

“Career choices seem a lot easier when we know where we are headed. It’s truly like being on a road trip. Pay attention to the road, and certainly, we stay inspired when we are looking for the next place we really want to be,” she says.

Talk it up and keep moving in the right direction

One last piece of advice for those who are seeking a career or perhaps a career change: once you’ve settled on a new direction, don’t be afraid to share your dream.

“We all function better with encouragement,” Grey says. “So it can be very helpful to let other people know where your heart has pointed you. Tell someone who you know will be an encouragement and who will also keep you accountable.”

Having someone to follow up with you can inspire you and help you stay headed in the right direction.

“Ultimately, we have to listen to our own hearts,” Grey says. “Friends and family can offer opinions about what we’re good at, or what we should be doing, but we have to remember that in order to be successful, our choices really do have to satisfy ourselves first.”

In that respect, career choices – both those you make when you are young and those career choices you make later in life – are personal and need to connect you to the things you both respect and love.

“Looking for a job is a job in itself,” says Anthony Davis, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College – Fort Wayne. “If you expect to work 40 hours a week, then you must be prepared to put in many hours in your job search.”

Davis says job seekers must first be committed. “There are many obstacles that prevent job seekers from being committed, including wanting to sleep in later in the morning and walking around the house in pajamas. These are nothing but distractions. If you start work at 8 a.m. and have been getting up at 6 a.m., do not change your schedule. Your job search should begin fully dressed at 8 a.m.”

The next step is to have a razor-sharp resume. This is very important, especially if you have been out of work for quite a while or are new to the process. If you don’t have the money to pay a professional to craft your resume, Davis says there is online information and many books available on crafting resumes for specific jobs. “Your resume must speak to the job you are applying for,” Davis says. “A resume that does not will quickly be tossed in the outbox trash.”

Regardless of the resume type, it is important to be able to quantify your accomplishments. For example, if you saved the company 20 percent because of a process you created, or you developed an initiative that was implemented by the company, put it in writing and explain the results of your action. “Don’t forget to update your resume every six months or so, especially if you completed a new project, assignment, or joined a community-based organization,” Davis advises.

Now it’s time to create your own job search team to help advise you while you are looking for a job. For established job seekers, a sampling of team members can be professional colleagues, business associates and past co-workers. For newer job seekers, team members can be close friends, parents, college professors and alumni. The team you select should be willing to provide you with honest feedback as you embark upon your journey and provide the feedback without expecting anything in return.

Job seekers should be networking. Going through the newspaper’s job ads and online career listings are OK, but nothing takes the place of networking. You may ask, “Network with whom, where and when?” The short answer, Davis says, is “everyone, everywhere, and all the time.” In fact, according Davis, members of the job seeker’s job search team should be some of the same people the job seeker should be networking with. Many of these people have valuable contacts.

Other networking opportunities can be found just by volunteering for a nonprofit organization. Volunteering shows commitment and initiative. Even if you aren’t doing anything too mentally taxing, you can increase your industry knowledge and may discover a new career path that you hadn’t thought of before. Plus, you’ll be helping other people.

Many nonprofits need volunteers with experience. If you have accounting experience, there may be a nonprofit out there that needs your expertise. There have been job seekers who have turned their volunteer opportunity into real Lynchburg jobs.

After each step in the process, keep a log of what occurred. Finally, Davis says its important to keep your head up, maintain positive thoughts and don’t quit. You will find something out there.

If the bridal shower causes you the most anxiety, help is on the way. Kendall McFarland, director of product and recipe development at Simply Organic, suggests cutting down on stress with these time-saving tips to host a simple but sensational shower for the bride.

* Accept help. When the bride’s mother or other guests ask if they can bring anything, say yes. Ask them to bring something you don’t especially enjoy preparing or something you know is that person’s specialty which the bride really loves. Or have each guest bring a dessert or appetizer, so you can focus solely on the rest of the party and fun. Offers to help are gifts, so allow other bridesmaids or friends to assist if they offer. Working together can add to the shower fun, and give you stories to share as you continue down the wedding day road.

* Go the healthy route – the bride, her bridesmaids and the mother of the bride all want to fit into their dresses when the big day finally arrives. The most thoughtful meal you can offer your guests is a delicious and healthful one. Provide great-tasting, nutritious snacks that go easy on salt, fat, sugar and other potentially unhealthy ingredients and your guests will fondly remember your hospitality.

* Remake everyday favorites. Great dishes don’t require hours in the kitchen. Make your easy-to-prepare favorites and dress them up with special festive seasonings. Try distinctive seasoning blends like curry or Italian seasoning, or even seasoned sugar combinations like lemon sugar or cinnamon sugar for a gourmet touch. For example: Add a liberal dose of a spice like oregano, basil or cayenne (or an herbal seasoning blend) along with some garlic and Parmesan cheese to your usual mashed potatoes and you’ll instantly serve something out of the ordinary.

* Use clever shortcuts. For inviting flavor without fuss, keep a supply of natural dressing and dip mixes on hand for fresh, homemade appetizers and snacks. Add a dip or dressing mix, such as creamy dill, French onion, guacamole or ranch to equal parts of low-fat cottage cheese and non-fat plain yogurt and mix in a blender or food processor until smooth. Serve with fresh veggies you can buy already cleaned and cut up at the store.

* Plan and shop wisely. Don’t exhaust yourself shopping. Outline your menu – including impromptu snacks – ahead of time. Then pick up everything non-perishable at the same time, eliminating last-minute sprints to the grocery store. Don’t panic if your grocer is missing that key spice ingredient since it’s easier than ever to order online. For example, Simply Organic carries culinary items like organic spices, seasoning blends, baking extracts and flavors, gluten-free baking mixes and other cooking ingredients and supplies – which they will ship to you within a few days of your order.

Here are two great examples of healthy Lynchburg Bridal Shower dishes from the Simply Organic recipe collection that are easy to prepare:

Strawberry Spice Muffins

Ingredients

1 package Simply Organic Carrot Cake Mix

1/3 cup water

2 large beaten eggs

1 cup very finely diced strawberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine carrot cake baking mix, water and eggs. Blend until just moist. Fold strawberries into blend. Pour into well-greased or lined muffin pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Makes 12 regular-size muffins or six large muffins.

Chef Suggestions

Top with cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries.

Spicy Clementine Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 cup juice from fresh Clementine oranges

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup water

1 package Simply Organic Salsa Dip Mix

Directions

Whisk all ingredients together. Chill until ready to serve, stirring right before drizzling on mixed greens.

Chef Suggestions

Combine fresh mixed greens, Feta cheese and slices of Clementine oranges to make a fresh and spicy salad.