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Engagement Picture Locations & Ideas In San Antonio

September 2, 2015

San Antonio Engagement Picture Locations &

Ideas For Your Save The Dates

As a wedding consultant in San Antonio who also offers invitation services, I have worked with all types of couples in ordering their save the dates. This is one of the hottest trends today and most couples are sending them out. Save the dates are normally sent out anywhere from 1 year to 6 months prior to the actual wedding date. Couples want to give their guests plenty of time to plan and prepare, especially those that will be traveling. View More: http://limelightsa.pass.us/sonterra save_the_date_chalkboard I must confess that I enjoy looking at the couple’s pictures for the save the dates the most. They are so creative and beautiful. Nothing like what it used to be when you went to a studio and got a posed picture taken…SO BORING! I get asked a lot from my couples where they should take their pictures and I always mention the traditional places of San Antonio, the Riverwalk, downtown San Antonio, The San Antonio Missions, the McNay Art Museum, and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens but I usually tell them to refer to their photographer for more unique locations. Most of the venues will allow their couples to have their engagement pictures taken there at no additional charge. Some couples choose this option too. I always remind my couples that they are going to get so many pictures there on the day of their wedding that it might be better to choose another location for a different look.

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An actual Save The Date ordered through Royalty Events Planning

Local photographers know the special and unique places, the hidden gems of San Antonio and the surrounding area! Based on what their theme is, style or interests of the couple, the photographer will use that to make recommendations of where they could go to take the pictures.

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Pictures taken by Ardore Photography

And then the fun begins! Normally, couples will take a change of clothes and have 2 different looks for their pictures…a casual and more formal look. Some will incorporate their pets or something that is special to the both of them or even just one. I have seen many a time the fiancé getting his car, motorcycle or other special “toy” in the picture. So funny! Their cars are like a child to them, they have to include them, right!

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Daniel W. Torres Photography

The way the picture is taken and edited is also important to the couple. I have seen many photojournalist photographers create beautiful images with bold color, using black and white with a touch of color, tilting the camera, using unique angles, using props, etc.

candice_exon Daniel W. Torres Photography

save the date_courtney Here’s a list of great engagement photo locations in the San Antonio/Hill Country (not listed from above):

Favorites of Ara Photography

(click on the name to see engagement pictures)

Bracken Village

Adkins, Texas

South Town and Blue Star

Vista West Ranch

Other Ideas

A field of bluebonnets

A ranch

Lambermont

Westin (large staircase)

Landa Library

Gruene (Gruene Mansion Inn and Gruene Hall)

Sunset Station

Pearl Brewery

Canyon Springs (waterfall)

La Escondida Celebration Center

I hope some of these locations give you a starting place on where you can have your engagement pictures taken. Ask your photographer, too. If you need help planning your wedding please contact me. I am here for you! Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com

How much should I budget for invitations? – San Antonio Wedding Consultant

August 27, 2015

Wedding Invitations & Printed Budget For San Antonio, Texas

For many brides, they consider the invitation selection to be a very crucial part of tying the entire look, feel and formality into the wedding. The more formal the event, the more formal your invitation should be. This encompasses the type of paper, the way it is printed (thermography, foil, letterpress, engraving, etc.), the size of it, the included items (pocket envelope, ribbon, brooch, enclosure cards, etc.) and the way it is worded (spelling of honour, favour, spelling out dates, etc.).

Invitations are works of art and are a memento of the special occasion that sometimes are framed and kept forever as a remembrance of the day. A lot of time should be spent deciding on the perfect one for you! So, how much should you spend on your invitations? With most, if not all of them, the price depends on how many you purchase. The more you purchase, the less you will spend per invitation. What I mentioned above is also determining factors on the price.

View More: http://limelightsa.pass.us/sonterra

Option 1: Let’s go with a wedding of 200 guests and an average budget of $25,000-$30,000. I have found that the bride has a smaller budget for invitations and wants to normally stay within a $400 budget. This includes everything: the invitation, RSVP card with return addresses on envelopes and shipping/tax. This bride usually will not have a separate reception card but rather include it on the invitation to save money. She might make it a little more formal by the type of wording she uses on it (a free option).

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Option 2: For the more extravagant wedding with a budget over $40,000 for 200 guests, the bride is wanting to spend a little more for her invitations. I have seen some spend over $2,500. The invitations are very important to this bride and everything from the type of paper and printing process is looked at very carefully. An average amount for invitations would be closer to $800-$1000. She might order the pocket and additional inserts such as the reception and accommodations cards.

So, what about all the other printed items? Here’s a list of what else you could order:

Save The Dates
Programs
Menu Cards
Place Cards
Thank You Cards
Party Invitations – Engagement/Bridal Shower/Bachelorette/Bachelor/Rehearsal Dinner
Party Favors – customized boxes, bags, coasters, koozies, matchboxes, & other containers
Napkins, banners, tags, stickers, labels, ribbon, etc.

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In the 2015 Wedding Report, the average amount that couples spent on these other items ranged from $83-$119. However, it didn’t list for how many guests. From my own experience with ordering these type of items for my brides, I would say that cost is a little higher in the San Antonio market. Programs, for example, start around $180 for 200.

View More: http://limelightsa.pass.us/sonterra

I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “Are all these other printed items necessary?” It really is based on your preference. Save the dates have become very popular recently and almost all brides are doing them. They want to ensure their guests know way in advance of their special day so they can plan accordingly. Programs are about 50% – half of the brides I have helped have used them. I see either menu cards, place cards or other personalized favors at almost every wedding. Personalized napkins and koozies are very popular as well.

If you have questions about your budget and what you can afford please contact me. If you need help ordering all your printed items I hope you will give me the opportunity to assist you. You can schedule a one-on-one appointment to view invitations in person or you can go to my two online stores and look around there or even purchase them online. When you are ready to order contact me and I can order them for you too! You will receive 10% off your order by going through me! If you use my consulting services as well you will receive 15% off your entire order! Call me at 210-595-9263 or email at Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com. Here’s a link to my invitation page on my website with links to my stores: http://royaltyeventparties.com/services/invitations/

How To Start Your Own Children’s Party Planning Business

August 7, 2015

My inspiration, my princess…my daughter, Meredith

I’m going to talk a little off topic of wedding planning because I am so proud to have launched my very first e-book just this week! The Secrets To Starting a Profitable and Successful Children’s Party Planning Business was a logic choice for me when I originally decided on the topic of this e-book. The number one question customers and friends always asked was, “How did you start this business?” Back in 2006, I was renting space in a children’s boutique in the Texas hill country where I sold baby items and dancewear for kids. I was a stay-at-home mom, but I have always had that entrepreneurial spirit all my life. After my daughter was born and there were complications at birth, I eventually quit my full-time job so I could spend more time with her doing therapies, teaching her, taking her to doctor visits, music classes, gym time, and whatever else I could do for her. I had to learn everything I could in the special needs field and become her advocate. I bought a monogramming machine and started making baby items which led me into that boutique.

One day, I noticed there was an empty space in the boutique and I asked the owner what she was going to do with that space. She told me that she was thinking of having girls come into the store and have tea parties and celebrate birthdays there. That is what gave me the idea initially, but my idea was to go to the customer’s party location and host parties there myself. I started searching online and found a company in California that was selling their business and I ended up purchasing it from them. It didn’t have everything I needed but a nice portion. I did learn that I needed so much more and started researching extensively trying to find the best deals at the highest quality. I wanted to set myself apart from the competition and have my parties very detailed and upscale, but at an affordable price to the customer.

This way of thinking along with my excellent customer service were essential for the success of my business year after year. I became the top provider for princess parties in my area and as my business grew my party options did as well. I first launched the princess party theme, which has always been my number one party option. Shortly after, I added glamour parties, spa parties, fairy parties, stuff-a-bear parties, Girl Scout program parties, Mops’ teas, baby showers, and lastly, the Glam-To-Go Mobile party option.

It was so rewarding to see all these girls so excited to meet a princess and when they said to their mom, “Can I have a party just like his?” It put a smile on my face. I truly loved my job!

You won’t believe this, but I actually hosted the parties all by myself when I first started. That entailed packing for the party, setting it up, hosting it, cleaning it up and then cleaning it more when I got home. When I finally did hire an assistant I told myself, “Why didn’t I do this long ago!” You need help! Trust me.

So, getting back to my daughter. This job was perfect for my needs at the time. I was with her working from home during the week and then went to the parties on the weekends while my husband was home. It started off as a great part-time job. As she got older and most everything I could do for her was in place, I had more time that I could spend in the business so I expanded. I hired more employees and I had enough party items where I could do two parties at one time. Doing the princess visits worked well, too. I just had to purchase more costumes. I was doing anywhere from 3-5 parties a weekend then. This job really is what you put into it. At the end, I had hosted over 850 parties!

You can make a lot of money and in my e-book I go into detail about all my secrets that I learned as I started and grew my business. All the hardwork is done for you and I tell you step-by-step what you need to do with the minimal amount of money to start and run this business. I give you money making ideas that I implemented and also ideas for your marketing plan. I knew exactly where I needed to advertise for the least amount of money to get the leads you want.

If you have been thinking of starting your own children’s party planning business this is the e-book for you. I focused on general business practices you need to know and then went into detail on my princess party option. In my next e-book I will go into detail on my other party options I had. I am working on it right now and can’t wait to share it with you.

If you would like to purchase this e-book please go to my e-book page on my website and click on the buy button. If you need a one-on-one consultation about your business please feel free to contact me for more information. I would love to help you! Trudy Scott, 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com.

Ideas for Glamorous, Bling Weddings – San Antonio Wedding Consultant

July 22, 2015

I must say, that I like many kinds of styles of weddings but I think I am most drawn to the glamorous, sophisticated style that is sparkly and glitzy. This means using simple colors like cream/white with silver or gold accents, in my opinion. It looks so celebrity-like, right? I recently coordinated a wedding (for day of) and the bride really had this style for her vision. I think it turned out pretty good, what do you think?

The first tip, is to make sure you are in a venue that really has the glamour already there. The St. Anthony Hotel in downtown San Antonio was built in 1909 and recently went through a renovation where they restored the hotel to the look and feel that it was of the 1920’s. It is an exquisite hotel and every detail has been carefully thought of. Since the ballroom was mostly white with grey tones it only made sense to have the colors also be white with silver accents for her wedding. The historic Sunset Station is another great venue in downtown San Antonio with an exquisite look. It was the original train depot of San Antonio from 1902. The Depot, also known as, “The Building of 1,000 Lights” and “The Crown Jewel”, is adorned with ornate vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and a grand staircase.

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Picture provided by Ara Photography

Next, the flowers. You need to create a statement with height. Especially, if the room has high ceilings. Look how gorgeous the head table looks with the tall vases and small lighted blinged vases too. Hydrangeas were the main flower which is great for price because it gives you a lot of fullness without having to spend a fortune on the flowers. Simple but elegant!

The sequined table clothes also gave the space a glamorous feel. They are a little more than your poly or satin linens but look how great it looks! It is worth it if your décor is very important to you. She saved money by only putting the sequined linens downstairs and leaving the hotel white linens on the upstair tables. Bisli did a magnificent job with the flowers and décor.

Your sign in table, picture table, place card table or candy bar can look glamorous too with sparkly picture frames, tall vases and beautiful linens as well. Here are examples of various tables from past weddings I coordinated.

sign_in_table candy table 101_6641

How about the gold look. Ok! Here’s a wedding I coordinated where she used a lot of gold with champagne color for her linens. I think champagne is my favorite color for a sophisticated, elegant wedding. What do you think? She used gold vases to hold the bridal bouquets for her bridesmaids and guess what…they were plastic, super cheap! You can’t even tell.

wedding reception table mcnay

Other décor that can really add to the ambiance is the cake stand. A large cake stand or blinged one can add to the look you are going for. Think about using small blinged frames for the table numbers. A fully set table also adds to the upscale look. Use china and glass, no plastic or paper!!! Use linen napkins and fold them a unique way or go simple with the waterfall which hangs down the side of the table, I love that one!

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placesetting

Photo provided by Daniel W. Torres Photography

Consider other rentals such as uplighting, gobo, chandeliers, candlesticks, chargers and more to really add to the glamour! If you are the crafty bride, you can even buy bling in bulk and cut it and wrap around vases, make a cake stand glitzy, create napkin rings, etc. Don’t forget to glitz up your invitations and your bridesmaids dresses too!

candles

wed 1

Photo provided by Daniel W. Torres Photography

the kiss

I hope these tips give you inspiration to create the wedding of your dreams! Please contact me, Trudy Scott, if you need help planning your glamorous wedding. 210-595-9263, RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Cake – San Antonio Wedding Planner

May 15, 2015

I think all wedding guests look forward to one thing the most….the wedding cake! Yummy!!! I am finding that it isn’t as simple as it was when I chose my wedding cake years ago. It was 1 flavor, Italian Cream. Now the couples are choosing a different flavor combination for each tier. In this blog, I will give you tips on coming up with creative cakes as well as budgeting for them.

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One of my favorite appointments I go to with my couples is the cake tasting. The bakery will offer you a few flavors of cakes and then several options for the filling. The flavor combinations are endless! Just this past week I went to Betty Jane’s Bakeshoppe with one of my couples and they chose a different flavor for each of their 5 tiers plus another flavor for the groom’s cake. Lets see if I can remember some of them…chocolate with raspberry, vanilla with strawberry and pudding, red velvet with pina colada, german chocolate and chocolate with chocolate mouse.

The other part to the appointment is choosing what you want your cake to look like. Most bakeries will have pictures of previous cakes they have designed. If you don’t come in with an idea then looking at these pictures will normally help. Also, think about the theme, colors and small touches you are incorporating into your wedding. You can incorporate those into the cake. For example, if your wedding dress is very lacey maybe use a lace look to one of the tiers. I have a couple where sunflowers are the main flower for the wedding and she will have sunflowers cascading down the side of her cake. One my couples had a Gatsby Inspired themed wedding and the design used on the cake defined that era perfectly! Just keep in mind that the more detailed the cake is, the more it will cost to make.

wedding_cake_bouquets

kissing

The cake above matched the bottom part of this bride’s dress

A few tips to save some money would be to choose a very simple cake and smaller than what you need. Then use a sheet cake and cut it in the back and bring out. This is what I did for my wedding and it worked great. Another would be to create the bigger cake but have a couple of the tiers be Styrofoam and then use the sheet cake again. Fondant can be pricier so stick with buttercream. Just be careful that it is placed in a cool place and not delivered too early in the day. It needs to be refrigerated as long as possible so it doesn’t fall apart. I recently coordinated a wedding and just before the cake cutting I noticed that several of the roses the baker placed on the cake had fallen off. Luckily, I caught that before the couple saw it so it looked great for the cake cutting. Some bakers charge extra for certain flavors so stick with the traditional chocolate, vanilla or red velvet. Ask them at the cake tasting which flavors would be extra. Definitely shop around. Some of the newer bakeries might be a little less than the popular, well established ones. Be sure to get a cake tasting and see pictures to ensure your cake will look just what you are expecting. If you are wanting a very basic cake and then add fresh flowers to it, a grocery store might be an economical way of getting that. If you decide not to save the top tier then you can save money there as well. I saved my top tier and I must say that it wasn’t very tasty a year later. I don’t recommend it.

Questions to ask

Do you charge extra for colored cakes?

What are you standard flavors and fillings?

Do you charge extra for different flavors for each tier?

How early do you normally deliver the day of the wedding?

What do you charge for delivery?

Do you have a cake stand? Is there a charge for it?

What is your deposit? When is final payment due?

When do I have to tell you the final count to determine the size of the cake?

Do you offer a cake tasting?

Do you supply a box for the left over cake?

How do you charge? By the slice?

Will you place the fresh flowers from the florist on the cake?

If I want cupcakes can you do that?

Will you put the cake topper on the cake?

Alternative Ideas

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As far as the groom’s cake goes my couples lately have been on both sides of the spectrum. I have a couple that are creating detailed groom’s cake with items that are special to him. For example, one of my groom’s cake will be a replica of his combat boots with his dog tags and the American Flag. One of my previous couples had the UT Tower. Expect to pay more for this kind of cake.

amys_icecream_reception

Other ideas from other couples is forgoing the groom’s cake all together and doing something else. Examples are chocolate covered strawberries, an ice cream bar from Amy’s Ice Cream (yummy!!) and a collection of different pies. Have fun with it!

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Lastly, is the cake topper. This is a way for you two to have something that is special to the both of you. It could be your new monogram, a memento of a trip you took together, an item from a family member, or something the two of you like to do together. Pinterest is a great place to find ideas of what others have done.

If you need help with the planning of your wedding please contact me. I would love to hear your story and what your dreams consist of. Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263, Trudy@royaltyeventsplanning.com. http://WWW.RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com

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