For this post, I decided to open up more on a personal level and reflect on 2014. I would say my emotions were all over the place. I started the year off strong with my previous company, Royal Tea Princess Parties – a children’s party planning company, but knew it was time for me to pass the torch on to someone else which was a sad moment for me. I had been doing it for 9 years and it was a struggle juggling this business along with my current business, Royalty Event Parties, and my day-to-day stuff that goes on in my personal life. Let me back track just a little….
I have a 13 year old daughter who acquired brain damage from birth trauma. My life path changed the day she was born and I have done everything I can to be a strong advocate for her and be there for her day-to-day needs. I dress her, bath her, brush her teeth and hair, wipe her face and hands after each meal, & help with bathroom duties. All the little things we take for granted I do for her every day. Now that she is a teenager her hormones are high and her behaviors change all the time. She is also diagnosed with an array of other things but the top 2 are mood disorder and anxiety. I also have a son that gets frustrated at times so that can add to the stress. Just like a roller coaster, she has high/great days and also low/hard days. I am constantly working on making it better each and every day!
In June, I ended up selling my business to my old employee. It was a bitter sweet moment for me. It was hard to let it go after building it up and hosting over 900 parties! It was my baby and I wanted this company to continue on…and it has! I feel good about the decision and she is doing fantastic with it! I did this so I could focus more of my time and attention to Royalty Event Parties, my wedding consulting business.
I began my invitation services in 2014 as well. I partnered up with Carlson Craft and Printswell and started 2 online storefronts. I meet with the couples one-on-one and give them the customer service they deserve in a non-pressure, relaxing environment.
I was able to attend 2 bridal shows in 2014 and loved it!! I met so many brides and helped many with their invitations and consulting needs. I helped many couples with their wedding by providing day of and full service coordinating. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching the couple as they see their reception all set up for the first time. All those months of planning has finally arrived and their excitement, tears, & laughter is carried into my heart. I feel so blessed to be a part of their most special day.
Also in 2014 I attended the Sandals training program and became a Certified Sandals Specialist and also went to Nassau, Bahamas to become a WeddingMoons Specialist. I have been working with couples in planning their dream honeymoon in a budget they can afford! I can also assist in destination weddings there too. In the past, I went to Mexico and toured the Palace Resorts and became trained with their wedding/honeymoon packages as well.
I have had a very busy year! I have lots of “New Beginnings” in store for 2015 and will be adding and changing parts of my business. I am in the process of working on them right now and can’t wait to reveal them in the near future!! The season is here for proposals and new engagements. I am looking forward to talking to new couples and helping make their special day the most memorable moment of their life! Happy New Year!!! Here’s a cute proposal I found…
If you need assistance with your wedding please contact me, Trudy Scott, at 210-595-9263 or email me at info@royaltyeventparties.com. I am looking forward to a great 2015!
Shhhhhh…can you keep a secret? I never told anyone how much I spent on my wedding dress (15 years ago) because I didn’t want them to think I was super cheap (even though I was). I had a very low budget to plan the wedding of my dreams and had to think creatively. With alterations, I only spent about $400 (not including accessories or shoes). How did I do it? Well, I went to a dress shop, known for budget dresses, and then scoured their clearance rack. I had asked my hubby what kind of dress he would like me in and he said nothing with a lot of rhinestones and bling. So, simple it was. My theme was literally Cinderella, so I knew I wanted a fluffy tulle dress with gloves. I actually found it on the clearance rack for around $300. It wasn’t until later that I realized it wasn’t a bridal gown at all but a fancy bridesmaid dress, go figure. It worked for me and I loved it!
Some other tips for purchasing an inexpensive dress are:
The Bridal Connection
Recently, I just finished coordinating a beautiful fall outdoor ranch wedding outside of San Antonio, Texas. The planning had taken over a year by the bride and I was hired about 3 months out to coordinate the day of. The ranch she had her reception at was originally owned by her grandfather who had passed away. He had wished for one of his grandchildren to have their reception there and his wish came true! It was a really special day for the entire family.
My bride was very DIY when it came to décor. She had a vision in her head and knew to make it just the way she wanted she needed to create it herself. If you are crafty I say, “Go for it!” You can save a lot of money and get exactly what you want by making it yourself. But, please give yourself extra time to do this. Even with all her planning, well in advance, she was still scrambling for help the night and morning of trying to complete her projects. Who wants to stress that close to their wedding? You can also hire a wedding coordinator to assist you in these tasks at hand.
Be sure to book your vendors well in advance (6-8 months) and be sure to follow up at least 1 month prior to ensure your order is correct. Two weeks before the wedding, we learned that the bathroom company didn’t have her order on file for some reason and we were frantically trying to ensure having a bathroom even up to 2 days prior to the reception. There are so many items to figure in when having a wedding on a ranch with nothing but land. Here are several points to remember:
There’s a lot to consider, isn’t there? Don’t forget to prepare for the weather and have heaters/fans/additional tents on standby so they are available to you if needed. If you wait until the last minute they will be rented out and then what will you do?
