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Monday, July 23, 2012

UrDreamPlanner's Monday Inspiration: Take A Risk!



Be Inspired!


Talk To Me:
What risks have you taken in life lately? Do like to take risks or prefer to play it safe? Have you taken a risk; what was the end result? Share your experience below in the comment zone. 


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Sincerely,

Friday, July 20, 2012

UrDreamPlanner's Friday Fun: Attending Bridal Shows!!

Happy Friday!! Bridal Shows are created to be a fun and exciting learning environment for the soon to be husband and wife! Below, you will find several reason why Bridal Shows are fun and why I do believe every couple should attend at least one (and this reason may surprise you, but it's the truth!!)


Attending Bridal Show Are (should be) Fun!

#1. There is amazing food! (One of my highlights of attending in the past was the butlered or stationed hors d'oeuvres! Possibly this is because I love to eat, but they are good!!)

Tragic, but funny story...I attended a Bridal Show roughly two years ago with my first Bride. They had yummy food being butlered and different stations. Well, one tray came around and had some kind of goat cheese cracker surprise and I wanted to try it. So I put the whole thing in my mouth and almost died, threw up, the works. OMGoodness it was so nasty!! My face must of been really twisted because my Bride was like, "oh my goodness, I am not trying that!!!" LOL, Whooo, we laughed at that one for a while!! LOL

#2: You get to see Wedding Gowns! (At most fun Bridal Shows, you get to see wedding gowns actually worn on the models, which I really think is a smart way to highlight the dress. Take advantage of this and ask the model questions about the material on their skin, the heaviness of the dress and take a picture too!!)

#3: The music is great! (Get up and dance a little, bob your head, laugh and smile!!)
Remember, you make this experience what you want it to be. If you walk in like, "Debbie Downer" then you will be depressed and annoyed the entire time. However, if you walk in excited and ready to enjoy yourself, you will!!

 Owner{Me} of Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC at the In Bliss Wedding Launch!

#4: You have professionals at your finger tips!! (Actually talk to the professionals. Yes, most are expensive, but that is because we are excellent at what we do! At the same time, we want you to talk to us! This is your time to ask those important or not so important questions. And even though it can be annoying to walk past 4 photographers, still smile and ask at least one question! Just try it!) 

Trust me, we did not get all dressed up, spend hundreds or thousands of dollars decorating a table, printing out marketing materials, assembling goody bags...for you to walk by with a half smile, like we are the hungry wolf that haven't eaten in a month.

As a professional myself, that has been on both sides of the table. Talk to us! We really do want you too, not simply because we want you to book us (which, we do by the way), but because we actually do care about what you have to say. And we want to talk to you too, but most of time, we are stuck behind our little 6 ft table. And although we extend our hand to say hi, you have to extend yours too!

#5: It's free (most of the time) education!! (Professionals bring a ton of wedding information, displayed nicely at their booth and the Bridal Shows tend to provide a lot of information as well. You get heavy goody bags with lots of great vendors and awesome magazines, that ignite your inspirational side! Why not have this information handed to you, rather then search endlessly for hours!? Think about it.)

These five reasons make attending Bridal Shows so much fun!! When I went, I would go with a small crowd and we would work the room and have a great time doing it!! You should do the same, grab your ladies and go!! 

Another thing, don't drag your Groom out the house unless he is really intrigued. Seriously, it will be more beneficial to take your girls, get tons of information, jot down notes (if needed), laugh and take crazy pictures; than come home and share it all with him. Be honest about if you really want him to attend and be a good listener if he really doesn't want to. Compromise and keep it moving, there will be many many more "bridal related" activities to do together! ;-)


***Why Every Couple Should Attend At least One Bridal Show!***
To win a FREE honeymoon of course!!! (Don't worry, I know that's why majority of Brides sign up; I would do it too!) If you don't go for anything else, then go for the free honeymoon. Hey, you never know, you might just win!! 

No matter where you go, Bridal Shows, Bridal Appointments, etc..have fun!!! Make it what you want it to be...enjoy yourself! Laugh...going there, Laugh...while you're there, Laugh...when you leave. No matter what happens, find time to laugh! It will make the experience much more enjoyable! 


Enjoy Your Experience & Laugh!


Talk To Me:
Have you attended a Bridal Show before? Share your experience! What's your favorite thing about attending a Bridal Show?? Do you have a tragic, but funny story too!? Share that in the comment zone too! Share away and leave a smiley face too!! :-)


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Sincerely,

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

UrDreamPlanner's Wednesday Knowledge: Wedding Dress Stats!

Happy #WeddingWednesday to you all!

Today is all about Wedding Dresses and how you, the Bride thinks and shops. The following statistics were found via {The Wedding Report}. As you read, think about your shopping process and if any of these describe how you thought/think while you were/are wedding dress shopping.

Wedding Dress Shopping Statistics
  • 96% of couples that marry in the US purchase a wedding dress
  • Of the 96%; couples purchase 1.1 wedding dresses each
  • Of the 96%; 90% purchase at least one (1) dress
  •  In 2011, the average amount spent on wedding dresses including alterations was $1,166
  • In 2011, couples spent $2.3 billion on wedding dresses
  • In 2011, couples spent $3.3 billion on attire & accessories (including the wedding dress)
  • In 2011, spending by couples combine with bridesmaid and groomsmen reached $6.2 billion
  • The US wedding dress market is very fragmented with many designers and brands
  • David’s Bridal dominates the US wedding dress market with 33-35%
  • The top 10 Designers/Brands own 56.7% of the US wedding dress market
  • Custom or handmade makes up 3% of the US wedding dress market
  • Classic – Traditional and Elegant – Luxurious make up more than 50% of the wedding dress style demand
  • A-line makes up 26.9% of the silhouette & shape demand
  • Lace and Satin dominate the fabric demand
  • Sweetheart and Strapless make up 68.8% of the neck-line demand
  • Floor length makes up 88.5% of  the length demand
  • Natural waste-line makes up 43.3% of the waste-line demand
  • Chapel and Short/Sweep make up 57.7% of  the train demand
  • Zipper and Corset make up 75.1% of the back-line demand
  • Beading, lace, and embroidery make up the majority of the details demand
  • Ivory and White make up 80.1% of the dress color demand
  • “How I felt when I saw it” and “the fit” make up the majority of the reasons couples purchased their dress

Wedding Dress shopping is often one of the highlights of the wedding planning process. There are many factors that play a part in the decision making, from designer to dress style & material. Do your research prior to making a dress appointment at your favorite shop so you do not become overwhelmed with the many choices available to you!


Happy Wedding Dress Shopping!


Talk To Me:
How was your wedding dress shopping experience? Would you say you agree or disagree with most of these stats? Did you know what style of dress you wanted or was it hard to narrow it down? Share any wedding dress shopping advice below in the comment zone for our readers!! 



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Sincerely,

Monday, July 16, 2012

UrDreamPlanner's Monday Inspiration: Take A Nap!

How are you doing today? It's Monday and time for some much needed Monday Inspiration! Today, I want to inspire you to "Take A Nap!". Think back to your college days, if you were like me (you took naps), and you loved them! 

Nap- a short sleep used to rejuvenate your mind, body and working spirit. ~UrDreamPlanner
When you know you need to nap:
*You've been up before the sun
*You are so tired from working, your eyes are burning.  
(If this is so, maybe you need a good 8 hr sleep! lol)
*You can no longer think straight.
*Your kiddies are taking a nap.  
(Yes, moms I know this is the time you would usually work since the house is now quiet, but try to nap as well...)
*You are not being productive

Why naps are needed:
*They rejuvenate you!
*Allow you to think straight!
*Make you less cranky!
*Allows you to be productive!
*They make you smile! :-D

Now, naps for many business owners and people in general are a thing of "luxury" since most feel they have no time. If you are working two jobs or a mom, etc., finding time to nap may be slim to none of a chance. When you think about your schedule, if after reading this you think, there is no way I have time for a nap! Then, find something, that you can use as a getaway to help release all the stress, work energy, etc that consumes you throughout the week.

This post was inspired by my mid-day nap today. I don't take them often because I often have no time for a nap. However, today I made a sacrifice of " not getting work done" to take a nap and it was worth it. I woke up feeling eager to jump back into work (which now I am playing catch up) and produce a great product for my clients. Luckily, I was able to say, "Brittany go take a nap, you need it!" and just be able to do it even though I know I have a pile of work on my desk. 

For all those that can take a nap every so often, I highly recommend it! Take it when you have a chance. Since I know for the remainder of the week, a nap will not be listed on my to-do list, maybe I'll make Monday's "mid-day nap day!" lol, or not, but it does sound good!

Be Inspired to Nap!!


Talk To Me:
Do you have time for naps? If you did would you take a nap? If you don't have time for a nap, what do you do to rejuvenate yourself? Any great stories of how you were inspired to nap, share below in the comment zone with the other readers!!


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Sincerely,

Friday, July 13, 2012

UrDreamPlanner's Friday Fun: Cape May Zoo!

This week, I took a day off from business and was able to experience the Cape May Zoo. This was my first time going to a zoo (despite when I was little, which I don't remember so in my mind it doesn't count..lol), so this was my first time going to the zoo. It was actually a surprise! And I must say, that if you live close to the shore or don't and want to have an amazing experience, go to the Cape May Zoo!!!


Perks about the Cape May Zoo:
#1. Their animals are amazing!!! I was so excited seeing peacocks, zebras, the giraffes, the bears and so many other beautiful animals...I truly loved every moment of it!
#2. You can take the whole family and there is something for everyone. They have a playground, campground and eating areas.
#3. You can feed the goats and they want you to feed them and pet them. {I did not do this..because I am not a goat person, but others loved it..lol}
#4. It Is FREE!!
#5. It's great for a date day. You can take your spouse or significant other and take a walk through the zoo and learn about the animals, as well as, learn something new about each other!
#6. Did I say it was FREE?? Yes, free parking & free entrance! {You cannot go wrong with free!}

 Me at the Zoo!

Don't just take my word for it, but go experience it for yourself! If you live in Philly/De it is so worth the drive up 55 & 47! If you already live near the shore (Cape May, Wildwood area, etc.) pay it a visit, as you are only 20+ minutes away!! Take the family and enjoy the Cape May Zoo this weekend. You will be so happy you did, because the animals are amazing.

Make it a FUN weekend! 


Talk To Me:
Have you been to the Cape May Zoo before? Have you been to a Zoo before? If so, how was your experience? If not, would you go? Share your zoo experiences and desires below in the comment zone!! :-)



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Sincerely,