Plan Your Memories Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen 11/11/11 Enter to Win Now!

2011-09-02T09:20:00.001-04:00

http://www.facebook.com/crowneplaza?sk=app_245154242181505

Visit the link above and enter to Win an Ultimate Wedding Weekend!

Tea Anyone??

2011-07-29T00:19:00.004-04:00

A quick way to add a Royal Touch to your little girl's playdate with a mini tea party....

All you need is :

-A foam paper plate

- Fancy Ribbon

- Staples

- Fake flowers

- Cookies or your choice

- Real or Fake flowers for decor

- China

- Fancy Table cloth

In this pic I created rolled napkins and tied them with ribbons and placed them in basket with tulle and a flower....

Ahhh for the love of BEER!!!

2011-06-05T15:43:00.003-04:00

Zeppelin Hall located in Jersey City's Liberty Harbor conveniently located 4 blocks from the NJ Path- Grove Street Station. My husband and I took a ride out to Zeppelin a few weeks back.. my apologies for the delayed blog.. however as I always say.. better late than never! :) Anyway, back to my PYM Review.. Zeppelin Hall is the perfect local spot for Jersey City locals or NYC locals who are willing to hop on the NJ Path Train for a short ride. Zeppelin Hall has both an indoor and outdoor space, no seating assignments, draft beers can be order by the mug or liter and don't forget the food! I must say the Chicken Schnitzel could have been less crispy but overall it was great!

Definitely a PYM suggested location for a day or evening beer and food night!

PYM Memory Points- 5 memory points!

Until next time, Remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Plan a day to Pamper Yourself!

2011-06-05T15:25:00.002-04:00

About once per year my face yearns for a good cleansing and I always turn to my favorite Spa... TQ SPA! Stella Akilova, owner and founder of TQ Spa is just about the best I have found in NYC. Recently relocated to 37 West 26th Street to a bigger trendier location, Stella still overs the same quality service. A 80 minute Oxygen facial a long with a leg massage and a complimentary glass of wine is just what a woman needs after a long week at the office.

Plan a day with the girls, bachelorette R&R day, birthday gift or go alone and experience 5 star service.

Let them know we sent you!

Until next time, Remember to Always Plan Your Memories!

Party Planning & Marathon Training...

2011-05-04T22:05:00.003-04:00

So as you may know I have received guaranteed entrance to the 2011 NYC Marathon this year, and while I am excited I am super scared too! Why? Well from what I read the NYC Marathon is the hardest course out of all 300+ marathons that exist!...with that being said although I am scared, I am motivated and am up for the challenge. Some people say that running is over rated and some people ask why I run. Well here's my story....

My running career began in March of 2009, my first non-timed race was in June 2009. At the time I had no concept of my time and I would use my every day watch to gauge where I was and how I was doing. I hated to run and I was more of a kick boxing, aerobic kinda gal.. but by November 2009 I ran my first timed 4 mile race in Central Park and didn't stop once! I ran 10 minute miles and I wanted to push myself further. By end of 2009 I bought my first Garmin running watch and since then I have never ran the same. By the end of 2010, I ran 9 races including 1 half marathon and the sense of accomplishment after each race gave me confidence and motivation to keep on going. Now what does this have to do with event planning and production you ask? Well as I sit at my computer every night I balance life between planning events; both business and personal and making sure that I am keeping up with my training plan, I realized that the success to a great event is having a plan that is well thought out and executed which is no different than a training plan for running a half marathon, full marathon or 5k race. When I begin to fall of track with my training, my end of week results are never what I expect and the same goes with planning an event.

When planning a birthday, anniversary, wedding or a vacation you should always have a plan to help you stay on track. Write it down, create a spreadsheet or make a check list on your phone, whatever you do never go forward without a plan!

Planning keeps us organized, motivated, level headed and confident in all that we do!

Until next time, always remember to Plan Your Memories!

Look Back @ 1981 Princess Diana & Prince CharlesRoyal Wedding

2011-04-28T20:52:00.005-04:00

On July 29, 1981 Lady Diana and Prince Charles wed at the St. Paul Cathedral, with over 3,000 people in the congregation, 750 million watching not including radio listeners , 2 million spectators at the Processional this was the grandest event during the 80s. After 300 years Diana was the first British citizen to marry and heir to the British throne.

Her wedding gown was designed by David & Elizabeth Emanual and was made of silk taffeta, hand embroidered lace, sequins and 10,000 pearls! oh and I almost forgot about the 25 foot long train, her bouquet was made by Doris Wellham which measured 42 inches long and 15 inches wide, her shoes were custom made by celebrity cobbler Clive Shilton and took 6 months to make! And get this, both Doris and Clive made 2 of each!

Finally the cake! made by Chief Petty Officer David Avery although the recipe was kept a secret, David did reveal some information; the cake weighed 101.65 kilos, was 1.5m high and was 5 tiers.

After the ceremony Princess Diana and Prince Charles took a carriage to a dinner of 120 guests where they kissed on the balcony for all to see.

Ahhhh we are so excited to see what Prince Williams and Catherine Middleton have in store for us!! Be sure to watch it live!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFwNZHclMk&feature=player_embedded

Photos: by Getty Images; Serge Lemoine, Fox Photos Hulton Archive, Jayne Fincher,

DIY at its BEST!

2011-04-08T19:57:00.015-04:00

Hello everyone! Its been a while and I am back! We all know DIY is very mainstream these days, but I want to share some true old school DIY with you all. I was pretty much raised on MMMI ( My Mom Made It), from clothes to gifts she taught me the value of doing it yourself. Making things on your own not only meant saving money, but it meant you got exactly what you wanted and not one other person had it. I was original, different and never thought for one second it was my mom saving a buck. Today we have DIY (Do It Yourself) and I think its amazing the talent that comes out in people during event planning. Personalization is key to a successful event and DIY provides that opportunity. So when my event planner assistant/baby sister announced her engagement, I could not resist in tapping into my DIMS (Do It MySelf) talent. Together my mother and I created a classy, fun and memorable event that ended with laughter and cheer. Congratulations to my baby sister and her husband, Mr. & Mrs. Rubino!

Wedding Planner: Plan Your Memories Inc.

Photographer: Katie McCann Photography

Bartender: Kathleen Karcher (contact us for contact information)

Officiant: Jessica Laracuente PYM Inc.

Make Up: Alaina LoLa Pinto

Catering: Family of the Bride

The bouquet (by PYM inc)

The Wall BackDrop (Mother of the Bride)- Centerpiece ( PYM Inc)

The Wedding Dress (Mother of the Bride)

The Groom Boutonniere (PYM Inc)

The Cake: Decor & Fondant by PYM Inc

Ribbon by Bride's Mother

Red Velvet Cake: Lassen & Henning

Flower Girl Dress: Bride's Mother

The Wedding Party

The Reception: PYM Inc.

More fun photos

3 Years in a Row! We Say Thank You to our Brides!

2011-02-02T18:50:00.007-05:00

New Jersey – February ,2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Plan Your Memories Inc. has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Event Design and Production!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Plan Your Memories Inc. stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

"WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Plan Your Memories Inc. for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Plan Your Memories Inc. is among the very best Event Design and Production within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at WeddingWire.com

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc. WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology
company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding
planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding
professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search
, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to
wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online
community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including
wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding
professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating
the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients,
reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network
appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including
MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and
Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com
(part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

5th Birthday Jesse Toy Story Party

2010-12-19T19:54:00.023-05:00

I hope everyone has had a great holiday so far! I've been pretty busy these past few weeks with weddings and birthdays. My favorite event this week was my very own daughter's 5th birthday party! I decided to go with the Toy Story 3 theme and recreate SunnySide... take a look...

First I will show you a few pictures that inspired me...

source: mailonline.com

Cake made by BlueMoonCakes

Okay so those were my inspiration pictures... now here is what I did...

Bulletin Board

Butterfly and balloon decor

Kids Blocks

DayCare Wall

Centerpiece made by mom
Cake made by me!

I used my daughter's pre school drawings for decoration

I made this butterfly out of foam paper

Blocks for photo back drop made using home depot boxes and construction paper

Calendar Board- made with cut out letters, calendar from dollar store, green poster board and postal paper.
Take home bags for the Christmas ornaments the kids made

Got Stress Planning Your Event?

2010-10-11T22:31:00.005-04:00

Whether your planning an event, have a hectic work week or you need some time away from reality, my favorite comedy club The Stress Factory never disappoints. Owner Vinnie Brand begins the show each time with off the head jokes that will crack you up. My husband and I always make it a weekend event with a show at Stress Factory, a trip to Harvest Moon for some delicious brewed beer, great music and a night's stay at the Hyatt. The Stress Factory has provided us with some great memories from some of the funniest comedians like, Craig Robinson, Charlie Murphy, Bill Burr, D.L. Hughley and finally this weekend the hilarious Damon Wayans! I was able to meet Damon and for the first time in my life I was star struck!

We highly recommend The Stress Factory , Harvest Moon and the Hyatt for a great memory anytime of year!

PYM Memory Points

Stress Factory , New Brunswich, NJ - 5 memory points

Harvest Moon, New Brunswich, NJ- 5 memory points

Hyatt , New Brunswich, NJ - 4 memory points

Our memory points system is solely based on how we personally will remember the experience. We base our memories on service, quality and overall fun!

Until next time, remember to Always Plan Your Memories... oh and make sure you have a camera at all times! My phone decided to act up and all I have is a blurry photo of myself and Damon Wayans.... and my Memories ;)

Plan Your Memories Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-05T12:43:00.005-04:00

Okay, so our ribbon isn't as fancy as the original, but I wanted created it myself because it felt a bit more personal. Kind of like when you make a card for your mom or dad rather than hand picking one at the store....
For the month of October we have placed our handmade ribbon on the front page of our website. We are also donating 5% of our proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the month of October. This means for any wedding or event booked with us during the month of October we will donate 5% of your deposit to Susan G. Komen for the Cure! You can also enjoy and extra 25% off any pink invitation in our PYM Shop and you will also get a free Breast Cancer Awareness gift set!

Please visit http://www.planyourmemories.com/ to schedule your consultation today!

Until next time remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Even La La Suggests a Wedding Planner

2010-09-20T20:55:00.003-04:00

Although we have mentioned before the need to have a wedding planner, or even a party planner for that matter... sometimes we need some reinforcement.
Check out the video as La La Vasquez talks about planning her wedding and her new show. Oh and how important a wedding planner is! Enjoy!

http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/426992_tvgif19.html

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

source: Seattle PI TV guide

Labor Day Weekend in New Jersey

2010-09-07T21:44:00.009-04:00

Since planning memories is my job, my family always turns to me for advice.... This year I tried something different, I let my husband do all the memory planning. I must say he did a great job! Friday night we made it out to Wallington Lanes in Wallington, NJ, (this was a find by an old friend of mine) and we had a blast! The photo above does not do this place any justice! Wallington Lanes is packed with glowing lanes, 3 bowling sections, projector screens playing the hottest videos, great food and for the adults a bar smack in the middle of the venue. Plan a birthday party or even a corporate event and I guarantee you'll be hit!

Saturday, we made it out to the Hoboken Grill in Hoboken, NJ for brunch, well I had eggs benedict and a mimosa while my husband chomped on an Angus Burger and my4 year old demolished a warm chocolate cake. The Hoboken Grill has to be my favorite bar & grill to date and I especially love the grilled chicken sandwich with pesto mayo! We finished off the evening with a peaceful dinner for 2 at UNO Chicago Bar & Grill in Clifton, NJ; Lobster & Shrimp Pasta in garlic wine sauce, Chicken Spinnaccoli and a pitcher of Peach Sangria and a gruesome flick; Robert Rodriquez's Machete! I loved seeing LOST characters Michelle Rodriquez & Jeff Fahey, Cheech, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro and of course Don Johnson! I love Miami Vice. Last but not least ( i wouldn't want to mess with the wrong Mexican) Danny Trejo, what an outstanding bad guy!

Sunday, my husband brought back a blast from the past and suggested Rye Playland in Rye, NY! Wow, it must have been 20 years since I had been there last and boy did it bring back memories, although I remember not having to pay to get in. LOL My 4 year old daughter had a blast and I made sure I put her on all of my favorite rides! I LOVED THE KIDDY WHIP!

Finally Monday, it was back to life and we stood home and enjoyed the day....

I am a strong believer in Planning Memories, but sometimes the best memories are never planned!

Here's our memory points..

Wallington Lanes, Wallington, NJ- 4 memory points

Hoboken Grill, Hoboken, NJ- 4 memory points

Uno's Chicago Grill,Clifton, NJ- 4 memory points

Machete the movie- 5 memory points!

Our memory points system is solely based on how we personally will remember the experience. We base our memories on service, quality and overall fun!

Until next time, remember to Always Plan Your Memories...

What does the word WEDDING really mean?

2010-08-28T22:45:00.002-04:00

After a long day at the beach and picking up my aspiring football player (my son), I decided to browse through the Internet and I came across this interesting article. We all know what a wedding is, but have you ever thought about what the word Wedding actually means? Read on below... its amazing how weddings have evolved!

The Word: Wedding

A wed is an Anglo-Saxon word that refers to the security provided by the groom's family to the bride's family when a betrothal took place. The wed guaranteed the future ceremony, in essence a deposit paid by the groom's family whether the couple were infants or of age when the betrothal took place. The wedding was the culmination of this betrothal, uniting the bride and groom in marriage.

Many assume that the dowry, the gifts a wife brought from her family into her marriage was what assured such a good match. The dowry was a later product designed to insure that the bride and groom had the supplies they needed to start their own dwelling and living. The wed guaranteed both the bride and groom's family that the match would be made and served as a security of intentions.

How does this history affect the modern day wedding? Very little, at least in Western Society where arranged marriages are hardly the norm and couples marry for a variety of reasons, but the majority seek a union based on love and romance. Weds are offered in the form of engagement rings and pledges to the bride rather than security deposits to the bride's family.

Written by Heather Long

source: Families.com

Agozar!!

2010-08-27T20:28:00.002-04:00

Great place to have a pre-bachelorette, birthday, anniversary or any type of celebration dinner! Sun-Monday 5-8pm Happy Hour 1/2 price apps and drinks! Try a mojito and Plan Your Memories!

Great food!, Great Service, Great Music!!!

We give this place 4 Memory Points!

Visit Agozar for have a great night!

Until next time, remember to Always Plan Your Memories!

Congratulations to our bride and groom

2010-08-16T22:48:00.003-04:00

Mr. & Mrs. Borgono! Congratulations!

photos: taken by Plan Your Memories Inc.

Venue: Highlawn Pavilion

Flowers: Petals Premier

Music: Golden Note Entertainment

Photography: Gabelli Studio

Wedding Day Coordinator: Plan Your Memories Inc.

A Bridesmaid Dress Worth Wearing Again!

2010-08-05T18:39:00.005-04:00

I just love shopping for new dresses and with knowing first hand what it is to waste your cash on something you may never wear again.... well I have to say that only means we love our friends dearly! Take a look at these great finds that won't break the bank or take up space in your closet.

J. Crew Bridal Boutique 769 Madison Avenue New York, NY.... be sure to make an appointment first.

Silk taffeta Nanine dress

$225.00

Silk chiffon Juliet dress

was $180.00
select colors $99.99

Silk tricotine Sophia dress

was $165.00
select colors $55.99

Reinforcement for my brides and grooms!

2010-08-03T14:50:00.004-04:00

The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Emma Silverman had some interesting things to say about how she felt while planning her wedding. In her article "Planning a Wedding Like a Second Job?", Rachel touched on some great points I as a professional wedding and party planner try to express to my clients and those who just want to chat with me about their events. Rachel touches on factors like planning a wedding feeling like a second job and how vendor appointment seem to be limited to a 9-5pm schedule.
I particularly enjoyed this article because it reinforces the need for people in my profession. Other than photos we display on our blogs and website our business is not a tangible one therefore referrals are my biggest form of advertisement....with that being said, take a minute or two and read what Rachel has to say... read more

source: The Wall Street Journal Blog

Florida Wedding Gown Shop Gives Back

2010-07-21T21:52:00.006-04:00

Seminole Town Center Mall and The Aventura Bridal hosted a "gown grab" this morning from 8am -11am for brides who were let down by a local wedding gown shop that did not deliver. The event offered wedding gowns for under $499! That's a steal in my book and with 500 wedding gowns and 200 bridesmaids dresses to choose from brides are sure to find their dream gown!

Unfortunately only 4 brides showed up this morning so Aventura's Nelly Albano is extending the event until Sunday July 25, 2010.

If you live in the Orlando Seminole area or know someone who does, pass this news along! Tell them you read it here!

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Our business thrives on helping our clients find the best value for their dollar and making them smile when they have. Most of all we love vendors who give back!

source: Orlando Sentinel

Summer Hot Event

2010-06-20T20:56:00.003-04:00

For the first time ever we're letting you choose your discount!

You've picked your wedding date!

You've picked your vendors!

Now pick your discount!

Meet with a wedding planner

Book your date

Get a discount for the same amount as today's weather!

If the weather is 90! Your discount is $90!!!

Its that simple!

We've done it again!!!

2010-03-31T21:22:00.002-04:00

Plan Your Memories is proud to announce that we are the recipient of the 2010 Brides Choice Award!

Thank you to all of our clients who made this possible!

Until next time,

remember always Plan Your Memories!

Lighten up your life together

2010-03-29T10:24:00.002-04:00

Bright Night has these great lighted umbrellas that would be the perfect ending to a rainy wedding night. Check them out!

Until next time,

remember to always Plan Your Memories!

We're Sorry!

2010-02-20T10:17:00.003-05:00

To all of our blog readers we deeply apologize for the inconvenience and are glad to inform you that our website is back up and running.

We appreciate your patience and hope you continue to check our website for our featured weddings and discounts we offer!

Until next time, remember to Always Plan Your Memories

Valentine Proposals?

2010-02-09T23:23:00.003-05:00

Gentlemen! Are you planning on proposing to your fiance this Valentine's Day? If you are then we want to wish you the best of luck!
Send your story or video to us at proposals@planyourmemories.com and tell us your story. We'll post our favorite 5 and post them online. The story or video with the most votes wins a Full Service Wedding Planner!

Ladies, if you can send your story of how he proposed too!

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Black History Month

2010-02-02T20:02:00.003-05:00

Plan Your Memories would like to celebrate Black History Month by giving all brides who get engaged within one week of Valentine's Day a free 2 hour consultation.*

*Restrictions apply

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Haiti Unplanned- A PYM Effort

2010-01-25T12:31:00.004-05:00

Our hearts go out to everyone in need during this horrible unplanned event.
Starting January 23, 2010 we will donate 10% of our proceeds from all contracted clients to one of the following Haiti Relief effort organizations of your choice until April 2010.

Haiti Earthquake Relief

American Red Cross

UNICEF USA

Yele Haiti Foundation

Remember to always Plan Your Memories.

Help Haiti

2010-01-23T10:50:00.004-05:00

While we are busy planning celebration, the people of Haiti have cannot plan for tomorrow. Our hearts and prayers go out to Haiti and hope and pray they get all the help they need sooner than later.

Please be sure to donate to any of the organizations listed below. Every penny counts!

Haiti Earthquake Relief

American Red Cross Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10

UNICEF USA:

Yéle Haiti Foundation

Remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Bridesmaids! Finally a dress worth the money!

2010-01-11T21:03:00.004-05:00

Ever wish you could change the color of your bridesmaid dress and wear it again?
Well now there's hope, you just have to convince your bride!
Check this new idea from Soepboer &Stooker.

To order send an email to soepboerschuurman@gmail.com mentioning with your name, adress, number and size.

Until next time, remember to Always Plan Your Memories!

Plan Your Memories on Getmarried.com

2009-12-29T22:11:00.003-05:00

Jessica was featured on getmarried.com this past April and gave some great budget tips. Click on the logo to watch the video.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-26T15:26:00.002-05:00

We want to wish all of our clients and future clients a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

The Staff at Plan Your Memories Inc.

DIY Children's Birthday Party

2009-12-20T12:27:00.012-05:00

Being a wedding planner has me in constant detail mode! This year for my daughter’s 4th birthday we decided on a Yo Gabba Gabba them. Unfortunately there aren’t many choices when it comes to decorations. So we chose to make our own. Take a look at what we did! I personally made the Foofa cake, we had the kids create character party hats and masks that we attached to crazy straws for the kids to enjoy later. We also gave out popcorn containers with popcorn, fruit roll ups and chocolate cover pretzels as favors (photo was used from gabbafriends.com). We went old school and used party streamers to give color to the room and cut out Yo Gabba Gabba characters for the theme from Nickjr.com.

Are they your Guest or your Vendor?

2009-11-13T20:34:00.004-05:00

So many brides and grooms make the mistake of hiring their friend or relative to record or photograph their wedding and may even go to the extent of hiring a friend's friend as a wedding planner. Here' s some advice.... never hire a friend or relative that does not own their own business or is not a professional in the field. There is a thin line between being a guest and being a vendor and most times, the friend or relative is going to end up being a vendor guest...if that makes any sense. If your fiance has his or her heart set on hiring a family member or friend, then be sure to interview them just as you would a vendor who is a stranger. Seasoned vendors will have packages, fixed prices and prior events to show you and so should your "experienced" friend or family member.

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!!

OktobEERfest for Halloween!

2009-11-04T20:57:00.003-05:00

A great way to save some cash and still experience OktbEERfest is by going to your local Total Wine shop and purchasing beers from across the countries. Buy some small plastic cups, serve about 1/4 to each guest and write down the names of your favorites!

BizBash Awards & Expo 2009

2009-10-23T09:05:00.009-04:00

My first BizBash Expo and I absolutely loved it!! I've attended an awards show several years ago at B.B King in NYC, but I have to say that adding it to the end of an Expo was genius! The educational sessions were great but wish there was more opportunity to attend all of them. The trade show floor was amazing! The Screaming Queens, free professional photo, the margaritas and loads of food tastings made this the best Expo I have ever been to! Take a look at some pictures from this years Expo. To see more become a fan on our FaceBook page!

The Knot at Dolce

2009-10-14T21:14:00.008-04:00

I'm still here! Its been a while but I've been putting all of my attention on my brides and grooms. But better late than never as I always say! (remind me to tell you about a late bridal party member next time) Okay enough crazy talk!
I wanted to let everyone in on a beautiful Hotel Resort right here in New Jersey's Basking Ridge area. Dolce! Have you heard of it? If not here are some facts;
Dolce has had a mulit-million dollar renovation and as a result now has;
•Over 20,000 Sq. Ft. IACC Approved Function Space
•25 Conference Rooms
•171 Newly Renovated Guest Rooms & Suites
•Complimentary WiFi
•Restaurants & Lounge
•Seasonal Outdoor Dining
•Fitness Center & Heated Indoor Pool
•Multi-purpose Courts for Tennis, Basketball & Teambuilding Activities

On October 6, 2009 I had the pleasure of checking this place out. The Knot had their annual business netwoking event coordinated by the very own Kathi Evans of All the Best Weddings & Celebrations. The evening started with a great presentation from The Knot and led into an awesome party afterwards. The food was to die for and the desserts provided by Eatcake, Lisa's Candy Buffet and Visions of Sugar Crumbs were the WOW factor to this event. Kathi used vendors such as Broadway Rentals for furniture and linens and Details of I Do for design. Dolce stands to be a great facility for any type of event and is right of Interstate 78 so that your guests will get to the party on time!

Visit

The Hip Bride!

2009-09-09T21:45:00.004-04:00

Ladies! As you all know I am always up to date with the latest trends..... so here's the latest!
Stop carrying around that old fashion binder with all your wedding details, IPhones now have an app just for brides! Ready!.... its called The Bride Guide and it comes with to-do lists, vendor contacts, budget, and so much more.
BTW, this does not stand a chance against your fabulous wedding planner, BUT it will help save the planet.... its just another way to be green.

For more info: http://bride-guide.net

Planning Your Memories should be forever!

2009-08-25T22:26:00.002-04:00

Planning your wedding takes a lot of time and effort and attention to every detail. The first thing a bride looks for after choosing a venue is the dress and the the bouquet! Turn your bouquet into an everlasting decor for your new home. Create picture frames, cubed table tops or even shadow boxes, what ever your style Keepsake Floral has it all. Be sure to place your order about 30 days prior to your event.
For more information contact sales@planyourmemories.com.

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Tents are no longer boring!

2009-08-12T21:10:00.003-04:00

2009 has brought us nothing but rain, luckily there's Tentnology. Tentnology has been creating tents since 1990 and is the recipient of several awards;
•Canadian Special Event Award Winner, 2005 Best Use of Tenting,•Special Event Gala Award Winner, 2000 and more!
They can supply your event with shade tents, event tents, commercial tents and more! So go ahead and have that outdoor corporate party or wedding reception, Tentnology has you covered.

Next time you want to tent you event and be different contact Tentnology.

Great for option for Groom's Cake

2009-08-02T11:36:00.001-04:00

Gentlemen! I know I always talk about girly bridal stuff, but today I wanted to take a moment to talk about the Groom's cake! First here is a piece of groom cake history.....
The groom’s cake was part of the southern wedding tradition but lately southern belles aren’t the only ones ordering these cakes for their beaus. This cake used to actually be called the wedding cake while the wedding cake of today was called the bride’s cake.

While the wedding cake or bride’s cake was eaten at the wedding reception, the groom's cake, which was usually a fruitcake, was taken home as a wedding favor (thinly sliced pieces in personalized bags or boxes) for the unmarried female guests to put under their pillows. Supposedly, the women would dream of their future husbands.1 (Bellaonline.com)

Okay so now you know what a groom's cake is....Now! Let me introduce Black Hound bakery. Sine 1988 Black Hound has been blessing New York City with their european inspired baking technique. Black Hound offers cookies, cakes, pastries and truffles that can be used as wedding favors. Now back to the grooms...This is a great place to get a groom's cake for just $40 serving 6-8 people and can be served at rehearsal dinner or they will create an 18inch cake for 95-100 people too.

My personal favorite so far is...... The German Chocolate Cake YUMMY!

Visit their site at Blackhound for more details.

Every bride should have this!

2009-07-26T22:21:00.005-04:00

This past weekend was my first time using an LED lighting company for a wedding. I have to say that this was the best idea! The soft pink lighting during introductions and the changing lights through out the evening made this wedding ambiance one to remember! Take a look at some photos below! For more details on lighting your wedding, contact us today!

A Piece of Advise

2009-07-13T07:13:00.004-04:00

In all my years of planning weddings, birthday parties, girls nights out etc, there is always one common denominator. The two week syndrome. Two weeks before the event date the stress factor will rise, whether your a mother, honored guest, event participator it will happen. Here's my piece of advise; if you've hired a planner then let him/her worry about all the minor details and time schedule, just be sure to tell your planner everything!Planners cannot read your mind. If you do not have assistance 1.Make a list, tackle, execute and do not worry about the order each item is completed. 2. Make sure all vendors are on board with a time line. 3. Delegate, delegate, delegate! that's what friends are for. BUT! be sure to delegate only to people you know will get the job done. 4. Visit your list and if your falling behind assign a date to each task. 5. Listen to advise and jot them down. You may not be reseptive at first but you may consider the advise later on. 6. Be considerate to others financial circumstances. 7. Turn your cell phone off while tackling your "to do" list. 8. Leave the 3 days before your wedding free of tasks 9. 9. Get to bed early on your 3 free days. and finally 10. Get a massage, mani and pedi the day before!
Remember planning a wedding is stressful, but as long as you stay organized and focused you'll be fine.

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Shecky's Girls Night Out 2009

2009-06-27T08:47:00.002-04:00

Ladies yet again Shecky's was a blast! From the photos ops to the beer taste pairings, Shecky's all around was awesome. We met some awesome vendors and learned about some new chocolate favors for our brides. We even had necklaces personlized by our favorite vendor of the night Jewels by Atlantis which we'll be sporting today.
Ladies whether you get in free or buy a ticket be sure to get in! Its amazing at what you will find at this event.

Until next time, always Plan Your Memories.

The Browsing Bride

2009-06-24T22:11:00.004-04:00

We decided that were are not going to make our brides feel pressured during their free consultation. So, the concept of the "Browsing Bride" was born. Now brides have the option of holding their wedding dates with us with only a $100 deposit, if within 30 days they change their mind, a full refund is provided, no questions asked! If the package comes with a free make-up trial, they get to keep it on us! They'll be happy they did!

Until next time, always Plan Your Memories!

VEGAS? Nope ITS AC!

2009-06-14T21:16:00.003-04:00

Who needs Las Vegas!? Well maybe I do but with everyone saving money and trying not to charge purchases. Atlantic City has been the next best thing to a Las Vegas getaway!
Harrah's Resort has just spent $550 million dollars on renovations just for you! Like OMG!!! They have a new 960 room, 44 story Waterfront Tower and is the tallest hotel in AC at 525 feet! The rooms come with 42" LCD flat screen tv's and ihome for your IPOD. Opening this month my fav! STARBUCKS! along with Ben & Jerry's, Philly Soft Pretzels and more. Get this! the Waterfront Tower has the largest indoor pool entertainment are which ladies! and gents! you can party with your girls and boys for your bachelorette or bachelor parties! Visit www.harrahs.com for more info!

We now offer Wedding Window!

2009-06-08T21:38:00.005-04:00

Create a Window to Your Destination Wedding

With destination weddings on the rise, it is becoming more and more important for couples to have a means for informing their guests of their upcoming wedding plans as well as provide recommendations for out-of-town guests.

Wedding websites allow your guests one-stop shopping when it comes time for them to arrange their travel plans as well as other details. You can be as specific as you wish and link your website directly to the hotel reservation pages that you would like to recommend to your guests.

You will find that having a website is not only a time-saver but a budget-saver as well. The multiple mailings that can sometimes become necessary to communicate with your guests can easily eat up a good portion of any wedding budget. Allowing your guests to RSVP online will also cut down on your wedding expenses. No need for RSVP cards! However, you can always order just enough for those guests who may not be web savvy.

Destination weddings have definitely become a way for couples to express their style in a less traditional way. If you choose to have your wedding in a destination location, try to make it a fun experience for you and your fiancé as well as for your guests.

Destination Wedding Tips
1. Location, Location, Location. When selecting a location, choose one that appeals to your tastes and wedding style. Keep in mind, however, that because it won't be as easy as going down the street to the local church to attend your wedding, you'll have to assume that your guest list may be smaller. You'll need to get a good sense about the number of attendees you wish to have before selecting your event facility so you can be confident that it will be appropriate for the crowd.

2. Less is More. Destination weddings can be expensive not only for those getting married, but also for those attending. Try to be mindful of that when selecting your wedding site so those who are closest to you can afford to attend. Consider having your wedding during the off-season so costs will be lower. Traditionally, accommodation expenses are covered for the bridesmaids by the bride's family and for the groomsmen by the groom's family. All other guests should be responsible for their own expenses. Most hotels will work with you to offer group discounts.

3. Assist your Guests. You may know the location that you will be flying off to for your dream wedding like the back of your hand, but most of your guests will not. Your wedding website can be a tool to help you educate your guests about the area, local attractions, accommodation ideas, the weather and directions. Making their job easier will only amount in a larger turnout at your wedding. Use your website to remind them of the things they may not consider such as a passport if required for your chosen location.

© 2009 Wedding Window. All rights reserved.

Ladies I told you and now here it is....

2009-05-29T21:23:00.004-04:00

Brides! You rent linens, limos, hotel rooms, your fiance rents a tux....all to make you feel fabulous! But one thing ladies always forget! Jewelry. Brides run down to the nearest costume jewelry shop, shop online for faux jewels or simply purchase the smaller diamond earrings because HEY at least they're real! Well guess what! No more faux jewels! We now offer rental of the finest jewelry you can imagine and we're offering 10% off! So what are you waiting for! Rent now! Oh and don't forgot to use our code to save 10% PVFNXP2

Why Pay Full Price?

2009-05-25T16:47:00.003-04:00

Want to get the extra fab factor for your wedding day? Then Adorn yourself...Adorn Brides has made it simple to look your best on your wedding day. Simply browse the online store, add the item to your shopping cart and 2 days before your wedding or event date you'll be ready to sparkle and shine all for an affordable rental fee. For more information www.adornbrides.com

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

New Name, New Initials, New Home Address...

2009-05-17T22:39:00.002-04:00

Ladies & Gentlemen, now that you are married and have either changed or share your last name and have detailed every aspect of your wedding... Impress your guests with not only sending your thank you cards on time!, but sending them with a touch of class. Expressionery has created an awesome way for spicing up your return address. Your monogram and address can be created on a custom designed stamp for that finishing touch of class. Visit Expressionery and order you stamp about 2-3 weeks before mailing your wedding invitations.

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Never Cut Corners on Your FACE!

2009-05-12T21:39:00.005-04:00

Brides, I know that everyone is trying save money, but take it my advice and never skimp on your make up! Your wedding pictures will stay with you forever and you want to look your best. You want to look fresh, clean and simple on your wedding day so don't let your best friend's friend do your make up... Lola at Plan Your Memories has painted the faces of some of the 30 Rock cast, Kane West, Common, The Knot Weddings, Marci Klein and more and offers free make-up trials (a $75 Value) for all Plan Your Memories brides and exclusively uses M.A.C products for an all day lasting wear!

Check out our packages at www.planyourmemories.com and schedule your consultation today!

Until next time... Remember! Always Plan Your Memories!

DON'T FORGET THE MEN!

2009-04-20T23:20:00.003-04:00

Ladies do not forget your MAN! He's different and that is why you are marrying him! Express his style through his attire from head to toe and lapel! What a great find! Unique, Stylish and full of character! Choose from the Geeky Guy to the Rock Star!

After all you found the man of your dreams, why not express his?

Find these at Rosenow Floral Design!

Peacock anyone!?

2009-04-13T22:39:00.002-04:00

So like WOAH ladies! want to be different and got the cash to show it? Get a load of this dress made at a wedding dress factory in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. The bodice was created with brocade and Suzhou embroidery and took 8 workers and 40 hours to make. Ready for the price???? 1.5 million big ones! That's right!

Welp, just wanted to share this outstanding news find with you.

found on mail online world news

Until next time, remember always Plan Your Memories!
Jessica
Plan Your Memories Inc.

Tired of cameras on your tables? Try something new!

2009-04-05T01:01:00.006-04:00

Every bride and groom wants to see their wedding from a guest perspective, so the practical thing is to buy disposable cameras for the tables. But! after the wedding comes the honeymoon, after the honeymoon comes the back to work blues, and after the back to work blues comes, which pictures are we picking for our wedding album. By that time you've forgotten about the box of disposable cameras in need of developing. Well ladies and gentlemen, I have discovered the best wedding service....next to a wedding planner :) you can get! May I introduce Kedai Photo. Kedai Photo takes away from the "planning to get to the local photo center" drama. Kedai Photo offers brides and grooms and their guests the opportunity to upload their digital photos before heading home. What does this mean? Wedding guests always bring a wedding camera, and 9 times out of 10 its a digital camera right? SO! At the end of the night before you guests leave they simply walk over to a Kedai device, follow a few on screen instructions and presto! The photos are uploaded and a secured web gallery is sent to the bride and groom of all photos taken by their guests within 3 days!! Kedai Photo offers 3 packages from do it yourself to full attendant service. Visit Kedai Photo today for that extra WOW factor!

Until next time and remember, always Plan Your Memories!
Jessica ML
President/Lead Designer

What's New in 2009?

2009-03-23T13:07:00.004-04:00

The newest trend is Swarovski crystal encrusted dresses, shoes, bride and groom toasting glasses and hair pins.

-Brides are accessorizing not with just the usual pearls and diamond combos but with bold necklaces, bracelets and ring all matching their bridesmaids dress colors.

-Blue shoes and blue jewelry are their “something blue”

-Layered necklaces make a dramatic effect to the Brides dress

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories,
Alicia Andujar
Design & Planning Assistant

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR OUR NEWEST BLOG SPIN OFF... COMING SOON!

By the way... here's a free sprinkle of advice.....
When picking a color of your wedding please keep the season in mind as well, no one wants to wear a dark navy blue gown in the middle of the summer. I would recommend a light purple, pink or a canary yellow in the spring; deep warm colors in the colder months. Use one color in different shades with an accent color in both attire and décor. This makes everything look dramatic and well coordinated.

Shecky's Girls Night Out 2009

2009-03-17T09:05:00.006-04:00

Once again Shecky's does not let down! This year's girls night out was hosted at La Venue located on 28th street between 11th & 12th avenue. The vendor layout design provided more walking room and I loved the way the clothing vendors were sectioned off. The liquor sponsers for the night provided specialty cocktails and Anheuser Bush beer tasting added a twist with japanese beer pairings. The highlight of the night is jewelry! Women love to be lavished with silver, gold and gems but we also love to be different, especially when they have bridesmaids to shop for. Acagates own by Andrew Clark has the best "bling" for your money. I had a chat with Andrew and here's what he he got started....
PYMINC- How did you get started?
AC- In my teens I was taught how to bake in a bakery , making breads, rolls and twisting 6 strand challahs.
PYMINC- That's great, so you turned the twisting talent into metal since?
AC-I have been working with metals for some time now and enjoy cutting, grinding and twisting metals.
PYMINC- I love the bling rings, how did you come up with the concept?
AC- I developed an eye for things and how they can be made. I recently started making my BLING rings and people seem to love them.
PYMINC- What do you love best about your products?
AC- I am amazed how each one can be so unique and different each time I make one. They are a lot of fun. Although, some times they can be physically challenging to make the end result is rewarding .
For more information on Andrew and his products visit Acagates

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!
Jessica ML

Wedding Dresses & Bridesmaids Dresses

2009-03-12T21:40:00.012-04:00

Okay ladies remember Project Bridesmaids? Well here are some photos of the latest wedding gowns and dresses that can be used for a bridesmaid or a night on the town!

Exquiste Brides & Entiise Lingerie put the icing on the cake

2009-03-06T15:35:00.007-05:00

On March 4th, 2009 Exquisite Bride held their grand opening event in Millburn, NJ and what a grand event it was! The blue toned walls provide peace of mind and body, just what a bride needs while picking out her wedding gown and those of her favorite bridesmaids to be. Large dressing rooms and oversized mirrors give any girl the chance to be a narcissist even if its just for the moment. Bridesmaid dresses can be found on the lower level by designers like Vera Wang, Bill Levkoff, Pro Novias, Ulla Malla, Alvina Valentina, Lazaro, Liancarlo, Rivini, Romona Keveza, Jim Helm, Anne Barge and so much more! Don't forget the most important part to your wedding attire... the lingerie provided by my favorite Entiise Lingerie. Brides and bridesmaids can get also get their bras, underwear and "bride to be" attire all at once. If that's not enough, take advantage of the 10% discount on all bridesmaid dresses. How's that for icing on the cake?

Until next time, remember to always Plan Your Memories!

Vote for us!

2009-03-05T21:37:00.007-05:00

Ladies Who Launch has partnered with Startup Nation to honor the Leading Moms in Business 2009 Competition. As a mother of a 15 year old and a 3 year old, I often find it difficult to balance devotion between my business and to my children.
But! I make it work!
VOTE HERE
Please vote for me as a Leading Mom in Business.

2009-03-03T19:18:00.004-05:00

Plan Your Memories wants to thank all of our brides and grooms who made this award possible.

Donate your old bridesmaid dress.

2009-02-25T09:43:00.009-05:00

Live in NYC or want an excuse to visit? Modern Bride and Planet Hope - Project Bridesmaids gives ladies a opportunity to donate their old bridesmaid dresses for hope.
RSVP here.

Who said you can't have a Wedding Planner for a day?

2009-02-22T22:53:00.007-05:00

At Plan Your Memories we know what it means to make sure you day is perfect. That means having a professional to make it happen no matter what state the ecomony is in. Starting March 2, 2009 our most popular package, the "I Do" is yours for only $500.
This package includes:
-Plan 4-6 weeks prior to event date
-2 Meetings (1 hour each)*
-Attend rehearsal (2 hours)*
-Vendor day management (receive deliveries, confirm details day before)
-Day of time line (ceremony, reception, bridal party, family, vendors)
-Rehearsal Coordination (processional & recessional)
-Guest management (seating & direction)
-Transport flowers, centerpieces to reception
-Reception accuracy (according to contract with venue and vendors,place cards, napkins, centerpieces, favors etc)
-Distribute final payments/gratuities to vendors including officiant on behalf of couple
and more!!
Contact us to schedule your consultation at jessica@planyourmemories.com

Promotion Expires on Dec 31, 2009

RUNNING OF THE BRIDES

2009-02-01T23:43:00.002-05:00

Don't forget this year's Running of the Brides! Below are this year's dates.

FEB 20th Boston, MA (Hynes Convention Center)
FEB 27th New York, NY (Union Square)
MAR 20th Atlanta, GA

Great finds for your dollar!

2009-02-01T22:09:00.003-05:00

Are you planning a wedding on a budget? Well, we've all heard of EBAY, but not many have heard of http://www.bravobride.com/. Bravo Bride is a place where brides by and sell their ceremony, reception, decorations, even wedding gowns at a reduced rate.
Take a moment to check it out! You might just find what you're looking for.

Change. Is the word of the year!

2009-01-20T16:06:00.004-05:00

Its been a while since my last post and I hope you have not forgotten us. 2009 has brought us change with a new President and with new hope.
To honor change for 2009 we have decided to revamp our website. Please bear with us as our website will be down for a few hours. We hope to be back up this evening.

Thank you for your understanding and congratulations to our Mr. Barack Obama the President of the United States of America!

WEDDING WIRE RATED!!

2008-08-12T22:17:00.002-04:00

Hello Bride's to be, Groom's to be, In-Laws to be and so on.
I am happy to announce that Plan Your Memories has become Wedding Wire Rated for 2008!
Its been a busy year so far and we hope the business keeps coming! Don't let the economy slow you down. There's always room for celebration!
Please help spread the word about our ratings!

Until next time,
Remember to always PLAN YOUR MEMORIES!

Want to be an Event Planner?

2008-05-27T23:40:00.002-04:00

Plan Your Memories Inc is an event design and production company founded in 2003. We are seeking intern event planners to execute weddings, social events, meetings and fundraisers. This position will report directly to the President and assist with various aspects of each event. Major responsibilities include: event production, event day assistance, design assistance, filing, vendor bookings and management, vendor follow up calls, product promotion, email marketing management and client follow up calls. The candidate for this position must be able to meet deadlines, be attentive to email and phone requests directed by President, have excellent communication skills and organizational skills. This position requires two weekend shifts of either a Saturday or Sunday from 10am-1pm, with additional hours months with booked events.
Requirements:
1-2 Years event industry experience, Associate/Bachelor Degree, proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Outlook, Internet, Marketing a plus and must have a reliable source of transportation and mobile device.
This is a non-paid position for those seeking to gain experience in the event industry. Recommendation letters will be provided for all volunteers to use toward their continued education. This position is not for event based assistance only.

Please submit resume and cover letter to: jessica@planyourmemories.com

Networking is a MUST!

2008-05-17T22:07:00.005-04:00

Okay another late blog, which only means that I have been out educating myself and working weddings. In any case, as the saying goes.... BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Here goes, on April 21st I attended my first Wedding Salon networking event at the beautiful Palace at Somerset Park and wow was I glad I made it! It was beautiful sunny day, and just enough wind to wear a blazer and be comfortable. I walked in and was greeted by Candice who checked off my name and wished me a good evening. My appetite had went into second gear during my drive to the Palace and good thing it did! Low and behold cheese, crackers, cold cuts, pasta, passed hors d' oeuvres and of course cocktails were the choice of food for the evening. I bumped into my favorite chocolated man Jeremy Wasserman of Prestige Chocolates, a good friend and wedding planner Tracee Wright of Weddings Done Wright. As the evening progressed I had the honor of meeting Adam Batt of Jersey Street Furniture who has had the pleasure of working with David Tutera, Alia of Make up by Alia, Jeanine Mangan of Jeanine Mangan MakeUp, and familiar faces Kevin James of Merri-Makers Catering and Veronica Castro of Entiise Lingerie, and its just that Enticing! Veronica offers "Fun and Flirty" lingerie for the everyday woman and specialties for the bride. Thankfully, I got to get a peak at the palace behind the double doors, and what a site! High ceilings, beautiful decor, elaborate balcony and an outstanding bridal sweet complete with restrooms and furnitute. An evening packed with great contacts and opportunity.
Thanks again Wedding Salon!

Until the next blog!
Always remember.. to PLAN YOUR MEMORIES!

Gotham New York!

2008-05-04T21:57:00.005-04:00

This blog is a bit late, but as they say "better late than never". April 21st was my first Wedding Salon show of the year, and as always they never cease to amaze me. At the entrance welcomed an outstanding chuppah created by A Touch of Elegance leading to several fabulous table displays and a lighted dance floor provided by National Event Connection that made me want to dance! Then there was catering....ahhh the joys of complimentary tastings to excite the pallet! Harry's offsite catering was the first in line and my taste buds were yearning for more! As I walked to the next booth to see what was in store, there it was a tiny man standing on a platter with but of course a taste from the 21 Club. Just when it couldn't get any better a blue martini glass came my way as I passed Neuhaus Boutique. and indulged in what I had needed all day, Chocolate! My last hour consisted of meeting some great vendors like Lela New York Invitations, Blade Floral & Event Designs, Paper Per Se, and Joseph Edwards Wedding Filmmakers. Once again the Wedding Salon has out did themselves again.
Thank You Wedding Salon.
Until the next blog,
Jessica PYM INC.

Spring is in the air!

2008-04-26T21:33:00.004-04:00

To all my brides and grooms to be;
You've been planning your wedding all year, and now its time to set your planner aside and head over to your local florist. Mother's Day is just two weeks away and your mother has probably helped you with every aspect of your wedding so far. Here are some ideas to make Mother's Day extra special.
1. Take your mother to the local Home Depot or Lowes and buy her favorite shrub or flowers and help plant them.
2. Dust off the BBQ and have an intimate outdoor lunch with the family.
3. Does your mom love wine?! Take her to a wine tasting.
New Jersey has some of the best wineries and you can find them at
http://www.newjerseywines.com/
4. Cook her favorite meal.
5. And last but not least, take her out for a day on the town, Starbucks in the morning, midday manicure, lunch and dinner at her favorite restaurant.
I guarantee she will feel extra special! Trust me I'm a MOM!

Until next time
Happy Planning!
Jessica ML

Shecky's Girls Night Out

2008-03-05T22:48:00.006-05:00

Although it was a nasty rainy day yesterday and I was sick all weekend, I still kept up my end of the bargain and attended the Shecky's Girls Night Out event with my assistant. As we approached The Puck building in NYC we noticed a line forming, fortunately it went quick. We signed in, checked our coats and were on our way to an evening to remember. I love going to events like this because it gives me inspiration when planning weddings and parties.... and it sure did! The buidling was filled with handbags, jewelery, clothes,and more. I had the pleasure of meeting Creative Director Liane Okamitsu of Liane By Design, her jewelery speaks for itself, and they definitely spoke to me! I bought a pair of crystal earrings for myself and my assistant. The next table I stopped by was the Booty Parlor, this is definitely a vendor for my bachelorette parties! Ladies this is the site if you want to get your fiance in the mood! Create your own lovekit, buy a book on Kama Sutra or pick up a diamond baby doll. Oh and guess who's buying this stuff?! Jessica Biel, Jessica Love Hewitt, Paris Hilton, and soon Jessica Laracuente...yup me. The fun didn't stop there, we had the honor of meeting Roni Sue of Roni-Sue's Chocolates....mmmmmm what a treat. Chambord, Bacardi, Fuze, and Finlandia were the cocktail sponsors for the evening. After a long night and 2 pair of earrings and a necklace later, we headed home stopped for a quick bite and mapped out our busy wedding months ahead... Sign up for Shecky's Summer event now! you'll love it. Until next blog... happy planning!

Capture Every Detail

2008-02-22T16:20:00.005-05:00

Everyday people are celebrating a new chapter in their life, and you can bet that almost every celebration will be captured with a photo. We have helped our clients plan grand events without missing a single detail. From the bloomies that replaced the garter, to the bathroom candy basket, we have done it all.
Without further or due......
Plan Your Memories is proud to annouce its newest photography service to ensure every detail is captured. We offer digital photography, flush mount albums, printed proofs and more. Our clients can now take advantage of convenient photography service while planning their event.
Visit our website to view our photo gallery and schedule your consultation today!

Wedding Money Saving Tips

2008-02-19T22:12:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to all the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine engagements! Now is when the fun begins! Here are a few tips to save you money; The average wedding may run you about $26,327* and may change with location.
Here are some money saving tips:
1. Choose your bridal party wisely. For each Bridesmaid you will need a bouquet and a thank you gift. For every Groomsmen you will need a Boutonniere and a thank you gift
2. Create your guest list first before deciding on a budget. You will find that your estimated guest count may be off by a few. Each guest will need a dinner plate, a favor, a wedding invitation (1 per household), a wedding program, a wedding toss, a Thank You card with photo,and for every 8-10 guests you will need a table with centerpiece. Ask yourself these questions;
A. When is the last time I called or emailed this person?
B. Does this person have a special meaning in my life?
C. Will I miss this person if he/she replied “Will Not Attend?”
Although these questions seem a bit harsh, they will help narrow down the guest list.
Consider allowing each set of parents to invite 8 guests each and seat them together.

3. When choosing your venue, be sure to pick the off months. The most popular wedding months are May through November. December through April are the least expensive months to marry with January through February being the least of those.

4. Another great cost cutter... try serving only wine and beer, you're guaranteed to save money.

5. What day of the week is best? Saturday is the most popular day of the week for weddings. Surprisingly, Fridays are least expensive as well as Sundays. But, if you have your heart set on a date that falls on a Saturday, consider an afternoon wedding, you might just get a great deal from your venue.

6.When setting your budget always outline the things you want at your wedding and relate them to a vendor. This will help you determine what type of vendor you will need. For example, if your dream has always been to have a live music, then you will need a live band. Decide the area that is most important to you and cut costs in other areas.

Want more cost cutting tips? Then you need an experienced wedding planner who can save you money without looking like you did.

Jessica ML
Plan Your Memories Inc.
Mention this article and instanly save 20% on any accessory.

*CNNMONEY.com May 20, 2005: 4:38 PM EDT
By Grace Wong, CNN/Money staff writer

Real Simple & Crate and Barrel Weddings

2008-01-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

On January 24, 2008 at 6:00PM started my first wedding event for the year. As I walked into the 59th Street entrance of Crate and Barrel, I was greeted by the warmth of the check in tent set up right outside the doors. Chandeliers hung setting a tone of elegance and greeters were ready and waiting with evening maps to direct their brides to be. As I walked through the beautiful items Crate and Barrel has to offer, I spotted the first cheese station. Brie, Hard Cheddar, Goat Cheese and Crackers were the evening's treat a long with a choice of wine, beer or soda.
Brides and Grooms were able to register and event planners like me were able to watch and enjoy. The party was on the second floor with the sounds of Bruce Saunders Entertainment, while brides, grooms, family and friends sat on leather couches, at dinner tables or lounge chairs nibbling on cheese and sipping on wine.
After about 2 hours everyone started to feel the groove of the band and began dancing the evening away.
Another great industry event, I look forward to many more. I'll keep you all posted!

Meet the EXPERT!

2008-01-26T17:15:00.000-05:00

Let the shows begin. Fortunoff will begin the year with its first Wayne New Jersey bridal event, and Plan Your Memories will be there to show off their services to all you brides and grooms to be.

Visit me at Fortunoff February 28 from 6:30-8:30 PM.
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Sign up for one of our event packages and get 20% off.
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Bride to Be advice for 2008

2008-01-03T23:15:00.000-05:00

Planning any type of event can be stressful. Who to invite? Where to have the event? What type of favors? What should I wear? What should I serve? How can I be different? These are some of the most common questions I get when planning an event for my clients. Well, you're not alone. Everyone who is involved in any type of planning whether it be a corporate meeting, an informal dinner party, a girls or boys night out, travel plans and last but not least a planning a wedding experiences some type of stressfulness. How do you cope? Let's start with the brides... here is some advice; parents on either side are always concerned with the amount of guests invited to their child's wedding... Mom will want to invite Aunt Sally, Uncle Jim and Cousin Bob, while you feel obligated to your colleagues. I suggest giving both set of parents ten guests each they can invite. Ten guests will consist of 2 tables, 2 center pieces and 20 dinner plates, these tables can be placed near each parent table for easy access to their preferred guests. More often than none, the mother of the Bride wants to be involved from start to finish. I had a client who was not concerned with changing into a second gown for the reception, but her mother insisted and went to the extent of purchasing a dress for her daughter to change into. Turned out that the dress did not fit the bride and resulted in an unhappy mother and loss of money since the boutique was having a final sale. Parents are no so hard to deal with; you just have to know how to deal with them. Always have a pleasant tone when speaking with them, ask for advice, even if you are not going to take it, ask them to attend bridal shows and vendor meetings with you and always consider their opinion. Another type of stress to deal with is planning your wedding with a fiancé who leaves all the decisions up to the bride like the type and color of linen for the tables. My brides often call me about twice a day or week about two weeks until the wedding for various reasons. Some brides will complain about a Tuxedo not being ordered on time, a wedding band not chosen or simply not participating at all. So how does a bride deal? One word... pamper! Get a manicure, a facial, have a wine and chocolate night with your girlfriends. These are the types of self improvement and indulgences that can help relieve stress for any bride to be.

ARE WE ON THE AIR?

2007-12-06T22:32:00.000-05:00

Hudson Valley's Premiere Internet Radio destination for; Independent Music, Art, Business and Culture invited Jessica Laracuente, Owner of Plan Your Memories Inc.,Tracee Wright of Weddings Done Wright and Donchelle Johnson of ForBlackWeddings.com to discuss some of the challenges of planning a wedding and the need for hiring a wedding planner. George; a Rockland World Radio VJ posed questions such as "how much do wedding planner's cost?", "What is the hardest thing a wedding planner has to deal with?", and "what about the Groom, how does he get involved and does he get involved?" Jessica explained how men are driven by society and more layed back about the wedding planning. One example included was the flexibility men have when choosing their tuxedo. Donchelle discussed Forblackweddings.com's Groom page and a Groom's responsibility. Tracee Wright talked about the funniest experience she had during a Day of Wedding Coordination when a last minute symbolic presentation was added to the ceremony at the last minute, which resulted in a not so sweet corn syrup used for the "Taste of Life's" sweetness of marriage. Melinda, a Public Representative for Rockland World Radio joined us and wanted to know which area during the planning of a wedding is most stressful for the couple. Jessica explained how the area she has seen cause the most stress is the guest list and table seating arrangement. When couples realize that each guest needs more than just a meal that's when the list starts to minimize. Finally Power, a Rockland World Radio VJ had to attend Mary J Blige's release party but was able to call in and get his questions. To listen to the full interview please visit Rockland Radio and select the 12/5/2007 "The Wedding Planners" show.

PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD

2007-11-05T16:27:00.000-05:00

On October 29th New Jersey Event Professionals hosted yet another great meeting.

Kathy and Al Ritondo of Personal Touch Video talked about The Power of Video while displaying some footage from the Wedding & Event Videographers Association. Kathy suggested having a website with a streaming video to enhance business advertising in addition provided some great websites beneficial to our business. Next up was Maureen and Wes of Your Specials Image Studio, they talked about do's and dont's when displaying personal photos on promotional and advertising materials and the importance of professional photography to represent your business.

If your a event industry professional and want to meet other industry members, be sure to check out NJ Event Pro Net for updates on our next meeting.

Girls Night Out!

2007-10-15T22:36:00.000-04:00

Plan Your Memories show cased at the Fortunoff "Girls Night Out" event last week. Fortunoff brides were able to register while sipping on cocktails and munching on appetizers. Chocolate samples were provided by my favorite chocolate man, Jeremy Wasserman of Prestige Chocolates, and gift bags with a water bottle and t-shirt were given to each bride to take home. This is an exclusive event and doesn't happen often, so if you're a bride, be sure to check back with me for the next show. Guess what?... brides and friends enter free!

How much do weddings cost?

2007-08-30T13:21:00.001-04:00

That is the question all newly engaged couples want to know. Although each client is different from the next, they all have the same questions. How much do weddings cost? I always advise my clients to compromise where compromise is allowed. Weddings don't have to break the bank to be grand.
Want some tips? Take a look at my latest article below.

How much do weddings really cost?

By: Jessica M. Laracuente
Plan Your Memories, Inc.
www.planyourmemories.com

Now that he has asked you to marry him, what's next?

Deciding the cost of your wedding should be the first thing on your list.

Start off by drafting a guest list; I suggest creating two lists, an A list of those you must invite and a B list for people you want to invite. Next discuss the type of wedding; formal, sit down, buffet, outdoor, destination etc. Once you have decided the number of guests and style, consider location. Destination weddings can be less costly for the couple by 41% but expensive for guests resulting in a lesser number of attendance.[1] Venue location prices vary based on County, Décor, Cuisine, and State. The next thing is deciding how much you are willing or want to spend on your wedding. The average wedding in the state of New York-Northern New Jersey costs about $36,830[2]. A helpful tip: consider tax and gratuities when speaking to your banquet manager. The average wedding guest count is between 200 and 300[3], at $75 per person plus 7% NJ Tax and an average of 18% Gratuities totals about $94.50 per person. Here's a clearer picture. 250 guests x $94.50= $23,625.00.

Continue reading this article at: http://forblackweddings.com/uploads/Wedding_Cost.doc

In the Moment- Showcase

2007-08-30T08:56:00.000-04:00

I would like to thank Jeremy Wasserman of Prestige Chocolates for inviting me to a night filled with music and food. All chocolate is hand crafted by Jeremy himself for a perfect balance and texture. Prestige Chocolates offers dark chocolate truffles with an array of fillings to choose from. Not a fan of dark chocolate? Neither was my assistant Alicia Andujar, "there's a party in my mouth and noone is invited!" were her exact words after taking a bite of a Prestige truffle. Orders can be conveniently ordered online and delivered right to your door. Last night I had the pleasure of listening to the outstanding live music provided by In the Moment. Carroll Studios was the prime location for last night's event, a rehearsal studio used by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Jon Dowling, president of In the Moment, kindly greeted us at the door and showed us to the studio where we'd experience something like never before. To our right was an assortment of appetizers from mini square empanadas filled with cranberry and brie to almond cookies, ending with a chocolate dipping fountain, all made by Mrs. Cynthia Dowling. In the Moment displayed diversity in their choice of music and at times I wanted to get up and dance. The vocalists displayed a good aura and made us laugh with their expressions during up beat songs. In the Moment is family owned and provides music for weddings, they currently have four groups and plan to expand with a Big Band Orchestra and a Latin Salsa Band. After an hour of consistantly great vocal and instrumental performance, my assistant and I were able to network and meet some great vendors. Michael Dempsey was the preferred photographer for the evening and displayed my favorite, the Image Box. I had the pleasure of meeting graphic designers Zeb and Rae of Praez Occassions. Praez specializes in both custom couture invitations and accessories. Invitations start at $3.50 each and no two events ever get the same style invitation. "Paper is our life and you don't get the cheap stuff, you never get an unfinished product, and there is never a need for assembling your invitations" explains Rae Boykin. Praez can turn around invitations for smaller weddings within a weeks time, and because they are designers at heart your invitations are sure to set the tone for your event. The evening ended with a gift bag , and a box of my favorite dark chocolate truffles provided by Prestige Chocolates.

Atlantic City Bachelorettes!

2007-08-28T22:49:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, I took a trip out to Atlantic City and came across about 8 bachelorettes. August seems to be popular for the "Last night out" celebration as one bridesmaid called it. The going trend for each party was a veil and tiara for the bride and tanks for members of the bridal party saying things like "Teresa's Last Night" to "Buy me a shot, I'm tying the knot". The popular night clubs this weekend were Mix at the Borgata and Cuba Libre at the Tropicana Hotel. Bachelorette parties are no longer for just the bride and her maids, brides are inviting all the girls, bridesmaid or not. One bride stated that its just not the same showing pictures and reminiscing about their night or weekend, everyone has to be there.

Shows like Certified Hunk Mania were the main weeked event. One maid of honor planned a fun night at the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana Hotel and a private party the next with strippers. There you have it ladies, if you want to have a bachelorette weekend filled with hunks, dance clubs, swimming and the sounds of slot machines, Atlantic City is the place to be. Its only 2 1/2 hours from New York, 2 hours from Central New Jersey and its affordable. Take a car, limo or bus and have a blast.

From a Distance

2007-08-20T09:32:00.001-04:00

On July 28 2007 Jessica and Jean joined each other in matrimony at the Fair Winds Fine Catering in Basking Ridge NJ. A Caribbean theme was carried through out the wedding with the bridesmaids each wearing a different vibrant color, the bride held a bouquet combined with the colors of her bridal party, the men wore cream suits to compliment the bridesmaids, and finally the groom's brown suit topped off the perfect accent color adorned with an orange cala lily boutinierre.

I used multi colored rose petals in place of the traditional aisle runner, orange and purple orchids were hung on the chairs which lead to a traditional unity candle setting with palm trees giving off the true caribbean affect. Reverend Kelmo C Porter Jr. joined the two in matrimony while his daughter Lisa Bethune sang a solo during the ceremony.

Elizabeth Gilmore of The Lily Pond created a perfect mixture of vibrant colors adding limes to the centerpieces for that extra caribbean theme and a cascade of miniature bouquets on the gold three tier wedding cake to match the bride's bouquet.

Guests were handed programs in the shape of fans to help cool off as they sipped on ice cold bottles of water made available to guests on either side of the tent.

As a gift to the bride, I arranged for PYM personal photographer Derrick Salters for pre-wedding photos. Derrick captured shots of the bride, the bride's grandmother, the bride's mother and bridal party prepping for the big day. The bride was so impressed with Derrick's professionalism, she asked him to stay while she presented her bridal party with silver trinket boxes engraved with each bridesmaid's name, inside pearl and crystal necklaces.

Did I mention; this wedding was planned over email and telephone conference calls? The couple live in Michigan and the majority of their family live in New Jersey. Lots of follow up, phone calls, careful planning and diligence could not to be compromised. Sure enough, the day ended with a smiling bride and groom.

Wedding Details

Location: Fair Winds Fine Catering

Photographer: Nicholas Haddock Photography

Coordinator: Jessica; Plan Your Memories Inc.

Florist: The Lily Pond

Pre-Wedding Photographer: Derrick Salters; PYM Photo

Favors: Fan Programs by Carlson Craft

Videographer- Lamar Wedding Center

Transportation- Route 22 Limo