Monday, December 28, 2009

TC and Jocelyn: 5.8.2010

A note from Tonya: As part of our blog, we thought we would share our couples we have the priviledge of working with here at Circle City Planners. I wanted you to read about how they met, their upcoming plans for the BIG day, and share a few cute pictures too. Enjoy! Here is Jocelyn and TC....they are so cute.
I have been helping them and their family plan for their wedding coming up in May at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.



The Story of Us

Tom (TC as I call him) and I have been together for almost 2 years! In fact, we’ll be celebrating the 2 years the night before we head to Vegas with friends as our last vacation prior to the wedding madness! How did we meet? Not one of the greatest stories—nor will it be one we’re proud to tell our children until they’re of legal age-- but nonetheless, it’s OUR story!

TC’s best friend went to Indiana State in Terre Haute, as did I. (Jocelyn is writing this story). His best friend had been invited back to town to a basketball game and was allowed to bring two guests. TC being one of them. As for me, I still lived in the Haute and was throwing a baby shower for one of my best friends. A couple sorority sisters came to the Haute as well for a night out at the most popular watering hole in town, the Ballyhoo. Normally, I spent my weekends in Indy and rarely went out in Terre Haute, but, as fate would have it, I went out that night in Terre Haute.

TC is a Michigan State Spartan from head to toe. VERY rarely does he not wear his State hat. Michigan State had lost that day, I had had a couple drinks, so the second I saw him with his hat on, I started giving him grief about the loss. Not going to lie though, I did think he was cute? The night went on, and we talked quite a bit. When it was time to go, he searched for a business card to give me (in hindsight, only a person with a couple drinks searches for a business card), but didn’t have one. Have no fear though, I pulled my card out and handed it over! The rest, as they say…is history!


The BIG moment! I’m hardly one for surprises or keeping fun secrets. Last February, TC and I went to a jeweler in Indy to design my ring! The jeweler happens to be in the building I work in, but he did a very good job keeping information from me. We did the basic design together but TC picked out the diamond and decided all pertinent information (that I CLEARLY thought I needed to know) from me. I knew the ring was coming, I just didn’t know when. So, in the meantime, my mom and I met with Tonya. The next night, she had an event at the Crowne Plaza and she invited us. We walked in to Grand Hall and were sold.

We booked the wedding that night (it was March 5), nevermind that I didn’t have my ring! He got my parents permission and did all the right things. But then, I waited. And waited. And waited a little more, all the while driving TC crazy trying to figure out when my ring was coming. TC’s birthday is April 6. Nada. My birthday is April 8, but he swore he wasn’t going to do it on my birthday. However, I happened to stay in Indy most of that week since it was both of our birthdays. I woke up on my birthday and he’d left me something that said…Present #1. (He’s a personal trainer, so he leaves VERY early for work—waaaay before I’m out of bed). He told me there was more to come and to leave my bag for him to bring down later in the day. We had dinner reservations downtown and we were staying there. So, he came to get me from work, envelope sticking out of his pocket. (It turned out to be my ring appraisal—I’m awful!)

He told me we were staying at the Crowne and we were going to go drop my stuff off there before dinner, but wanted to take a detour. SO, we went through the ballroom entrance and there it was, where we’ll be introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Owen, that he proposed. People ask what he said and I tell them…I have NO idea. I don’t remember a thing.

When is THE REAL Big Day? As you already know, reception is at Crowne Plaza, but the date is May 8! Our ceremony will take place at the Meridian Street Methodist Church—though neither of us are Methodist, I’ve always loved that church. They’ve been so accommodating too! We have a huge wedding party—I still am VERY close to both friends I grew up with and college friends so there will be 10 girls standing up with me! I would’ve had 20 if that was acceptable. Tonya has been SO helpful guiding us along this path. I had NO idea what went in to planning a wedding and I think my mom and I have survived this adventure thanks to Tonya :)

What’s next?…I thought when I wrote this, I’d make a short list of the 5 things I love the most about TC. But then I started the list. And it got longer and longer, and there was no narrowing it down. As we grow together, the list will tweak itself during our adventures through life. But for now, we have a house in Carmel we recently purchased where TC lives. Our golden retriever, Braxtyn, and I will be moving in after the wedding.


And our life together begins…

Friday, December 18, 2009

Fall in LOVE with INDY


This year the Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference was held right here in Indy! This is a highlight video from the offical videographer and our fabulous friend Bob Ridge! Be sure to pay close attention to the Enchanted Woods Luncheon, it was planned by the one and only Tonya!!!
Happy viewing!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

FREE Tickets

Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!! Bridal shows are coming up and we would love to see you.

January 9 & 10, 2010 11am-4pm
Scottish Rite
Cathedral
FREE ADMISSION
PRINT THIS PAGE AND BRING IT TO THE SHOW FOR FREE ADMISSION FOR BRIDE AND GROOM COMPLEMENTS OF PERFECT WEDDING GUIDE! BRIDE & GROOM ARE FREE! (all other guests are only $8)

Friday, December 11, 2009

How to Avoid Wedding Remorse.....

The B word…..

Yes, Budget is on everyone’s minds especially this time of year. We set a budget, but sticking to it is another topic. After a relaxing time in New York last week, I had an “AH!” moment regarding the B word.

Here I was, in the midst of the holiday shopping extravaganza, thousands of tourists came to NYC for the Christmas cheer and SHOPPING. The long lines gave me time to take in all of the excitement as people were buying, buying, and buying! I got caught up in the moment too! But I stopped and thought to myself, “Will they have buyer’s remorse after the excitement is gone?” I know I did!

So will you have WEDDING REMORSE when your big day has passed? As you are planning your wedding and discussing the B word with your family, I thought this would be an excellent time to give you a few tips on how you can prevent WEDDING REMORSE and stay within your BUDGET (forward this article to your father, he will love it). I don’t want you to regret your past like I did. YIKES the credit card bill is coming soon!



TIPS ON PREVENTING WEDDING REMORSE


1. Know your limits. Once you and your family agree on the budget, it’s important to respect the bottom line. You think it’s important at the time, but later you will look back on the money spent and realize that you didn’t have to have that custom made ice sculpture. Don’t go into debt to impress!

2. Make a list and check it TWICE! Find out what’s the most important part of the wedding for you and your groom. Is it the food? The photographer? The ceremony or reception site? The planner (YES)?! Spend the majority of your budget on what will enhance your overall vision and what takes top priority. The other details can be minimized without losing the IMPACT. PS. A good wedding planner will actually give you the look for less!

3. Cut the guest list. Yes, I said cut the list. I have found over the last year the most memorable weddings were the smaller intimate ones with less than 200 people. It gives you a chance to really visit with the guests. Not to mention it saves you almost $100 per person when it comes to your catering bill

4. Say NO to impulse purchases. When you are in the moment, we tend to JUST DO IT (as Nike reminds us) only later to regret our impulse purchase. Weddings are based on emotions, as our purchases. If you fall in love with something (like a great linen) think about it for a day or so before you say YES and make sure it fits within the budget.

5. Revisit the budget monthly. It’s important to respect the money that has been allotted for the wedding. Therefore, setting up a separate checking account and having a financial meeting monthly for the wedding is very important. Get everyone involved and discuss the money allotted for each vendor/item.

The most important tip is to say THANK YOU! Your parents have saved for years for this day. Probably the money originally allotted for your wedding, had to change when the market burned BUT that doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful event. It’s time to be appreciative for the things you have and the money they can give you. Going into debt for one day, isn’t worth it.

Don’t have WEDDING REMORSE! At the end of the day it’s about the two of you getting married, not what kind of cake you had.


Wedding Love and Hugs,

T

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Dentists are Smiling





























Jenny and Brant
November 28,2009
Renaissance Hotel







Jenny and Brant are married!!! The event happened at the Renaissance Hotel on November 28th! It was a FABULOUS day!! The weather was spectacular for the end of November and the Bride and Groom were the perfect couple. The plans started with Jenny's mom idea of using a dutch tradition of a wishing tree. Where guests write well wishes for the couple on a paper leaf and then hang the wish on the tree. I proposed to have the ceremony in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel and then the reception in the ballroom. Everyone loved the idea so we went with it!! The wedding day was entirely too smooth the hardest part was keeping the bride and groom from not seeing each other before the ceremony. Jenny snuck a peek as we were setting up and was loving everything. Which made me VERY happy! Robbie and Lauren of Openfield photography took some fabulous shots of the bridal party before the ceremony and Karen from Artful Blooms brought our vision to life. The ceremony began at sundown (Jewish tradition). Shermie their officiant performed a beautiful ceremony and brought in many personal aspects into the wedding ceremony. After the ceremony guests mingled while the staff moved the ceremony chairs into the ballroom. Once guests sat down for dinner Jenny and Brant danced their first dance as husband and wife. Dinner was excellent. Brian Whitis was our DJ for the evening and he had the dance floor packed the entire night! Along with the traditional bouquet and garter toss Jenny and Brant also dance the horah another Jewish tradition where they are lifted in chairs and everyone else circles around them. At the end of the evening, I went up to the happy couple to tell them good bye. Jenny and Brant both gave me a big hug and said that this was the best day of their lives which made everything worthwhile!!!