“What exactly do you do?”

Since opening Mochablue in 2006 this is a question that I get quite often. This is the top 3 so to speak… do I ever get responses that are not within our realm of services? Of course! Will we complete the tasks if they fall in that category? Unfortunately no – services deemed ethical, non-harmful, well intentioned and legal (of course) we will do our best to assist. Who’s the we in Mochablue? Myself and a great team of assistants that help me from time to time when needed. (future blog item!)

1-Consult with clientele to determine how and if Mochablue may assist with their needs – from concierge services (making arrangements, research, home management services, organization services, errands, personal assistance) to event and wedding planning (design, timeline development, vendor/partner referrals, budget management, execution of event). Ours services assists our clients in maximizing their time so they can focus on living life rather than attempting to do activities they do not enjoy nor have the time or energy to do themselves.

2- Networking/Marketing for myself and my clients. This is an area where due to the type of profession (social!) I have to be out in the community meeting and educating people on what benefits a concierge service can be.

a) Overall management of for the ‘mochabook’ which my clientele may tap into whenever they need. It includes passing on key partner cards and information for services to be offered to my clients.

b) Affiliation with key associations and organizations to promote my respective businesses and gain ‘perks’ for being a member with those same organizations to pass on to my clientele. One example is ticketing for shows and theater. Our group gains access to certain productions, receives the best seats available for a price of course to provide a particular experience – special requests, coordinating the evening, little unexpected surprises…
c) Maintain connections and build relationships with other fellow concierge/event planning firms as well as preferred partners in the Twin Cities and beyond

3) Manage the daily business operations, client requests, marketing/social marketing needs (ezine, blog, newsletter etc), responding back to emails and phone calls. Check with our business partners on progress of their work is satisfactory to client.

Calling all engaged couples!

One of the organizations I belong to is having a fabulous FREE event for engaged brides and/or grooms… Its a limited event. If you or someone you know is getting married and needs to get all of their planning done (love how it saves time!) and does not want to be in the throngs of 1000’s at the same time this is the event they must go to!

Registration
My List

Main website

Registration is required as space is limited. Scroll on down for more details!

List of Bliss is hosting its first ’speedplanning’ service event.

List of Bliss is an event & wedding network of prescreened professionals. The setting is more intimate than larger trade shows – we strive to keep this simple and enjoyable. There are only 1-3 vendors present per category and we cover the entire Twin Cities Metro. Some of our fabulous members travel beyond as well! We know planning, floral and invitations just to name a few of our members.

This is an opportunity for you (our guests) as an engaged couple to meet and greet potential wedding vendors for your wedding. You will have a few minutes to discuss details and complete an onsite interview of your pending day to determine if the person/business you ’speedplan’ with is a good fit for you! One place and you can do all of your interviewing in a short period of time.

This is a FREE event to pre-registered brides and grooms to be. If you would like to attend just sign up at www.listofbliss.com/mylist – indicate which vendors you are currently seeking, fill out your contact information and then show up!

You must be pre-registered. Non registered guests may or may not have a guarantee to participate. This is a limited registration – only the first 150 guests will be allowed in – again this is a FREE event.

When? July 19, 2009 Sunday
What time? 1pm-4pm
Where? Chambers Hotel- Minneapolis

Cheers!
List of Bliss
Your event & wedding network
www.listofbliss.com

Weddings… its all about the budget

Especially in this economy. Many get caught up in all of the glorious details that come with planning and may get a bit discouraged when thinking of ‘limits’ – but it is actually a game. How to achieve the look you want while staying within whatever your budget may be.

First figure out who is contributing to the budget. Traditionally (think the 1950’s) the Brides parents paid for the Brides Attire, Bridesmaids Bouquets, Grandmother Corsages, Ceremony/Reception flowers and decor, Rented Items for the Wedding Ceremony/Reception, Wedding Stationary (invitations, programs, printed items), Church & Reception Hall Fee, Musicians/Band/DJ/Orchestra, Catered Reception/Service, Wedding Cake/Favors, Rice Bags, Photography/Videography, Wedding Breakfast, Bridal Brunch, and the Brides Family Formal wear (Mother and Father of the Bride). For further information check out this link

For the past decade or so costs have shifted to the Bride & Groom themselves along with gifts from their families. Knowing what you are able to truly afford without going into debt to do so will make your day even that more perfect.

Your biggest expense will be the reception itself – along with it you have to include the venue, room/hall fees, tables & chairs, guests meal options, beverage options, cake/dessert, decor (other than floral), linens, service fees, staff/gratuities, rentals and of course the favors. This concierge planner would recommend a comfortable 50-60% of your overall budget dedicated to the reception. The most basic way to keep costs in check is to streamline your guest list to the family and friends who are important in your life. These are the people who will be instrumental in supporting you and your new spouse in your new lives.

So how would I suggest the remaining breakdowns of costs? Try the following as a template keeping in mind that of course you can tweek as you go along – if there is an area that you do not allocate funds that means that much left over for any of the others that have greater meaning to you as a couple for the first day of your new lives!

10% Bridal & Groom Attire, Accessories, Jewelry (other than your rings), Garter/Hoisery, Shoes

7% Photography/Videography

7% Music (DJ’s, Band/Musicians) for ceremony & reception

7% Floral/Decorations (Bouquets, Bouts, Corsages, Ceremony/Reception flowers, Table Centerpieces, Bows/Florals for aisle/pews/chairs, Cake Table, Candles, Lighting, Balloons, Other)

6% Stationery (Invitations, Save the Date Cards, RSVP cards, Maps, Programs, Personal Stationary, Calligraphy, Thank you cards, Stamps, Guest Book/Wish Bowl, Reception Napkins, Matchbooks, Other)

4% Miscellaneous (Marriage License, Taxes, Tips, Other)

3% Bridal and Grooms Wedding rings, Other (tokens/jewelry for children, significant people etc)

3% Transportation (Ceremony, Reception, Guest Transportation, Limousines, Trolleys, Parking, Taxis, Other)

2% Gifts (Each other, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Parents, Readers/Other Participants)

1% Ceremony Location Fees, Officiants Fee/Donation

Additional costs to consider are:

Wedding coordinator/planner 3-5% (on average)
* Keep in mind that most planners may assist you in sourcing additional discounts when working with their preferred list of vendors, and of course doing our best to keep you under budget!

Celebratory events (often gifted by the families to the couple) leading up to the big day may include Engagement Party, Rehearsal Dinner, Showers, Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties, Salon Appointments, Brunch, and Hotel Rooms 1-5%

Some great planning tools can also be found on

http://www.engaged2be.com

http://www.ourwedding.com

http://www.theknot.com

http://www.weddingchannel.com

http://www.realsimple.com/weddings or

http://browse.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/weddings/index.html

Happy planning!

Wedding Tips

Katrinna Hanneman with Studio Laguna has a eye for photography that is pure art from weddings to commercial to portraits. Her web page/blog is www.stulagu.com

I love her photojournalistic bend. She really captures the person, the event just the overall mood. She is very professional and a pure joy to be around.

Check out their offerings and let her know Mochablue sent you!
Cheers!

Bridal show this weekend! February 23, 2008

An exciting new venture for Goodwill Industries. They are tapping into the wonderful bridal industry are having a show this Saturday – yours truly will be in participating (with other vendors from around the Twin Cities- one per category for planning, floral, hotel, salon, photography, catering etc) and attendance is free – no rsvp required.  Stop down and say hello if your in the area!

Goodwill Bridal Show