The Checklist.....  Here are some great items for your important list!

Ceremony Checklist
Wedding bands bought and sized
Confirm rehearsal date & time
Marriage license
Vows chosen or written
Readers chosen Email planner names
Usher chosen Email planner Names and email address
Ring pillow purchased
Programs purchased or made (are you making programs?)
Music selected (Send planner the completed list and send to DJ)
Unity candle purchased  If needed

Reception Checklist

Special occasions permit ( if needed)
Guest book & pens
Pick guest book and seating card attendants
Engagement photo framed for display or guest signing ( Are we having a memory table as well?)
Meal selection Email this to planner and confirm an email to caterer.  Need arrival time of caterer as well.
Confirm bar stock and hours (Confirm amount of bartenders and bars rented)
Go over floor plan ( Doing this tomorrow) 9-5
Create a seating plan We can talk about this tomorrow. 
Let planner know when deliveries will be made  Tent set up, Bar, Food, Floral, cupcakes.  I would like your times that you have documented then I will contact the vendors as well.

Confirm linen colors
Figure out who will be in the receiving line and in what order  (Document and email to Jenn)
Choose attendant for guest book/seating card/reception cards table (someone needs to do this)
Write speech and ask others to prepare speeches(wedding party, family & MC) Email planner speeches the speeches can be touching or funny… If you need speech samples for your party let me know.
Decide on kissing and or centerpiece game-games…
Instructions for disposable cameras (announced or printed)  If you are using them
Bathroom baskets (let planner know if you are having them and if she should supply them)
Pick VIP reception songs: wedding party entrance, 1st dance, parents dances, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter removal & toss, last dance, etc. Email the selections to Jenn and to you DJ
Pick your kissing and centerpiece games. Email to planner and DJ with when you want to do them.

One venue vs two separate venues.....

Whether you are planning a wedding where the Ceremony is at one venue (a church, garden or the beach for example) and the reception at another venue; or if you have decided on having both ceremony and reception at the same venue – both options have their own pros and cons…


Ceremony & Reception at two different venues:

The Pros:

• More guests can be invited to the ceremony and fewer can be invited to the reception (this will save alot on your budget, especially if you have a larger number of guests and financially cannot afford to invite them all to your reception).

• You can space the time between ceremony and reception, a little longer, that way giving you more time for your photos (always ensure guests know what time they should be at the reception and offer suggestions or a list of activities as to what they can do between the ceremony and reception).

The Cons:

• You are dealing with another set of suppliers, which means more organizing on your part.

• Most often it will cost a bit more to hold the ceremony & reception at two separate venues than if you were only hiring one venue to take care of everything.

• As the wedding will in all likelihood go on that bit longer (due to travel between venues, etc), you will probably incur more costs from your suppliers – for example your photographer may need to be there for an extra hour and you may have to hire the bridal cars for a longer period.

Ceremony & Reception at the same venue:

The Pros:

• You are only dealing with one venue, so less organizing on your part.

• It is likely to be a less expensive than having the ceremony at a different venue

• The actual wedding time is likely to be shorter and therefore you won’t need all the suppliers there for as long (less expensive if you are paying them per hour).

The Cons:

• Everyone you invite to the ceremony you will have to invite to the reception (it will be rude to say to some guests that they have to leave, while others get to stay for the meal).

• You will probably have to organize some sort of entertainment to keep your guests occupied between the ceremony and reception while you go off for your photos.

• You will also have to provide drinks and appetizers for guests between ceremony & reception, while you are having your photos taken and this can add quite a bit to your budget.

Please remember whichever options you go with (and there is no right or wrong – just what works best for you and your wedding budget), it is vital to have a bad/wet weather option for the ceremony (especially those planned on the beach or in a garden), as you can’t leave things to chance and hope that the weather will be glorious.

Happiness!
The Powerhouse Team....

The Budget Bride Wedding Planning

Jenn Bittner-Professional Bridal Consultant




Expressions and With This Ring, LLC wedding service aims

to provide an intimate relationship with each client so that

their personal tastes, preferences and event desires

become reality. We work hard to produce a custom package

option best suited for our wedding couple. Once a package

selection is made, Jenn will manage the event every step

of the way.



Jenn draws on a vast network of resources in the wedding

and event planning industry. Having knowledge and

experience enable us to select from the best and most

trusted vendors, caterers and event professionals.



We are committed to making this process a stress-free one,

Jenn is a bride's best friend paying full attention to your

wedding wishes and satisfying them accordingly.



For, Expressions Events and Jenn are always expanding

the breadth and depth of our vendor resources to include

not only the finest vendors and seasoned wedding and

event industry professionals, but also those new, fresh and

innovative in the art of wedding design and execution.



My promise to you is a wedding that is exquisite, and

nothing less.



BUDGET MINDED!

We offer a custom package for each and every couple

based on your needs and budget. We are beyond

reasonable with our pricing and in today's economy we are

here to help you have the wedding you have always

dreamed of in your budget guidelines.



Call Jenn today for a complimentary consultation. No matter

how small a part or how large we play in your wedding

planning, we are here to help make your event stress free

and flawless.



Jenn Bittner 715-842-1333

Email: jenn@expressionsbaskets.net

WTR Prom Referral Program

Do you want to rent your prom tuxedo for Free?

Students are now seeing that going to the prom can be expensive. At With This Ring Formal Wear we offer students the chance to participate in our Prom Referral Program... the chance to not only wear the tuxedo of their choice free of charge but also receive cash towards their expenses.


Students who participate in our program can earn all the following rewards just by telling their friends about With This Ring Formal Wear.

• Students who refer 5 friends will have the choice of any style tuxedo we carry free of charge.

• Students who refer 10 friends will not only have the choice of any style tuxedo we carry free of charge but will also receive $50.00 towards their prom expenses.

• Students who refer 15 friends will not only have the choice of any style tuxedo we carry free of charge but will also receive $75.00 towards their prom expenses.

• Students who refer 20 friends will not only have the choice of any style tuxedo we carry free of charge but will also receive $100.00 toward their prom expenses

***Students who participate in our Prom Referral Program and refer at least 5 friends will also receive 50% off a second rental if needed again.

Rules:

• Program students will be given cards to be handed out to any referrals. In order to receive credit for referring students these cards must be presented at the store with the student being referred at the time of ordering.

• Cards will only be accepted and credited to the program student when given at the time of ordering.

• Referral students can only be used once.

• Referral does not have to be for the same prom.

Use your prom dollars for other prom expenses such as floral, limo, dinner and etc.

The Perfect Fit Formula- Tuxedo 101

Garment Fit + Body Type + Measurements = Perfect Fit


The 7 Important Principles of Measurements are:

1. Neck - Measure around the neck and add 1/2" to the measurement.

2. Sleeve Length - Measure from the center of the collar and follow outside contour of the back and arm to the crease in the wrist.

3. Chest - Measure around chest as high as possible under arms, with arms down at sides. Put your hand under the tape. This will check overarm measurement.

4. Overarm - Measure overarm at top of muscle. Deduct 6" from overarm measurement to get coat size.

5. Waist - Measure around waist at line of navel. Waist measurement should be pulled snug - not loose!

6. Hip - Measure hip at largest point. Subtract 8 inches to find proper waist size.

7. Outseam - Measure from top of pant waist-band down. The outside of leg to middle of shoe above the heel.

Coat Formula

• When measuring chest, put your hand between the body and measuring tape to get approximate coat size. Always fit coat slightly large.

• Overarm measurement minus 6" usually equals coat size (this takes into account upper arm size).

• If a try-on coat is not available, compare results of overarm and underarm to chose the proper size.

Pant Formula

• Measure waist at navel allowing for tape to be slightly loose.

• Measure hips at widest point, subtract 8" to find proper pant waist size (this is especially important on athletic customers).

• Compare both waist sizes, always go with the larger size.

Garment Fit

1. The coat should allow free movement of the arms and shouldn't feel snug in the armholes.

2. The coat should lay smoothly across the back.

3. The hem of the coat should reach to the curl of the fingers when arms are held straight down at the sides.

4. The coat sleeves should reveal 1/2 inch of the shirt cuff.

5. The trousers should be hemmed even with the top of the heel of the shoes in back, and in front they should barely break, resting on the top of the shoes.

Measurement Basics

REGULAR DROP:

6" difference between coat size and pant waist (Example: Coat 40, Pant 34).

ATHLETIC DROP:

8" or more difference between coat size and pant waist.

Note: On someone very athletic you must take their thigh measurement into consideration.

No High Tech Gadgetry is Needed To Decode Your Signature Look For Prom!

James Bond is back and hotter than ever with all his high-tech gadgetry, but even Bond knows that to achieve his signature look, he doesn't need his gadgets. He only needs his trusty, classic black tuxedo with a bow tie.


To plan your signature look, you don't need high tech gadgetry either, just the experts at With This Ring, LLC Formal Wear!

With This Ring has the perfect tuxedo to coordinate with your date's attire. So whether you are going for the sleek, debonair James Bond look of a classic black tux tied off with a bow tie, or the more contemporary Justin Timberlake look of a modern tuxedo with a longer length coat and colored accessories, With This Ring has the perfect fit.

Here are some tips for choosing your attire:

WTR’S Tips to Decoding Your Signature TUX Look

1. After your date accepts your invitation to prom, start planning your attire. Decide if you are going to be sporting a modern or traditional look. Also, decide if you are going to tie into the theme of your prom. For example, many high schools are had a James Bond themed proms due to 007 being the year. No matter what look you choose, make sure it reflects your personality so that you'll feel comfortable wearing it.

2. To see examples of prom tuxedo styles, check out the With This Ring web site at http://www.withthisringllc.net/ and click on the Tuxedo link.

3. If time permits, wait until after your date has purchased her gown before ordering your tuxedo, just in case she changes her mind while out shopping.

4. You need to order your tuxedo at least 3-4 weeks in advance. However, if you get invited last minute, no worries, just get into With This Ring as quick as possible.

5. Take your date's dress or a swatch of her dress into the store with you to coordinate the colors of your accessories. Adding colored accessories to your tux is a great way to coordinate with your date's dress and make your pictures "pop".

6. Also, you can always rent your tuxedo and purchase the accessories, such as the vest, tie, studs and cufflinks if your heart is set on a particular style or color of accessory. With This Ring extends a discount on retail prom purchases too.

7. When you go into the store to be measured, keep in mind that the best days to go in this time of year are Monday through Thursday. On Mondays, With This Ring is open until 6pm and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they are open until 6pm. You can go in on Thursday until 7pm, Friday 10-6pm and Saturday 10-3pm but keep in mind Thursday and Friday are pick-up days so the store will be busy.

8. Once you are measured, pre-pay for your tuxedo, so that when you come back to try it on, it will be faster because you will not have to wait in line to make a final payment.

9. Also, if you pre-pay, you can take home the tuxedo and try it on if the lines to the dressing rooms are long.

10. When you try-on the tuxedo, make sure you have your studs and cufflinks, as well as your shoes, socks and pocket square/hanky. If you have ordered a hat and cane, make sure you have those too.

11. Please let the consultant at the store know if something does not fit properly, so that they can correct it, as you want to look your best on prom night!

12. After you try-on your tuxedo, make sure you put everything back in the bag so that you don't forget anything in the dressing room.

13. Once everything is set, take home your tuxedo and hang it up in your closet so that it doesn't get wrinkled before prom night.

14. The morning of prom, make sure you don't forget your date's flowers. Pick them up early in the day while you are running other errands. Once you are finished, grab a quick nap. Then shower, shave and get dressed in your tux. Don't forget to put the studs, cufflinks and pocket square in!

15. Your signature look is now complete! You are officially ready for pictures and prom! Have a GREAT time!

As you can see, decoding your prom look is quite simple when you turn to the experts at With This Ring Formal Wear!

Contact us for more information:  Customer Care: mailto:jill@withthisringllc.net

Jenn Bittner

Expressions Business Blog: Finding Inspiration In Business During Economic St...

Expressions Business Blog: Finding Inspiration In Business During Economic St...: "Businesses are struggling these days and my business was no exception. I have a custom gifting company as many who read my posts do know. ..."