Wedding Professionals Unveiled: Lacey Lou Designs

The invitation is really the moment when the scene starts to be set for your wedding. It is the first glimpse your guests get into the feel and vision of your event. Therefore, it is vital that you make sure that you use a designer that is passionate and cares about your wedding. With that, I introduce you to my next featured wedding professional Stacey Crowhurst from Lacey Lou Designs!

I first met Stacey on a bridal forum a few years ago when Stacey was in the process of planning her own wedding. I got to know Stacey very well and was very privileged to be able to share in most details of her exciting wedding journey. It gave me a great insight into the sort of person that Stacey is and I can assure that she will really look after you and make your stationery one of the easiest part of planning your wedding.

Brief Description of the business: Wedding/Engagement stationery for any sized wedding/budget.

Name: Stacey Crowhurst

Website: www.laceylou.com.au

Blog: www.laceylou.com.au/Our-Blog

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
Located in Melbourne but servicing all areas of Australia.

How long have you been in business?
12 months.

What drew you to Invitation Design as a profession?
I've always had a passion for paper arts. Event planning is a love of mine and when it came to designing invitations for these events, I spent hours researching the best products at the cheapest prices and spent hours mixing different materials together. It was actually my husband that told me to give it a go and see if others where interested in what I created after designing our wedding invitations 3 times. I found there was a lot of high end products and extremely cheap, 1 card invitations, but there was no in between.

What do you feel sets you apart as a Invitation Supplier?
Communication. The internet is just way too easy to hide behind, there are too many suppliers out there not willing to respond to potential clients ASAP. It was something I felt very strongly about, I want my clients to be able to contact me at any time of the day, knowing it will be only a few hours until they receive a reply. We keep in constant contact during orders, so clients feel at ease and get more and more excited every email.

What do you love most about your job?
The lovely words I hear back from brides about how their order has made their wedding finally feel real. Makes my day!

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Eager

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Wedding Songs - I Belong To You by Lenny Kravitz

I Belong To You is from Lenny Kravitz's 1998 album "5" and features a soft-rock and reggae inspired sound. It has beautiful lyrics and would be most appropriate for those looking for a wedding song which is a little different.

I Belong To You

You are the flame in my heart
You light my way in the dark
You are the ultimate star

You pick me up from above
Your unconditional love
Takes me to paradise

I belong to you
And you
You belong to me too
You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet

You make me feel so divine
Your soul and mind are entwined
Before you I was blind

But since I've opened my eyes
And with you there's no disguise
So I could open up my mind

I always loved you from the start
But I could not figure out
That I had to do it everyday

So I put away the fight
Now I'm gonna live my life
Givin' you the most in every way

Oh, I belong to you
And you, and you
You belong to me too
You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet

Oh, I belong to you
I belong to you
And you, you
You belong to me too
Oh, you make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet

Pa ra, ra pa pa
Pa ra, ra pa pa
Pa ra, ra pa pa
Pa ra, ra pa pa
Pa ra

I belong to you
I belong to you
And you, and you
You belong to me too
You make my life complete
You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet
(Make me feel so sweet)

Oh, I belong to you
I belong to you
And you, and you
You belong to me too
You make my life complete
You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet
(Make me feel so sweet)

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New Wedding Web Site Launches - Lane

Happy new financial year! Today a new wedding web site was launched. Inspired by her own experience as a bride and a event stylist, Karissa Fanning set about to create a site that really is a breath of fresh air in this segment of the market. LANE is cutting edge bridal fashion. It's raw, honest articles. It's beautiful content that moves and inspires you. But most importantly it's about real emotion, real passion, and real connections with it's audience.

But what impresses me most is the fact that they will not promote just any brand willing to throw money their way in the form of advertising. This appeals to my standards and ethics. The number of wedding professionals I have approach me that are willing to refer/recommend me for a "kickback" is mind boggling. I refuse these offers point blank - I only wish to be referred on the basis of the quality service that I provide, not because I am paying someone to do so.

Further the ideals and thoughts that Karissa expresses on the web site are very much aligned with mine. If I may quote Karissa, " My goal is to bring a new perspective to wedding planning, to break away from stereotypical fashion and wedding styling and help brides dream up a wedding that is completely unique to them. Style is personal. It’s about embracing who you are as individuals and allowing this to be reflected in every element of your wedding, from fashion to décor, to photography. It’s the passion and imagination a wedding exudes that makes it truly unique - the kind of stuff that gives you goose bumps. Style is the heart and soul behind the LANE brand." Whilst, Karissa has omitted to mention Entertainment, this is exactly what I do for each and every one of my couples.

As Molly Meldrum would say, do yourself a favour and check out LANE.

* DJ:Plus! Entertainment is not currently featured on LANE so this is an unbiased objective post.

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Wedding Songs - Not Fire Not Ice by Ben Harper

Not Fire Not Ice is a song with beautiful heartfelt lyrics from Ben Harper’s Live From Mars Album. Accompanied by just an acoustic guitar the song is full of such emotion and feeling that it really is captivating.

Not Fire Not Ice

There is not a river wide
Not a mountain high
And neither sin nor evil
Could change how I feel inside
Could change how I feel inside

Not all the strength of the ocean
Not all the heat from the sun, from the sun
Now, others have tried, I just can't deny
For me you are the one
For me you are the one

The true love is priceless
For true love you pay a price
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you
Not fire, no not ice
Not fire, no not ice

Like a hero or a champion
You are the best, you're the best
Like religion or superstition
With you I am blessed
With you I am blessed

Now the river may grow wider
The mountain may reach past the sky
And whether or not you feel the same
My love shall never die
My love shall never die

The true love you give and take
The true love is sacrifice
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you
Not fire, no not ice
Not fire, no not ice
Not fire, no not ice

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Wedding Professionals Unveiled: Flourish Bomboniere

Many couples wish something uniquely different for their wedding which will differentiate their celebration from others their guests have attended. When Liz Young was planning her own wedding she wanted her guests to have a keepsake with a difference, something that they could keep for a long time and remember the wonderful time they had celebrating her marriage. From this Flourish Bomboniere was born. Liz provides a natural and colourful way to celebrate your special day. With beautiful plant creations inspired by the environment, these unique bomboniere give a personal unique touch ensuring your wedding will long be remembered.

I am pleased to introduce to you my latest featured Wedding Professional, Liz Young from Flourish Bomboniere. Please make her feel welcome as she takes time to recount how it all came about and explains the service provided.

Name: Flourish Bomboniere

Website: www.flourishbomboniere.com.au

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
Our Office/ Showroom is located in Castle Hill, NSW. We service Sydney and surrounds, Central Coast, South Coast, Blue Mountains, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

How long have you been in business?
2.5 years

What drew you to Bomboniere as a profession?
Flourish Bomboniere was inspired by beauty and the environment. The idea came from the preparation for our own wedding and the desire to give guests something unique and special. When searching for guest gifts we found that they were predominantly chocolates or items that guests would more than likely throw away. When you are spending so much money on the occasion, you want something they will remember, not something that will be forgotten and gather dust. This way guests could plant the creations in their garden or in a pot – so regardless of whether they are living in a house or a unit, their gift can be planted and enjoyed for years to come.

We had such an astonishing response from our guests that we decided to go into business to make available this opportunity for everyone else. My husband is a professional Horticulturalist and hand picks all the plants plus can offer advice and recommendations on plants suitable for individual brides.

The plants have that personalised touch and will provide everlasting memories of the wedding day. All the plant creations are made by hand and are wonderfully presented using quality materials. We have over 10 varieties of plants available with the most popular being the orange jasmine (murraya paniculata), gardenia and the romantic flower- lavender. Also becoming quite popular, especially with our European customers are the olive trees. Only the very best plants are selected from our growers with a great deal of care. Inspired by nature, these gifts that will last a lifetime!

What do you feel sets you apart as in Bomboniere Supplier?
With the growing awareness of climate change Flourish Bomboniere has become such a wonderful environment friendly green gift, there is really nothing else like this available.

These are attractively presented with the latest trend being hessian wrapping which has that natural feel with the more earthy ribbon tones such as chocolate brown and olive green. Some customers are even doubling up the labels as place cards! Beautiful messages that read "All things grow with love" or "Love grows". Of course, messages can be customised to suit each wedding or reflect the couple’s thoughts.

Couples are not limited to just one plant variety; if they wish, they can have a selection of 2, 3 or 4 varieties. These living bombonieres are very affordable, but if the couple are on a budget , we have various options available that include organza bags with sugar almonds, chocolates, mints or lollies which can save them money.

Flourish Bomboniere are a beautiful memory of the wedding day. Guests will call months after the wedding talking about their plants and how much they have grown and express their appreciation for something truly unique and meaningful.

What do you love most about your job?
I have been in the wedding/events and hospitality industry for 15 years, I love working with people and helping to make their day special. I get so much satisfaction out of planning and preparing for events and seeing the final result! I have an energetic and happy nature that I share with my job!

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Energetic!

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Wedding Songs - Spend My Life With You by Eric Benet Feat. Tamia

"Spend My Life with You" is a Grammy-nominated song by R&B singer Eric Benét, featuring Tamia. Released as the second single from Benét's second studio album A Day in the Life, it is an ideal song for a wedding. With heartfelt lyrics sung with emotion, it could be used for the register signing, first dance or cutting of the cake.

Spend My Life With You

I never knew such a day could come
And I never knew such a love
Could be inside of one

And I never knew what my life was for
But now that you're here I know for sure

I never knew till I looked in your eyes
I was incomplete till the day you walked into my life
And I never knew that my heart could feel
So precious and pure
One love so real

Can I just see you every morning when
I open my eyes
Can I just feel your heart beating beside me
Every night
Can we just feel this way together
Till the end of all time
Can I just spend my life with you

Now baby the days and the weeks
And the years will roll by
But nothing will change the love inside
Of you and I

And baby I'll never find any words
That could explain
Just how much my heart my life
My soul you've changed

Can you run to these open arms
When no one else understands
Can we tell God and the whole world
I'm your woman, and you're my man
Can't you just feel how much I love you
With one touch of my hand
Can I just spend my life with you

No touch has ever felt so wonderful
(You are incredible)
And a deeper love I've never known
(I'll never let you go)
I swear this love is true
(Now and forever to you)
(only for you)
To you

Can I just see you every morning when
I open my eyes
Can I just feel your heart beating beside me
Every night
Can we just feel this way together
Till the end of all time
Can I just spend my life with you
Can you run to these open arms

When no one else understands
Can we tell God and the whole world
You're my woman, and you're my man
Can't you just feel how much I love you
With one touch of my hand
Can I just spend my life with you

Can I just spend my life with you
Can I just spend my life with you
(Forever here with you)
Can I just spend my life with you
Can I just see you every morning when I
Open my eyes

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Negotiating With Wedding Professionals

Recent economic conditions has caused wedding budgets to be tightened like never before and as a result, some couples seem to think that wedding professionals should also reduce their prices accordingly. After all, any money saved is money that remains in your pocket, yes? Many couples therefor believe that wedding professionals should accept a booking at a lower rate rather than them losing that business altogether. Well this thinking is not quite right – just think about how you would feel if your employer came up and said, “Sorry, but things are a little tight at the moment, so I will need to reduce your pay by 25% for the next few weeks, but you will still have to come in and do the same amount of work.”

What couples need to appreciate is that wedding professionals are in a service industry. Negotiating the price when buying a new car, for example, is an entirely different scenario. In this instance, you are simply asking the car dealer to lower their profit margin. They pay a certain amount for the vehicle, factor in any overheads and sell it for a higher price. The higher the price, the more money they make, and so the listed prices are typically inflated to leave room for negotiation. A wedding professional, however, is essentially selling themselves. They provide a service and base their pricing on the time, effort, and resources required to provide that service. By asking them to lower their price just because you are unable to afford it, you are in essence devaluing them, requesting them to provide a level of service and quality that is compromised. Most wedding professionals certainly do not appreciate this.

Another issue is that more often than not, couples have absolutely no idea the amount of work individual wedding professionals put into their wedding. All that is seen is the finished product. For example take a Floral Designer, couples don’t see the hours spent searching for component products to use, or the time spent designing, planning and calculating their customised wedding. They have no idea that it takes at least three-four hours, or more, just to unpack their flowers, cut them, and prepare them for working with them. They can’t comprehend the number of actual hours it requires to make all of those boutonnieres, corsages, bouquets, centrepieces or displays, and to add detail to them. Add all of those glass, cylinder vases and candle holders that have to be washed, boxed, loaded, unloaded, and unpacked on-site. All that is seen is the beautiful bouquet or wonderfully decorated room.

You really need to think of negotiation as a compromise: this is where both parties agree to give something up in order to get something in return. For example, should a certain photographer be out of your budget, you could ask for a reduced rate in exchange for less hours of coverage at the wedding, or fewer included photographic prints, or a smaller album. This way, you pay less and the photographer spends less time and/or resources on your event, and the quality of the service does not need to be compromised. Everybody wins - this is a partnership, and both the wedding professional and client need to feel that they are winners! This is important to keep in mind when negotiating with a wedding professional.

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