WEDDING BUDGET :: CAN WE FIND ANOTHER NAME FOR IT?

Today's post will be a short editorial. I am really not liking what is happening to the word budget when it comes to weddings. The word budget used to mean financial comfort zone. It has become to mean cheap. And I'm mad as heck and I'm not gonna take it anymore! Okay, that was a little extreme (I'm only on my first cup of coffee).
Seriously, I see and hear of so many brides who are pulling their hair out in the quest to have a budget wedding. They listen to people who tell them to purchase subpar products and to just do everything themselves. I'm all for DIY projects. If you missed my series on them you can catch up here, here, here and here. This short post is to encourage engaged couples to take on what you can and to research for best costs (not cheapest cost). Be sure to compare apples to apples. But, you know what? It's okay to hire a professional to do some things. You're worth it.

EVENTOLOGY 2009 :: THE BUSINESS OF WEDDINGS

I am packed and ready to go! Well, mentally packed, anyway. As a wedding planner who operates a business, and not just who plans weddings, I strive to increase my education. Whether it be design or service, I want my clients to have the best options available to them with Andria Lewis Events.


This year, as a part of my education, I am attending Eventology 2009 :: The Business of Weddings. Eventology 2009 is produced by (Secretary of Chic) Katasha Butler of K Sherrie + Co she is also author of The Wedding Workroom blog. The speakers (as well as the attendees) are tops in the game of weddings and have so much to offer I can hardly stand the wait!

Terrica Skaggs, Miss Fabuluxe herself, will speak on Turning Your Brides Into Your Fans. Terrica's Fabuluxe blog is a must-read for not only inspiration, but the ever-present laugh. It is so important that your clients trust you in planning their wedding. And a wedding planner must earn that trust. There are no do-overs, so having a bride who is a fan (read :: they trust you) is tantamount to a successful relationship. I have my Blackberry poised and ready to take notes during Terrica's session. NOTE:: In an effort to become more green and use less paper, I now take electronic notes in meetings/classes.

Liene (pronounce Lynn) Stevens of Blue Orchid Weddings, The Blue Orchid Blog as well as The Smart Planner will present on Marketing To The Post Modern Bride. Liene has a breadth of knowledge in her field. She also an uncanny ability to see into a situation and pull from it the best practices for success. With her busy travel schedule this year, it will be a treat to sit in on a session that she facilitates.

Last, and most certainly not least, is the funny, effervescent and successful Saundra Hadley of planning...forever events. This mid-western momma (inside joke) is truly no nonsense. Her quick wit is most assuredly one of the reasons why her brides love her so much. Besides that she is just great at what she does. She was most recently nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year in Evansville, Indiana. Saundra's topic is Sales in the Wedding Industry.


There are so many wedding planners that I learn from as a part of my online community. And many I have never met. Lara Casey Editor of Southern Weddings magazine and owner of Bliss Event Group (The South), Latrice Cushenberry of Bridal Opulence (Nashville), Emilie Duncan of Emilie Duncan Events (Ohio), Kelly The Robot McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites (Florida) and Aletha Vandermaas of Pearls Events (Michigan) are only some of the people I look forward to meeting.


If you would like to be a part of the Andria Lewis Events online community you can follow me on Twitter, or join our Facebook fan page.


If you would like to be a part of the Andria Lewis Events family, send an email to consult {at} andrialewisevents {dot} com. Or you may call us at 901-231-1275.

WEDDING WORKOUT :: MEET THE TRAINER

Kelvin New York Brown

When I say meet the trainer, I mean THE trainer. Last summer, after it became too hot to run outside, I began the search for an indoor workout facility. I looked into all the local clubs, but nothing struck me. They had the same old routines going on and were overcrowded. I love, love to workout and was in search of a kickboxing class. I wanted more from a gym than just a place to hop on a treadmill for an hour. I found both.

One Sunday, I stopped by a place that I thought was a martial arts facility. As it turned out, the facility had been purchased by new owners and was now a fitness studio (not a gym). Though closed that day, there was a trainer inside enjoying a personal workout. He was nice enough to speak to me and told me to call back and talk with someone named York about joining and personal training. Once I spoke with York that week, he invited me to a free ab class to see how I liked what they did. I did and a little while later, I became a very happy member of Power Life Fitness Family. Note: I secretly think York thought I wouldn't be able to handle his Ultimate Ab Lab class on the first try. But, I did.

I introduce to you now Kelvin "New York" Brown. York, as he is known to us, is the lead trainer and certified Master Trainer at Power Life Fitness in Memphis, Tennessee. York agreed to do a short series on overall fitness. Which, as a wedding planner, I hear a lot about from my brides in preparation for their big day.

Give us some background on you and why you do what you do. Tell us what drives you:

My mother died at age 48 due to a smoking habit and a bad diet. My father died at age 36 due to drinking and a poor diet. I also lost my grandfather at age 58 to diabetes and bad eating habits. My drive comes from losing the people around me before they were 50 years old. So, when I get a client with eating issues or a weight issue, it becomes a personal challenge for me. Failure is not an option.

What makes you and your training techniques unique to others?

My training techniques are different because I focus on muscle endurance training. This style of training makes your body leaner and sculpted, but not bulky like a body builder. I use natural methods to prepare the body to receive the training programs/phases I personally design for my clients. For each phase of training, there is an eating format that will allow for the training to be most effective. Once a client has reached their goal, they can go back to eating some of their favorite foods. They can do this as long as they continue to workout. The workout does not have to be as intense as it was during the training phases, but just enough to keep burning the extra calories the body doesn't need but yet enough that those calories do not get stored away as fat energy. For instance you can do two workouts a week and walk on the third day.

I was so happy to not be in a position at the beginning of this year of planning to workout more in the new year. This is definitely thanks to Power Life. How can others get themselves in that position of not only making a commitment once per year? Make fitness a lifestyle change. Start by changing your grocery list first. Buy only products that you know you are allowed to consume. Most people won't make a special trip when they have a craving. Educate yourself on some of the foods you enjoy on a regular basis. See how they affect your body. Most people stop consuming products once they realize the negative effects it has on the human body. 

I hear my brides talk mostly about working on their arms before their big day. What advice would you give them? When people want to work a particular part of the body the first thing they have to realize is that the body loses weight evenly. It starts in the extremities (forearms, face, neck, calves, etc.). So just start working out and leave the rest to science. A good trainer will focus on the areas that stand out to develop more muscle in that area.

What would you like to let people know about fitness that you feel they don't know? Be careful who you spend your money on when looking for a trainer. Check their credentials and education. Make sure they are certified through an accredited source. By this I mean, they took the test with a Master Trainer or college professor. None of that test on the internet stuff. Also, make sure they carry insurance in case you are injured and verify that it is current. Here is a hint, if they don't look like a trainer, they probably aren't. How can he or she ask you to discipline yourself if they can't discipline themselves? No six pack? No discipline. (see above image of York). Your trainer should be educated enough to answer most questions or know how to research for the right answer.

Check back this month for two more posts/interviews from York. If you would like to schedule a consult with him and view the fitness studio call Power Life Fitness at 901-454-0003. You can also drop by the studio at 2858 Poplar Avenue/Memphis. Click here for information on a Recession Buster membership offer.

INTRODUCING :: STUDIO IV

We are so excited to introduce the newest arm (or leg) to Andria Lewis Events. Studio IV will house our design services firm. Below is our first Studio IV design package. Call today (at our brand, spanking new number) :: 901-231-1375! We can hardly wait to hear from you!

STUDIO IV

RECEPTION DESIGN PACKAGE

Complimentary One-Hour Meeting

Ten (10) Hours of Professional Reception Design Service

(including conception)

Satin Table Linen

Custom Table Numbers

Custom Seating Chart or Place Cards

Complete Shopping Guide

(includes :: Vendors for china, glassware, flatware and other non-package items)

Basic Lighting Package

(includes :: Customized Gobo Design and Plate, Gobo Lighting, Uplighting)

Custom Fresh Floral Centerpieces

One (1) Sample Day

(to view your final design)

Upgrades are available on all linen and paper goods; All items listed are for wedding reception with 100 guests (clients with more than 100 guests will receive a custom proposal)

$2799

WE HAVE A NEW NUMBER!

We are so excited to announce our new contact number for Andria Lewis Events. The new number is 901-231-1375. Easy, right? We look forward to hearing from you soon. Stay tuned for more new, fresh things from us!