15 Date Night Ideas

Date nights can be tough when you’re on a budget, especially when you are saving for your wedding budget.  But that doesn’t mean you have to stop dating!  Check out these ideas for free and low cost dates.

Game Night.  Invite a few couples over for a low cost game night.  Working together as a team is a great bonding experience.  Guys against gals is great for a little competition to make things interesting, just be sure not to be too competitive.

A Different Kind of Game Night.  Is your fiance a sports fan?  Take a break from the details of wedding planning and spend time on an activity he enjoys.  Whether it’s taking in a game from the cheap seats, or hitting the links yourselves, getting involved in one of his passions, at least for a day, shows you appreciate who he is.

Go To A Show.  Whether it’s a concert, performance or a day at the movies, matinees are great for a day out, but still budget friendly.

Explore The City.  Most large cities are great for festivals, free concerts or great scenic walks.  Spend an afternoon exploring the city.  You can even use the day to scope out locations for your wedding day Romantic images.

Visit Your Favorite Restaurant.  While dinner out might seem like a big splurge, using coupon sites like restaurant.com, can save you a few bucks.  And who doesn’t love a day without cooking?!

A Day At The Beach.  Surf, sun and sand make for a perfect day without a large expense.  Most MetroParks offer an annual pass, making it affordable year round.

Visit The Zoo.  When wedding planning is turning you into a bear, drop what you’re doing and go visit the real thing!  A day at the zoo is great for a leisurely stroll, watching the animals play and some downtime with each other.

A Day At The Orchard.  Whether picking summer strawberries or fall apples, orchards are a great place to spend the afternoon.  As a bonus, you’re spending the day picking fruits which are perfect for your pre-wedding diet.

A Night Under The Stars.  Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and drive away from the city nights.  Spend the evening watching the stars and talking about your plans for the future.  Check out http://www.space.com/skywatching for stargazing highlights.

Go Back To School.  Did you attend school together?  Spending a day on campus, reminiscing about your time there, or cheering on your alma mater for a game can provide some relief from the wedding planning process.  If you didn’t attend school together, this is a chance to show your fiance where you have been.

Get Involved.  Look for opportunities to serve your community together.  Clean up a park, serve at your church, or work with a charity close to your heart.  Working together to make the world better will bring you closer as a couple.  To see how Mike Staff Productions gives back, click here.

Visit Museums.  If you haven’t been to a museum since your fifth grade field trip, it’s time to go back!  Visiting the museum as an adult allows you to truly appreciate all they have to offer.  And as a bonus, on a hot day they are great for an air conditioned activity.

Go Ice Skating.  Cold temps don’t have to force you inside.  Visit a local ice rink for some winter fun and finish the day with cocoa!

Have A Picnic.  Pack a basket lunch and head to the park.  Swing on the swings to bring back the happy times as a kid.

Sip, Sip, Enjoy… Go wine tasting. Check with any specialty wine stores in your area; some offer free (or really cheap) wine-tastings.  Grab your favorite bottle and head home to relax the night away.

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5 Time Management Tips Every Bride Needs

Planning a wedding is a big undertaking.  So what’s the secret to getting it all done?  Time management and prioritization!

First Things First: List Your Priorities.  It sounds simple really, but can be a challenge.  Rather than focus on each task that needs to be done, decide the priority items for your wedding day.  When you think about your wedding, what comes first?  Is it a gathering for friends and family, a celebration of you as a couple, a lavish affair?  Decide on the story you want for the day and the priority elements required to make that vision a reality.  Once you decide what’s important to you, the challenges of budget, guest lists, small details and big decisions will be dictated by the priority they are.

Manage The Details To The Goal.  Now that you have your priorities lined out, set the goals for your wedding day.  List the major items needed for each of your priorities.  These could include the wedding budget for the item, ideas that you have, who will be helping with each.  Be as specific as possible with each goal and its details, but don’t get hung up on each.  As you move through the planning process, you’ll probably get more ideas.  Once you have your goals set, decide when each should be accomplished and make a note.  (For a typical planning timeline, click here.)

Tackle That List.  Making a list is a great first step, but it’s a first step.  Once you know what you need to do, break apart the plan in manageable and achievable chunks.  Consider highly sought after things, such as your venues, DJ, photography, videography and dress as items you should tackle early.  As you plan your task calendar, be sure not to leave too many things to the end.  You don’t want to work on seating plans at midnight the day before your wedding!

Leave Margin.  Real life continues when you are planning your wedding.  Schedule time for some wedding free relaxation.  Designate a wedding free weekend once a month so you can still take part in the things you enjoy.

Let Go Of The Small Stuff.  The great thing about your priority list is that it helps you focus on what really matters.  Sure personalized notes to each of your guests on their place cards is a great touch, but it’s pretty time consuming too.  If it isn’t a big priority for your wedding day, consider cutting three things from your list immediately.  You’ll feel less stressed over the non-essential elimination, and can get back to what really matters.

Contact us to get started on your wedding plans.

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Wedding Planning Schedule

Wedding planning can seem like a huge task, but not when you do it in small, manageable pieces. Unfortunately, waiting until the last minute to complete tasks is a mistake too many brides make. (Want to know the others? Click here)

The first thing a bride should do is get organized! Block out time for planning and prioritize what you will do when. For a copy of Metro Detroit’s ultimate wedding planner, click here.

Depending upon how long of an engagement you will have, the following schedule can keep you organized.

Shortly After the Big Announcement

1. As you begin to have ideas about the wedding, sit down with both families to formulate a budget. Remember, parents who planned their wedding twenty or thirty years ago can be surprised by today’s costs. Expect to be flexible.
2. Decide on a date that works for both families and your work schedules. Be aware of family birthdays, anniversaries or annual events that may cause a conflict.

12 to 18 Months Prior to the Wedding

1. Begin visiting venues! Peak dates go quickly, so if you have your heart set on a Saturday in June, lock in your venue early.
2. If you are using a wedding planner, begin interviewing now. They can help you with the decisions to follow.
3. Visit bridal shows, the Internet, and look in current magazines or directories for ideas for your wedding day.

9 to 18 Months Prior

1. Hire the photographer, caterer, videographer, officiant, and DJ. Prime dates book quickly, as do good vendors. The earlier you book, the better chance you’ll secure your first choice vendors.
2. Begin looking at wedding dresses. If you are considering a custom designed dress, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for it to be prepared.
3. Schedule your engagement session with your photographer.

6 to 9 Months Prior

1. Bridal party dresses should be ordered, save-the-dates mailed, overnight accommodations reserved for wedding guests.
2. Order your wedding cake, flowers and transportation for the wedding and reception.

4 to 6 Months Prior

1. Reserve rehearsal dinner location, establish bridal registries, rent tuxedos, order wedding invitations, reserve necessary rental equipment.

2 to 4 Months Prior

1. Book your honeymoon and secure arrangements for wedding night accommodations.
2. Schedule appointments for hair, makeup, facials, massages and spa treatments
3. Order reception favors
4. Begin dance lessons if you want a choreographed first dance

2 Months Prior

1. Mail wedding invitations
2. Verify requirement for marriage license
3. Purchase bridal party gifts
4. Create ceremony program

Final 6 Weeks

1. Confirm all vendors, finalize food and beverage choices with your caterer or reception site. Schedule a final dress fitting (tuxes for the gentlemen) and plan seating arrangements for your reception.
2. Establish a timeline for the wedding day.
3. Select songs for your ceremony and special dances
4. Schedule a consultation for your hair and makeup. Many brides do a “dress rehearsal” to make sure they like the look.

Week of Your Wedding

1. Confirm timeline and desired shot list with your photographer and videographer
2. Discuss song selections with your DJ
3. Get plenty of sleep and practice good nutrition
4. Relax! It’s almost time for the big day!

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Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

Traditionally, the groom’s parents would host (read pay for) the wedding rehearsal dinner. This would include selecting the location, inviting the bridal party and other guests and give toasts. More recently, the wedding rehearsal dinner expectations have changed. Here’s what to expect:

• The rehearsal dinner can be a backyard BBQ, themed outing such as bowling, or a very formal event. This is usually decided by the party paying for the event; if both parents are contributing to the cost of the wedding, it is acceptable to share the cost of the rehearsal dinner as well.
• The groom will typically give a toast if the bride and groom or the groom’s parents are hosting this event. He should express gratitude for the rehearsal dinner and excitement for the wedding day.
• The father of the groom also gives a toast at the rehearsal dinner. It is one of well wishes for the couple and joy of the bride joining his family. The parents of the bride do not usually toast at the rehearsal dinner unless they are contributing to the cost. The father of the bride usually toasts at the wedding dinner however.

If your ceremony location does not allow for a rehearsal, or the rehearsal is a run through the day of the wedding, you can still gather before your wedding day. This congratulatory dinner is a chance for you and your bridal party to spend time together in a less formal environment. This is an excellent time to express your thanks for the bridal party helping you with your wedding planning.

If your rehearsal dinner will take place the night before your wedding, it is a good idea to share a toast and then switch to a non-alcoholic beverage. It’s a good idea to ask everyone to limit consumption so they will be fresh for the wedding day – and wedding day photos!

www.mikestaff.com

Email us or call (248) 689-0777

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5 Time Management Tips Every Bride Needs

Planning a wedding is a big undertaking.  So what’s the secret to getting it all done?  Time management and prioritization!

First Things First: List Your Priorities.  It sounds simple really, but can be a challenge.  Rather than focus on each task that needs to be done, decide the priority items for your wedding day.  When you think about your wedding, what comes first?  Is it a gathering for friends and family, a celebration of you as a couple, a lavish affair?  Decide on the story you want for the day and the priority elements required to make that vision a reality.  Once you decide what’s important to you, the challenges of budget, guest lists, small details and big decisions will be dictated by the priority they are.

Manage The Details To The Goal.  Now that you have your priorities lined out, set the goals for your wedding day.  List the major items needed for each of your priorities.  These could include the wedding budget for the item, ideas that you have, who will be helping with each.  Be as specific as possible with each goal and its details, but don’t get hung up on each.  As you move through the planning process, you’ll probably get more ideas.  Once you have your goals set, decide when each should be accomplished and make a note.  (For a typical planning timeline, click here.)

Tackle That List.  Making a list is a great first step, but it’s a first step.  Once you know what you need to do, break apart the plan in manageable and achievable chunks.  Consider highly sought after things, such as your venues, DJ,photography, videography and dress as items you should tackle early.  As you plan your task calendar, be sure not to leave too many things to the end.  You don’t want to work on seating plans at midnight the day before your wedding!

Leave Margin.  Real life continues when you are planning your wedding.  Schedule time for some wedding free relaxation.  Designate a wedding free weekend once a month so you can still take part in the things you enjoy.

Let Go Of The Small Stuff.  The great thing about your priority list is that it helps you focus on what really matters.  Sure personalized notes to each of your guests on their place cards is a great touch, but it’s pretty time consuming too.  If it isn’t a big priority for your wedding day, consider cutting three things from your list immediately.  You’ll feel less stressed over the non-essential elimination, and can get back to what really matters.

Contact us to get started on your wedding plans.

www.mikestaff.com

Follow us on Facebook.

Get inspired!

14 Tips For Stronger Relationships

In the spirit of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, we are sharing some easy ways you can show those you love how much you care.  These tips work with your fiance, spouse, family, bridal party and all those you care about.  As you plan your wedding, these tricks can be invaluable to remaining friends after the wedding and developing deeper relationships.

Show the love – everyday.  In every encounter, you have the opportunity to make the other person feel valued, loved and respected.  Here are some ways you can do just that:

The Golden Rule.  Sure we learned to treat others as we want to be treated as kids.  But as adults, it goes beyond sharing the best toys.  Being on time to events, being involved in the other person’s life, showing genuine interest, keeping confidences and treating with respect is what it looks like for adults.

Understand what the other person needs.  Before you get annoyed with the bridesmaid that isn’t helping, ask yourself if you’ve explained the duties of a bridal party member.  Is your groom not helping, or have you not given himtasks that grooms enjoy? Be mindful that you are giving each person what they need from you as well.

Be supportive.  You have a lot going on when you are planning a wedding, but that doesn’t give you excuse to tune out.  Have a friend going through tough times, be the shoulder they are used to.  Before telling someone what they need to do – ask if they just need to talk or want help.  Sometimes all you need to do is be a friend.”

Keep traditions.  Whether its Friday night date night as a couple, game night with friends, monthly girls night or guys basketball, or Sunday family dinners, traditions are what allows us to keep the bonds made over time.  It’s important to have time as a couple, but also important to stay in contact with those who have been in your life.  Missing these events can send a signal to others that you aren’t as interested in them and can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

Mix with care.  Just like your wedding reception seating plans, the mix of friends is a delicate one.  The longtime friend can be jealous of the new friend – remember Bridesmaids!  Just because you love them all, doesn’t mean they will mix well.  If you sense tension, it may not be the right mix.

Keep in touch.  Are you one to send personal cards, make calls for no reason or send quick texts to make someone laugh?  If you’re known for these things, try to keep it up.  Those individual efforts mean a lot to the receiver.

Address what needs it.  And we’re not talking about invitations!  If there is an issue that is causing friction, it’s time to talk it out.  Misunderstandings left unresolved tend to grow over time.

Offer grace.  Being sympathetic, supportive and trying to see the world from the other’s eyes is a good practice as you head into your marriage.  Apologize when you have caused others pain.

Frame it well.  Wedding planning can bring out the best – or most annoying – traits in those you love.  Instead of focusing on things that drive people apart, focus on what made them important to begin with.

Watch your words.  Words have real power.  When you define someone as a “know-it-all”, “drama queen”, “lazy”, etc. you are framing your interactions with them – and others opinion.  Try to focus on the positive attributes of others.

Find common ground.  When differences turn nasty, pause and find common goals, values and bonds with the other and rebuild from there.

Recognize the small stuff.  It’s easy to get worked up over the details – andweddings have lots of details.  When it’s something worth fighting over, stand your ground but do so with love.  Unless the other person is intentionally sabotaging you (and who would do that?!), it’s just a difference of opinion.  Try to remember that.

Be real.  With email, texting, Facebook, how much of your communication is still face to face, or at least by voice?  You may think you’re staying in touch, but are you?  Here’s a way to keep the human element in your interactions.

Not everything is newsfeed worthy.  With Facebook changing the rules for what shows in a newsfeed regularly, you can’t assume friends will see what’s going on in your life.  For truly important news, you should reach out directly.  Not only will you be sure the person knows it, they’ll feel valued by the personal attention.

Be present.  Is there anything better than a real visit to catch up with friends.  Schedule to busy to meet for lunch?  Try scheduling a weekly phone call.

Respond promptly.  When someone sends you an invitation, let them know you are excited to be included.  When you get an email or text, respond in kind.  Use technology as the quick tools they are meant to be.

www.mikestaff.com

How can we help with your wedding?  Email us or call 248-689-0777

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