Posts Tagged ‘new england wedding resource’

Alden Blair Events | Vendor Spotlight

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Alden Blair Events has joined the my Kate Parker Wedding family!  Massachusetts wedding planner, Alden Blair Events, is located in the Boston area and caters to couples in New England.  Their wedding planning company has a variety of services from complete planning to taking on smaller wedding projects.  Check out more information on Alden Blair Events below!

alden_blair_events_my_kate_parker_wedding

Number of years in business:

My background in events stems from working for the Department of Defense, planning official, international visits between the United States and the Middle East. After years of traveling to places that most people only read about in the news (Turkey, Jordan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to name a few) I needed to exercise my creative side — thus my venture into wedding planning. It’s been five years of planning beautiful weddings and it’s hard to imagine doing anything else.

Pricing Information:

Day-of coordination is the beginning of our services, and is priced around $1,000. Starting a month before the wedding, we meet with our couples to discuss every detail of the big day, down to the last detail of decor set up. From there we plan out the timeline and coordinate with vendors, ensuring that everything is in its place when the time comes.

We also offer partial, complete, and custom planning packages to help couples where they need it the most. Our most popular package is partial coordination which offers clients the guidance and resources necessary for them to efficiently find the vendors that meet their style and budget needs.

Complete service descriptions and pricing is available on our website (www.aldenblairevents.com/services) and as always, we offer complimentary consultations, allowing couples to meet our coordinators and us to learn more about the wedding.

What makes you stand out?

The perspective that wedding planning can be more (or less) than complete coordination. Couples who plan their wedding deserve a skilled, professional team to handle the day-of production — whether their budget is $100k or $40k. All of our clients, regardless of budget, receive the same attention and quality of service at a competitive, affordable rate.

alden_blair_events_my_kate_parker_wedding

What’s the favorite part of your work?

When couples, beaming with happiness, linger behind their guests at the end of the reception. It’s really the first time they have to absorb everything that has just happened, and even if they are sad to see the party end, they are excited about the life that is to come. It is such an exciting but exhausting time! As the wedding coordinator, my role allows them to enjoy every moment of the day, from getting ready through to the dance party, so the couple’s radiant smiles are the ultimate signs of a flawless event.

alden_blair_events_my_kate_parker_wedding

If you have any spare time, how do you spend it?

I sincerely enjoy sharing dinner and drinks with friends, so I take every opportunity to try a new restaurant. Boston is teeming with wonderful places so the decision boils down to “old favorite” or “latest hotspot” — either way there is good wine and great conversation. Between meals it is off to the gym or running down the Charles River in preparation for my next half marathon. And every so often, with a wedding-free weekend, I am on the next plane (the “travel bug” bit me years ago and there are still so many wonderful places to see!).

alden_blair_events_mass_wedding_planner

Which charity(s) are you donating to and why?

The Pink Initiative hopes to bring an end to breast cancer through the collective efforts of the wedding industry and private donors alike. Sharing in the effort, and other breast cancer causes, is a small way to contribute to the health and well being of generations of brides to come.

Alden Blair Events
Website: www.aldenblairevents.com
my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: MA 25-50k

<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong><span style=”font-weight: normal;”><a style=”color: #00abb3; text-decoration: underline;” title=”LogosTracedR4 by elizabeth_mykpw, on Flickr” href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/44107584@N02/4055483985/”><img style=”max-width: 100%; height: 29px; width: 106px; padding: 5px; border: 0px initial initial;” src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/4055483985_c786c2073f_m.jpg” alt=”LogosTracedR4″ /></a></span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><span style=”color: #330000;”><span style=”font-style: normal;”>All of the vendors above are members of <a style=”color: #00abb3; text-decoration: none;” href=”../../”>my Kate Parker Wedding</a></span></span><span style=”color: #330000;”><span style=”font-style: normal;”> your </span><span style=”font-style: normal;”><a style=”color: #00abb3; text-decoration: none;” href=”http://www.mykateparkerwedding.com/blog/index.php”>online wedding resource guide</a> </span><span style=”font-style: normal;”>geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.</span></span></p>

LogosTracedR4

Alden Blair Events is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Wedding Insurance {Part One} The Basics

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

One of the many questions that we get as a planner from our clients is … “Do I need wedding insurance?”  Well, today is your lucky day because we have insight from the expert!  Steve Lauro of WedSafe has answered some of the most important questions regarding wedding insurance.  It’s crucial that couples understand what wedding insurance is all about, so they are informed of what is being covered, what the fees are all about, and most importantly so they know they can feel at ease if there happen to be any mishaps the day of!  Wedding insurance is becoming a very important part of planning, whether it be an umbrella policy or coverage through WedSafe.  So enough introduction … dive in and get some answers! And be sure to check back soon for the second part of WedSafe’s expert advice.

mykpw_florida_photographer_brian_adams_photographics

Image by Brian Adams PhotoGraphics

How does a couple know if they need to get insurance?

The protection that Wedding Cancellation Insurance affords applies to all types of weddings, local, destination, large scale, intimate, indoors or outdoors. Brides, grooms and their families are making a significant investment and while we always hope that our day will go off without a hitch, perils still remain regardless. Wedding insurance can protect against financial loss associated with covered losses.

Is there a certain budget/price point for weddings that you recommend getting insured?

The average wedding across the USA is less than $50k, and for those brides and grooms who are investing that amount of money into their special day, wouldn’t they want to protect it just as much as the brides and grooms who are spending much more? When you choose not to insure something, you are essentially assuming that risk on your own. Would you go without insurance on a $40,000 car?

my_kate_parker_wedding_kristin_spencer

Image by Kristin Spencer Photography

How is the insurance charged and how does it work?

Generally speaking, wedding cancellation insurance is based on the total wedding budget. There are different levels of coverage for every size budget, starting with premiums slightly over $100. You should choose a coverage level based on your total wedding budget – how much you will spend on your venue, your gown, wedding rings, caterers, flowers;, photographers, and all the other deposits and purchases you will make for your wedding. This is the investment you would stand to lose in a worst-case scenario.

Describe the types of insurance and coverage.

The term wedding insurance typically refers to two very different kinds of coverage:

1.  Wedding Event Cancellation and Postponement – protects your financial investment in your wedding; covers cancellation / postponement, lost deposits, and more

2.  Liability Insurance – protects you against financial liability arising from your wedding; required by many venues

How many days prior to the event do I need to get insurance?

For event cancellation insurance it is best to protect yourself as soon as you begin placing deposits with vendors.  Whenever you write a check, ask yourself what would

happen if that vendor could not fulfill its obligations. Even the most reputable wedding vendors can find themselves with financial or other types of problems. And while credit cards do offer some level of protection to the consumer, a wedding insurance policy can provide so many benefits at such a relatively low cost, it makes all the sense in the world to consider protecting yourself.

my_kate_parker_wedding_diana_daley_photography

Image by Diana Daley Photographers

A big thanks to Steve of WedSafe for filling us in with all of this helpful information!  Check back soon for the second installment of Steve’s expert insight on wedding insurance.

LogosTracedR4

New England, Florida, and Baltimore wedding insurance company, WedSafe is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.