Wedding Planning 101: Tools

Today was such a big day in the wedding world that I have decided to forgo the venue post until next week (I hope that's ok with you all). Today, I would like to talk about some great tools and tricks to make your life easier while planning the big day. The Royal Wedding is all the news stations can talk about - I secretly, or maybe not so secretly, love it. I mean, what girl doesn't like a good love story? Especially one that ends with a regular girl turning into a princess, oh the fairy tale. We're in the wedding and events business so, of course, many of us have been following this very closely. I have found so many great tips and I just couldn't wait another week to share them.

Being in marketing, one of my favorite websites is Mashable, a site that gives all sorts of news and tools relating to social media and the web. Now, you might be thinking: "Social media and my wedding, what? Are you crazy?" I would answer that with yes, I am, but please think beyond Facebook and Twitter and realize that there are tons of great sites that can help! I've listed some below that I have used and some that I have found, but not used in depth yet. Take a look:

• COLOURlovers: A great resource for one of the first steps, picking your color scheme. Once that step is finished, a whole new world of planning will open up to you.
  
• Etsy: Ok, let me take a deep breath because this is going to be loud... I LOVE ETSY! I always have, even before I was engaged. That being said, they have great wedding resources. If you are slightly offbeat or like things that are a bit different, go to this site and explore. It might take a while, but it's totally worth it. Also, sign up for their wedding newsletter, you won't regret it. Check out their great blog too.
• Google: Specifically, google weddings. Did you know there was such a thing? Neither did I until I happened upon it. You can create websites, edit photos, use googledocs to keep the budget in line, share albums with Picasa and more. I haven't fully explored this yet, but plan to dive in very soon.
• Amazon: What are you looking forward to most when you think of your wedding? Gifts of course, well I mean that and being married to the love of your life. Personally, I am an Amazon, junkie. If I lived closer to the home base I would probably buy all my groceries from them, not that I can't now. Amazon has a great tool called a Universal Wishlist. This great tool lets you add gifts from all sorts of sites to one central location. I'm not to the registry point yet, but once I get there, this will be used, guaranteed.
• Apps: I speak iPhone, so sorry blackberry and Android users, I don't know how helpful I will be to you in this section. Take a look at: the Wedding Wire app for all of your organizational needs, Brides Magazine also has a pretty useful app, as does The Knot - Wedding 101 and The Wedding Dress LookBook.
• Hard core social media lover: Do you find yourself constantly on Twitter or Facebook and feel naked when your phone or laptop or iPad is suddenly nowhere to be found? Then this might be the perfect thing for you. A writer for Mashable had the brilliant idea - he's like you - of incorporating Facebook and Twitter as sort of a mobile guest book. Simply create a hashtag and tweet away. Go a step further and use TwitterFall if your guests are like you. You might just creat some cheap entertainment with this idea.

Tired yet? Don't forget you have to plan the honeymoon!

• YourTour: Again, suggested by Mashable and looks like a very helpful site to plan a multi-destination trip.
• Stay.com: Personal travel guide? Yes, please! Build your own according to what you and your betrothed love to do.
• Kayak: Best site for comparison shopping. Sign up for their eblast to learn about the great deals that surface.
• Apps: There are WAY too many to list here. More to come on this.
  

Now, this is just a small sampling of all the great resources out there for you. I am a blog-a-holic (did I just make up a word?) so I will be dedicating a whole post to my favorites in the weeks to come. If there's anything you want to specifically learn about, let me know and I will dig around. Thanks for stopping by and I promise - Next week: Venues - this one will be great!

Happy planning!
Jessica

Hello!

I would like to introduce myself as the newest member of The RK Group team. With a love for anything and everything related to the culinary and events communities, I was destined to become a part of the one of the best catering and events companies in Texas and I am proud to say I am a member of this team.

I have joined the impressive group of individuals as a marketing coordinator where I will use my knowledge of marketing practices and the industry to help spread the word about each company under The RK Group umbrella and everything they do – which is a lot, trust me. I will also work very, very hard to develop some new and exciting things with social media and the website that may include everything from instructional videos to contests and promotions to special event news - more to come on this so check back soon!

The blog will still contain news and announcements about everything we do. If you have a question or comment, please feel free to email me or simply paste a comment below. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Have a great day!

Jessica Young

Jyoung@therkgroup.com

www.therkgroup.com

Perfect Recipe for the Holiday's: Event Planning Mixed with Social Media

This past Thursday, I was invited to speak on behalf of The RK Group at a social media gathering for Business, Media and Public Relations abbreviated as #bmpr. http://www.thebmpr.com/

The invitation was extended due to:
our presence on Twitter and Facebook,
our followers and fans,
and RK employees who support The RK Group through Social Media.

Other speakers at #bmpr included Tanji Patton (@tanjipatton) a former news anchor with a website and business devoted to her love of French cuisine, SeaWorld GM Dan Decker (@danjdecker) with a live owl and wallabee who fascinated the audience with their beauty (photos by MatthewEgan) and SavorSA (@SavorSA) who provides restaurant reviews throughout the city of San Antonio.

Donna Tuttle’s introduction of The RK Group included praise of our events and tweets with pictures of delicious food that leave her craving more!
Our presentation provided an insight into the RK Group that some members of the audience were unaware of such as our partnership with FEMA subcontractors to assist when a south-eastern natural disaster strikes, our involvement at the Alamodome, Convention Center, USAA, Valero Energy and many charities throughout the city.

We also provided some tips and shortcuts to save money on business and personal holiday parties. Some examples were choose a venue with existing décor or cut down on bar costs with custom signature drinks such as: Dan Decker Daiquiris, Donna Tuttle-tini’s or #BMPR bellinis

While it was tough following the live animal presentation, guests did enjoy our send off gift (via @NTJ) and the chance to win a free office lunch.


Our free lunch winner is: @bkearney (for being the first to Re-Tweet) and @derrich. Congratulations!

Thank you to all who entered our lunch contest, if you’re still hungry remember that RosemaryDelivers!

We are looking forward to next year's #bmpr events and more social media involvement!

~Rachel Kellar~