Here are some of our recommendations for creating a blissful wedding planning experience!

1. BUDGET: Create a budget and stick to it.  It may be a good idea to have a percentage reserved for small overages and those things you just have to have, but try to keep things in check.  This will eliminate the most common arguments between you and your fiancé, and you and your family. Great resources like Martha Stewart’s Planning Tools (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/planning-tools) or TheKnot.com’s Tools (http://www.theknot.com/pl_main.html) can help you track where you are spending your money.  
2. WEDDING DATE: Your budget will go further if you select dates that don’t fall near to holidays such as Christmas, New Years or Valentines Day. While our pricing stays the same all year around, you may see some additional expenses from other vendors for premium dates.  Availability tends to be very limited and you can expect to pay a premium for all rentals during these dates.  Also consider Friday or Sunday weddings. We offer anywhere from $200-$800 off the price for those days. If you go with a Friday wedding, remember to start the reception a bit later, around 7 p.m. so that guests who work will have time to go home and change first. Sunday receptions are great if Monday is a holiday (think President’s Day, Memorial Day or Labor Day).
3. GET ORGANIZED: Keep notes on each vendor that include all contact information, price quotes and what is included with each quote. Notate each phone call or save emails to document what was said. We keep a CRM w/all communication with our clients, but make sure you are doing so with all your vendors. Keep in touch on a regular basis to ensure that you both are up to date on the latest decisions.  Design a timetable of what details need to be taken care of each month (or you can find helpful checklists on SanAntonioweddings.com or TheKnot.com), so you can keep on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed.
4. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING: and make sure every change is initialed, etc. Before leaving the vendor go over the notes to ensure that you understood what they said.  Like all trades the event center industry has their own vocabulary, be sure that you ask questions concerning the meaning of words that you do not understand   Do not be embarrassed for asking questions, it is important to you to understand everything that you are committing to pay for.  You do not want to be surprised on your wedding day or when the bill comes. 
5. RECEPTION SCHEDULE:  We include an itinerary and coordinator in every package, but come prepared to your appointments with a vision of how you want the event to take place. We help you create a timeline that will include when you want to be announced and how, the approx. time to serve dinner, cut the cake, toast, and begin your first dance, garter and bouquet toss and all other wedding formalities.  These are just approximate but it will save you from being bombarded by questions during the night, and will ensure everything you want done flows smoothly. 
6. ASK FOR HELP:  Enlist help: if you don’t have a wedding planner, delegate tasks:  planning a wedding is a big event with lots of details.  Don’t stress yourself out by doing it all yourself.  This is a happy event and friends and family are usually eager to help. For example, give your finance tasks like selecting the dj, slideshow, or bar service- things he can relate to. Have your bridesmaids over to help with the menus, placecards and favors. They will all feel like a bigger part of the day and you will have one more thing crossed off your checklist.  
7. LAST MINUTE DETAILS – Enlist trusted friends or family for “last minute details” (taking favors and sign-in book, dropping off and taking away centerpieces, taking gifts after reception). Don’t overload yourself of the big day, you will have enough to do with hair, make up, dress, pictures, etc. Arrange for transportation from the reception to your hotel or wherever you will be staying.  Then you can enjoy your party and not worry about designating a driver. 
8. CAKE:  Have the caterer cut the cake- it is worth the small extra charge.  Cake cutting is time consuming and messy, don’t put your mom through it! 
9. SHOES:  Bring comfortable shoes to the reception (pretty and comfortable sandals). You want to be able to dance the night away! And if they are seen, no one will care, you are going to be beautiful anyway! Remember to try to get heeled sandles so that your dress does not drag on the ground. You’ll be happy you did! Another recommendation, purchase inexpensive flip flops from Old Navy or Walmart and leave them in the restroom for your female guests to wear during the reception. They have probably been on their feet all day in heels, so having some comfortable shoes for them to dance in will be a welcomed relief.  
10. RELAX:  Don’t forget that this is a FUN, HAPPY EVENT- A special day for both of you and a day for rejoicing. The whole point is to celebrate the marriage of you and your fiancé with your loved ones and friends. The event is going to fly right by so take a few private moments with your new husband when you can and take mental pictures of the special moments. Don’t let minute details distract you from having fun, chances are no one will ever know. Relax and enjoy!

Philip Thomas Photography has to be one of the top photography companies in San Antonio (in our humble opinion!).  We have worked with Philip Thomas for a few years now as he has done several weddings at our facility and we are consistently impressed by his ability to capture the most intimate moments (whether they be super sweet or slightly awkward–see his photos below) with out interrupting a thing.

Philip’s love of photography began early as a teen and developed into a career some years later. Gathering inspiration from turn-of-the-century photojournalist and newspaper broadsheets, Philip honed his techniques as a press photographer for a few years. In 2006, Philip moved to San Antonio and expanded his professional photography scope to include weddings, while still doing the occasional corporate event, head-shots and fashion models.

His experience gained as a photojournalist truly prepared Philip for wedding    photography by making sure he captured the moments all the while anticipating and reacting as they unfold. His unobtrusive manner and documentary style of photography totally work for the modern bride.

Our coordinator Adriana Valdez, who has worked with Philip on previous events had this to say, “Working with Philip was just fantastic. He was around for every shot, there was not one instance where we had to go looking for him. He was on top of every moment, every picture. It made for a pleasurable experience for the guests, bride and myself as the coordinator for the event. Too many times the photographers are not on top of things and its up to the coordinator or family to look for them and the couple lose out on that special moment. Philip also scopes our building out and even though he’s been here before, he takes extra time to find the best location for shots.”

When it comes to shooting at Plaza Lecea, Philip loves the ambient lighting, especially at dusk when the natural light outside mixes with the tungsten indoor lighting creating a beautiful blue hue. We have to agree…it’s really beautiful here!

Some quick facts about his work:

• Shoots approx. 25-30 weddings a year, so book him now ladies!
• Member of the Professional Photographers of America and Wedding Photojournalist Association…he’s legit and an International Award Winner!
• Typically shoots between 500-1000 shots per event
• Proofs take approx. 4-6 weeks along w/draft of album design (yes! he does a FABULOUS job with photo books–a must! You can check out a sample book at our facility)
• Only shoots one event per day AND depending on the client, will bring on an assistant if needed
• Wedding coverage starts at a mere $2500 (a bargain for his work if you ask us!)
• The Essentials: Website: www.philipphotography.com; Blog: www.philipthomasblog.com; Twitter: http://twitter.com/Philipphoto; Phone: 210. 833.1168

We highly recommend Philip Thomas Photography for your wedding or special event. He’ll capture more than just the traditional photos and you will be more than pleased with the results.