You’re likely investing many dollars into your big day, especially if you’re having it at a venue.  It’s also likely the venue has required you have event liability insurance. No one ever wants to think about cancelling all of the plans, but life happens and sometimes cancellation is your only option. Last night I received word from a client getting married next month that their young daughter was recently diagnosed with a serious illness. If the venue will not let them out of their contract – and it’s highly unlikely that they will – they’ll proceed as planned. However, if their child ha ..read more

According to Forbes, the average cost of a wedding in 2024 is $33,000.  Whether you’re having a lavish 5-figure wedding or an intimate elopement, bad actors want to cash in on this and they’re ready to help you part with your money. Here are a few strategies that can help you navigate this new world of wedding planning and (hopefully) prevent you from being scammed. Established businesses who value their reputation will be able to meet all the below strategies. Keep in mind two things: There are honest people who may not meet the criteria below, and they are normally new in business.&nbs ..read more

Getting engaged is so exciting!!  After sharing the news with friends, family, co-workers, social media connections and every one you come in to contact with, what’s the next thing you do? YOU SIGN UP FOR THINGS! You join wedding planning platforms like The Knot/Wedding Wire, Zola and ThumbTack and wedding Facebook groups in your area, and – if you’re like many excited couples – you sign up to attend wedding expos. Vendors pay big bucks to have a booth at a wedding expo.  The fee for a booth is often close to $1,000.  Add in staff time for preparation, decoration, and sitting in ..read more

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, commitment, and the unique bond you share with your partner. Adding personal touches to your wedding can make it even more special and memorable. From incorporating meaningful rituals to involving loved ones in the ceremony, here are a few simple ideas to inject personalization into your big day: Family-Recommended Scripture: Not religious but you want to honor family members who are by including scripture?  Consider asking a close relative, such as a grandparent or sibling, to recommend scripture readings for your ceremony. This not only adds a ..read more

You’ve dreamt of having the ultimate Colorado wedding at the top of a mountain with deep blue sky and breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.  You don’t even have to close your eyes to picture it, right?  What happens when Mother Nature interrupts your vision with her own plan? Colorado is a destination wedding location for many couples, and as a long-time Coloradan, I get it.  A native Californian, I’ve loved living here for the past 30+ years.  Almost every single day I can enjoy a view of the mountains from my home in the Denver area and driving ‘up the hill’ is like ..read more

Are you experiencing pre-wedding jitters fueled by the fear of being the center of attention on your big day? You’re not alone. Many soon-to-be brides and grooms grapple with this common anxiety as they anticipate walking down the aisle. Whether it’s the thought of all eyes on you during the ceremony or the pressure of being in the spotlight at the reception, the fear of being the center of attention can cast a shadow over what should be a joyous occasion. I want to share with you a story about a couple I recently met with. Excited to finally be getting married and meeting with me to discuss t ..read more

In the bride/wedding Facebook groups, we often see this post: “LOOKING FOR AN OFFICIANT FOR MY WEDDING” followed immediately with comments from others saying, “You don’t need to hire an officiant in Colorado, get a friend to do it for free!”  It’s true, in Colorado and many other states you can self-officiate or ask someone to assume that role and – if you search Google – you will find MANY sample scripts to use.   So, if you can get an officiant for free, why in the world would you want to pay hundreds to more than a thousand dollars for a professional officiant?   Last wee ..read more

Unity ceremonies within your wedding symbolize your lives coming together as one and are oftentimes after the exchange of rings and before the proclamation. Common unity ceremonies are the lighting of candles, the blending of sand, or handfasting (the ultimate ‘tying of the knot’!).  When it comes to unity ceremonies, you can get as creative as you want as – get this – there are NO rules to follow! You can keep your unity ceremony sweet with boxing up a love letter to each other with your favorite wine to open on your first anniversary, or literally go sweet with the ever-popular Chocolat ..read more

Hello and Happy Holidays to all of our Elevate couples! We’re finally back in that time of year where we can enjoy some festive cheer and some extra special quality time with our significant others and families. There’s so much to do! There’s decorations to put up, gifts to buy, meals to make – and lest we forget, planes to catch! This can be a very busy and exciting time. However, with the excitement can also come pressure and strain. All of the things that make the holidays fun can inadvertently cause a lot of tension in your marriage! You might find yourself arguing about money more than ..read more

Do you remember that sensation of first falling in love? There’s nothing that compares to the feeling of finding your true love, and knowing that this is the person you want to spend your life with. But as we all know, our honeymoon phase love for each other may not be shiny and new forever. As that shine matures into deeper love, how can we honor our love for each other and remind our partner that we value them? As time goes on we grow to depend on “our” person and we get accustomed to their constant presence. When life gets difficult and problems distract, it’s easy to forget what it once ..read more