Tips on Planning a Wedding by Twila Jones

By Twila Jones
Sales Manager of Religious, Multicultural & Social Markets
Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau

Columbia is a beautiful area to plan a wedding. Whether back dropped amidst the stained glass windows of one of our local churches or posed in a gazebo at one of our historical homes and gardens, couples can find just about any wedding setting they wish in our capital city. But beyond nature’s beauty and architectural treasures, brides and grooms are sometimes challenged with the tedious job of planning the wedding itself.

Whether you opt for a traditional ceremony or a Hollywood style celebration, deciding what you want and putting the plan into action is key. Before you watch the next episode of “Weddings of the Rich & Famous”, consider the following:

1. Budget
Times have changed. Today, many couples pay for their own wedding. Suggestions from others are fine, but make sure you don’t get off track by listening too much to family and friends. They may have lots of ideas but you’ll be the one writing the checks when it’s all said and done.

2. Venue Selection
Unless you are marrying in your backyard, each property you rent comes with a price tag, so choose wisely. Consider utilizing the same venue for several events (i.e. rehearsal dinner, lodging for guests, reception, etc). Properties often will reduce your costs when multiple events will be hosted on site. Certain months are also more popular than others, so you may have to be a little flexible with your wedding date in order to get the venue you want.

3. Upgrade Wisely
Everyone wants to have the wedding of the century but most of us don’t have the funds to pull that off. Before you pick your menu, order your flowers or schedule your honeymoon, sit down and reflect on what is most important to YOU not your guests. Don’t break the bank on everything, choose one or two areas in which to splurge, then use simpler ideas when planning the rest. Keep reading...

18 Tips for Planning on a Budget by Mandi Engram

Mandi Engram, Sales ManagerColumbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors BureauSpecializing in Education, Fraternal, Government & Military Meetings
No matter where you are planning your next meeting, make sure you start by contacting the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. While each CVB is different, they all provide services that will save you both time and money. There are an endless number of ways to a better bottom line when it comes to budgeting, several of which are listed below:

1. Start by contacting the CVB.Our CVB provides the following complimentary services:
· Request for Proposal (RFP) – Just provide us with your meeting specifications, and we will determine which hotels and meeting facilities best suit the needs of your group and request proposals from just those properties. We can provide you with the rates in one easy to read document, and save you the hassle of having repeat your information over and over when contacting several facilities.
· Site Inspections· Brochures/Materials · Publicity· Information Center· Tours· Special Assistance

2. Plan ahead.- The further out you begin planning, the more likely you are to get the rate you want at the property you want for the dates you want. Many groups are booking their meetings now for 2009, but some as far out as 2015. The more time you give properties to respond to your request, the more responses you are likely to get.

3. Book multiple meetings at once.- Regardless of how small or large your meeting is, some hotels can offer groups discounts if you are willing to contract multiple meetings with them.

4. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Keep reading...

Ten Tips for Planning a City-Wide Event by Crystal Morris

Planning any meeting can be a task in itself, but city-wide events take a little more planning and are best scheduled years in advance. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau considers a city-wide event to be those using 3 or more hotels and/or meeting facilities. Crystal Morris of the Columbia CVB shares the following ten tips to ensure that your city-wide event runs smoothly:

1. Be time-wise. Many cities, especially those smaller in size like Columbia, may fill up quickly since facilities and rooms are more limited than in first-tier destinations. Our CVB recommends beginning to plan your city-wide event 3-5 years in advance to ensure your pick of hotels and meeting facilities.

2. Make the CVB your first call. Many planners start calling around to individual hotels and facilities, only to find out that they will need to secure more than one venue, especially in second-tier or third-tier cities. Since the CVB works with city-wide events on a regular basis, your CVB sales manager will be able to provide you with creative options for your city-wide that a individual hotel or meeting facility cannot. Even if you think a city may be too small to accommodate your largest meeting, you may be surprised with the options a CVB can create for you with just a little time and attention to detail.

3. Have meeting history handy. Since citywide events require generous amounts of space, hotels and facilities will be more likely to provide you with the best possible rate if you can provide backup on your room block and pickup as well as your budget for meeting space and catering needs. If you do not have your meeting history available, be sure to let your CVB representative know which hotels and facilities you used during your most recent past event. We may be able to track down that information for you.

4. Communicate your needs. If you have special stipulations, such as an inability to pay for function space or the need for a hotel room rebate, be sure to tell your CVB representative up-front so that they can build your proposal around those important factors.

5. Think about transportation. Keep reading...

Welcome to the Columbia Visitors Bureau Sales Team Blog!

The Columbia Visitors Bureau welcomes you to our new blog. We are here to share meeting tips and exciting meeting news about the Columbia Riverbanks Region. We hope the blog will be a tool for you to learn a little more about meeting planning and a lot more about Columbia, South Carolina.