5 Facts about Elegant Affairs

We thought we’d take this post to reintroduce ourselves but in a different way. Elegant Affairs is not new to the wedding industry. We’ve been around for over a decade. We started with just our fearless founder, Lori Losee. She graduated WSU and had worked in communications in the Pacific Northwest. As time went on, she started a family and became a mom to two boys, Grant and Jackson. As she began her family, she realized that she wanted to move down another path and explore the wedding industry – this sparked the creation of Elegant Affairs. At the time, what started off as a side gig, Lori had NO idea that Elegant affairs would BOOM into the company that it is today. Lori and her team have won top Wedding Planning Company in the Pacific Northwest for many years, have had their work graced in magazines, such as Bride Magazine, and continue to expand their wedding planning expertise to other states such as Idaho, Hawai’i, California, and even dabbled with a few destination weddings in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Elegant Affairs has come so far and with the hard work, comes some fun of course. So, let us share with you 5 fun facts about Elegant Affairs and the work we do. 

#01: 367 

367 – represents how many weddings our team, Elegant Affairs has planned and coordinated to date. We’ve worked with 367 couples, had over 367 planning meetings (depending on packages of course), and watched 367 couples tie the knot. No matter how many weddings we do or couples we meet, watching each and every one of our couples tie the knot is truly the best part of our job. Even though we’ve done hundreds of weddings, our team members still feel their hearts flutter as the bride walks down and we may even shed a tear here and there. But, let me tell you – we remember every couple and every wedding we plan and coordinate. Each of our couples holds a special place in our hearts. We’ve kept in touch with hundreds of our couples and have followed their relationships blossom – from babies, moves, and new jobs– we love watching our couples’ adventures. 

#02: We Keep it In the Family 

If you know our founder and owner, you know that Lori is a cougar. And by cougar, we mean a Washington State University Cougar. She graduated from WSU and is a proud Coug. WSU is meaningful for Lori, as she is a proud member and alumni of Alpha Phi - Beta Rho and met her husband, Steve, at WSU. Her son, Grant is currently a freshman at the university, and she keeps close ties with the campus. In fact, many of her couples are former Alpha Phi’s or are graduates of WSU (Go Cougs!). Lori also started an internship program with Alpha Phis, which allowed collegiate members and alumni to intern with Alpha Phi. Through this internship, interns learned how to hold client meetings, form relationships with vendors and network within the wedding industry, helped the wedding planning team coordinate weddings, and became a forever member of the Elegant Affairs team. Many of Elegant Affairs planners were WSU/Alpha Phi alumni, and worked for the company for many years. Some even turned from our planners, to EA brides. We have loved helping our WSU and Alpha Phi family and working with them as a part of the Elegant Affairs team. As times changed, we’ve been able to work with so many of these ladies and are incredibly fortunate to have them on the team. 

#03: Our Frequent Flyers 

Since we’ve worked in the Pacific Northwest wedding industry for over two decades, we’ve formed a lot of relationships with other vendors. But, there are definitely a few vendors that we could call frequent flyers. These are vendors or venues that we’ve been to, or worked with A LOT – and we mean over a dozen of times. These vendors and venues became our friends and created so many memories. Some of our frequent flyers from the past are Port Gamble, Essence of the Thymes, The Lloyds, Tonie Christine, Dubreezy Entertainment, and The Kelly Farm. We’ve known and used these vendors countless times and they’ve truly become a part of our Elegant Affair Family. We always smile when a couple works with them, as we know that it’s going to not only be a wonderful addition to their vendor list, but we know we will have an enjoyable time working with them. 

#04: I Now Pronounce You…

One of our favorite, fun facts, is that Lori went from planning weddings to helping our couples say “I do.” Throughout the planning process, we become a part of our couples lives and form long-lasting relationships with our couples. We had many couples ask Lori to help them tie the knot, by officiating their wedding. So much, that Lori took it upon herself to become an ordained minister! Lori even married one of our former wedding planners on the beach in North Tacoma. She loves planning the perfect ceremony for our couples and enjoys offering these services to those in need. And in our opinion, she does a fine job as an ordained minister too. 

#05: It’s a Losee Affair 

Now, we talked about how we love WSU and the COUGS. But sometimes, when we’re in a crunch, we have to ask our family to help. Lori has two boys, one in high school and one in college, and a husband who works and coaches. But her family still finds the time, when needed to lend an extra hand. Her entire family, including her sister, has played a role in Elegant Affairs from time to time. There have been numerous instances where she has had to ask for support from her family and they took over the role of wedding day or planning assistants. And, they have all done a killer job at it. So, at times – Elegant Affairs is truly a family affair! 

We have SO enjoyed watching Elegant Affairs grow over the last two decades. It has grown and evolved in ways that Lori couldn’t even imagine at the start. Every member of our team, present and past, have loved what they did and the friendships and bonds created with our team and clients will last a lifetime. 

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

The Art of the Thank You Card

I don’t know about you, but when I open my mailbox and receive a handwritten thank you card for a birthday gift or wedding it is always appreciated. Growing up, my family had a rule surrounding thank you cards. First, we had to handwrite a thank you card for each person that we received a card or gift from. Secondly, we had to send out the thank you card before we used the item or spent the money. These rules have been stuck in my head for three decades. Anytime I receive a gift, card, or money – a thank you card is quick to follow. Now, this may not be the case for all. For many, thank you cards can seem more of an obligation rather than something that you want to do. So, here are some tips to make writing the thank you card less mundane and turning it into an art. 


What is the time frame?

There are many ideas on when a thank you card should be sent out. After your wedding day, past myths surrounding thank you cards say that you have at least a year to send out your thank you card. While that may work for some, we believe that all thank you cards should be sent out between six and twelve weeks. This gives the newlywed couple time to enjoy their newly wedding bliss, including the honeymoon, and have ample time to unwrap each item. We understand that you cannot follow my childhood rule of sending out a thank you prior to using the gift, or with a same-day turn around, but sending out your wedding thank yous in a timely manner is ideal. Try and break up your thank you cards into chunks. Set out to write a few a day, rather than mass produce. It allows you to spend time creating a thoughtful card. 


Stationery or Cards? 

There is no right or wrong answer to what type of thank you card you use to address your guests. Many couples choose to create a stationary or thank you card that is aligned to their invitation suite. Other couples choose to send out a photo postcard or card. If you choose to send out a photo, be sure that you will be able to receive your photo from your photographer or vendor in time before the twelve-week deadline. Whatever you choose to use, stray far away from fillable cards, generic cards, social media thank you posts, phone calls, emails, or a statement on your wedding website. Bottom line, generic posts or cards are not meaningful and oftentimes they don’t seem appreciative or personal. Your guests are your family and friends. So, spend a few extra minutes writing a personal note. Yes, it is more than okay to have a generic saying for your cards, but if you go that route write an additional, personal note to each individual guest. It’s not a fun feeling to receive a thank you card that had no meaning or heart behind it. Don’t let your guests feel unappreciative and don’t keep your guests waiting. 


Thank You to Who?

Some people may think that you only need to send a card to individuals who gave money or gifts on your wedding day, well - times have changed! There are a few other individuals who we think deserve a thank you card. 

Guests that attend showers or other engagements: Be sure to thank all the guests who attended your bridal shower, engagement party, or any other arrangement you had. The same rules apply, be sure to send these out in the six to twelve-week time frame. 

Wedding gifts: Any gift, small or large needs a thank you card. As you open your cards and gifts, assign someone to take notes on who gifted what, and be descriptive! Be sure to write the gift you received and any remarks you love on that gift. Include what you have used it for or your plans for it. Let’s face it, people like to know that you got their gift and that you know it’s from them. The appreciation is meaningful to guests. 

Monetary gifts: Any sort of monetary gift, including a check, cash, Venmo, cash app, or a donation to your favorite charity. It is always an option to thank the person for the amount, but it isn’t necessary. But, always write what you plan to spend the money on, or what you purchased. 

Party hosts: Send a thank you card to any of your hosts. This can include individual(s) who have hosted your bridal shower, bachelorette party, or engagement party. These functions are often paid out of pocket by the hosts and/or your wedding party. Sending them a warm thank you in appreciation shows your care for their support and efforts. 

Vendors: Often forgotten, vendors are one of the most important people to support your wedding. Even though they are contracted to work your wedding day, showing a thank you with a quick note and even a tip, goes a long way. We always love receiving thank you cards from our couples. 

We’ve all been wedding guests, bought a gift or cut a check, and never received that thank you card. Sometimes it can leave us feeling unappreciated or can leave a sour taste in our mouths. Before you think twice about sending a thank you card or think that it’s a part of the past – just go ahead and do it. Thank you cards are meaningful and show your guests that you appreciate them and their thoughtfulness. When you write your thank you cards, choose a method that will allow you to send them out within six to twelve weeks. Be personable and warm in your cards and mention exactly what each individual is gifted. Ensure that you include everyone who supported, gifted, or even attended your wedding, and don’t forget to thank your vendors! 

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Avoiding Major Wedding Mistakes

Wedding planning is such an exciting time. There’s so much excitement in selecting your decor and planning all of the details. But, for some – okay, let’s face it all brides and grooms – there are times when wedding planning can be downright stressful. Through the process, it is easy to get lost in the details and become hyper-focused on completing tasks. It’s during these times that simple wedding planning mistakes can be made and create added stress down the road or on your wedding day. Let us walk you through some of the major wedding mistakes and how to best avoid them to eliminate any additional stressors on your big day. 

#01: Don’t Throw Your Budget out the Window

One of the major stressors in life, including marriages, is finances. We always tell our clients the most important part of the wedding planning process is the creation and follow-through of your budget. Creating and maintaining a budget throughout the wedding planning journey is a stressful task. For a lot of couples, they fear discussing their budget honestly. We’ve met with a fair share of couples who have differing opinions of budgets and it can easily become a sensitive topic of discussion. Whoever you are creating a budget with, sit down and talk openly and honestly about the numbers. It needs to be obtainable and comfortable for everyone participating. You don’t want to set a budget that makes you feel uncomfortable or sacrifice things in your day-to-day life. Once your budget is set, be sure to stick to your budget and don’t throw your budget out the window. Be upfront with your vendors when you begin and be realistic about what you can afford. Keep close to your budget and don’t go over. You can still create your dream wedding day by sticking to your budget. 

#02: Keep Trends Balanced 

In today’s modern times, there are so many inspirations at our fingertips. Thanks to influencers, social media platforms, and Pinterest, there are endless options for brides and grooms when it comes to planning. There are hundreds of blogs and ideas out there with upcoming trends. As you plan your wedding, it is more than okay to tie in trends. We love ourselves with a good trendy detail here and there. But, we hate to see our brides look back at their photos and think “Oh, goodness – what was I thinking!” As you browse and select trends for your wedding, think carefully. Stick to a few guidelines such as: keeping it timeless and classic. Try to balance adding details that are trendy with classic and timeless elements. You can create a trendy celebration, but it’s a balancing act – don’t go overboard with staying trendy and new. 

#03: Don’t Let Opinions Get the Best of You

No matter who is helping you plan your wedding, or even if you are tackling it just with your partner, people will have opinions. Family and friends are very excited and downright eager to be a part of the planning process. Whether you include your family in searching for your perfect dress, selecting vendors, or hosting a bridal shower – everyone has their own opinions. Throughout the planning process, it is vital to remember that they are called opinions for a reason. Yes, Aunt Sally may hate the dress you chose – but do you like it? Is this what you’ve envisioned? Or maybe your spouse’s fraternity brothers’ have a raft trip planned for the big day and they want you to reschedule… but what date works best for you and the majority of your loved ones? It is impossible to please everyone or to satisfy everyone’s opinions about your wedding day. There will be people during the planning process who will have opinions about your decisions along the way - and that’s okay. At the end of the day, this is YOUR wedding and you must be confident in the decisions that you make. You are making decisions with your partner about the celebration of your love. That is all that matters. So, take opinions with a grain of salt and don’t fret. Make decisions that are based on you and your fiance's wants and needs and make choices on how you both want to celebrate. 

#04: Live your Life 

We’ve all seen the show Brideszilla or heard people whisper about bridezillas. If this term is new to you, it simply means it’s a bride where planning has consumed their world and has essentially taken over. They are hyper-focused on all of the details and their attitude may get a little “scary” at times. As you go through this process, don’t let wedding planning take over your life. You need to live your life and forget about wedding planning every once and a while. It is not healthy to have your life revolve around your wedding or the planning process. Set aside your planning and remember to enjoy the engagement process. Go on that date, see a movie, and enjoy spending time with people you love. Don’t forget to live your life and live it well. 

#05: Don’t Set Unrealistic Expectations 

At times, we come across couples that may have out-of-this-world expectations. Sometimes, visions cannot be accomplished due to a variety of factors, such as venues, vendors, or your budget. It is important to remember that each working part of your wedding day, including vendors, work extremely hard to make your wedding vision come to life. All of the people included are professionals and have worked in the industry. You want to keep an open line of communication, but also not set unrealistic expectations with your vendors. Vendors want to provide top-of-the-line experiences for you but must stick to the agreement made within your contract. Don’t expect your vendor to go above and beyond their contract and remain respectful even in times of stress. Everyone wants your day to go off without a hitch, but keeping your expectations and visions realistic is key. 

At the end of the day, the most important aspect of your wedding is tying the knot and saying “I do.” You are celebrating to spend your life with your partner. As you go through this process, keep realistic expectations for your wedding and vendors, stick to your budget, don’t let family and friends’ opinions drag you down, make balanced decisions when it comes to selecting trends, and live your life with your fiance. Enjoy this process with your partner, don’t let it overwhelm you and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it is okay to reach out for help. It is never too late to hire a wedding planner or coordinator to support you! Happy planning everyone!

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.