No matter how you divide your wedding budget, it’s a given that one area, in particular, is a solid must-have for any event: food and beverage. Food and beverage is easily one of the biggest expenses of any event when it comes to overall budget allocation. While hosts should strive to provide a culinary experience that is both delicious and fulfilling, breaking the bank isn’t necessary to achieve this end goal. There are many ways to provide guests with exceptional food and beverage without sacrificing other important areas of the budget. Consider the following options to determine what best fits your overall event style AND budget.

An invitation suite is the first thing guests receive prior to an event, helping set expectations of what’s to come. Beyond communicating all the important details, invitations set the tone and first impressions. Getting the look, feel and wording right takes time, especially when there are so many options to choose from. From digital printing options to letterpress, hand calligraphy, foil stamping, and more, it can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! Make the decision process easier by categorizing your priorities based on style and cost.

To feed or not to feed? This is one of the most popular questions our event planners get asked throughout the planning process. As such, we’re sharing our answers and some guidelines for when it comes to making sure not only your guests, but also vendors, are taken care of on event day. Taking care of your vendors and providing the necessary meals required is an important part of making sure the day runs smoothly and that your vendors aren’t running on empty!

Selecting your wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as you embark on your wedding planning journey both mentally and financially.. Allocation for a wedding venue can be anywhere from 15%-45% of your budget depending on what type of venue you select and what is or isn’t included under your contract. That’s why it’s so important to understand what types of venues exist and the costs and requirements associated with each.

The New Year is here, 2023 wedding planning is in full swing, and we are absolutely elated to be jumping into another wedding season full of fun and fresh designs! Today we’re sharing upcoming wedding trends with our friends at Bridal Guide Magazine, including predictions on wedding size, floral installations, photo booths, and more from our very own founder and principle designer, Michelle Cousins.

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process that leads to sleepless nights, decision fatigue, procrastination, arguments with loved ones, and lots of frustration. But, with some guidance from the experts, the right tools, and a little magic (maybe a strong cup of coffee), planning a wedding can also be an enjoyable, organized, easy, and memorable experience! We believe everyone should get to enjoy planning and celebrating life’s most important events. From 11/24/22 - 12/1/22, we’re offering 15% off all curated templates and easy-to-follow guidelines designed to meet a wide variety of event planning needs no matter the stage of the planning process!

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process that leads to sleepless nights, decision fatigue, procrastination, arguments with loved ones, and lots of frustrations. But, planning a wedding can also be an enjoyable, organized, easy and memorable experience! All it takes is some guidance from the experts, the right tools, a little magic (and maybe some strong coffee). So don’t hesitate! Check out what MLE is offering and purchase the necessary tools to give you that peace of mind so you can enjoy the planning process!

Come see what’s new in the MLE portfolio!

We are absolutely elated to be jumping into a new year full of fun and fresh designs. Today we’re dishing all the details on what to expect in 2022 wedding trends with our friends at Bridal Guide Magazine! Take a peek at the full feature and be sure to pickup a copy for yourself, on newsstands now!

Come see what’s new in the MLE portfolio!

The 2021 issue of Utah Bride & Groom magazine is here and better than ever! We are absolutely honored to have a reception (with tips for creating a night to remember), a real wedding, our Hardware Apartments editorial (designed exclusively for UBG), and a color feature (with design tips and tricks) included in this year’s issue. Get a sneak peek of the features below and be sure to pick up a copy for yourself, on newsstands tomorrow, April 1.

The New Year is here and 2021 wedding planning is in full swing! This week we’re sharing 2021 wedding trends with Bridal Guide Magazine, including what to expect when it comes to catering from our very own Michelle. “Grazing stations and buffets are suspended for now. All catering services have been plated. Guest capacity at tables hasn’t exceeded 10 individuals per table, and tables have been placed a minimum distance of six feet apart. Despite all these changes, we’ve successfully executed celebrations that ran smoothly and were both safe and enjoyable!”

Michelle Leo Events is an award-winning event design and planning firm based in Salt Lake City specializing in local and destination events. MLE has been named among the "Best Wedding Planners in America” in 2020 by BRIDES Magazine, is Utah’s 2020 “Best of State in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism,” an 11 x winner of Utah’s “Best of State Event Planner & Wedding Services,” a Martha Stewart Weddings “Top Wedding Planner,” and on Vogues’s “Ultimate Wedding Planner” list. Hiring an event designer and planner is an important decision and we want to make sure that hiring MLE is the right decision for you! Before we take the big plunge together, we ask that you please review this information to learn more about our amazing team, what we’re passionate about and what services we invest our souls wholeheartedly in offering.

The air is crisp and we are feeling grateful for an occasion to celebrate, so today we’re sharing six centerpieces to inspire your Thanksgiving table! From soft and feminine to bold and colorful, we have something for everyone!

Autumn is in full effect and we are loving the crisp air and changing leaves. Each year we look forward to the calm and comfort of early fall and this year we’re sharing our best tips for creating your own magical autumn celebration with Utah Style & Design magazine. We are absolutely honored to have our founder and principal designer, Michelle, giving a look into some of our favorite fall events. From the experience, atmosphere, and palette to tabletop and menu, this six-page feature details just what you need for a fantastic fall fete at home.

Bridal Guide's September/October 2020 issue is on newsstands now and we are beyond thrilled to have contributed to their "In Season" feature, providing inspiration and planning tips for any time of year. MLE couple Dasha and Neil’s winter wonderland wedding was the perfect fit for a cozy gathering during this snowy season. It may not be the most popular nuptial season, but winter can be the most magical — both indoors and out. In this article, our lead designer, Michelle, shares the upsides to a winter wedding, along with some things to keep in mind, including setting a cozy atmosphere, what to include on your menu, florals to consider, and more.

This year has been full of planning and re-planning in an attempt to maintain our clients’ dream weddings, so today we’re sharing how some of them have adjusted, along with some advice from our very own Michelle Cousins. Take a look at a peek of this helpful feature and grab a copy for yourself, on newsstands now! Are you a bride in need of help re-planning or have you decided to elope instead of waiting for things to settle down? Contact us today and let us help you create something beautiful in spite of the odd circumstances of 2020.

Weddings are usually associated with making memories, and it doesn’t have to stop there! They can also be about making a difference by focusing on simple ways to make your wedding sustainable. While “less is more” may seem like the way to go, there are so many other ways to start making your wedding better for the environment while still having the wedding of your dreams. If you’re hoping to make a positive environmental impact while celebrating your big day, consider MLE’s six simple steps to creating a sustainable wedding! By choosing simple eco-friendly options in your planning process, you’ll be on your way to a more sustainable wedding in no time. Decide which options work best for your preferences and style and get ready to make memories while making a difference!

Happy July, friends! As the weekend approaches, we’re looking forward to gathering with friends and family to celebrate our country, and today we’re sharing 4 tips to help you plan and prepare for your Independence Day soiree. Incorporate color into your food and beverage, go for a simple and understated table design, take advantage of classic decor, and include activities. We hope you have a happy, safe, and enjoyable Independence Day! Be sure to tag us in your photos so we can see how it all comes together!

There has been a lot of talk about wedding insurance lately, especially with the presence of COVID as many 2020 couples have had to make the hard decision to cancel or postpone their event(s). MLE encourages all of our couples to consider obtaining wedding insurance (some event venues even require it). Here are some things you need to know regarding what wedding insurance does and doesn’t cover, and what policies are worth looking into before you make any decisions. MLE strongly encourages couples to educate themselves on their options and obtain a coverage policy to protect themselves from a potentially devastating situation. The best day of your life shouldn’t turn into a large financial loss if the unforeseen happens! The right coverage will offer you peace of mind as you plan and help you to avoid financial regret. We hope all couples will be smart about planning their big day and choose to protect their financial investments while doing so.