Tips to Selecting Wedding Professionals that Plan for Your Vision

Eric & Rachel: my fun & funky couple

Before I begin planning a wedding, I get to know my couple. Their likes, dislikes, personal style, and interests. I strive to build their wedding around these distinct areas of their personalities; to make the wedding a true reflection of their love. 

While this seems logical and easy enough, there are several different "lazy" tactics that have been seen floating around the industry lately. Without going into great detail, it can be summed up that professionals get into a routine, instead of stepping outside the box to ensure that each and every wedding they are a part of is one-of-a-kind.

The engagement period can be very overwhelming. Planning can take it's toll very quickly, so in an effort to help you feel confident in your efforts, here are a few tips in hiring professionals that have YOUR vision in mind. 

Well Wishes Tree

1. Hiring a Planner- I'm not going to toot my own horn, but... having a coordinator assist throughout the planning process will undoubtedly lower your stress level. When you meet to interview a potential planner, make sure to look at their previous weddings. Do the photos all have the same look or all they different? A difference in style shows their flexibility and creativity in creating events unlike those that they have coordinated before. Photos that are all the same, illustrate the opposite. Make sure to explain your vision for your wedding, including all of the small details that will make it unique to you. 
2. Booking Wedding Professionals- You know them as the Florist, DJ, Cake Decorator, Caterer, etc. After booking one professional for your wedding, they will commonly recommend their "friends" to you to as well. Undoubtedly, vendors that know each other and have worked together before will communicate better in regards to your event; however, that does not mean that booking "vendor friends" will make your event BETTER. There are many different levels of expertise and creativity within each professional genre. If you find one that compliments your vision, reserve them for your wedding. You can accept their referrals and further look into their work, but if their vision is not coherent with your own, look elsewhere.
3. It's a Wedding World- Wherever you look, you are likely going to see something about weddings. It could be TV covering celebrity nuptials, Facebook announcing an engagement, or Pinterest putting wedding creativity at each persons' fingertips. As you gravitate towards inspiring ideas that you would like reflected in your own celebration, remember that it was the professionals that came up with the ideas your are adoring. Pick out a few that you would like to incorporate, but then back away and allow your hired professionals to create new, unique, and personal touches based on the knowledge of your personalities and love. The moments you see displayed in media have always been happening, they are just closer to your fingertips than  before. Harbor the creativity of your wedding professionals to create your own breathtaking moments.

Living for Tears of Appreciation

There are very few things that I am addicted to. I don't smoke, get obsessed in the gym, and can even drive by a Starbucks without getting the urge for a cup of coffee. However, I am obsessed with weddings.

I like every element of the planning, design, and coordination aspect that virtually becomes the pivotal moment in my couples' life. In a sense, I become their best friend for twelve (or however many) months; someone they look to for advice, knowledge and commitment to making their big day bigger and better than even their own imagination. And I humbly say, there is no greater level of satisfaction than knowing that you made someone's dreams come true, if only for a day.

There are two types of tears on a wedding day; those of love and those of appreciation. Tears of love come from deep within; a bride as she conveys her hand-written vows to her groom, a dad as he embraces his daughter during a dance, or a friend as they toast to friendship and happiness. Life's true embrace is love; and a wedding serves as a symbol of the joining of lives and all of the love attached to them.

Tears of appreciation are moments that guests rarely see; but that I am lucky to have as a part of my life. I see them as I pin a boutonniere on a groom that is about to get a first glance at his bride, I see them from a mother as she waits in line to be seated for the ceremony, and most importantly, I see them in my bride's eyes as she walks into her wedding, at ease, seeing her perfect vision come to life and knowing that the evening is in good hands, my hands. I have dedicated my life and career to these tears. 

I realize that I can simply be categorized as a wedding planner, someone with organization skills that cuts the cake. And don't get me wrong, I'm a really good cake cutter. However, I strive to be so much more. As years pass and my couples look back, their wedding day will only be but a memory mingled in with the other milestones in life. It is my dedication to making sure that those memories bring smiles, laughter, and happiness.

Have Some Cake!

I have seen very immaculate fondant cakes, but in my opinion, butter-cream frosting is always a little yummier! Here are some delectable butter-cream cakes from the past few years.

 

 

Looking for a Love Song: Try These

Credit: vowtodance.com

If you are looking for a new and unrecognizable song to capture a moment during your reception, check out these new singles. Any of these could be used for your first dance, cake cutting song, or music to be played behind your wedding photo montage or video.

Christina Perri: A Thousand Years

 

Colbie Colliat: I Do

Francesca Battistelli: 100 More Years

Runner Runner: I Can’t Wait

 

Tyler Ward: Falling with You

Planning Your Ceremony

Credit: wedding-s.com

I have never coordinated two weddings that are the same. There are several different components that can be included in your wedding to make it personal to the relationship you have with your fiance. I have put together the traditional order of events for a Christian or non-denominational wedding. By no means do you need to stick with this order, feel free to switch it up and add little touches here and there to make it even more special.

Prelude music- plays while honored guests are seated

• Officiant enters
• Groom’s grandparents are seated
• Bride’s grandparents are seated
• Groom’s parents are seated
• Bride’s mother is seated

Processional music- plays while attendants are walking down the aisle

• Best man enters from the side
• Grooms enters from the side
• Groomsmen and bridesmaids come down the aisle
• Maid of honor comes down the aisle
• Ring bearer comes down the aisle, then takes a seat or stands by best man
• Flower girl comes down the aisle, then takes a seat or stand by maid of honor

Bridal Processional

• Bride and her father come down the aisle (Father can be substituted by brother, family member, or friend)

Officiant’s Opening Remarks

Vows

Exchange of Rings

Other Unity Customs

Pronouncement

The Kiss
Recessional

• Bride and Groom exit first
• Flower girl and ring bearer exit together
• Maid of honor and best man exit together
• Remaining attendants pair up and exit together
• Guests file out, starting with the front row

Wedding Program

Credit: ghldesign.com

A program is presented to guests as they arrive to the ceremony. Typically, the program is handed out by a guest book attendant (cousin or niece). Programs are not required, but provide guests names of those in the wedding party, readings, and any details needed for the reception. The bride and groom usually write a letter to be published within the program that expresses their thanks to those that helped make everything possible.
Items to be included within Program:

• Order of Events
• Names of people with roles in the ceremony
• Music that will be played
• Meaning behind special rituals taking place during the ceremony
• Note from the bride and groom
• Optional: Favorite quote of the bride and the groom, name of a deceased relative or friend

A Special Bridal Shower

Credit: hostessblog.com

The purpose of the bridal shower is to celebrate and help the bride prepare for her new home. The bridal shower is typically held two to three months before the wedding. Traditionally, the maid-of-honor hosts the party; however, other bridesmaids and the mother of the bride have become popular leaders for organizing the event. The role of the bride is to provide the guest list, provide input when asked, enjoy the party, and write thank you notes for gifts.
Having a theme for a bridal shower adds a new element for the guests to participate in. Think about a few of these ideas and see if you think it will make the party a fun treat for all!

1. Alphabet Shower- each guest is assigned a letter and is asked to bring a gift that begins with that letter.
2. Around-the-House Shower- each guest is assigned a room in the house and is asked to bring a gift that is associated with that room.
3. Kitchen Shower- guests are asked to bring an item that might help out the bride in the kitchen. This can be a fun idea for the inexperienced cook.
4. Lingerie Shower- guests are asked to bring lingerie or item that will promote bedroom action. Bride will have to provide sizes prior to the shower. (This type of shower is often held as a separate shower for the bride and her close family and friends).
5. Recipe Shower- guests are asked to bring a recipe and the items needed to make the dish.
6. Stock-the-Bar Shower- guests are asked to bring alcoholic drinks, mixers, and bar items as gifts. (This type of shower is popular with coed showers).

Formal vs. Informal Wedding

Credit: bridetobe.com

It is important to inform your guests what attire is suitable for your wedding and reception. It is not rude to request a guest to dress appropriately if you provide enough time for them to select an outfit.

White-tie: Tails for the men and full-length gowns for the women.

Black-tie: Tuxedos for the men and formal gowns of any length for the women.

Black-tie optional; Black-tie invited; Formal attire: indicates the bridal party will be in formal dress, and it is optional for the rest of the guests. Dark suits or tuxedos for men and dresses or formal evening pants for women.

Cocktail Dress- suits or sports jackets for men dresses or dressy pants for women

Invitation Etiquette

Credit: wedding-ross.com

Your wedding invitation is the first formal approach to set the mood for the wedding and reception. It is important to recognize the formalities and etiquette prior to sending the invite to your guests. The slightest mishap can alter the impression you are trying to set for your big day, so make sure to dot your I’s and cross your T’s with this Do’s and Don’ts checklist.

Do’s

• Do use the third person for formal invitations
• Do use the phrase “request the honor of your presence” for a ceremony in a church
• Do use the phrase “request the pleasure of your company” for an off-site ceremony
• Do spell out numbers in the date and the year. (twenty-fifth of September)
• Do spell out numerals in times. (five after five o’clock)
• Do capitalize the first word of the invitation and all proper nouns.
• Do name titles for medical doctors, doctor should be spelled out.

Don’ts

• Don’t use commas or periods at the end of a line, line breaks serve as punctuation.
• Don’t include any reference to gifts or the registry.
• Don’t hint that you are not allowing children. Have this information conveyed by family, bridesmaids, and other friends.
• Don’t include information about post-wedding events on the invitation itself. Rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and day-after brunch deserve their own invitation.

Setting Your Reception Tables

Favors: Favors are a nice way of thanking guests for attending such a memorable occasion in your life. The idea behind offering favors is that they are special from the bride and groom. While this is a nice gesture, guests do not expect to receive a favor. Favors should not be too expensive and should not consume too much time. Favors are either placed at the top of the place setting or on the guest table. A modern favor is to provide each guest a small bag that they may fill with their favorite candies.

Table Numbers/Names: Each table number or name can be displayed as a simple tent card or designed to complement the event theme. Get creative with the table names you select: places you traveled together, streets you have lived on, favorite movies, etc.

Menu: Each place setting can have menu cards folded within the napkins to educate guests about the meal. You may also include the receptions events to inform guests of what the evening is to hold.
Place Cards: Each guests name is printed on a card and is placed at a particular place setting. Place cards can be pre-placed or guests can pick up their card when entering the event. If you would like for the guests to pick-up their card, make sure you have a table reserved and in the appropriate place for them as they walk in.

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