Thursday, April 25, 2013

Why an Event Coordinator is Worth the Investment




They are pushy, overbearing, want to work with only certain vendors and spend extra money. These are some of the fears of hiring a Wedding Planner.  Are they overrated??  Absolutely NOT.  These days, with a busy lifestyle and overwhelming resources on how to plan your wedding, you need the savvy planner, that can guide you through the production of planning a stunning wedding.  Does it take a rocket scientist to plan a wedding? No. But it does require skills and knowledge, and most importantly, resources to bring your wedding vision to a fairytale ending.  A bride that has a wedding budget of at least $20,000 must invest in, at the minimum, a Day of Coordinator, so that she, her groom and their families can enjoy their celebration of marriage.  For those brides that need a branded event, with each detail reflecting the couple’s personality, a complete planning package is worth its weight in gold.

Ladies, wedding planners are no longer a luxury, but a much needed investment into your wedding celebration.  Still curious about those things you have heard about planners? I am going to tackle some of the urban legends about “The Wedding Planner”:


Are planners overbearing and pushy?

Planners keep themselves on the cutting edge of the wedding trends.  They want to amaze you with their talent and wow your guests.  Not all trends can fit into a couple’s budget.  So clearly define your expectation and your budget.  Sit back, relax and let your planner showcase all that can fit into your budget.  But keep in mind, not all ideas may reflect your wedding vision.  For some couples this is the time to express this to the planner, and as necessary reevaluate their wants and needs within the realistic parameters of their budget.

This one I hear all the time, my venue has a wedding coordinator so there really is no need for me to spend additional money hiring a planner.


Catering/Venue Managers are wonderful people and do an excellent job.  They know their particular venue inside out.  However, they do work for the venue, and work within the job responsibility of the venue.  They are a great resource for preferred vendors but are not able to analyze your vision and budget to match you with the right vendors.  Depending on the size of the venue, they may be working with multiple brides on the same day.  Just as you hired a photographer that is working for you and only taking your perfect wedding pictures, a planner works in your best interest to deliver perfect wedding memories.


It is not possible for just one person to organize and coordinate multiple event team partners for your event.  It requires organization and leadership skills to direct and produce a wedding.  A good wedding planning company will provide you with event support, skilled assistants and a back up planner for your peace of mind.  So make sure to do your research and ask the right questions.  Your planner will be your best friend and will cry as she queues you to walk down the aisle.

Until next week!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)
 Olivia

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Great Rehearsal Expectation


The bridal showers and bachelor(ette) parties are over, and that fake bouquet created with all the bows from your shower gifts is ready to be used.. It is now the day of the wedding rehearsal, which officially starts the festivities leading up to the big day, The wedding party will be very excited, all are happy to see each other, and the bride and groom are feeling the anxiety of reaching the finish line.

Why the anxiety? There are many, many reasons. They might be leaving the home, or family, they have been a comfortable part of all their lives. More likely, the planning of the wedding activities, with their hundreds of details which had to be finished by the rehearsal day, may have finally caught up with them. Finally, making that unofficial walk the down the aisle, to practice their vows with all eyes on them, would make anybody feel butterflies.


The rehearsal ceremony is usually a one-hour window where the Officiant and wedding coordinator, or church coordinator, guide you thru what to expect on your wedding day. That person, who leads you through it, expects the wedding party to be there on time, and to finish on time. It is usually held at the location of the actual ceremony whether it is a church, temple, hotel, or on a beach.

Often this is the first time that members of the wedding party will first meet each other. In this instance not only the bride and groom are feeling anxious. Imagine the Maid of Honor or Best Man is all of a sudden being escorted down the aisle by somebody they just met, and will be expected to partner up in a formal setting in the next few days. Not only that, you have to be civil and pleasant, whether he or she is nice, or has a challenging personality.


Why go thru a rehearsal? It is to relieve the exact feeling you have felt all this time you were planning your wedding. By the end of the rehearsal the couple usually starts to let go of anxiety as they feel a great sense of support, seeing all their family and friends together. When the bride walks down the aisle once or twice, the groom fumbles thru the vows, when they figure out the ring bearer may not be too crazy about walking down the aisle, or the couple hears the laughter of their loved ones, or even of each other; they feel a huge relief off their shoulders. It is also when the tears start flowing for the parents or guardians, or most often, the bride.

The rehearsal is also the time to turn over the marriage license and church fees to the Officiant, so don’t forget them! Be sure to leave the unity candle and whatever is needed to the church or ceremony location, prior to the actual day.  Musicians might check the timing of their music, especially if they are family or friends of the couple. The readers will check the volume and speed of their voice when reading. Sometimes, it is when the ladies of the wedding party wear the actual shoes they will be wearing for the official day to break them in. Do not be upset if everybody cannot make it. Your groomsman from California may have a delayed flight, or the flower girl may still be recovering from a cold. Your wedding coordinator or a bridesmaid can show them what to do on the actual day.


Now that the couple has finished seeing a preview of their big day, they can finally, along with their wedding party and close family and friends, start the celebration at the well-deserved rehearsal dinner.

The rehearsal, or pre-nuptial, dinner is usually hosted by the groom’s parents, but anybody can host it, even the bride and groom. Its mood and setting is usually the opposite of the formal reception. It can be at the couple’s favorite pizza place, the church hall, or someone’s backyard. The dress code is relaxed and the food and drinks are lively. It is a perfect time for all to hang out with the couple and there is no real schedule. Your out-of-town guests are sometimes invited to show appreciation for their efforts and expense to be there for our big day. The couple at this time usually acknowledges all who were involved, and shows their gratitude by presenting gifts. This is also a nice time for the couple to publicly thanking the important people in their lives, and again will begin to relieve more of their anxiety. The rehearsal dinner is essential to a wedding if you want your big day to be less stressful and chaotic.

What type of gifts should a couple give those who were so instrumental in planning their big day? That is another blog topic, stay tuned!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Involving your Bridesmaids


Your engagement has been announced, you are in wedding bliss, the wedding date is sort of picked out and now is the time to pick your entourage.  The tradition began in ancient times, bridesmaids were used as decoys to confuse evil sprits wanting to harm the bridal couple. The role has evolved into their modern day role as the brides’ assistants.  As a bride-to-be, your “Girls” will play a key support role in planning your wedding.


A wedding is a production of many details.  As the producer and director of this big day, an organized bride with clear direction will be much appreciated.  Beyond selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses, partying at your bachelorette party, and dancing with groomsmen, there are few “bridesmaid duties” that can be delegated to your helpful bridal party.

Calling upon Venues
List a few venues for your bridesmaid to call.  Have her check on the availability of the date, space and wedding packages.  As a bride you may be interested in as many as 30 venues. This will alleviate the overwhelming pressure of countless calls.

Bridal Shows
Designate one of your bridesmaids to register you for bridal shows, special events or special offers.  Set up a “Couple’s Wedding Email” address so that all the information can be directed to your wedding inbox. 


Favor Party
Have a bridesmaid troll websites looking for trendy favor ideas.  Have her email you pictures or website links to view these products.  Have her organize a “Favor Party” if you select a product that may require personalization.

Rehearsal
Bridesmaids can execute administrative duties by creating a “Rehearsal Packet” for the bridal party.  The packet should include information such as the timeline, photo schedule, when and where they need to be. This information can be organized and emailed to the bridal party.  A copy should also be made for distribution at the ceremony rehearsal.



Out of town guests
One of your bridesmaids can organize “Things to do in our Town” information for your out of town guests. Information can include places of special interest, popular restaurants, shopping malls, transportation and contact information in case of any emergency.

Placecards
Most venues will set up your placecards on the day of the wedding.  Have a bridesmaid cross check your master guest list against the placecards.  Once they are double checked, place them in alphabetical order, and have a box ready for delivery to the venue.  Do not forget to include you master guest list.

Your bridal party is there to assist you with your wedding day.  It is an honor for them to be part of your special guests.  They understand that you may reach out to them beyond just planning bridal showers and the bachelorette party.   Go ahead, get them involved, you will be pleasantly surprised how much support they can lend to their bride and her big day.

BBFN  (Bridal Bliss for Now)
Olivia

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Building Your Wedding Bar

No matter your wedding vision, you will at some point need to make decisions on the beverages you will serve your guests, otherwise known as the bar. In the past five years there has been a boom in brides and grooms customizing their bars, and looking at different options than just the standard packages included at many traditional wedding venues (hotels, banquet halls, etc.). Give some thought to your drink selections, and make your bar a reflection of you as a couple.


If you are looking to keep costs to a minimum, here are some options:
  • Keep it a dry bar, only offer sodas, waters, iced tea and lemonade
  • Serve only beer and/or wine
  • Add just one signature cocktail
  • Eliminate the champagne toast (many people don’t actually drink it anyway)
  • Ask to bring in your own alcohol and pay a corkage fee
Looking to spice up a non-alcoholic bar, here are a few of our favorite specialty stations:
  • Bring in flavored Italian sodas, it may even be able to be mixed onsite
  • Upgrade your coffee bar to include various flavors, chocolate shavings, whipped cream and more
  • Getting married in a warm month? Look into a fruit smoothie or milkshake station
If you are going to utilize an included bar package our advice would be:
  • Talk to the venue about which types of alcohol you know your guests will consume the most of, so they can stock their supply appropriately
  • Ask about having your favorite spirits/brands available, you may be able to substitute an item
  • Avoid the urge to pay on consumption, if guests think it is an “open bar” you will be paying for a lot of half-finished and forgotten drinks

Building your bar isn't just about people getting rowdy. You will be providing your guests drinks, so give some thought to your guest list, and budget, and bring on the fun!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia