A typical planners timeline....

We love helping our brides and know some people struggle with understanding “what does a wedding planner do?” So….we took notes at one of recent weddings to show the list of tasks a planner does in a day.

Wednesday-

Pack the car with any last minute items: extra vases, emergency kit, tool kit, etc.

Thursday-

8am- leave for the site

Arrive at site to review and make any final adjustments to floorplan before delivery

Give rental company directions to venue

2^nd pick-up of rentals before actual delivery

Rental company arrives for setup

Oversee whole rental setup (make sure tent is set in right spot, ceremony chairs are in correct area, tables are in proper locations, custom lights are hung in proper spots)

6:30pm- arrive back at the hotel to get dinner and early to bed :)

Friday-

8am- Finalize welcome bags, add name tags to each bag, deliver to the front desk

Get flower delivery for rehearsal dinner and view florals for Saturday

Assemble flowers for rehearsal dinner

Deliver flowers and table assignments to rehearsal dinner; setup- to help the bride and groom's families

Drive back to hotel, get ready and head to the rehearsal

Do the rehearsal (greet and instruct musicians, review with minister, and organize wedding party)

Drive back to hotel

Assemble programs: fold, cut ribbon, make holes in each one, tie ribbons on each program

End at 9:30pm

Saturday-

9:30am- Leave the hotel for the reception site

Meet helpers to organize their to-do list – start them on setting up ceremony chairs

Start setting up alter/chuppah area (add draping, flowers)

Start putting out furniture to certain areas (also get other décor items)

Eat a quick lunch!

Organize helpers to start hanging lanterns, and finalize flowers

Finalize vignette areas, setup cocktail tables, cake tables, cakes arrive

Call catering company and give directions and get ETA for catering/bar

Put out beer, help fluff food tables, put out table arrangements, put on tablecloths

Photographer arrives, give him instructions and start putting on bouts

Bring the bride her bouquet and check on her status of being ready

Couple's first look- assist in handing off gifts for each other and getting them set

Caterers arrive – get beverages from bar on ice first thing

Assist photographer in some pics

help organize family and wedding party for pictures

Move cakes from inside to out and finalize cake tables

Finalize every last décor item, light candles, etc.

Make sure guest book and pens are out

Give ushers/groomsmen last minute explanation of duties (remind to hand out programs)

Start seating guests; instruct guests to take their seats

Get grandmother/mothers organized

Start seating grandmothers, followed by mothers, wedding party (cue the musicians the whole time)

Bride walks down the aisle

Take additional décor shots myself during ceremony to get all the shots before guests get to reception

Alert caterer that ceremony has begun

Direct wedding party away from reception area

Assist guests in reception area

Help photographer organize additional shots

Assist in signing the marriage license

Get the bride’s dress bustled

Cue the back they are about to be introduced

Lead the couple back to the reception for introductions

Open the buffet, insure all guests are being cared for, buffet is full

Get a plate for the couple to have a bite

Put the bouquets on the cake table

Get photographers, family and couple ready to cut the cake; cue the caterer to be ready to cut the cakes

Cut the cakes

Cue the band about to do dances (remind them songs, names, etc.)

Get the couple, family and photographers ready

First dances (wanted them at sunset)

Start gathering cake toppers, flutes, etc. to get safely back to the couple

Get photographers to take certain shots the couple requested

Hand out all checks to vendors

Make sure all the votives are lit

Assemble leave items (take wrappers off and assemble candles, sparklers have to be removed from boxes and individual wrapping)

Make sure the caterer has to-go food for the couple

Make sure their suitcases are in the leave vehicle

Make sure all food is out and full, guests are happy, cake is being replenished

Get additional shots of the couple and assist photographer in getting décor shots at night

Tell the bride and groom about to do garter/bouquet

Cue the band, get a chair for the garter

Do the garter and bouquet

Start gathering the “leave” items and lighter, tell the photographers

Make sure the leave vehicle is working, there and ready

Tell the band last song and then leave announcement

Announce Last song

Line up guests to leave, instruct them light their candles (leave item)

Pick up the remaining candles

Assist in caterers cleanup

Have leftover plates for the band (they decided not to break during the reception as planned)

Make sure rented items get returned

Put bride’s bouquet in water

Get all bouquet vases and vases that need to be returned to florist

Load up all items to be returned to the office

Give final instructions to the bride’s family where every item is

11:30pm- Get back in the car and head home….arrive home the next day J

Think it’s exhausting seeing it…it is as exhausting doing it. We do love it, but it sure is a lot of work. We do it because it is a passion and a gift…that makes our job less of a job and more joy!

How much does that extra wedding guest cost me?

A bride will get the ring, book a venue, and start picking vendors. After the initial decisions are made..they start to finalize that guest list and realize it's a lot more than they thought! It can happen so fast! Between the future in-laws, the couple's friends, lost relatives, co-workers...it adds up fast! Ever wonder how much those extra guests actually cost though?...Here's a look:

table $12 ($1.20 per each person)

tablecloth $22 ($2.20 per each person)

chairs $3 each

centerpiece $38 ($3.80 per person)

Food $22 + tip/service charge ($26.40 per person)

Alcohol - sodas $10 per person

Wedding cake $2.40 a slice

$49, but with tax...

$52.43 per person OR $104.86 per couple!!

(This is even a very inexpensive menu too...and doesn't include wedding attire, room rental, bouquets, band, photographer, rings, etc.)

It sure does make a bride re-think inviting those long-distance relatives or extra co-workers.

A bride shouldn't need to be introduced to guests...Wouldn't you want to only be surrounded by your closest family and friends that support you as a couple anyways?

The easiest way to cut a budget is to cut the guest list....keep that in mind :)

Happy Wedding!

Tissue paper poms!

Need some extra color or hanging items to a wedding or party, but short on budget...tissue paper poms are the perfect option!

Want to hang over a dance floor? Just rent poles and metal bases from a rental company and have then hang string from the different poles. Then just hang the poms.... viola- instant decor over the dance area

You could make smaller ones for decorative accents or hang from a chandelier.

You could even make them out of fabric to a very special touch! With a huge trend towards "homemade" and original items...these are perfect!

You could also use for a birthday party or wedding shower too!

You can order from etsy.com or even make yourself. Want to know how...check out the links below!:

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/tissue-paper-pom-poms-diy-wedding-decor/

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias

even a youtube video to show an actual step-by-step:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDAgjtScFpU

Vignettes

Instead of traditional centerpieces or one main table arrangement…there is a huge change to doing “vignettes”. It can be a great way for a photographer to shoot an extra special shot, it is the use of more furniture and household items, and it can be a great way to get amazing decor shots. It makes the wedding have more of a photo shoot element. Notice all the amazing pics on these fabulous blogs and websites? These vignettes allow each wedding to look as amazing as the published features!

Every notice that most featured weddings showcase not only vignettes, but decor shots?! It is a MUST that your photographer capture those. You may give them a list of certain family photos to take (don't miss Aunty Mary, or Granmommy, etc.) But be sure to express the importance of decor shots. Every bride works hard on the details and they should be showcased. Whether you ordered collegiate pom poms, monogrammed chocolates, taffy favors, or a custom lit monogram...make sure they are all captured in the photos afterwards.

Don’t know what a vignette is? Take a look below to see examples of amazing vignettes:

pic sources: greenweddingshoes.com, ohdarlingwedding.blospot.com, nineseventeeneleven.blogspot.com, ribbonsandrust.wordpress.com, celebrationsathomeblog.com

Mason Jars

One thing about most southern brides…we love the south! The south has it’s own way of doing everything. We let college football and hunting season determine wedding dates. We consider sweet tea and diet coke standard drinks. We also have a very distinct southern drawl, that seems to add a innocent touch to every sentence said. Mostly though, we also have a unique way of doing weddings.

What’s more southern than mason jars?!?!

They are so useful and we can’t wait to show you the different ways to use them. You can hang them from a large tree with candles inside, use them for mint juleps or a lemonade, favors, or even clustered together for floral centerpieces. They add the perfect southern touch to any affair!

Happy Viewing!

Source of pics: Intimateweddings.com, Thriftyfun.com, Boards.weddingbee.com, Flikr.com, and Kathrynleachhome.com

Telegram...

So many wedding are going vintage/rustic right now! We just blogged about the handkerchief invitation...can't wait to show the finished product!

If you can't make that happen, we have another great idea... The Telegram! We are doing the handkerchief invitation, but also a directional card enclosed that looks like a telegram. You could also use it for a Save-the-Date, RSVP, or as tags on the hotel welcome bags! While it's printing, I thought I'd show where we got the inspiration:

http://dave-douglass.com/?p=173

from greetdesign.com

http://www.petite-fete.com/gallery.html#prev

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58921177/telegram-wedding-invitation-letterpress

Thanks for viewing!

Why do You Need an Independent Wedding Planner?

A lot of brides and even some "all-inclusive" vendors are starting to think they don't need a wedding planner. The problem is, many truly want to "design" and not really plan. There is a huge difference!

So what is the difference between "planning" and "designing"?

People who design: don't want to be bothered with the wording of an invitation, the special guest book you want to find, specifics on registering, wedding directing etiquette, etc. They also really don't want to be the ones to be there from 7am until midnight that Saturday. They will forget things that a professional planner knows. For example, a bar needs a "bar back" table to hold the drinks, you don't just need cloths for the guest tables but all the tables (bar, food, guest book, coffee station...etc!), the delivery and setup you paid the rental company does not mean that they put on the tablecloths or tie on cushions...they are delivered in a clear trash bag and that is where they will stay if you haven't planned ahead.

They are always extra helpful in choosing tablecloths, styling centerpieces, and the layout...but you need to realize that is not wedding planning. We offer so much more and think of every detail!

For the bride that thinks she wants to do it herself...you can, but most planners offer a service where you can plan the whole time and then hand over the torch to a professional to execute your vision. You do not want to answer the continuous phone calls on your wedding day! You don't want to give directions to the band while you get your hair done, or handle the fact that the shrimp or bar has run out.

I recently had a mother-of-a-bride who had decided to plan it herself...she told me she'd be hiring someone for the second daughter...no questions asked. She said she was pulled aways from her daughter/husband/guests so many times that she couldn't even have one full conversation. She was also so busy for the following months tracking down and returning items (finding the extra programs, returning a friend's punch bowl, returning the grandmother's cake knives, etc.) that she said the process was never-ending!

Let me tell some reasons why a planner is so crucial.

We have handled every aspect...so we have vendor discounts for almost anything and we pass those along to our brides! There is a misconception that we are an added expense and increase the budget. A great planner can actually save you money! We know the ways to make the most bang for your buck. We had a bride on a tight tight budget and wanted to spend money on custom M&M's...we said "STOP!" There is no need to waste $400 on candy that nobody will notice. We put it towards centerpieces and made a much bigger impact!

We also know specifics on etiquette, how to get unusual items (like fan programs, white chocolate favors, custom collegiate garters...), and even lists of what to bring that day, timelines and budgets.

Here is a link from wedalert.com: http://www.wedalert.com/content/articles/why_hire_coordinator.asp

"Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer "trendy" to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.

The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.

Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.

A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.

I know it's a lot of information...but it was time to pop some myths and let brides realize: wedding planning can be a true blessing to a bride!