Welcome Announcement - Kaitlyn & Ken!

Hello friends!

If you’re in NYC today, I hope you’re getting out into the world and enjoying this absolutely gorgeous weather (while also making a note to yourself that global warming is very real, and we need to combat that!).

Once you’ve come indoors - or while you’re perusing your phone as you soak up some sun - I’m thrilled to welcome another couple into the Stephanie Gatton Events family, making it three for three on referrals from one of my absolutely favorite sites, Offbeat Bride.

Say hello to KAITLYN & KEN!

The happy couple enjoying BBQ, beers, and bluegrass at Astoria's Strand Smokehouse.

Due to their very busy lives in the always-on-call EMT world - as well as raising their lovely one-year-old daughter, Mackenzie - we FaceTimed our original “get to know you” chat. These two lifelong New Yorkers got engaged in 2015 overlooking the fireworks of a birthday cruise for Ken, and they’re equally committed to creating a unique and lovely fall garden wedding for their guests.

I'm honored to join the team as their coordinator for their October 2017 wedding at The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House in our home borough of Queens, NYC. Let's do this!

xoxo,

 

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Ceremony First!

Hello Friends!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Throughout the planning process, always remind yourselves that the ceremony is for you, the rest of the party is for everyone else.

 

Here’s what I mean by this: Weddings - no matter how well-intentioned - often have a way of ballooning into something bigger than the engaged couple originally anticipated. Struggling to be all things to all people, couples can succumb to the temptation to plan a wedding that will make everyone else happy. Well-meaning parents and friends can only add pressure to the feeling that you’re throwing a big party for everybody else.

 

photo courtesy of Jennifer Seay Photography

 

You may hear a different opinion from other people, but my firm belief is this: You absolutely ARE throwing a party for everybody else - never again in your entire life will you have this exact collection of people gathered together to celebrate and honor your union. It’s a pretty special day, and it’s only natural for a couple to want to thank their guest for joining them by throwing an amazing party, with delicious food and memorable experiences.

photo courtesy of Milestone Images

But I ask all of my couples to do something for themselves as well: When it comes to planning the ceremony, put yourselves first. The ceremony is the entire reason for everyone coming together on that date, at that time, in that location. There would be no party without the ceremony! I urge you to make no compromises - except between each other - when planning this portion of the day. If you don’t want to walk down an aisle, then don’t walk down an aisle. If you would prefer to have some traditions honored, but not others, then that is how it should be done. If you want your vows to one another to be intimate, acoustic, and unamplified for all to hear, then ultimately, that is what you should do. Everybody else can deal.  

It’s all too easy to get caught up in centerpieces, menu tastings, or DJ “do not play” lists, but remember not to gloss over what will happen or be said during your ceremony. Dedicate a similar amount of time to finding what works for you both, and I promise you, you’ll create a unique moment with your other half that will last a lifetime!

xoxo,

 

Welcome Announcement - Alexis & Joe!

Hello friends!

Happy February! Just a quick post to welcome my newest clients to the fold - ALEXIS & JOE!

Aren’t they adorable?

After checking out my vendor listing and spotlight on Offbeat Bride, Alexis wrote to me a few weeks ago, and after a lively 90-minute FaceTime chat, I just knew we were on the same page. Their story began at Billymark’s here in NYC (who doesn’t love a love story that begins at a dive bar?), and saw stints in LA and DC, before they made their home in Philadelphia. Both are from the New York area (Long Island and Jersey), and though Joe popped the question last October on the Brooklyn promenade (check out this view - who could ever say no to a proposal with this backdrop?), they’ll say “I Do” in the heart of Philly.

I'm honored to join the team as their coordinator for their September 2017 wedding at Bartram’s Garden, minutes from Center City. Let's do this!

xoxo,

 

Welcome Announcement - Susan & Toby!

Hello friends!

Hot on the heels of my recent vendor listing and spotlight on my fave site, Offbeat Bride, I'm thrilled to welcome my first "OBB" clients of the new year: Susan and Toby!

These two wonderful folks are recently engaged, and planning a lovely, intimate service and dinner for their nearest and dearest to celebrate their union. And these two are uber-local to me (also residing in Astoria, Queens - my little corner of the world!). When I met with Susan initially to discuss their needs, I was so impressed with her organization, and ability to communicate her vision for the day. Organized couples are a wedding coordinator's dream client!

I'm honored to join the team as their coordinator for their intimate May 2017 wedding at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, with dinner to follow at Carmine's on the UWS in our hometown of NYC.

Let's do this!

xoxo,

 

Welcome Announcement - Garrett & Meghan!

Hello Friends!

This one, folks, is special to me. 

I'm thrilled to welcome another wonderful couple to the fold: Meghan and Garrett!

They're special to me because Meghan herself is a fellow event planner and wedding coordinator, who is eminently capable of handling all of these details herself. But you know what? Even the best planners don't want to work on their wedding days! They want to hand off all of their hard work and planning to someone they trust who can execute everything as efficiently as they would (if they weren't already committed to being the star of their own wedding!). 

So, when Meghan asked me to help out with DOC duties, I was honored she entrusted me with the responsibility. And she also did something smart: she hired a DOC who was NOT already scheduled to attend her wedding as a guest. BIG TIME POINTS FOR THAT! She knows she wants her dear friends and loved ones to have an awesome time, and not to be stuck on the phone with a tardy bus driver or troubleshooting the details of a rain plan at the last moment. Because Meghan and Garrett chose me, her guests will have an amazing and enjoyable time!

I'm honored to join the team as their coordinator for their September 2017 wedding at FEAST at Round Hill in the Hudson Valley. Let's do this!

xoxo,

 

Welcome Announcement — Val & Carmen!

Hello Friends!

January HAS been a busy month already for me - you can tell it's engagement season, and couples with wedding dates in 2017 see that calendar page turn to the year of their wedding, and get moving on their planning!

I'm thrilled to welcome another wonderful couple to the fold: Val and Carmen!

Val and Carmen had the opportunity to see me in action last October, when Val served as a bridesmaid in her dear friend Orli's gorgeous wedding. Mutual admiration ensued (she for my ability to "get shit done," and me for her exuding grace and calm as a bridesmaid throughout a very fast-changing 24 hours of wedding prep). So this was a natural and easy fit!

I'm honored to join the team as their coordinator for their June 2017 wedding at The Old Mill in Rose Valley, PA. Let's do this!

xoxo,

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Welcome Announcement — Sam & Anthony!

Hello Friends!

Just a brief little post to welcome my newest clients to the fold: Sam and Anthony! 

Aren't they adorable???

I had the pleasure of meeting them in person last night, and they are an awesome couple, let me tell you. Organized, theatre types, with a combination of warmth and straight talk that is inspiring. These are my people!

I'm honored to join the team as their coordinator for their March 2017 wedding at The Green Building in our hometown of NYC. Let's do this!

xoxo,