Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Make that trip to City Hall fun!

Hello friends!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Make going to get your marriage license a special event! Stop for lunch or bring flowers to commemorate the occasion. 

Here's What I Mean By This: Planning your wedding should be all about the fun, enjoyable aspects of the process. Creating a ceremony that uniquely encapsulates the essence of you and your partner or throwing a kick-ass party for all of your loves ones are no-brainers.

But, as every planner knows, there are tons of tedious tasks that go along with planning your big day. And often, one of them involves getting your marriage license. Whether your officiant is your family minister, rabbi, or priest, or you've asked a close friend to do the honors, or you've hired one (I highly recommend THIS fabulous lady!), everyone needs a marriage license (and thankfully, EVERYONE has the legal right to obtain one now across the country!).

Do yourselves - and your wedding coordinator - a favor and DON'T PUT THIS OFF! You don't want to wait until it's too late, only to realize you can't actually get married "officially" on your wedding day. (Though of course, spiritually and emotionally, you'll be totally in the moment, and I believe that's what matters most). 

So, consult the laws of the state or country you're getting hitched in (not the state or country you live in, if they're different), and make a day out of getting that license. Here in Manhattan, there are tons of great restaurants to grab lunch or brunch just a short subway ride from the building - invite your honor attendants (your best people - man or woman) or your parents (if that won't stress you out) to join you on the trip. Dress up, if you like - you do you! Take the tedium out of this errand, and make it a festive occasion - it's the start of your marriage adventure!

xoxo,

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Get Those Gifts Organized!

Hello Friends!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Keep a detailed log of all the gifts you receive throughout your entire wedding journey so that you can write thank-you notes with ease.

Here’s what I mean by this: It’s all too easy to let those pre-wedding gifts pile up in a corner for months, only to forget which lovely person gave you what fantastic item when you get down to writing your thank-you notes. So, beginning with your first gift received, create a simple spreadsheet list (you know me, I love my lists!) to keep track of everything that is handed, gifted, or sent to you and your other half leading up to, on, and after your big day.

Record the giver's name, the store where the gift was purchased (if you know), the date it was received, a brief description of the gift, and finally, the date the thank-you note was sent. You can refer to this listing as you write (since proper etiquette dictates that you describe the gift in your note) and use it to keep track of which gifts you've acknowledged.

BTW, though etiquette dictates that your loved ones have up to one year after the wedding date to send you their wedding gift, the same window of time is not held for sending thank-you notes. As a rule, shower gift thank-you cards should be mailed within two or three weeks, and early wedding gifts should be acknowledged before the big day. All remaining thank-you notes should be sent within three months. Lastly, if the same person gets you a gift for multiple events (a shower gift and a wedding gift) you should write a separate note for each gift.

A little organization now will save you a LOT of headache and questions of “who got us this?” down the line.

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.

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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.

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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,

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Conquering Indecision

Hello Friends!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: In the early stages of the planning process, set aside dedicated time specifically to research your options. But then also give yourself a deadline for when each decision should be made.

photo credit: iStock

Here’s what I mean by this: I know, I know, you’re engaged, you’re planning an amazing wedding, which of course you want to be unique to you and your betrothed. Everybody - and I mean everybody - handles this process differently. Some people are born planners; others become paralyzed with indecision.

My absolute expert advice here is simple: Do your research. Maybe you’ll end up going with the first dress, photographer, caterer, or officiant that you speak with or website stalk. Still, you want to give yourself at least a few other options for comparison’s sake. But then, do yourself a favor and give yourself a time limit on how many minutes per day or hours per week you spend researching options. Don’t go down the rabbit hole of indecision! It’s incredibly easy - in the vast wedding industrial complex - to get so in the weeds with each and every choice facing you in the planning process. At some point, you just need to make a decision and move on - otherwise you’ll feel as if you’re drowning in too many options. Give yourself permission to shop around, and then make a choice.

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photo courtesy of Steven Mastroianni

Or, you can also hire a professional - like me! - to guide you through the decision-making process. A good planner will never tell you who to hire - the choice is yours, and it will always be yours - but we can present you with an edited list of options, so you’re choosing between a handful of carefully curated vendors, as opposed to the entirety of the internet!

So, take deep breaths. Dive in. Make your choices, and trust your gut. You’ve got this!

Xoxo,

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Interviewing Vendors

Hello friends!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: It's important to meet face-to-face with vendors, and if that isn't possible, then set up a Skype chat. Reading a potential vendor's facial and body cues will give you a better sense of their demeanor.

photo courtesy of Michael Jung/iStock

Here's what I mean by this: I'll gladly hop on a phone call with potential clients, whenever and wherever they are in this great big world. But trust me, I MUCH prefer to see your pretty faces as we're getting to know one another! For coordinators, so much of the client booking process is about making a genuine connection between people (at least, for me it is).

Now, do you necessarily need to meet face-to-face with your photobooth operator or your transportation/bus shuttle rep? Not necessarily. But hell, I wouldn't say no to it, either. If they're in town and you're in town, then pick your favorite coffee house or lunch spot for a quick one-on-one.

Having a destination wedding or hiring out-of-town vendors (Hey, it's February 6 and this NYC planner has already booked FOUR non-NYC weddings!)? Then technology is your best friend. Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout - use your preferred platform and get to know those vendors!

xoxo,

Wedding Pro-Tip of the Week: Dress Buying!

Hello Friends!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: The best time to buy a wedding gown is in late December through January.

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photo courtesy of Milestone Images

Here's what I mean by this: You're in luck! You've still got two days to go! Many boutiques and retail stores launch their spring designs during these cold winter months (fashion is always a season or two ahead of real life, which is why you see bikinis on display in February in NYC). As a result, you can score deep discounts on existing inventory during this period. 

So if you haven't found "the one" (dress, that is, I'm hoping you've found "the one" partner if you're reading this!), then now's the time to find a deal on your favorite design! (or you could hire one of my costume designer goddess friends to custom-design your own bespoke wedding gown, like this gorgeous one above!)

xoxo,

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Photo Shot List Helpers

Hello Friends!

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photo courtesy of Milestone Images

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: On the big day, delegate someone to help your photographer identify and gather your VIPs during the formal photos session.

Here’s what I mean by this: If you’ve hired a professional wedding photographer, you can trust them to be "on it" for this key photography moment in the day. You can count on them (as well as their second shooter, if you’ve booked one as well), to capture all of the wonderful formal portraits and various friend/family/bridal party permutations that gathering people from all walks of your lives will tend to need. However, if you can swing it, I highly, HIGHLY recommend deputizing someone in your bridal party (think someone organized, good with lists, good with herding cats), to keep hold of your “photo shot list” (paper copy or on a smartphone). This person should be charged with checking the list in between their own cameos in photos to ensure that none of your “must-have” shots have been forgotten. Trust me: your photographers will appreciate the second pair of eyes on the list, so they can focus on the reason you hired them in the first place - to take gorgeous photography that will last a lifetime!

xoxo,

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week: Priorities!

Hello Friends!

Welcome to Week 2 of my “Planner Pro-Tip of the Week” series!

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week:
Establish your priorities as a couple NOW, as they will become your guiding principles throughout the wedding planning process.

Here’s what I mean by this: By determining your priorities for your wedding, you’ll be in great shape to maintain a decision-making strategy with your budget, as well as keep all of your vendors and VIP helpers on the same page. Every couple is unique: whether it’s florals and decor, entertainment and throwing an amazing party, or gorgeous, timeless photography to last a lifetime, they’re all valid. It’s just a matter of what matters most to you!

Some key points to remember:

• Understanding your priorities as a couple will help you to better manage your money and time.
• You can rely on your priority list when hard decisions come to pass. If you’ve hired a wedding planner or coordinator (like me!), this will also be the blueprint he or she live by to make executive decisions on your behalf over the course of the wedding weekend.
• Your priorities should relate to your budget allocations. In other words, if your priority is to give your guests an amazing culinary experience at dinner, but you could care less about augmenting your room ambiance with lighting, then your budget should naturally reflect more money allocated to the catering line item than a/v rentals. Simple, right?
• You (and your family, if they are contributing financially) must present to all of your vendors a united front on your priorities for the wedding. Conflicting priorities will get you nowhere fast.

Follow these steps and have these conversations now, and you'll be in great shape come wedding day!

xoxo,

Introducing: Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week!

Hello Friends!

Welcome to what I hope will be a weekly installment of my favorite Wedding Planning Pro-Tips!
Let’s get started with a big one, one that comes in handy early in the planning process:

Wedding Planner Pro-Tip of the Week:

If you choose a venue that can be a unique and amazing focal point of your wedding, then the rest of your job is easy.

Here’s what I mean by this: a naked, or found, space can be really beautiful when dressed up with your unique vision. It can also be really expensive! Empty spaces - think hotel ballrooms or reception halls, or even lovely spaces such as The Foundry here in LIC - will need a lot of design love on your part (think lighting, decor, florals, etc.) to hide the fact that they’re simply a blank slate. How much work will you have to do to dress up the location?

On the other hand, a lush, beautiful garden with colorful florals and a view of the mountains behind you, or a vineyard patio surrounded by grapevines and already-strung bistro lighting, will go a long way in providing existing decor.

The more that already comes with a venue, the less you have to do to “spruce” it up. And you know what? Decorating, flowers, atmospheric lighting, pipe and drape to conceal beyond-basic ballroom walls - all of those elements add up, often times coming in at a much higher cost than if you had gone with the beautiful decorated space at a slightly higher rental fee.

Keeping your budget in mind, run the numbers on both scenarios. Often, you’ll get the most bang for your buck if you take into account the natural beauty and surroundings of a venue that comes with the package. This will keep your decor budget simple, and save you a ton of money and DIY hassle in the process!

xoxo,

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