Planning and Organizing

Many people today don’t have the time to plan and organize their events personally. Therefore they decide to hire a planner/coordinator for their entire event part time of full time.

Here are some reasons why you may choose to explore the option of hiring professional help for your next event.

1. Many people don't have the time to organize events. For any event time is critical, and finding the time to dedicate to planning and executing events can sometimes become overwhelming. Between work schedules, school, extracurricular activities and so on; time can become very limited.

The standards of the host are higher nowadays; they desire to have things done on a professional level. You have an expert to do your gardening, calculate your taxes, or paint your home. So you should have an expert to plan your important events.

2. Events are usually one-time only, and sometimes once in a lifetime. You only hit your 40th birthday once! So it makes sense to hand the details over to a professional - someone who is trained to do it, exquisitely, and has a passion to do so.

3. A planner can save the client money. With even modest weddings costing $15,000 or more, a planner can cut a good amount of the costs by knowing which suppliers to choose, and how to negotiate. As a professional, coordinators know where to turn for vendors within the budget that you have provided. Our knowledge and bargaining power can cut more off the bill than your client's fees will cost. So the client saves money by using an event planner.

4. The planner relieves the client of all the worries and stress about getting the event right.

Clients can just enjoy the evening, and spend time with their guests, rather than fussing about the flowers or the food.

5. The host/hostess would like to enjoy the special occasion; however is usually the glue to hold the event together if there is no planner. Enjoy your event and hiring a coordinator! Men may also hire a coordinator as a gift to that special someone.


6. For some people, having a planner is like buying insurance. The event planner builds up expertise in running events. Ironically a 6th sense is developed that stops problems from occurring. An event planner stays calm, knows when to anticipate a glitch, and can smooth things over. And if the worst does happen, an event planner will know how to save the day - without the client or guests even noticing.

Do you recall going to a wedding lately? Did the bride seem as though she was the only person that knew everything that was going on? That may have been the case.

An event coordinator will take care of the following:
-Organizes the entire event
-Provides onsite management and support.
-Incorporates your lifestyle, interests and likes
-Works within your budget
-Negotiates the best pricing and services
-Displays the "expert" knowledge of the industry
-Safeguards your special day by thinking ahead
-Provides creativity and professional partnership

Happy Planning!

Weddings vs. Proms

Have you thought about prom season while planning for your wedding?

Most brides totally forget about the teenagers that are also planning for their proms. Not only are you going up against other brides, now the teens that are planning for a great night out!

From dresses to tuxedos and limos, today’s teens are planning on doing “BIG” and want to be the talk of the night. So here are a few tips to help you out while planning during prom season:

Dresses- The young ladies are shopping in bridal shops to purchase their dresses and also getting alterations.

Hairstylists- Have your trial run done early and decide on the style that you will be wearing on your wedding day. The salons will be crowded with the usual weekend clients and the ladies preparing for special occasions.

Spa- Save some time and stress..... get your manicure, pedicure, eyebrows, and any additional waxing/ threading that you desire. If your budget allows, a nice massage is always great to relax a day of two before the wedding with your friends or future spouse.

Tuxedos- Schedule a fitting early to secure the tuxedos for the entire wedding party and including the escorts and ushers. Black is no longer the only color in high demand for special occasions.

Limo and transportation- if you are having your wedding earlier in the day this will help with the expenses. Some companies charge a ‘prom rate’ after 6pm.

Happy Planning!

DIY Disaster

this DIY experience posted from a photographer and his recent experience. This is just to let you know....be very careful when you try to do it all. The information below is exactly the words from his post.

DIY disaster to share
Here is my DIY disaster from the wedding I photographed this weekend. To everyone who reads this, please feel free to share any and or all of it on your blog about DIY. I had a lovely, very artistic (because she is an artist) and creative DIY bride this weekend. She basically made all the decorations for the wedding with the exception of the table cloths & china. Her ceremony was to start at 4:30pm. We were to start with photos at 2:30 so that there would be little to no photos after the ceremony so that the cocktail hour and reception could be enjoyed. While the B&G had many friends and family helping, the bride was still making her centerpieces and bouquets when it was time to start shooting the formals & "First Look" photos at 2:30pm. All the helpers were helping, but weren't her, so needed a lot of direction and were asking a lot of questions of the Bride. Of course, her vision for the centerpieces wasn't quite working and now she was having to improvise and recreate the centerpieces. The site coordinator was nowhere to be found, and the hanging of lights and decorations by the site staff had not been done. The bride was running around directing the staff on where to hang everything. There were hundreds (probably closer to a thousand) fresh cut flowers everywhere waiting to be used, as well as candles, vases, favors, etc. Panic was setting in, and it was 3:00pm. The favors, candles, centerpieces, etc. were not in place. At 4:20, the bride still had not started to get dressed because she was still making centerpieces. Needless to say, the ceremony didn't start until after 5:00pm. Due to the length of the ceremony, we had very little natural light left for the family formals. One of the bridesmaids acted like she was the director and tried to direct posing for the photos. ugh. And after the formals with family were taken, the B&G were not interested in any more photos because they wanted to party after all their hard work. A videographer wasn't hired. The B&G had a friend use a video camera. Well, the friend got intoxicated and thought it was a great game to stand in front of the photographer when I went to take photos. The DJ tried to help out by distracting the guy, but it didn't work. I let the friend know that the B&G were paying for photos of their special moments & to please not continue to move in front of me. He thought it was a game & decided to play shove the photographer. more....

Then he proceeded to circle the couple like a hawk....staying less than a foot away during the circling process making it impossible to catch many photos of the B&G without a video camera or the enthusiastic intoxicated cameraman in the photos. It was a challenge. The DJ repeatedly tried to intervene. The groom thought it was funny. The DJ was constantly trying to corral the couple for the cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. and they kept straying apart. I've never seen anything like it. A wedding planner would have made all the difference in the world. Thank goodness the couple had a "Rock the Dress" session scheduled for 2 days after the ceremony. When I arrived, before I could say a word, they profusely apologized for their friends misbehavior, and for totally being late for the entire day. The bride admitted that she should have hired a wedding planner. Did I mention that this was a destination wedding? Even for an artist, she had no idea how long DIY was going to take.

Transportation- Limo & Town Cars

Have you thought about your transportation?

Whether or not you choose to have a limo or a town car to drive you around here are some tips:

Limo: Plan ahead, especially if you are getting married during prom season! Limos book up pretty fast, so don’t assume that you’re safe. Sit in the limo of your choice to get a feel of what it will be like you’re your wedding day.

Since you are renting a limo for at least four hours maximize your dollars you will be spending. Have the limo pick up your groom first and drop him off at the church or ceremony location. Following it will be time to pick up the ladies. This way you’re not paying for two limos or paying for the driver to sit around and wait for too long.

Plan ahead if you are planning to have the entire wedding party ride to the reception venue with the newlyweds, will provide a separate limo for them, or will have them use their personal vehicle. Whichever you choose please remember to share this with your wedding party beforehand so there are no surprises to them.

Town Car: If you like the idea of a limo but choose to have having something smaller think about a town car, you can maximize the cost using the same idea as above on a smaller scale. If you have an elderly family member that does not drive or you would like to receive additional assistance this is also a way to go.

Check out An Extreme Limo Scene, Owings Mills, MD

Photo Credit: http://www.anxtremelimoscene.com/index.html

The Garter Toss Tradition

Who started the garter toss anyway?

Many couples today opt not to have the garter toss for several reasons, mainly because the bride does not want the groom to go up her dress in front of family and friends. This is a tradition that has been around for centuries and originated in Europe.

Before the garter tradition, the guests would chase the bride and rip her dress….it was believed to be good luck to get a piece of the bride’s dress. Instead of allowing guests to rip their dress, brides began to toss a piece of their clothing (the garter) to the guests as time went by this became the tradition for the men. Although the meaning of the toss has changed from good luck to ‘you’re next to get married’ this tradition is still practiced. As many have witnessed, some single men choose not to participate for various reasons….. some consider it unlucky.

The garter toss is optional and should be discussed by the couple beforehand. Make your decisions together and keep in mind whether you are having a formal or informal reception. Will the groom retrieve the garter with his hands or mouth, sit down and talk about this together…this way there are no surprises during the reception.

Stay tuned for alternatives…

SHOES- Stepping down the aisle in STYLE!

Let’s face it as women, we love shoes!

In the recent years brides have decided to step out of the “white box” and be BOLD. While white satin shoes are classic, many brides are opting to add color to their wardrobe in the shoes.

However, think about this……will you wear them again? You can be creative, stylish and bold all at the same time in your shoes and you will also wear then again and again.

What is your shoe character?

Check out the styles below and shop for comfort and style!


Bright yellow pumps featured in a wedding from The Bride's Cafe



Red hot rosette shoes from Cheree Berry's wedding, courtesy of Martha Stewart.



Manolo Blahnik something blue pump.






Now it's time to shop shoes.......

Choosing A Photographer Part II

Now that you have had the opportunity to view galleries from several photographers online or in person at a bridal show or from friends and family, it’s time to narrow down your top 1-3 photographers.

Here are a few things to think about:

1. Photographic Style- The pictures tell a story, are there photos that capture your attention and keep mesmerized?

2. Level of experience- Is your photographer a professional in the industry?
a. Does the photographer have experience at your venue(s)?

3. Personality- Do you “mesh” well? This is a person that may be capturing emotional moments and you want someone that will be calm and easy to work with.
a. Will the photographer be good at communicating from the consultation to the end of your wedding night?
b. Are you comforatble with the photographer?

4. Price Range- Everyone has a budget and this is respected within the industry, your photographer should be willing to work with your price range. While some photographers may be “expensive” this is one area where you don’t want to hire an amateur.
a. Is there flexibility to adjust some details in the package?
b. Are there services offered A la Carte?

5. Finish Product- How long will it take to view proofs and received the finished album?

6. Payments- What are the deposit requirements and payment periods?

7. Hours- How many hours of services will be provided and number of locations?
a. How early will they arrive to test the lighting and set up?
b. Will your photographer travel to the hotel/home while the bridal party is getting dressed?
c. To the ceremony?
d. To a specific destination to take pictures of the wedding party?
e. To the reception?

8. Appearance- Will they be professionally dressed for your casual, semi-formal or formal occasion?
a. Will there be an assistant photographer during the event?

Tip: It is customary to include your photographers in the guest count for meals during the reception.

Tip: Create a collage of some of your favorite photos and share with your photographer during the consultation. Your planner or family liaison for the day of your occasion can also “remind” the planner if necessary.

All the details that you discuss and agree on should be included in your agreement/contract.