Weddings are such a happy occasion and very emotional too! As you begin the planning and preparations, you often don’t realize how big an impact a wedding planner would have on your wedding day – all the little extra touches to make it special just for you. Here is a rare glimpse into my roll as a wedding planner.
The wedding day planning starts months, or even years ahead. I usually will meet with you at the minimum of 6 months, 3 months and 1 month prior to the wedding day. This ensures I get to know you really well by the time the wedding day comes around and gain the best possible understanding of your wants and wishes for the Big Day. All the little details make a big difference on the day!
Typical things I would discuss with you are:
Your wedding timeline-This would be how all the wedding day activities fall into place. For example, your hair/make up appointments, ceremony or service times, cake arrival and set up, time guests are served dinner or your first dance to your last dance and anything in between.
Vendors-I do need to know who the various vendors are and their contact information. It eliminated me having to bother you for information when I can just contact them myself.
Bridal party-It’s always useful to know who everyone is that will be part of the wedding day. However, I am just not comfortable calling your Grandma “Nana”. It’s nice to know their actually names at least!
Food and drink-This is very important, as it’s one of the things guests will remember the most! I like to arrange a menu tasting so you can sample various dishes before choosing your wedding menu.
Decorations and styling-every last detail does matter, so deciding how to fold the napkins is actually an important question for me….amongst many others. I love see how I can make those subtle touches to make your wedding day personal to you.
Questions-I get asked so many different questions, no single question is too random! From wanting to know the height of the ceiling and the length of the staircase, to asking if I know someone who performs a wedding day dove release (which I do). I’m happy to tell you anything you want to know – there really is no such thing as a stupid question!
Once all the details are set and the questions asked and answered, a week before the wedding I will meet with you for a final run-through. At this time you can drop off of all the wedding items for the day. This will include decorations for the tables, your guest seating plan if not already given, place cards, menu cards, candles, a wishing well, tree or guestbook, card box, and anything you have prepared.
And finally – the wedding day comes…
This is the part where all the planning comes together! It’s like magic!
First thing I do is to check in with you to make sure you have had something to eat , as later in the day I know you will not want to eat anything when the adrenaline kicks in!
Once all is well, I can start putting into place any special details which you have laid out for me and set up the room as required. I, then, oversee the ceremony, from getting the guests to their seats to pressing play on the iPod for your walk down the aisle. I still get a lump in my throat as I press play and open the door for you as you see him waiting for you at the end of the aisle. It’s a really lovely moment and one I am so blessed to be part of it!
Once you are celebrating with a glass of bubbly. I make sure everything falls into place and attend to an need that arises. As the your wedding comes to a close. I direct all those last details and applaud you as you are whisked off to your wedding night. I do a final check to ensure everything has been completed as promised Then, I leave comfortable in the knowledge that I have met and hopefully exceeded your expectations. It’s then my time to put my feet up with a glass of wine and toast my latest lovely married couple.
Do you still have questions or are ready to make that decision to see how I can help? Give me a call either way so you can relax and enjoy this season of your life.
