Show up Early and Prepared or Go Home!

What should a Bride and Groom stress about on their wedding day? The answer is …..Nothing? And although this does not seem realistic, it is the wedding planner’s job; no, I mean to say, responsibility to mitigate any situation that may cause the wedding couple stress. In some situations, this means not mentioning that water leak in the reception room which is being fixed and will be fixed prior to the start of the reception. As the planner, I or one of my team members will be on-site at the reception and ceremony venues prior to the event to inspect the set-up, get to know the serving staff and bartenders and make sure all the details are attended to in a manner befitting the hosts and their guests. So nothing, not missing flowers, entertainment technical difficulties or MIA guests will stop your event. We come early and prepared to address and rectify any show stopping issues just as if we were hosting the party ourselves.

Purple Wedding Fantasy…

Here are a couple of photos from a wedding planned by Taylor Nicole Events. The wedding colors involved variations of purple and plum.

• The bride’s bouquet consisted on Lavender and White roses with accents of lavender mini calla lilies while her attendant’s bouquets consisted of lavender and white roses.
• The groom wore a lavender mini calla lily boutonnière while his attendants donned rose boutonnières.
• Each guest table was dressed with custom personalized menu cards and individual single stem orchids for each guest. The center pieces were white hydrangeas, lavender and white roses and purple stock with accents of green grass. Each vase was dressed in Ivory and plum ribbon. The table number frames were hand painted and the numbers printed onto a purple leaf vellum paper. The table runners matched the chairs sashes to complete the look.

Protection…How important is it when planning your wedding?

One of our most basic needs as humans is to feel protected. But as humans, our desires to have particular items are sometimes so great that the very desire itself overshadows the risks that accompany it. This is often true when we feel that this is our one and only opportunity to have or create an experience; such as purchasing a house, buying an ultimate car and yes planning a dream wedding. Knowing what pitfalls to look for in and addressing them upfront will ultimately save you, your finance and family money and grief throughout the wedding planning process. Here are a few pitfalls that I seek to protect my clients from:

• Escalation Clauses
• Inappropriate Substitutions
• Unqualified Fees

I also review the contract to see what client consideration, if any, is offered. Last thought, a typical wedding budget amounts to a down payment on the purchase of a home; one wouldn’t walk into a closing prepared to sign documents without a lawyer by their side and having reviewed the documents. So why would you not seek the same protection when contracting vendors for your big day!!!!

What is your Wedding Style – Ways to save your Décor Budget?

There must be Tulips! The bride wants tulips which are on the pricier side of the flower spectrum and are even more expensive when they are out of season and must be imported. How can you deliver the bride’s floral vision while saving her décor budget? First, the ability to understand that the bride has chosen a modern minimalist approach to flowers will allow you to make the right suggestions. Tulips alone make beautiful hand tied bouquets as well as beautiful arrangements in any shape vase; square, cylinder, rectangular or oval. The same is true of the following floral suggestions; they also compliment or can be complimented by an accent of tulips. They are available in a wide array of colors but also look great in a monochromatic palette and for the most part the prices range from inexpensive to moderately priced. Most important, they are all available when tulips are harder to get. As your wedding planner, I can work with you and your florist to facilitate the flow and vision of your big day.

• Giant Begonia
• Calla Lilly
• Dahlia
• Easter Lilly
• Cyclamen
• Amaryllis Belladonna
• Lisianthus
• Chrysanthemums

What is your Wedding Style – Floral Decor?

When planning your big event, at what point should you seek the assistance of a wedding professional? The answer is... at every juncture necessary. A wedding planner can help avoid costly decisions during the planning process; likewise, hiring a professional photographer or videographer provides additional assurance that the day will be documented perfectly. The same holds true if you are looking for a wedding cake, a wedding band/DJ or a florist.

What if your wedding budget doesn’t allow for a particular wedding professional? Turn to your wedding planner for assistance. Often, planners have lists of professionals that can accommodate your budget. Also you, as a client, can be proactive by hiring a planner trained in a particular field. The planner can then serve in that capacity, in addition to planning, to help salvage your budget. Floral design is one such example.

Above are photos of prototypes that I created for a lovely couple on a budget. Professional training to understand floral design allows me to assist my clients with their floral designs and/or match them with a complimentary wedding florist. For couples on a budget, I can serve as their florist. In addition to the altar arrangements and centerpieces, I will create all of the bouquets and boutonnieres. As always, the couples’ wedding colors, reception venue, wedding style and budget were taken into account when I created these prototypes. Best of all the couple salvaged their floral and décor budget. The point is that although you may be on a budget, fresh flower décor is still attainable…just ask your wedding planner for suggestions.

Love the Reception Space; Hate the Hideous Carpeting?

Okay, you absolutely love your reception space, the grounds are beautiful, the views are gorgeous and the chandelier is exquisite but the carpet is hideous? The carpet does not match your wedding color scheme in addition to a hideous print pattern. At this point changing the reception location isn’t an option, either due to timing or cost. How do you ensure that your guests will focus on the pleasurable aspects of your wedding reception and hardly notice that hideous carpet? Here are three simple suggestions; as your wedding planner I will give a list of distraction options that work well with your budget and show you how to take these suggestions up a notch.

• Utilize uplighting in the reception space.
• Have a candlelight reception.
• Use tall, full centerpieces on the guest tables.

What is your Wedding Style – Dinner Service?

The saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”. As a wedding and event planner I can tell you that there’s more than one way to have an elegant wedding. Let’s talk about dinner service. When the term “elegant” is paired with “dinner service” many people think of 4 or 5 diamond service at the most exclusive venues; personalized French Style service and having your dinner plated table side by servers of the highest standard. Can dinner service by any other standard be considered elegant as well? Better yet, what if the bridal couple’s vision is an elegant sit down dinner but the bride desires Continental cuisine and the groom wishes to have Indian cuisine (which may not work well with plating because of the sauciness of the cuisine)? Is there a middle ground? Faced with this dilemma your wedding planner should be able to offer some viable suggestions that meet the needs of both the bride and groom. Here are some options consider. Ask your wedding planner how to get it done! Have your wedding planner ask the caterer to modify an Indian dish so that it isn’t so saucy yet retain its flavor, making the cuisine conducive to plating. Now, you can offer your guests a choice of a pre-plated Continental meal, Indian meal or Vegetarian. WOW! During the cocktail hour, serve Indian Cuisine in an elaborate buffet presentation. Ask your planner how to take this suggestion up a notch or two and for dinner treat your guests to a pre-plated Continental Cuisine sit down dinner. Your wedding planner should also offer other suggestions such as a family style dinner service and if your budget allows, a table side plating service. After all wedding planners are cookie cutter mold breakers offering clients wedding services customized to their personal tastes and needs. Don’t stress…this is why we are here!