Junebug Weddings Article

I found this article on Junebug Weddings today and found it really interesting!  I agree with all of their tips.  Choosing the right planner is 2nd to finding the right person to marry when planning your wedding!  I hope you enjoy!

How to Hire the Best Wedding Planner or Designer for Your Wedding

Sunday, November 25, 2012 6:00 AM

Filed Under: planning tips | with no comments

Over the last few years the Junebug team has frequently asked our readers “What is the best decision you made when planning your wedding?” By far the most popular answer is, “hiring a wedding planner!” With a substantial financial investment, and between 200 to 400 hours allocated to planning the average size wedding, it’s no wonder so many couples are grateful to wedding planners for helping them navigate the many details of their wedding planning process.

(wedding photo by Elizabeth Davis Photography) What does a wedding planner provide?
An experienced wedding planner offers you sound budget and management advice, contract negotiation, timeline creation, vetted vendor and location selection, along with stylish design aesthetic and execution. Contrary to popular belief, wedding planners can actually save you substantial amounts of time and money while ensuring you and your guests are delighted with your decisions.

(wedding photo by Claire Morgan Photography) What does a wedding designer provide?
Designers are experts at creating atmospheres that blend complementary décor concepts throughout your entire celebration and they generally work with your planner, lighting crew, décor companies, and photographer to transform your venue into an unforgettable experience. Celebrity couples and couples looking to make a one-of-a-kind statement frequently employ wedding designers. The wedding planner you choose may also be an experienced wedding designer, and if not, you may decide to hire a designer separately to create the overall visual aesthetic of your wedding.

(wedding photo by Cunningham Photo Artists) Whether you choose to hire a planner, designer, or both, here are five tips for choosing the professional that’s right for you.

1. Look to your friends, family, co-workers, and highly-vetted resources like Junebug Weddings to create your own list of wedding professionals. Visit their websites and blogs, and read online client reviews. Be sure the companies you’re considering have orchestrated numerous weddings from start to finish before you trust them with yours (we ask our members to have at least 50 weddings completed before they join Junebug Weddings).


2. Choose 3 to 5 planners to interview, and pay attention to how well they listen, and how comfortable you feel with their ideas and responses. Ask them for multiple references and check them. Trust is the most important component of a great working relationship, so choose someone who you believe will keep your best interests at heart, and who you are looking forward to spending time with in the months ahead.


3. Set a budget upfront and let your wedding planner and/or designer make the most of it. Your budget will include your wedding planner so keep in mind that wedding planners charge for their services in several different ways. Some charge by the hour, others charge a percentage of your overall budget (generally 10-20%) and still others charge a flat rate. Be sure the pricing structure you agree to fits your needs and desires best.


4. Share your style, history, and dreams with your planner, and let them know how involved you would like to be in the planning process. After all, you want your wedding to fit you to a tee so the more your planner and designer knows about you and your expectations, the more likely they will be to exceed them.


5. Keep in mind that your wedding will be much more than a party. Chances are your guests will vary in age and interests, (and even dietary restrictions) and the scope of your celebration from the days leading up to your wedding and the days after will be full of details, logistics, and frequently unforeseen changes that can cause you unnecessary stress. If you decide to plan your wedding yourself, or if you’re going to let your friends and family do it, you may want to consider having a “day of” coordinator with you on your wedding day; a professional to help you manage logistics and last minute details so you can relax and enjoy your wedding day unencumbered with worry, and overjoyed by the all the little moments that will never come again.

(wedding photo by The Rasers) Junebug Weddings has spent years compiling our World’s Best Wedding Planners and Designers Hotlist. Every planner and designer we recommend is highly sought after and trusted for their talent and expertise, and every one of them is ready to make your wedding planning more fun and easier than it could ever be without them. Don't miss it!

(wedding photo by Elizabeth Messina)

Living | Here comes the dog: Pets find a place in wedding parties | Seattle Times Newspaper

 Quick read if you are considering having your dog take part in your wedding ceremony! 

Living | Here comes the dog: Pets find a place in wedding parties | Seattle Times Newspaper
 

Friend or Foe? Online Wedding Resources

I frequently get interviewed for wedding magazines doing stories of a variety of wedding related topics.  The most recent wanted me to comment about online wedding resources in regards to Wedding Food & Drink.  The article has not yet been published, but as soon as it it I will share the link!  Enjoy!

 

1. How might online resources help you find the perfect caterer and build a dream menu?

Online resources put many more options at your finger tips.  Brides/Grooms are exposed to  so much more than just what is in their area. They are able to pull ideas from other experts around the country or world!  They can use this information to build your dream menu from recipes you found online and now can share with your caterer.  If caterers in their area are not the exact fit, they can use the information gathered and share it with the professional to collaborate and build exactly what they want. 

2. The meal and bar are typically the biggest wedding expenses, and with a never-ending supply of Pinterested, etc. pics of chic small bites and bottles and bottles of Champagne, it can be easy to get ahead of yourself and your budget. What are your tips for balancing a dream dinner and drink spread with budget realities?

Pintrest is amazing to help clarify your vision and give your vendors direction about how you want things prepared and how you want them to look. It is an amazing tool!  It also allows clients to be far more creative using someone elses' idea they have found online.  Clients can definitely get carried away trying to do EVERYTHING they saw online, so  It is important to chose one or two things you loved from these sites that will make a big impact.  1 signature cocktail with a beautiful fruit skewer stir stick and 1 elegant dessert table, but skip the 20 cute appetizers you fell in love with.  Also, consider filling foods when it comes to appetizers or sides,  if you are doing a lot of small bites.  Cheese and fruit will not fill people up for the night, but risotto balls and meat skewers will!  Be selective when and where you want to use your pintrested inspiration!

Wedding Show Bells are Ringing!

Hi All,

Happy New Year!

I hope all of your holiday dreams came true! If you are one of the lucky ladies who ended up with a romantic holiday proposal, then the Seattle Wedding Show should be your first stop of the new year! If you have been planning your wedding for a little while now, the wedding show is still for you! (I sort of feel like it is a right of passage when planning your wedding!) There are a ton of vendors (some wonderful and others that you should research first) at the show, great cake and goodies, so it can be fun to go to.  I don't suggest that you plan your whole wedding based on the show, but it will expose you to many ideas, professionals, and the wedding experience as a whole!  It can be a really fun day with your Mom, Mom to be, and friends!  If your not a football fan and need something to do during the Seahawks game Saturday afternoon, the wedding show is a perfect escape!  If your the girl (like me) who will be glued to the TV watching the Seahawks march one step closer to the Superbowl, then anytime Sunday is a great time to go!  Go Seahawks!  

Here is the info, and tips I have if you are heading to the show:

Seattle Wedding Show

Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center

800 Convention Place, 4th Floor

Seattle, WA 98101

When: Saturday January 11th, 201410:00am to 5:30pm (ticket sales open at 9:30am)

Sunday January 12th, 201410:30am to 5:00pm (ticket sales open at 10:00am)

TIPS:

1. The Seattle Wedding Show is the largest of its kind in the Pacific NW. There are hundreds of vendors (some the right fit for your wedding and some not)! Do your research before or after the show. DO NOT sign up with the first vendor offering a Wedding Show Special Deal! You will be sorry! You MUST research the quality of the vendor and their reputation before signing a contract! If you find someone you really like on Saturday, go home, look at their website, call their references, check their yelp reviews, etc.; then go back and book them on Sunday. If you don't want to or can't go both days, many vendors extend their wedding show pricing and deals out past the end of the show (especially if you spoke with them directly)! Make an appointment for a consultation after you've had time to find out more information! Quality vendors will not high pressure sell you!

2. Wear comfortable shoes. It is a huge show! It is possible it could take you 2+ hours to get through it.

3. Layer your clothing. Generally it's cold in the morning at the show and then fills and heats up. Saturday is very busy especially in the morning. If you want to avoid the crowds go later in the afternoon on Saturday or on Sunday. Sunday late afternoon is the least busy, but some of the vendors may have run out of their samples and freebies by then. So, Sunday morning is best!

4. Create a separate wedding email address. (This only applies if you're looking for vendors solo, with out a wedding planner.) You could end up receiving emails from many different vendors, so to keep your real email clean create a wedding only email.Create wedding information labels. This will prevent you from having to write your contact information over and over to enter contests, connect with a vendor, etc.. You will want to include your name, phone number, email, and maybe your mailing address. I have found that large mailing labels work best for this. 1 sheet is probably enough, but is up to you. (Again this only applies if you are looking for vendors with out a wedding planner.)

5. Don't be afraid to go into a booth or speak with a vendor. In my years as a vendor at the show I have seen so many timid brides! The vendors are there to meet you and chat with you about your wedding, and how they may play a role! I know that it can get overwhelming, but know the vendors are there to meet you and answer your questions.

6. Lastly, don't be afraid to say "No". It's okay not to give your information or take a flyer from a vendor that you are not interested in. It's your information, you don't have to give it out.

I hope this helps! If you have any additional questions or concerns please email or call me! wendi@etherealevents.com I'd be happy to assist! Happy Planning & Happy New Year!