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Wedding Planners & Coordinators

Newly Engaged? Read This!

by AFS on January 3, 2010 · 0 comments

in Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Planning

Let me be among the first to congratulate you and your Beloved! You are making it officially official.

If you are one of the women who first freaked out or cried, and then immediately thought, “OH MY GOD WHAT DO I DO NEXT?!” then welcome to the club. Nearly every newly engaged woman at some point will feel scared and excited at the very same time. So, what should you do after you tell your family and friends (and co-workers and neighbors and strangers at the bar)? Here’s a good place to start:

Step 1. Give yourself seven days – one FULL week – of not buying anything; of not thinking about how much money you’ll need to find to pay for the wedding; of not purchasing your dress. Give yourself one full week of being happy in your situation. Impulse purchases – even if you feel they have been “planned” for years – are likely to cause anxiety in the long-term.

Step 2. (This is a super important step.) BEFORE talking money with your parents and your partner’s parents, spend some quality time with each set of parents. By taking time to focus on your families you will bond over the promise of your future, and not over the stress of the money being spent.

Step 3. Now that your families are happy and on-board, it’s time to sit down with each set of parents and talk about the realities of the financial obligations of each family. Modern weddings often bring equal financial assistance from both sets of parents. However, if your partner’s family is more traditional, and if your family is not able to support the full cost of the wedding and reception (especially if there is food involved), then you will need to openly discuss with your partner the best way to broach the topic of conversation with your future in-laws.

It should be noted that reality often sets in, and many couples soon discover that their families are unable to provide the type of financial support to give them a “Dream wedding.” Please know that ‘by the numbers’ very few couples are fortunate enough to truly experience their ideal wedding… especially as our view of modern weddings is purely excessive and over-consumptive by nature. In the situations where there is not enough money to get what you think you want, it is best to remember one thing: You are not getting married to have a wedding. You are getting married because you are very much in love with your partner. If you are unable to have the wedding of your dreams, make yourselves a promise that as soon as you can you will go on a fabulous vacation, or perhaps have a rockin’ anniversary party for all of your family and friends! If it comes down to money and you absolutely have to have what you want, fore go the marriage and enjoy being engaged for as long as it takes.

Step 4. Now that you are aware of your financial situation, set a wedding date that makes financial sense. There is zero point in planning a wedding date that is too soon for your finances. If you do not have the money to pay for wedding vendors and services, then you should absolutely not be signing contracts because the legal ramifications are just too large and the risk too high.

Step 5. Find a qualified wedding planner. A wedding planner’s services will range from $1500-$25,000, depending on your financial situation and the level of hired talent, but you can be sure that the wedding planner will save you TONS of cash and time and frustration and confusion. It is logical to assume that if you are relaxed and excited during your engagement, then you will start your marriage off on the right foot.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your new life together!

Best,

Alisha Forrester Scott
La Ruche. event design studio.

You can contact Alisha with comments or questions by visiting http://www.enterlaruche.com.

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I’m on a yacht!

by Katie on August 3, 2009 · 2 comments

in Destination Weddings, Wedding Planners & Coordinators

I’d consider yachts a rather preppy thing. I love preppy things! The best preppy things are those that are both preppy and “wedding”. So! I’m excited to introduce you to Stephanie Ginzburg from FantaSea Yachts and Yacht Club. I had the chance to ask her a few questions which you can find below with, of course, her answers. Thanks, Stephanie!

So you are the Creative Director and Senior Events Planner for FantaSea Yachts and Yacht Club in Marina del Rey? You plan over 200 weddings a year. Tell us how you got started.

Growing up in a small family of creative souls in Dallas, I had imagined myself as the sophisticated single gal, never to be married, a jet-setting flight attendant, forever twenty-something, professional and organized to the umpteenth degree… so not creative.

Something hit me the first time I heard …”Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today”. No, it was not Prince howling from the car stereo, it was at my friend’s sister’s wedding. I had studied the guests from the time of entrance, I peered over the shoulder of the attendants and observed the beautiful details of the swanky lemon escort card table, I gently touched the table linen and I watched in amazement and joy as the bride, clad in a shimmering dazzle of sunshine walked down the aisle. At that moment, I was hooked.

I began planning small events and weddings for private clients.

My husband’s father founded FantaSea Yachts and Yacht club 30 years ago. Over the years working at FantaSea, I have had the fortune of working with hundreds of couples to plan their special day. I love my job. I taken the time to learn more than I ever imagined possible about weddings and what it takes to pull off the perfect day for many a bride and groom.

Who gets married on a yacht?

Committing to Marriage on a yacht means that already, by default, I am working with a savvy couple not on the traditional path. It also means the creativity and the expectations are limitless. I can help guide the nuances of the day without the boundaries associated with a standard facility.

Each couple is given the task of setting out in search of the perfect venue, the perfect vendor selection and the burden of making these choices alone. I consider myself and the services we offer as the wedding compass, a guiding light. Listening is key.

Everyday I enjoy meeting with brides, having the time to be more creatively involved with details of their yacht weddings and working with professional vendors to ensure the day on the tranquil waters of Marina del Rey that they dream of was the most fulfilling path.When you find yourself engaged and blissfully searching for a site to hold your perfect day, come by and see me in Marina del Rey.

How are yacht weddings different than your average “land” wedding?

A wedding aboard a yacht offers you an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings in a comfortable nautical setting. Yacht weddings offer controlled environments. There will not be people on the beach in the background of your shots and strap on the Manolos, there is no sand path to slow you down.

What are some important things couples need to keep in mind when planning a yacht wedding?

Keep in mind that there are few limited private luxury yachts that will accommodate large groups (100-400) such as FantaSea One, with only 52 Saturday’s per year. Booking early is key when you decide on a yacht wedding.

What are some of the obvious and not-so-obvious perks (or downfalls) to having a yacht wedding?

The biggest perk of all, a captive audience! Unlike a hotel ballroom, you have an opportunity to spend time with all your guests. In addition, the fact that so many of your guests have not been aboard a yacht before, the perception of “expense” and “something different” enhance the ceremony and reception. People let loose and enjoy themselves, no matter afternoon or evening.

What do guests need to know and be aware of when attending a yacht wedding?

Don’t Miss The Boat! Fashionably late means not attending. Our couples are aware of the “tardiness” of folks and allow enough timing to ensure all guests have arrived and are onboard prior to shoving off.

Tell us more about FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club!

FantaSea Yachts & Yacht club has been hosting weddings for the last 30 years. We cater to all types of “Couples to Be” from all over the country and the world. Nestled in tranquil waters of Marina del Rey, FantaSea boasts a fleet of 3 pristine yachts and a yacht club to celebrate your special moment.

We host about 200 weddings a year on our yachts and each one is original and achieves the specific wishes and dreams of our clients. I think sometimes people shy away from a yacht as a venue option for their special day because they think “yacht” or “yacht club” sounds expensive but the truth is hosting your wedding and reception on one of our yachts usually works out to be less expensive than a big hotel and more luxurious. We have done incredible weddings, all inclusive, beginning at $100 per person.

Another benefit in working with FantaSea is the great experience in the planning phase we offer. Once you book your wedding with us, we provide a turn-key operation from start to finish assisting and producing all aspects of your event from floral to cuisine to linens to even an officiant (All of our Captains are also officiants). I highly recommend having a look at our website and what we have to offer.

For questions, you can contact Stephanie at stephanie[at]fantaseayachts[dot]com or (310) 827-2220 x. 10. You can also follow them on twitter or check out their blog or Facebook page via their website. Smooth sailing!

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Colin Cowie’s Wedding Chic

by Katie on May 18, 2009 · 2 comments

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planners & Coordinators

I LOVE me a good wedding book – some good tips, great ideas, and fabulous pictures! Well this post, for Mr. Colin Cowie’s Wedding Chic: 1001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration is LONG overdue. I received a copy, I dare say weeks ago, so it’s about time I share it with you!

I must say, the absolute BEST, most FABULOUS part of this book is the pictures. It’s almost-mini size makes it cute and easy to handle (unlike so many of those massive coffee table type books we often see) but it’s nothing short on content. It walks you through bouquets and ceremony flowers, ceremony decor, centerpieces, reception decor, cakes, invitations and other paper, appearance, ritual and ceremony, food and drink, and lastly music and the after-party. Even with all of that, there is a focus to the book:

“…inspiration and advice to help you go that extra mile and create those once-in-a lifetime moments – the things that dreams are made of.”

And I love how he ends the introduction:

“This book is about choosing those details: the cut of your gown, the heft and texture of your table linens, the pin-spot lighting illuminating the flowers at the reception, the song that will be playing when it’s time to dance, spirits are high, and everyone’s ready to get the party started. I hope this book will be a tool that allows you to use my energy, imagination, and years of experience to help you create your own path down the aisle.”

So, while you may not get all wrapped up in the cut of your gown, the heft or texture of your linens, or want to give much thought into lighting, anyone planning a wedding needs SOME inspiration, and this book is definitely a great place to start (or a fabulous tool to help you continue on your way).

Photos by Colin Miller and Robin Layton

One more little plug – Colin Cowie has launched a new floral and event decor service so that even if you can’t afford the man himself, you can still get the Colin Cowie look. Colin and his staff can provide bouquets and boutonnieres, ceremony flowers, reception centerpieces, bar and buffet arangements, cake table décor, and linen, prop, and specialty rentals. Check out Colin Cowie Flowers for more info!

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Cut vendor costs in the “new” (bad) economy

by AFS on March 26, 2009 · 0 comments

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Planning

This post is meant to nudge consumers (hint, hint) to research their wedding vendors a little more than normal to take advantage of some of the positive sides of the tanked economy.

An open letter to the economy:

Although I cannot escape you as you insist on showing-up everywhere I get my information – television, radio, print, magazine – I would like to THANK YOU for giving me five ways to cut wedding vendor costs.

1. VENUES (AKA event locations)

Although some venues will always cost "more" because of location, noteriety, or simple supply and demand, I am happy that you have motivated less-busy venues to give better discounts. I understand that many of these venues may not be advertising these great discounts, but I know that all I have to do to find these venues is make some telephone calls.

2. FLORAL

Out-of-season and imported floral will always be more expensive, but I am pleased that my local florists are giving great deals on certain varieties, with some even discounting their labor and delivery costs.

3. DJ’s

With wedding budgets (and most other types of budgets!) being trimmed-back, I can appreciate that you have prompted even the most popular DJ’s to negotiate their typical $200/per hour (averaged) fees.

4. CATERING

Food costs are high, but the high cost of food has compelled many catering company’s to offer discounts on items such as: chaffing dishes, delivery charges, and set-up fees. These deals are getting so good that I can almost taste the wedding dinner!

5. RENTALS

Oh thank goodness! I rejoice at the new lower prices on chair covers and chair ties…and not the cheap stuff, either. I am on Cloud 9 knowing that I can now save on even premium covers. My local rentals shop has even sent me a coupon for one free delivery. Yippee!

Enjoy the savings!

Alisha Forrester Scott of La Ruche may be contacted at studio@enterlaruche.com.

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ChrysQ’s Luxe Slipcovers

by Katie on November 25, 2008 · 1 comment

in Unique Chic, Wedding Planners & Coordinators

I love pretty things. But then again, who doesn’t?! Weddings are all about pretty things, no matter what a couple’s exact tastes are. But most of all I love the “pretty” that can be found in the unexpected. If you’re a wedding professional, you know how important it is to showcase your previous work to potential clients, whether it’s on your website, brochures, other promotional items, or simply your portfolio. To really impress those potentials, try taking your portfolio presentation to another level. That’s where ChrisQ’s Luxe Slipcovers comes in.

Christina contacted me about the creations she designs and makes, that have become really popular with photographers. I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for fabric (having worked at a fabric store during high school and loving to sew). So when I saw the little works of art, I asked if she ever did them for wedding planners (because hey, we like to show off our work too!). She liked the idea, and created one just for me! See it just below. And on another note, I told her my company uses shades of pink and circles a lot – and look how cleverly she worked both in!

Is it not just the classiest, yet fun and chic, thing you have ever seen? I wish you could feel it. The fabric is thick and luxurious (I believe a nice upholstery fabric for the outside and a lining of dupioni silk – to die for). When I pulled it out of the fabulously wrapped packaging, I couldn’t put it down!

So let me tell you a little more about ChrisQ. Christina started making these slipcovers for her husband’s clients (he is a fabulous photographer in the DFW area). They were a hit with his brides and she has been creating them ever since. If you’re wanting to get your hands one one (which you should!), check out her selection of standard and deluxe slipcovers. Want something different? Something that you and you alone will have? Go custom. Christina makes the process simple.

Here is a photograph of the designer herself. I definitely recommend contacting her if you’re looking for a way to showcase your work (for the wedding professionals out there) or if you want something extra special to keep your memories in (for the brides out there). These would also make wonderful gifts from photographers to their brides or just to a couple from a loving friend or family member. Check out her site, ChrisQ.com, or shoot her an email, christina_quintanilla@yahoo.com. You won’t regret it!

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To keep in mind as you work with a wedding planner…

by Katie on May 13, 2008 · 1 comment

in Little Tips, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Planning

1. She* can’t read your mind. Just like your fiance couldn’t give you one good reason why you’re mad at him, your wedding planner won’t know exaclty what you want unless you tell her. She may be able to figure some things out, but, unless you’re giving up all control to her on this important day, make sure she knows about all of your expectations and all the little details she needs to take care of. (Bottom line: Good communication is key. Keep the paths of communication open and functioning. Don’t be afraid to tell her what you don’t like or what needs to be changed. Don’t be afraid to call or send her an email. She is there to answer your questions. Also, don’t hesitate to ask her for updates. It’s her job!)

2. She asks to meet with you and for certain information for specific reasons. Your wedding planner doens’t want to waste your time or hers. When she asks to schedule a meeting, it’s for a reason. Perhaps she wants to make positively certain that she has the day’s schedule of events down or wants to tripple check the list of songs, or a plethera of other minute details that have very likely left your mind completely. So meet with her that one last time, and don’t be late! (Some planners will charge you for being late to appointments, so ask in advance, just incase time slips away from you easily.)

3. She is your advocate, but can’t get you absolutly anything you want. While yes, she may be able to pull all of her strings for you, she still can’t get Michael Buble to sing at your wedding for a mere five grand. Also, she is working for you and wants to make you a very happy customer, so if she is any good, she’ll go above and beyond to get you what you ask for, but at the same time, when she says something just won’t work, listen to her. Chances are, she’s already tried it.

4. She can’t keep some things from happening. Like rain. Or an ice storm. However, you’ve hired her to make sure if these things do happen, you’ll have a back up plan. So, while it’s easy to be upset that it’s raining on your wedding day (which some believe is good luck!), don’t take it out on your planner. Be happy that she arranged for a back up tent to be set up or that she has made special arrangements for an attendant to be ready and waiting with an umbrella and other rain-repellant objects to transport you from the limo to the reception building.

5. Assistance are more than just good company. Weddings are a big ordeal. If you’ve hired a wedding planner, you’ve probably already felt the weight upon your shoulders that a wedding can bring. Now imagine you are the only one that needs to set up for the reception and ceremony and check in with all the vendors and make sure day progresses with as little hiccups as possible. Yeah! Stressful! That’s where assistants come in. They do more work than you see and are definitely a necessary helper.

6. She puts in more work than you’d think. You may only meet five or six times before your wedding day (if you’ve hired her for weekend-only coordination), but that doesn’t mean that she’s only putting five or six hours into your day! Before you met for the first time she made sure she was prepared to meet with you and answer your questions. Between meetings she contacted vendors, built schedules, organized people and various other little details. And even after the event, there is follow up work involved. So while you may not have a lot of face time, she is definitely hard at work.

All in all, if you have a wedding planner that you just click with, things will go a lot more smoothly. But even then, as the wedding date approaches and nerves raise, remember the things above to keep your relationship with her great!

*Or he

*The oh-so-popular Wedding Planner, J.Lo. She put wedding planners in a new light!

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Nobody Moves and Nobody Gets Hurt

by Katie on July 25, 2007 · 0 comments

in Little Tips, Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Planning

So, you have the weight of the wedding world on your shoulders, not to mention the expectations of family and friends, and best of all, the in-laws. One more delay in gown alterations, one more meeting with the caterer, one more critique of the wedding invitation, one more late vendor appointment. Whatâ€™s a bride (or groom) to do?

STOP and take a deep breath. Everything is going to be okay.

The first thing you MUST realize about your perfect day is that no matter how much you have to do, or force others to do for you, there are some things that you just canâ€™t control. Maybe the flowers from South America arenâ€™t growing as beautifully as usual from certain pesticides. Maybe the company that your baker gets its fondant from is running low on its special sugar. There are so many things that you canâ€™t make happen or keep from happening. But there is hope! Realizing this important bit of information can help you prepare yourself to roll with the punches. Take things as they come and then think of your options, which is the second thing you should do to keep calm in those stressful wedding situations.

Thatâ€™s right! You do have options. Believe it or not, your â€œwedding day visionâ€ can be carried out a number of different ways. Perhaps your rental company is out of ivory cloth napkins, the ones you had your heart set on, but they do have more then enough cream napkins. Try them out and see what the cream looks like on the place settings before flipping out and threatening to rip up your contract. Maybe the place you had always dreamt of having your reception is already booked on the date you want to get married (which is much too important to change). Take the opportunity to look around and see what the area venues have to offer. You might just find a place you like much better, or has more to offer. The best part in all of this? No one will know (unless you complain to them) that you have to go to plan B or switch to choice C. Your guests will only see the final product, not all the little bumps in the road along the way.

Another thing you should pay special attention to is your organization. I find that what scares a lot of couples is that they feel like they are forgetting something or they are worried because they think things wonâ€™t be finished in time. Staying on top of your organizational game will help you to relax and reassure you that youâ€™ve got a good grip on things. How do you stay organized? Let me count the ways! Surly you have some sort of wedding planning checklist. Create a special calendar with your tasks on it and write when they are â€œdueâ€. Then take yourself seriously. Donâ€™t think to yourself, â€œOh, the invitations can wait another weekâ€. If you need to have your invites ordered by the 7th of June, then make sure they are ordered by the 7th of June! Or if you already have a planner/organizer that contains your entire life (like me) get a special pen (try picking one thatâ€™s one of the colors youâ€™re using in your wedding) and write in all the tasks with that pen. That way you can easily see wedding-related tasks and have less of a chance of skipping over them. In the end, do whatever you need to stay organized. We all have our different ways, do what works best for you!

Although there are other things you can do to help stay calm and relaxed during the planning process, here is the last one weâ€™ll talk about today. Donâ€™t forget the reason all of this planning and excitement is taking place! Youâ€™re getting married to the love of your life, the person you will spend the rest of your life with! That shouldnâ€™t stress you out at all. If youâ€™re feeling weighed down by wedding things, take a day or two off to just relax with your future spouse. No wedding planning. No post-wedding plans. No work. Nothing stressful. Do something the two of you enjoy together and just let yourselves rest. The time together should help you stay attached and remember the reasons why youâ€™re getting married.

Bottom line? Hire a wedding planner. Okay, okay, so I have a biased opinion, but lets be honest. Planning a wedding can (and should!) be fun. If youâ€™re feeling stressed or just donâ€™t know what to do, hiring a planner might just be the thing for you. A good planner should be able and willing to do just about anything wedding-related for you. Of course, there is a cost involved, but it is well worth it for piece of mind.

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A Common Misconception

by Katie on April 27, 2007 · 2 comments

in Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Planning

Just because you donâ€™t want or canâ€™t afford a fancy wedding, doesnâ€™t mean you couldnâ€™t use or benefit from the use of a planner or that a planner wouldnâ€™t be interested in helping you.

Just because a service isnâ€™t listed on their site or in their pamphlet, doesnâ€™t mean they donâ€™t offer it. Just ask. Many might say no if they are too busy with bigger projects. Your asking about something may add to the list of services they provide, if they donâ€™t already offer it.

The title â€œWedding Plannerâ€ doesnâ€™t mean the same thing to everyone.