What does a Wedding Consultant really do?

As I have started this journey into the world of flowers, cake and wedding dresses I am finding that many people out there don't really know exactly what a Wedding Consultant (aka planner or coordinator) does so I thought I'd outline some of the amazing things us planners do.

It's quite amazing really, how this once untouchable person who you only thought worked with the rich and famous has become somewhat of a necessity when planning your big wedding day.  I don't just say that because I am a Wedding Consultant either. Think about it; It's a beautiful summer day, your hair is done, you've just put on your gorgeous bridal gown, all your best girl friends are all dresses up ready to walk down the aisle by your side and all of a sudden it starts raining ... or .... the cake is missing in action.  You thought your fiance took care of it and he thought you took care of it.  I know, I know a brides worst nightmare.  

Believe it of not, these things happen.  Who are you going to look to make things right?  This is were a Consultant comes in.  Not only will she be wearing flats to run from bridal suite to reception space to relay exactly how each table is being set, but she'll have a bag of tricks up her sleeve so you can relax.  She would have made sure that cake was ordered and confirmed it the week before.  She would be standing by with umbrella's for the rainstorm and have a bad weather back up ready with staff ready to put it into action.  On your wedding day she is your go to gal to make everything run as smoothly as you dreamed.  All you have to do is focus on that one true love you've been waiting your whole life to marry.  Leave the logistics to us, we'll leave the love to you.

The Wedding Consultant is more than your day of stress reliever though.  There are actually a variety of ways you can take advantage of them with out worrying about breaking the bank.

Option 1 - Full Service Wedding Consulting
       This is the big ticket item and what I think most people see as a Wedding Consultants job.  If you want someone there every step of the way, this is the way to go.  Many times, when couples don't know where to start and really don't have time to even think about a wedding, they go this route.  Your consultant will do the research for you, but you still have to make the decisions.  Consultants really get to know their couples throughout this process which makes the big day run even smoother since she'll know what your reaction will be before asking the question.

Option 2 - Month of or Day of Wedding Consulting
       This seems to be a popular choice for couples because you get the onsite and pre-wedding attention without paying for the full service.  This is a great choice really for all couples. It allows you to hand off every little detail a month out from your wedding so you don't have to worry about it.  Your Consultant will take care of making sure your vendors have what they need, arrive at the right time, and are paid accordingly.  She'll take care of the on site logistics and details just as she does in the Full Service without being involved with the bulk of the planning.

Option 3 - As Needed Consulting
       This is an option that I don't think a lot of people know about.  With this you can get an experts advice on the specific item you may need help with of have a question about.  You pay the consultant by the hour so there are not strings attached.  Call them as needed and pay for the exact number of hours worked.  This option tied with a Month or Day of Consulting is a great combination if you can't afford the Full Service Option.

Option 4 - Vender Referrals
       Think about it, a Professional Wedding Consultant has relationships with people they have worked with closely.  They know their work ethic, price point, personality.  Use them as a resource to find vendors that match what your looking for instead of spending all your time browsing wedding websites aimlessly.

Full planning mode with mother of the bride
at the Hayes Mansion, San Jose

So many choices to make your Wedding Planning experience a good one.  Make sure you hire someone that clicks.  There are a lot of companies to choose from which can be intimidating.  Ask friends who they've used and do your research on your Coordinator so you don't have to research your vendors.  Such an amazing investment you wont even know how much until after your big day is over and you realize how much of it you actually remember.  You'll save time, money and your sanity.






Leave a comment below and check out my dear friend Nicole Chubb's recent blog (leave a comment there too) for a chance to win a $25 Fandango Certificate! Winners will be selected at noon tomorrow - Like me on Facebook to stay posted :)

The Engagement Party; keep it simple and fun

Jason and I recently had our engagement party at my parents house.  I think it ended up being a good time had by all.  Here are some of the tips I used to keep our costs down and keep it simple but still have the party we wanted:
First we defined our purpose.  Besides just celebrating with our dearest family and friends we also were using this chance for everyone to get to know each other.  What's the best way to do this? Name tags.  We didn't just have the names of guests on the tags though, we had each person include their relation to the bride.  This helped break the ice with conversations between family and friends.
Keeping the cost down for my parents, who were hosting the event, was extremely important to us so we utilized their backyard for the venue and made the party a potluck.  The potluck is a great cost saver for the hosts and it's always fun to see what interesting dishes people come up with.  You're sure to set up with a buffet you would have never put together on your own.  * One word of advice, either have people tell you what they're bringing prior to the event or assign groups (ie, A-F bring Appetizers, G-O bring Side Dishes, P-Z bring desserts). This will keep from 10 potato salads from ending up on your table.

Our massive Potluck display

To keep the evening casual, we used tables, chairs, and linens my parents already had (we had about 40 people, so we definitely pulled out our entire stock pile) and borrowed from friends what we didn't.  It created a casual backyard BBQ feel without using cheap card tables and paper tablecloths or spending a lot of money on renting everything.

For our centerpieces I went to Costco and picked up a a few mixed floral bouquets.  Instead of just plopping them into vase, my sister and I created our own arrangements by split the flowers up into many smaller vases and mason jars we found around the house.  We set them out on the tables along with pictures of Jason and me to again, create a conversation piece during dinner.

Lastly, we included an activity to create some interaction among people, my fiance's favorite; Beer Pong.  Of course you could include something like horseshoes, frisbee toss, or even cards and board games, really anything to get people moving is great.  It allows your guests to interact without feeling like they are being forced to talk to people they don't know.

The guys enjoying a game of Beer Pong

The best advice I can give with all of this really is, good food and drink makes any party a great one.  Don't over think it and remember why you're all there; to have fun and celebrate!

Dad's 60th Birthday

So my Dad turned 60 this year.  Kind of amazing, especially if you know my dad.  I think he has become more active as he's gotten older.  For example, his birthday weekend he went canoeing all day, followed by yard work, I'm sure, on Saturday and then cycled 60 miles on Sunday.  Quite crazy, some would say but just a normal weekend for my dad.
Because my dad is so amazing, my mom wanted to do something special for this milestone birthday, but she also wanted to be able to enjoy it.  Her solution? Talk to her event planner daughter!  My solution? Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos.  I wanted a place that would be unique, casual and stress free for my mom.  After our initial visit, there was no question that it would be perfect!
The day came and everything was perfect.  The staff was great, the food was delicious, and my dad was so surprised.

Dinner set up in the cave

The food was catered by Restaurant O and everything was fabulous.  Top pick of the night was the Short Ribs but everything turned out beyond expectation.

Some of the guests enjoying some wine before dinner

Grandma and my Aunt ready to eat

The Birthday boy having a blast with some friends

My dad with his best friend from SJSU.  He drove from Fresno to be there.

I'm so happy that everything went according to plan and that we were able to enjoy the evening.  As an added bonus during dessert, we invited guests to bring pictures and share stories of their experiences with my dad.

Photos of my Dad throughout the years

Our build your own memory page station

All in all a wonderful celebration with friends and family from across the state.  Good times for sure. :)

Let's go to the Races!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of working at the annual Archbishop Mitty High School Auction.  The goal of this event is to raise money for the General Endowment Fund which helps keep the schools tuition costs down.  The attendees include everyone from parents of current and past students, community influencers, teachers and alumni.

All are there to support the school as best they can.
Auction items included everything from shopping spree packages, to AMHS fan kits, to a Caribbean Sailing adventure.  There really is something for everyone.

This year, the theme of the event was "A day at the races." The silent auction room was reminiscent of jockey uniforms with bright colors and geometric shapes transforming the gym from an athletic practice space to a grand auction hall.  It's truly amazing what a little fabric can do to change the feel of a room.  To top everything off, the call to dinner was a live bugle reveille.

After the Silent Auction closed, guests made their way over to the other gym which was made into the winners circle.  Shrubbery lined the walls, gobos displayed colorful shapes on the drapes, silver Mint Julep Cups with live mint plants along side jockey hats created a lovely centerpiece on each of the long tables and a magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling.

To make the auction a reality, the school gets help from a lot of different places.  Parents helped by making phone calls to potential donors and guests, putting together the silent auction tables, decorating the gyms and working the night of the event.  The program itself is organized by the Director of Special Events and Public Relations, Sarah Janigian along with the support of multiple departments on campus.  Just working with her behind the scenes the few days that I did, it's amazing how many hands touch this event in one way or another.

The time and energy commitment made by everyone to support the school makes me proud to be an Alumna of such a great organization.  I was so happy to be able to come in a help where ever needed just to be a part of a spectacular event and I can't wait to jump in and do it again.

Here's to planning the next one!

Getting Inspired

Let the planning begin!  But as a bride where do I start?  There are so many things to do and so many things to think about.

Never mind the pure logistics of where, when, and how, but what about the what.  What do I want the theme to be, what is the most important pieces of the day, and what of my personality do I want to share with my friends and family.
The what is a great place to start the whole planning process because it will help you and your guy to focus in on locations that fit your expectation, the vendors that fit your needs, and the decor that truly exemplifies your personality.

The inspiration for the what can start anywhere but my suggestion is to start with what the two of you like.  Make a list of your hobbies, what you like to do on the weekends, your go to activities, your favorite dates, etc.
then look through magazines, internet pages, and photos to get inspirations from everything.  Don't feel like you have to be trapped in wedding world but instead look into your world.

If you're a backpacking, camping, kayaking kind of couple, look through your favorite trail guide.  Although they don't publish it many places, some parks do have fabulous ceremony and reception sites that just might set the perfect scene for your big day.  http://www.parks.ca.gov/

If you love to travel, think through some of the favorite places you've visited.  What was it you loved so much about that Basilica in italy or that little village in Peru?  Find a place that reflects that feeling.

Do you love the theater?  Talk to the local stages in your area and see if they rent out the space to private parties (I know for a fact the California Theater in San Jose does and it's a beautiful venue).  Then use your favorite shows as inspiration for the theme.  http://www.shomler.com/calsj/index.htm

Once you've hit home on a venue, create the atmosphere from there.  The venue acts as your starting point for the ambiance.  Instead of creating an environment on a blank slate, the venue creates the environment for you.

If you need assistance putting all the pieces together and getting a concrete vision, a wedding planner can be a great asset.  An outsiders perspective can be good and they'll have the tools to make your vision a reality.  They can also help with budgeting out your dream and connecting you with vendors.

Remember that inspiration can come from anywhere.  Don't feel like you have to be confined to the traditional sites and scenes of a traditional wedding.  The day is a celebration of you, so make it that.

How do you get inspired?  I want to hear your thoughts.  Post them below.

Don't make your friends go broke; how to keep your bridal party's cost at a minimum

One of the most important decisions a recently engaged couple makes is who is going to be in their bridal party.  These people usually consist of family members and very good friends of either the bride or groom. Being asked to be a part of someone's special day is quite the honor.  It says that you have been an important aspect of the couples life in one way or another and they want to tell the world of your importance.
But what is the financial obligations of these friends and family members?  What is a comfortable amount to ask these people to contribute?  Let's face it, when a person is initially asked to be part of the bridal party, most of the time they are so flattered that someone would think of them for such a great honor, the money signs don't seem to be part of the equation.

In reality, here's what we're talking about as a minimum for financial contribution:

Bridesmaid
Dress - $150-$300
Bachelorette Party $200-$400
Shoes $25-$75
Hair $30-$50
Nails $50
Make-up $50
Wedding Gift $50
Total Cost: $550- $1,000 per person
(doesn't include any undergarment, alterations, or additional gifts)

Groomsman
Tuxedo Rental - $100-$200
Shoe Rental - $20
Bachelor Party - $200-$400
Wedding Gift - $50
Total Cost: $370- $670 per person

As you can see, the cost really adds up for each member of your party.  I'm a firm believer in trying to minimize this expense as much as possible but I know, that's much easier said than done.
You want to include them but you don't want to burden them at the same time.  So what to do what to do.  Time to get creative.  Here are some suggestions on how to keep the costs at a minimum and still get the wedding you want.

For the girls:

1. Find out if everyone already has the same color shoes that would work with the style of the wedding or let them be free in their decision of what to wear.
2. Choose a dress from a designer that has tiered pricing (the more dresses you buy of that style, the less it will be per dress).
3. Keep an eye out for trunk shows.  These usually offer some kind of discount when the dresses are purchased within 2 weeks of the show.
4. Find a company who can do both your hair and makeup.  Many times they'll give you a package deal that ends up being a little less expensive than if you were to buy separately.

For the guys:

1. Have the groomsmen wear suits they already own.  To make everyone match rent only the vents/cumber-bun, tie, and pocket square. 
2. As part of your gift to the groomsmen, pay for haircuts before the wedding day, and to get their shoes shined.

For the whole party:

1. Consider including a portion of the overall cost into your original budget.  Look at it as part of the overall wedding expense.  
2. Keep the Bachelor/Bachelorette party local and stay at a house rather than hotel if possible.
3. Let your party know ahead of time that you don't expect a gift from them for every party (engagement, bridal shower and wedding day). I think this is an expense that is not thought through but could help your girls out in the long run.

All of these solutions will help your bridal party enjoy your day that much more.  You don't want to make being a part of your special day a headache for them as they really are there as honored guests.  Remember that.

I'd love to hear from you!
What do you think is a reasonable amount of money for your bridal party to put out?
Have any ideas to save your bridal party money without breaking your bank too?

The Wedding Planner Gets Engaged

As some of you may know, I just got back from a great vacation in England.  Who would have thought I would come back engaged!  It looks like the wedding planner will be planning her own wedding. :)  I'll keep you all informed of the challenges and successes I have along the way.
First things first though, how did it happen?
My boyfriend, Jason, and I planned to go on this vacation at the beginning of the summer last year.  We both had studied in London during college and were looking forward to getting back there to enjoy the city together.
Little did I know, he had much bigger plans than just being a tourist for 10 days.
Our first couple of days in London were pretty standard; waking up way too early dealing with the time change, realizing that looking left to right before crossing the street doesn't work as well as it does here, and of course, learning how to "mind the gap" when getting on the tube.
By day 6 we were getting to know our way around our neighborhood and had somewhat of a routine.  We had made a habit of walking through Hyde Park in the morning.  I guess you could say it's like the Central Park of London.  Dogs run around without leads (aka leashes), runners and cyclists make their way past fountains, monuments, art installations, and, you know, Kensington Palace, and commuters use it as a short cut to get to work.

On this particular day, we had stopped by Starbucks and picked up coffee, a chocolate croissant for Jason and a blueberry muffin for me (a pretty standard event with us no matter where we are in the world).  We started out on our usual path looking for a dry bench to enjoy our tasty treats.  Of course, this was the first morning of our trip that we woke up with frost everywhere so a dry bench was a little hard to find.  We settled on a wet one and did our best to dry it off.

We sat down and proceeded to drink our coffee and eat our pastries when Jason asked me a question he had asked many times before: "Can I keep you? Forever?"  to which I answered "of course you can baby"  he then responded with "then you might need this"  I turned to see a little gray box.  Being the romantic that he is, Jason got down on one knee and asked me the big question.  to which I said "yes babe yes!"  and in an instant it was over.  We were engaged and I was a blubbering mess with a mouth full of muffin.

It was unexpected, completely nontraditional and perfect!  I wouldn't have had it any other way.  So here I go, planning my own wedding.  Wish me luck. :)