Wedding Planner vs Venue Coordinator

Venue Coordinator
     Venue coordinators are employees of the venue itself. Their responsibilities are those pertaining to your experience with them, directly: show you venue, consulting your food and beverage choices, arranging menu tastings and processing the final invoice. On your wedding day, their focus is delivering their contracted services, and that’s it: ensuring the venue set up is accurate (tables, chairs and place setting only), the food is out on time and that tear down happens seamlessly. In addition, a Venue Coordinator may often departs once the meal is served.

Wedding Planner
     A wedding planner is your personal consultant. Their focus is you and your vision of your dream wedding.
     They are there from the start, including reviewing vendor contracts, vendor and venue recommendations, creating your timeline/itinerary, coordinating all the details with your vendors, and organizing your ceremony rehearsal.
     On the wedding day they are there to oversee the schedule and make sure everything happens and happens on time. They are there to make sure your first dance starts on time, that your grandparents are present for your dance with your father, to make sure all of your vendors show up and know what they are expected to do, and to make sure all those perfect details you stressed over for the better part of a year are placed perfectly where you imagined them. They are also there to make sure that when something does go wrong that it is seamlessly corrected and you can enjoy your day without the knowledge that anything ever went wrong.
This also goes for “Day of Wedding Coordinators” personally hired by you. While they may come in closer to event day, they work exclusively for you!


     The main difference is that a venue coordinator works for the venue, a wedding planner works for you.

     Now don’t get me wrong, venue coordinators play a huge role in the wedding planning process. I love working with them and (I hope) they love working with me. However, it is important to realize what a venue coordinator’s role is so they know how much they can truly expect and not be frustrated and disappointed when they find that they are not able to do many of the things you need done.

Hot Summer Weddings

It is currently 6pm and still 97 degrees outside. Earlier it got as high as 104 degrees, cooler than yesterday. All this crazy heat got me thinking about those couples out there who are getting married this summer (or next summer... great to plan ahead). Here are some wedding ideas to keep you and your guests cool at your wedding.

Parasols - Provide them for your guests or forgo bouquets and have your bridal party carry parasols down the aisle.

Fans also make cute alternatives to bouquets or provide them for your guests as well. You can also make custom fan programs so they do double duty and save you some money.

Offer Boater Hats or Fedoras to your male guests to shade their eyes.

Something that is often overlooked at any outdoor event is Suncreen. Offer a basket full of personalized sample-sized suncreen for your guest. These can also double as favors.

And don't forget refreshments. Keep your guests cool and hydrated with old fashion lemonade! This looks adorable served in mason jars.

And what says summer time more that an Ice Cream Sundae? Provide a variety of toppings including everything from nuts to whipped cream to Oreo cookie crumbles and, of course, cherries and let your guests go crazy! (Also, if anyone knows where to find these amazing Coca-Cola themed labels for the sundae bar, please let me know.)

Most importantly, keep plenty of Ice-Cold Drinks available throughout the event!

And don't forget to BREATHE!

Congratulations from the President and First Lady!

What a beautiful historical treasure! If you send a wedding invitation to the president and first lady, you will receive a congratulatory letter in return.

Brilliant idea!

Getting married outdoors? Sew these small weights into the hems of your bridesmaids' dresses to eliminate embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. Available at most sewing supply stores.

Wedding Day Breakfast

You already know that it's important to sit down for breakfast on the morning of your wedding -- but did you know that eating certain foods can actually help you relax? With that in mind, treat your bridesmaids to a simple preceremony brunch of proven nerve calmers: Blueberries and orange juice are rich in vitamin C, which has been shown to reduce stress; the live cultures in yogurt can help settle an upset stomach; whole-wheat toast is full of vitamin B, which helps ease anxiety; and chamomile tea promotes relaxation. The only thing missing? A few sips of bubbly.


Great Tip from Martha Stewart Weddings

Eco-Fetti!

Be bright and cheery and still allow for a bright and cheery planet! Check out Eco-Confetti! There are a couple different versions of this. One just washes away with the next rain fall or a quick hose down and is completely biodegradable. Another is emplanted with wildflower seeds so when it is tossed it will then grow into beautiful wildflowers!

When providing anything for your guests to throw, be sure to check with your venue first, especially with the wildflower confetti.

You can buy it here and here and here!

Let Those Who Stand By You In Life, Stand By You Today

As you stand at the alter about to marry the person of your dreams, you want those who are most important to you, who have always stood by you, to stand by your side on your wedding day as well. Well what if you are a woman and your best friend is a MAN! What about your brother who you have always been close to? Well, I guess you could always pawn them off on your groom if you want. But why? He is your best friend. Your brother. Break with "tradition" and honor your friends by having them support YOU! Here's how...

What should he wear?
Now, most men won't wear a bridesmaid's dress! (If they will, well, great! Saves you the trouble of reading the rest!) Dress your guy pals in similar attire to any attendents on your partner's side. Signify who's side he is on by using different color ties, vests, etc. He also does have to carry a bouquet either. Pin on a boutonneire that mimics the girls' bouquets.

What should she wear?
Now the same deal goes for any grooms who want to have female attendants. If she wants to wear a tux or a pant suit, that's fine. If she perfers a dress, you can match her to the rest of the girls, though this may cause some confusion. Best may be to dress her in the same color as the guys' tuxedos or suits.

What do we call them?
Here are a few title options for you:
Bridesman/Groomswoman
Bride's Witness/Groom's Witness
Man of Honor/Best Woman/Best Lady
Honor Attendant
Friend of Honor
Bride's Attendant/Groom's Attendant *This is my favorite! It works for everyone!

Now, what do they do?
Just because you may have an attendant who is of the opposite sex of you, their duties are the same as the rest of your attendants. As far as Bridal Showers and Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties, this may depend on their comfort level. Perhaps a co-ed Bridal Shower?

Hope this all helps! If you have more questions, just ask! Just remember to mix it up and make sure your wedding reflects you and ALL your relationships! Don't be afraid to do things a little bit different. You aren't a cookie cutter couple so why have a cookie cutter wedding!

Put it on Ice - Inspiration Board #5

I found this great idea in The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings . There was a beautiful four tiered wedding cake made of ice with chilled jumbo shrimp laying atop each layer like beautiful flowers. Well, how about I just show you the picture?

Isn't it so elegant?! Well, I was inspired. Although ice sculptures can be expensive, they don't have to be. This one is pretty simple to make as they are just blocks. If you have the freezer space, why not? Just get some cake pans in the size that you want fill them with water and freeze.

Now, a few tips as it isn't exactly as simple as making ice cubes.
1. Put the pans in the freezer before adding the water. Once they are filled they can be pretty heavy.
2. Allow them to freeze for at least two full days to make sure they are good and solid.
3. When you are ready, take them out of the freezer and allow them to melt slightly and they are easy to remove. Do NOT run hot water over them as that will cause them to crack.
4. Get creative! Add food coloring or glitter. Or use distilled water for very clear ice.

Now if you are doing tiers like this one, obviously, you can just stack them. Ice is slippery. Drill a couple holes near the center (make sure you measure so your tiers are straight) and insert dowels. Make sure they are strong enough as ice is much heavier than cake.

Have fun!

Now for the inspiration board... All related to ice! So chill out, relax, and enjoy!

Click on it to view it larger.

High Price Look for Less

Why should you have to go deep into debt in order to have the perfect wedding? Unfortunately, not everyone is an A-List movie star with millions of dollars to blow on their wedding day. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a wedding worthy of a magazine cover.
• The Dress – You do not need a top designer wedding gown to look beautiful. Big designer names set the wedding trends for the season. However, those designs are then copied and reproduced in mass at much lower prices. Watch for sample sales or end of season sales. Forgo the expensive silk fabric and look for a polyester blends. They are much less expensive, easier to clean, and don’t wrinkle as much.
• Dresses for the Girls – Save your female attendants money as well by shopping for their dresses in department stores. Check out the sales after prom or the holidays.
• Flower Power – Make sure your flower choices are in seasons for your wedding. Most florists can get nearly any flower any time of year but it will cost you. Your florist should be able to suggest alternatives to your out of season favorites that will be just as beautiful and be able to give you the same, or at least similar, look for a lot less. This also goes with less expensive alternatives to high end flowers. Add in fillers to your bouquets and centerpieces. Lots of greenery, baby’s breath, and large bushy blossoms are great ways to fill space without emptying your wallet.
• Décor – Shop around. Buying from specialty stores always costs more. For vases or candles, check out the dollar store. For unique touches, check out discount stores like Ross, Marshalls, or my favorite, T.J. Maxx/Home Goods. Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target are also great discount stores to check out. Shop online. Sure you have to pay for shipping but the internet has some great deals and you can often find things you can buy in bulk and wholesale prices. Ebay is amazing!
• You’re Invited – Make your own invitations. Craft stores like Michaels and JoAnn have invitation kits that you can customize and print with nearly any printer.
• Where? – Look for ceremony and reception sites that need little decorations. Having your ceremony in a lush and beautiful garden are usually fairly inexpensive to start with. They also provide all the décor for you. Why add lots of other fuss when the natural beauty of the gardens already takes your breath away?
• Drinks – See if your caterer will allow you to provide your own alcohol and other drinks. Stocking up on drinks from places like Beverages & More or Costco can save you a ton of money.
• Gifts – Nowadays, it seems like more and more couples are living together before the big day. If you are one of these couples, it is likely that you already have more than enough towels, dishes, and small appliances. Ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund. There are websites, such as Travelers Joy where you can register for your honeymoon. Your guests can buy you one night stay at that villa in Venice or a romantic dinner for two at the restaurant overlooking the Caribbean shore. Websites like this make gifts a bit more personal than handing you a check.
• Make Money Off Your Wedding – Ok, I know this sounds crazy but there are tons of brides out there just like you who are trying to save money on their wedding. You can sell you wedding items after your wedding that you don’t need/want. Really, when are you ever going to use 15 vases and 150 tea light holders ever again? Sell the extras you bought and never used. Sometimes it is even cheaper to buy your tablecloths or other linens and then sell them when you are done than to rent them. Check out sites like Weddingbee or Craigslist.
• Hire a Wedding Planner - I know this may sound silly as a wedding planner could be pricey. However, most wedding planners, such as myself, can work within your budget and help make sure you plan within your means. A wedding planner can also help negociate better prices with your other vendors. They know the ins and outs of what works best and can take care of it all, saving you money and even more importantly, time. Time is valuable and this is time you could spend working and making more money!
Why break the bank if you don't have to? Need more help with planning your wedding and staying within your budget, shoot me an email!

Never, Ever Again!

That apple diet was the worst. I think I actually only made it about another hour or so after I wrote my last post. I felt just awful that day. Eating nothing but apples was such a bad idea. I was shaking, dizzy, and had a horrible headache. Please, never, ever try this diet!