If I were to label myself, and I hate labels,
I would say that I’m more of a planner than a coordinator. Planners excel at being able to take your vision – make it into something that exceeds your expectations – and be able to pull it off with calm, ease, and skill. They know how weddings work – like the back of their hands. They do not try to fit you into their mould, but look at what you want to do – and make it work. This is the advantage to having a “professional” planner on your side.
A greatly planned wedding and great day of direction are not mutually exclusive. They feed off one another. Like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, you need each piece in place to make the perfect fit – to see the perfect picture.
I don’t care how wonderful your wedding is planned. If it’s not executed correctly – I promise you – it’s not going to seem so great. Likewise, if the planning isn’t the best, a good day of person will take your visions and “work it” so it seems like it was planned perfectly.
Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – baby!
Professional Wedding Day Direction is an essential piece to the puzzle. Essential. Unfortunately, many couples devalue it and only see it as luxury.
So – I have put a list together. It lists all the things we help our couple’s with when they hire us for Wedding Day Services.
Our comprehensive services include the following…
- 1-Initial consultation and 1-final details meeting 2-4 weeks prior to your wedding day
- Unlimited phone and email contact with Lisa
- Advice on all matters of wedding etiquette and procedure
- Access to a vast wedding planning resource library
- Unlimited vendor referrals
- General engagement checklist
- Walk through of your reception site with your caterer, floral designer, photographer, etc
- Personal timeline development and disbursement to family, wedding party members and vendors
- Final confirmations the week of the wedding
- Rehearsal coverage
- Unlimited wedding day coverage
- A knowledgeable and professional assistant on your wedding day.
- Be available for any planning, rental coordination, alcohol planning needs that you may have.
After you hire us, I will complete the following tasks:
- Contact your vendors to introduce myself and let them know that I am working with you to coordinate your special day.
- Ask you to “cc” me on any emails to your vendors so that I know what you want for your special day.
- Stay in contact to make sure everything is happening smoothly and to your satisfaction.
- Maintain an open line of communication so you can contact me at any time with problems or concerns.
- Make a preliminary walk through of your site (if I haven’t previously worked at your venue).
- Attend a walk-through of your reception site, with your caterer, photographer, floral designer, etc.
- Help you to facilitate positive communication between you and your vendors.
- Offer vendor referrals (if necessary).
- Contact vendors again, and work with you to put together a custom detailed wedding day timeline, which will be distributed the week of your wedding.
- Final confirmations with all vendors the week of your wedding.
- Wedding rehearsal coordination
We will complete the following tasks on the day of the wedding.
- Call all hair and make-up providers to ensure they have the correct room number on the morning of the wedding (unless we know the room number the night prior).
- Pick-up lunch for the Bride, Groom and their wedding party members and deliver it to the hotel or location of preparation (if applicable) – or call for delivery.
- Create a calm environment for the Bride, Groom, Wedding Party and Family.
- Complete all general set up (place cards, gift box, favors, table numbers, menu cards, pictures, guest book, unity candle, etc) per Bride and Groom’s requests.
- Be available for tent set up or rental deliveries (if applicable)
- Answer questions and field emergencies.
- Prepare processional – by lining up wedding party.
- Cue musicians for processional
- Cue wedding party as when to walk
- Ensure that everything is happening smoothly and per the timeline.
- Make sure that the Bride and Groom has refreshments (food and beverage) during the cocktail hour – while they are taking pictures.
- Make sure the Bride’s dress is properly bustled.
- Line family and wedding party for announcements (if applicable)
- Ensure that Bride and Groom and immediate family have drinks throughout dinner (so they do not have to get up – or ask).
- Ensure reception activities happen according to schedule.
- Cue caterers, photographer, musicians videographer and other service providers prior to special events (or entrance of the guests) – to make sure everyone is ready and everything is set.
- Work with the catering captain to ensure a smooth event.
- Distribute final payments (in the form of checks’) to vendors.
- Gather all wedding materials (guest book, pictures, client owned votives, vases, flowers, bathroom baskets, left over programs, menu cards, favors, etc) and load into pre-determined cars.
The number 1 question I get from the Washington DC Bride is…
You are at the lower end of the spectrum. I can pay more. You get what you pay for so why should I hire you?
My answer is…
If you are in this category – Salut! I think many Brides would love to say that they could pay more. My prices speak more to the demographics of the couples’ that I work with, than the level of service I provide. I love working with Washington DC couples. I also enjoy working with couples in Baltimore and Frederick. And couples in Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Minneapolis. And New England, Kansas City, the islands, etc. I have always found pricing to be difficult. I want the opportunity to work with a wide variety of couples – it’s just the way I am. Variety is the spice of life! What it comes down to – I am low in some places and high in others.
What is consistent is the high level of expertise I bring to everyone.
Based on my level of experience, training and talent – should my prices increase?
Yes. They probably should, can and will increase. But, our clients are the first in my mind. I want to be able to provide professional and excellent services to all of our present and future clients.
Happy planning!
How sweet is this?
Because of my age, I didn’t know anything about John Lennon – or his influence on the world – but I know it was HUGE.
Enjoy!
Happy planning!
We love planning cultural weddings. The traditions… the dress…the food! I just love learning about new things.
We are showing our respect and appreciation for cultures- all over the world – by presenting traditional wedding gowns from all over the world. Many cultures have adopted the western-style wedding dress. In some cultures, they wear up to 9 wedding dresses – all in one day! Awesome!
Of course, there are variations of the dresses I will post. My only intention is to share our appreciation – and the intrinsic beauty with all of you.
Enjoy!
Let’s start with the lucky “red” of China. The traditional Kwa
The beautiful and traditional Indian Saree
All in black. Ole! The traditional Spanish dress
The traditional Ao Dai from Vietnam
The Moroccan Kaftan
The Japanese Kimono -Shiro Maku
Traditional Russian
Traditional Nigerian
The Korean Hambok
Lovely!
Happy planning!
I have never been an obsessive person. I typically don’t fall in love with trends. I am a pretty classic and down to earth person.
I like earth tones.
However, when I was introduced to the Canadian designer, Adele Wechsler – I was smitten. I couldn’t help myself. The smooth and elegant silk, the simplicity…the lines.
It was all over.
Take a look at this stunning beauty.
I love Zara. Look at those ivory bands along the bodice. So simple – but so stunning. That gown looks so soft with that organza. I just love silk.
Ho hum.
Can I have one of those, just to wear around?
So pretty.
Happy planning!
Thanks to the model at Premiere Couture’s Blog.
Flowers are so amazingly beautiful – and they scream “wedding”! Flowers add such a romantic touch – and I can’t imagine a wedding without them. There are ways to have the beautiful blooms that you dream about – and still be environmentally responsible. Here are just a few suggestions…
- Choose local and support your local growers! There is no reason to ship your flowers from Holland or some other far away land. You may have to make some different choices, but there are some awesome flowers that are grown locally.
- Choose a grower that’s certified by Veriflora. Flowers with the Veriflora label are certified to be sustainably grown by encouraging farming practices that build soil, conserve water and support healthy ecosystems. Veriflora also certifies a healthy and equitable workplace that benefits farmers, workers, families and communities.
- Choose a good silk florist. Great silk florists can make their flowers look real. They have the ability to dye and arrange. When the wedding is over, they come back, take their flowers, re-dye and reuse. Nice, eh? If you use a good florist, most likely there will not be any cost savings – but you will be saving the environment.
- Choose to add. If your wedding is at the right time, use herbs and vegetables in combination with cut flowers. This way, your guests can bring them home, put them in their window/plant them in their garden – and have fresh vegetables in the fall or fresh herbs throughout the rest of the year!
- Choose to add positively to someone else’s life. Bring your flowers to a hospital or nursing home – and brighten someone’s day. Maybe there is a patient that’s not visited a lot. You could also call a charity to pick up the flowers. Just make sure you’ve pre-arranged your donation before showing up!
Just a few ways for your wedding flowers to be a win-win for everybody!
Happy planning!
A remarkable and meaningful ceremony at the WWI Memorial – located on the Mall.
A very special thanks to Eunice Kim of EYK Photography, for creating such wonderful and touching photographs.
Happy planning!
A truly Elegant couple celebrating in elegant style at the majestic Historic Mount Vernon Inn – Situated outside of old town Alexandria.
The Bride and Groom were established Washington DC professionals. The Bride’s wore a custom gown designed out of ivory silk. The Groom wore a beautiful suit and tie. It was a remarkable evening.
Thanks to Eleven Hearts for the lovely photographs.
Happy planning!
Because of a storm early yesterday morning – we were without power – ALL DAY. Without AC – ALL DAY.
Blah.
Yuck.
I don’t mind having fun at a home wedding in the hot burning sun, but when I’m relaxing in my house – I want air.
As a result, I was just a bit pissy yesterday, and not just because I didn’t have air. I lost one day of sharing one of my fab weddings.
It’s a conspiracy. Any excuse to loose power. It rains – we loose power. It’s windy – we loose power. It’s stormy – we loose power. The wind blows the wrong way…. – we loose power.
Not to be a complainer – but they’ve got it down to a science.
So, in effort to make some good come out of a unfortunate and uncomfortable situation – I’m going to share with you – a wedding – where it didn’t matter if they lost power.
Yes, the miraculous invention of the battery powered generator. I wish I had one yesterday!
Enjoy!
Thanks to Thomas Graves for the fabulous service and photographs.
Happy planning!
What joy! This wedding was held in Middletown, MD (just right outside of Frederick) and it was the party of the year! These people did not hold back – one bit.
The staff at Hollow Creek were a joy to work with and Micheal Valenti (DJ extraordinaire) kept the floor rocking!
lol!
OMG! These “2-die for pictures” were done by Lynell Shooks at Lizzie Photo. She is fabulous!
Happy planning!
We planned this one top to bottom for busy professionals. We incorporated their ideas into an event they will always remember!
Thanks to Rachel Smith for the lovely photographs
Happy planning!
