I understand budgets are tight and we've all got to save some dough but I hope this vendor highlight on wedding planners helps you to change your mind. This job is sometimes under appreciated because when you have a great planner, a guest will never notice. Here's a few words of wisdom for finding one that will work for you.
1) Learn the packages - Planners, like photographers, have several different package levels from full planning to just day-of (really more like week-of) options. Don't run away from the idea of a planner because you heard a friend paid thousands of dollars. You do get what you paid for, so shop around and learn what options a planner can offer you. If you like a planner, but don't like a package, call them and see if they can put together something custom for you. Customizing an event for you is their specialty!
2) Learn about your planner - Not to rant, but there are a lot more "planners" out there than real planners. A real planner should have a solid events or logistics background and can give you a list of several weddings with references tied to those weddings that you can reach out. A thank you note on a website is nice, but I would take it one step further and call up past clients or vendors who worked with them. You are putting your wedding in their hands, so make sure they truly have the experience to handle it.
3) Learn to go with your gut - Did you like them as a person? Did they seem to know their stuff? Were they on time to the meeting? Little things do add up. If you don't like them, drop them. On the day of your event, vendors will be going to this person to make decisions and your planner should be making them in your best interest.
Don't leave your initial meeting with your planner without asking these questions:
1) How many weddings do you typically work a year?
2) How many assistants do you bring for a wedding? (the correct answer is at least one, a better answer is more than one)
3) Can you provide me with a list of reference from recent weddings?
4) How many times will we meet before my wedding?
Like photographers, many planners have blogs that are a great way to learn about them and get some wedding ideas. Here are a few of my favorite blogs:
Ashley Baber's Blog - ashleybaberweddings.blogspot.com
Janice Blackman - janiceblackmonevents.wordpress.com
And a few awesome planners who don't blog but still rock:
Lisa Milko (Event Perfect) - www.myeventperfect.com
Courtney SurberPaz - www.courtneysurberpaz.com
Watermark Wedding - www.watermarkweddings.com
Whole Shebang - www.thewholeshebangatl.com
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Contract Tips
You're engaged (yay!) and your booking all these vendors for your wedding. Some of them you may pay for, others will be covered in whole or part by your family, his family and anyone else willing to chip in! And on all of these agreements you have list quite a bit of information, but who's information should you list? There is no one right answer to this, but there are two answers I highly suggest.
1) List the parents - A lot of things are probably about to change for you including your name and your address. You don't need to worry on your honeymoon which address you listed for your damage deposits to go back to. By listing your parents on all the contracts, your playing it safe by putting down information that probably won't change. If the groom is paying for it, list his parents on the contract. Heaven forbid if something went wrong, you don't want one set of parents responsible for everything.
2) List who's paying for it - There are two reasons to make the contract match who is paying for it. One is to make sure that any refunds are sent to the correct person. The other goes back to that "heaven forbid" scenario when if things must be cancelled or changed, you are making sure the burden lies with the person who footed the bill.
Which ever way you decide, here are a few more tips to follow
1) Always ask if you can list two people on the contract, just in case you want to have both you and your fiance or maybe you and your parents.
2) Keep your sales rep informed of any address, phone number or email address changes so they can always get in touch with you.
3) Be sure to read through your contract and ask questions on anything you can not explain to a third grader.
4) If you make changes to your contract after signing, make sure it is done in writing either through an addendum that both parties sign or through an email with time dated confirmations from both parties.
Good luck!
1) List the parents - A lot of things are probably about to change for you including your name and your address. You don't need to worry on your honeymoon which address you listed for your damage deposits to go back to. By listing your parents on all the contracts, your playing it safe by putting down information that probably won't change. If the groom is paying for it, list his parents on the contract. Heaven forbid if something went wrong, you don't want one set of parents responsible for everything.
2) List who's paying for it - There are two reasons to make the contract match who is paying for it. One is to make sure that any refunds are sent to the correct person. The other goes back to that "heaven forbid" scenario when if things must be cancelled or changed, you are making sure the burden lies with the person who footed the bill.
Which ever way you decide, here are a few more tips to follow
1) Always ask if you can list two people on the contract, just in case you want to have both you and your fiance or maybe you and your parents.
2) Keep your sales rep informed of any address, phone number or email address changes so they can always get in touch with you.
3) Be sure to read through your contract and ask questions on anything you can not explain to a third grader.
4) If you make changes to your contract after signing, make sure it is done in writing either through an addendum that both parties sign or through an email with time dated confirmations from both parties.
Good luck!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Professional Review - Atlanta Bridal.com
Here begins another sub-section of this blog I'm calling Professional Review. Between my current job, my wedding, and a lot of other wedding research I've done, I've seen a lot of wedding resources out there. In Professional Review, you can look forward to me highlighting one of these resources that should help you in your planning.
My first choice I love to tell people about is: Atlanta Bridal.com
I love this site! It covers every vendor category I can think of and organizes them in a clean format that's easy to navigate. I send people who call me to this site daily for whatever they are looking for, even if it's not a wedding. Each page contains contact information, pricing range and links to the vendor's own webpage, blog and videos. Reviews are available and the community boards are another great resource for brides to ask questions and get real answers.
The site offers both a free and paid for version. If you want more choices, then it's worth your money, but there are tons of great vendors listed on the free site.
Don't live in Atlanta? Don't worry. This site has grown to host local resource pages for states across the country. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view other sites they run including the catch all site www.weddingbasics.com
When it comes to wedding websites, this webpage takes the cake!
My first choice I love to tell people about is: Atlanta Bridal.com
I love this site! It covers every vendor category I can think of and organizes them in a clean format that's easy to navigate. I send people who call me to this site daily for whatever they are looking for, even if it's not a wedding. Each page contains contact information, pricing range and links to the vendor's own webpage, blog and videos. Reviews are available and the community boards are another great resource for brides to ask questions and get real answers.
The site offers both a free and paid for version. If you want more choices, then it's worth your money, but there are tons of great vendors listed on the free site.
Don't live in Atlanta? Don't worry. This site has grown to host local resource pages for states across the country. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view other sites they run including the catch all site www.weddingbasics.com
When it comes to wedding websites, this webpage takes the cake!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Get your drink on!
I get more questions on alcohol service than anything else, and I should! It is the most complicated part of the billing and possibly the most expensive item. Here's a quick run through of what to ask and some questions to avoid.
Do ask about:
-Special orders: Did you guys bond over a certain type of beer? Or maybe your groom really loves a particular scotch? Even if you don't see it, ask if they can order it in. This normally comes at a premium price but if it's that important to you it may be worth it.
-Additional hour costs: Sometimes you'd like the party to keep going. Know all your costs for extending the bar before hand. If you extend your bar hours in advance, you can normally save a few hundred bucks!
-How many bartenders are provided: Every venue has a different formula for this, so ask up front. Also let your venue know the drinking level of the crowd so they staff appropriately. You may not mind your guests waiting in line, but they will mind. Take the boy scout attitude and be prepared!
- On anything you don't understand: Questions are key! Never stop asking questions, especially on beverage packages. The last thing you want is an unexpected bill.
Don't ask about:
- Why it costs X amount when you can buy it at the store for less: When you go to a bar, do you ask the bartender why that beer costs more than what you pay for a six-pack? Exactly. Don't get me wrong, be sure to know what the price is for everything and what's included because you are paying for it. Venues who sell liquor do charge more than what you would pay but the costs exist to cover the staff time it takes to order, inventory, stock, chill and serve product. We're not trying to gauge you, we're just trying to cover our costs and maintain a beautiful event space.
- What bartenders wear: If you are that concerned about the facility's ability to have staff in proper attire, I suggest you don't book the facility to start with. It's called professionalism and you should receive it without having to ask for it.
Regardless of what you ask, make sure you get:
-A list of product: Know everything that they carry in stock. Many venues offer multiple tiers of beverage. Even if you know you want house brand or premium brands, be sure to get a list of both options in case you want to mix and match.
-A list of prices: Before you ask for that top brand liquor, make sure you know your costs. Many places have different pricing levels and offer different billing options (hourly and consumption). By learning the prices, you can make the best decision for your group.
Now toast your new knowledge with a tasty drink!
Do ask about:
-Special orders: Did you guys bond over a certain type of beer? Or maybe your groom really loves a particular scotch? Even if you don't see it, ask if they can order it in. This normally comes at a premium price but if it's that important to you it may be worth it.
-Additional hour costs: Sometimes you'd like the party to keep going. Know all your costs for extending the bar before hand. If you extend your bar hours in advance, you can normally save a few hundred bucks!
-How many bartenders are provided: Every venue has a different formula for this, so ask up front. Also let your venue know the drinking level of the crowd so they staff appropriately. You may not mind your guests waiting in line, but they will mind. Take the boy scout attitude and be prepared!
- On anything you don't understand: Questions are key! Never stop asking questions, especially on beverage packages. The last thing you want is an unexpected bill.
Don't ask about:
- Why it costs X amount when you can buy it at the store for less: When you go to a bar, do you ask the bartender why that beer costs more than what you pay for a six-pack? Exactly. Don't get me wrong, be sure to know what the price is for everything and what's included because you are paying for it. Venues who sell liquor do charge more than what you would pay but the costs exist to cover the staff time it takes to order, inventory, stock, chill and serve product. We're not trying to gauge you, we're just trying to cover our costs and maintain a beautiful event space.
- What bartenders wear: If you are that concerned about the facility's ability to have staff in proper attire, I suggest you don't book the facility to start with. It's called professionalism and you should receive it without having to ask for it.
Regardless of what you ask, make sure you get:
-A list of product: Know everything that they carry in stock. Many venues offer multiple tiers of beverage. Even if you know you want house brand or premium brands, be sure to get a list of both options in case you want to mix and match.
-A list of prices: Before you ask for that top brand liquor, make sure you know your costs. Many places have different pricing levels and offer different billing options (hourly and consumption). By learning the prices, you can make the best decision for your group.
Now toast your new knowledge with a tasty drink!
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