Is Assigned Seating Required At A Wedding?

This question always comes up when I talk with my brides, and I always answer with, "It depends". For instance, if the wedding reception is later in the evening and is going to be setup for heavy hor d'oeuvres, then assigned seating would not be necessary. However, if the style of the reception is very formal then assigned seating would be required. There are many ways to inform your guests of their seating arrangements. The most common ways are by using escort cards followed by place cards, or a table chart. When a wedding is intimate assigned seating is usually not needed. However with larger weddings, not assigning seats can sometimes cause confusion among guests unsure of where to sit. I always recommend for weddings with 250 guests or more to utilize assigned seating. There is far less confusion and the seating time is much less then waiting for 250 guests to find a table they like. Happy wedding planning!

Emergency Kit, Don't Leave for the Chapel Without It

I have been asked numerous times, "Do you really have a wedding day emergency kit, that you use?" I always answer, YES! As a wedding planner, you have to be prepared for everything such as a broken heel, stained bridesmaids' dress, or a broken dress strap. There a few items I always make sure to stock in my kit, including: Krazy Glue®, stick on instant hemming tape, and toupee tape (for keeping clothes in place). Don't worry about the "what if's", just stay one step ahead. Happy wedding planning!

DIY Projects That Not Only Save Cents But Make Sense

Let's face it there are Do-It-Yourself projects for every and any occasion, so why should a wedding be any different, right? Well the answer is yes and no. DIY projects are a great way to save money, especially when planning a wedding. However, the key to DIY projects is to only bite off as much as you can chew. In other words, take on a DIY project that you feel confident in and that you know will not only save you money but also time! For instance, if you are not a great baker, its probably not the best time to take up baking to make your own wedding cake. Instead, use your talents for another DIY project. If you have a talent for writing and are confident in working with a computer, then perhaps buying a box of DIY wedding invitations may be a great project for you! If you enjoy scrapbooking, instead of purchasing a guest book, make a scrapbook for guests to write special messages in, which you can later place wedding photos in. The opportunities are endless but the key is only tackling projects that you are confident in and always ask for help when you need it.

An Outdoor Treat

One of my July bride's, Nicole, was so excited about this idea I suggested, I thought I would share it. Nicole is having an outdoor reception and was very worried about the Virginia humidity and her guests. I suggested having a vintage snow cone machine at the reception as a special treat for her guests to help cool off. The idea is perfect for a park, beach, or vineyard wedding. When it comes to weddings, its OK to think outside the box ... happy wedding planning!

Is there a food and beverage minimum?

I cannot stress enough how important this question is! However, I have found about 50% of the time that the food and beverage minimum is not always understood. Therefore, I thought it was very important to address it. A majority of reception sites that have on site catering will require a food and beverage minimum. The food and beverage minimum is the least amount of money that is required to be spent on food and beverages combined BEFORE tax and service charge. Therefore, if the reception location has a food and beverage minimum of $8,000; the sub-total has to equal $8,000 or more. The food and beverage minimum is NOT the overall total for the catered reception. Instead, its just a minimum that is put in place by the catering department for the reception location. This minimum is usually based off the amount of guests you have attending the reception and the amount of space you will require. Its crucial to ask the Catering Director or Manager what minimum they require and ensure you see that minimum stated on the contract. Remember the minimum does not include taxes, and taxes can vary from city to city. Therefore, ask the Catering Director to provide you with a cost estimate including tax and service charge of the desired menu you have chosen with the exact guest count. This will provide you with the overall catering figure. Happy Planning!

Wedding Planning On Your Cell Phone?

My Wedding Concierge is a new iPhone App that I love! This new App allows for busy brides to find local vendors, read bridal reviews, organize their bridal party list, review recent wedding blogs, and share their findings in a facebook like environment. Not only is the app a great resource it's also free! To find out more about My Wedding Concierge, check out the iPhone App video review on The Daily App Show: http://dailyappshow.com/my-wedding-concierge-vendor-guide

Is there a difference between a "Certified Wedding Planner" and a "Wedding Planner"?

YES! I have a lot of couples that will ask me this question, and I'm always excited when they do because it means they have been doing their research. There is a HUGE difference between a Certified Wedding Planner and a Wedding Planner. Although they share the similar title, they are not the same!

If you meet with a Certified Wedding Planner, that individual has learned and mastered everything from wedding tradition, proper etiquette, interfaith ceremonies, budget maintenance, marriage license requirements, wedding timelines, and the list goes on. In addition, in order for a Wedding Planner to be certified they typically belong to an association that upholds them to certain standards and requirements to ensure that are providing each bride and groom with the best possible guidance and knowledge.

It's true a Wedding Planner it not required to be certified. However, just because someone has watched the Wedding Planner twenty times it does not qualify them to help plan or coordinate a wedding. Although this a funny thought, while working in the hospitality industry I have seen too many brides and grooms who hired Wedding Planners who claimed to know what they were doing. However, instead of providing the bride and groom with peace of mind, the end result left the bride and groom disappointed and stressed on their big day due to the planners lack of experience.

When it comes to your wedding, you want to make sure that you are hiring professionals that have the experience and knowledge of planning a wedding. A wedding is not like planning a party; one must know how to manage timelines, vendors, and sometimes that Mom and/or friend who thinks she knows better then the bride and groom.

We all agree, when we have a broken sink or bathtub we call a qualified plumber. Just remember to do the same with a Wedding Planner, or you will be "flushing" your money down the drain!