Ali & Brandon Hux 10.8.2011

My line of work affords me the privilege of meeting and working with some amazing people.  I especially love weddings because they create once-in-a-lifetime moments all the way up to the big day.  My brides often become more than clients, because we spend really important time together.  In perfect situations, the groom is equally invested in the bond, as it was with Ali Burroughs and Brandon Hux. 

When I met my "Ali Girl", she had a huge planning portfolio that she rolled around, filled to the brim with business cards, swatches, cut outs and ideas.  However, she had also just moved back to her native Atlanta to start a new job, close on a house and still share commute duty, some weekends to see Brandon.  He was still living in NC along with their 2 dogs, 2 cats and turtle. With all of the "life" stuff going on, Ali was not exactly enthusiastic about the planning part of the wedding.  She knew what she wanted, but felt a bit overwhelmed by all of the details and to-dos.  To her credit, she had made some major commitments to a wedding date, venue, dress, colors and her signature flower, gerbera daisies.  As we worked together, all of the rest fell right into place. 

Brandon and Ali are an adorable couple, who are so obviously crazy about each other.  In the 6 months we spent planning (and eating) and tasting and choosing, we came to know each other pretty well.  That was pretty important in the final days of planning when we had to find a new venue after the relationship with the previously chosen site went sour.... 10 days before the wedding, to be exact.  But blessings show up in some interesting packages.  Little Gardens ended up being the perfect location for a beautiful day! Their event staff hopped into motion so quickly and professionally, I ended up having less to worry about than I would have ever expected with such a tight time frame.  The bride and groom were treated like the stars they are and the guests were impressed with everything, especially the food catered by A Divine Event (one of my favorites).

Photographer, Rebecca Bunch did a fantastic job of capturing the details of the day:

 

Bouquets by Paul Brummer of Rooms in Bloom



Tag Trees for Guest Seating by Thought That Counts Events





Bride wore her mother's veil refurbished by Jet Taylor of Mecklenburg Bridal



Bride and Mom all smiles!

 Food and Florals by A Divine Event were FANTASTIC!



One of my guaranteed teary moments, Father/Daughter Dance...



This was the pommander ball she was carrying... Either the photos were taking too long, or we have a budding florist on our hands.

Groom's Cake - Raspberry Cheesecake

Father of the Bride performed double duty as driver!

Lovely, Lavender filled favor bags!  Everything smelled wonderful.

Photographer: Photography by Rebecca
Event Venue: Little Gardens
Bouquets/Corsages/Boutonnieres: Rooms in Bloom
Caterer: A Divine Event
Wedding Cake: Celso's Cakes

Bridezilla Prevention Boot Camp...



COMING SOON!




We have all seen at least one episode of reality television with a woman to be wed behaving badly.  In fact, there is now a proper name for such a woman, "Bridezilla".  But at the root of every "Zillas" bad behavior is usually unmanageable stress.  Sadly, that stress could probably have been prevented with a few simple measures. 

What causes a bride to become a Bridezilla?

Bridezillism^(TM)... a condition that causes a bride to respond and/or react to situations and people uncharacteristically as a result of wedding planning stress.  This stress is most common in the absence of preventive maintenance or adequate support.  Strains of this condition have been known to show up in close friends, family members and/or especially the wedding party with most cases reported in the mother of the bride/groom.

Now that we know what causes a Bridezilla, how do we help the newly engaged steer clear of this path?  Bridezilla Prevention Boot Camp!  We have put together an informative, impactful series of preparatory webinars for the newly engaged bride who has a wedding to plan and no idea where to begin.  Before, after or while you are searching to hire your planner, you need to make sure you get in on this information!

After the Boot Camp Series you will be equipped to handle some major pain points:

• Beginning Planning
• Where to start and not feel like you are falling behind
• What to do 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
• The most important thing to plan an absolutely perfect wedding
• Involving Others in Your Wedding Plans/Planning Process
• What are the roles of the Bridesmaids, Maid/Matron of Honor and everyone else?
• How do I handle his mother/my mother?
• How do I ask for help and not lose control of my wedding?
• Vendor Selection... How, Who and Where Do I Choose?
• How to find the best vendors
• Contract questions I have to ask and terms to understand
• Enlisting Help
• How to decide if and when I should hire a wedding planner
• Warning signs that a coordinator may not be the fit for me
• Keeping My Cool While Everyone Tells me to, "Relax"
• Setting realistic expectations for me, my honey and everyone else
• Taking wedding planning breaks (days or even weeks off is okay)

This is just a snapshot of the information that you will receive.  But here comes the best part... If you are one of the first 50 to sign up for the 1st in the series, when the Boot Camp goes live, you will get the first sesson completely FREE plus 15 minutes of one-on-one Q&A time with me.  Subscribe to the blog today to make sure you are in the know for the GO LIVE date.

The truth is that the Boot Camp Cost is going to be a deal.  You get professional, behind the scenes planning insight, information and tools PLUS, you sit in on the session that fits your schedule.  No stress there!  The information is available when you need it and the tools are yours to keep throughout your planning.

We can't wait to get started.  Subscribe today as your first step towards prevention!

When Your Gut Screams ‘No’, Listen

Trusting Your Instincts When Selecting Venues, Vendors and Value

One of the scary things about wedding planning, for brides who have never done it before, is the potential for mistakes and disasters like those we see on TV.  This is one of the biggest days of your life, so it makes sense that you want everything to be just right.  In your mind, your dress, your venue and your decorations are perfect.  You can hear the music that’s playing when you walk down the aisle and during your first dance as the Mrs.  You have been thinking about some of these details since the day you realized, “He’s the one”.   And along with all of the details being perfect, you want everyone to have an amazing time at your wedding. You want to have the most amazing time at your wedding. 

So what mistakes are possible? Countless.  Why? Because, you probably haven’t planned a wedding.   And, isn’t that the reason you hire professionals to help you manage through the wedding jungle?  Who knew there were so many choices and decisions to make? How much should the right amount of flowers cost?  How do I know when I am getting a good deal, rate or package price at the venue?  What do I do to make sure vendors are trustworthy?  Start by trusting your instincts…your gut.

One of my cutest couples learned to trust their gut the hard way.  They found their venue first and then me.  And although they loved everything about the venue itself, they were not feeling the love from the owners.  In fact, they questioned whether or not they should change venues more than once.  This was the first red flag.  In almost every correspondence, the owners mentioned how busy they were and that they would get back to them as soon as they could.  This made the bride and groom feel like there wasn’t time for their wedding or their many questions.  After reaching out to schedule a visit to meet the owners, I began to understand why my bride and groom were uneasy.  The owners had done hundreds of weddings at their beautiful location.  However, they weren’t communicating in a way that made this couple feel like would not just be one of the many.

After months of planning, the relationship with the venue only soured.  The bride and groom continued to have questions and the owners continued to be “very busy giving tours, maintaining the property, answering leads and booking brides”. In one situation, the owners became angry because they had extended a discount to the couple without first letting them know what the real cost was.  It is difficult for anyone to appreciate a gift they don’t know they have received.  Communicating actual cost up front would have helped the bride and groom establish the value of their package and then appreciate the gift of the discount.  Instead, they were confused and hurt when the owner expressed frustration.

So, how do you know when to move forward from a venue or vendor?  Here are some tips I follow as a wedding pro and as a consumer:

·     When you are visiting a venue and you see, hear, smell or feel something that brings up a question, ask it –Your intuition is trained to pick up on things that aren’t quite right to or for you.  Those not-right-things probably aren’t strange and sinister every time, but it makes sense to get the answers earlier rather than too late.  It’s always a good idea to read the online reviews thoroughly.  Even if the reviewer gives 5 stars, they may still share negative feedback.  Look for trends on specifics like attention to detail, professionalism of the staff and overall treatment of guests.  Those are areas that you don’t want to sacrifice for a pretty backdrop

·     If any vendor makes you feel like you are wasting their time with your questions, run – Most brides are planning their first wedding for the first time.  You aren’t supposed to be the expert on flowers, the professional florist is.  It is a part of their job to answer your questions, no matter that they have done so for 50 brides before you that day.  A vendor that is impatient in meeting with you, may also be impatient in meeting your needs and getting your details just right.  Talent should not excuse a vendor from providing good customer service

·     If a vendor describes your wedding as their masterpiece, proceed with caution – There are some very talented florists, designers and artists who create beautiful things and scenery every day.  However, none of that matters if they do not get your vision right.  Make sure that you hear what you want to see.  If you aren’t sure about their interpretation of the pictures and diagrams you have shown them, tell them immediately.  Hoping they will “get it” and pull everything together on your wedding day is a huge chance to take for a once-in-a-lifetime event and almost a guarantee for disappointment.  Communicate clearly and consistently about what you have in mind all the way through the process

·     If a vendor doesn’t make you feel special, take the hint – You are planning one wedding…yours. Be very careful about giving your business to anyone who makes you feel like your wedding day is one of hundreds for the year.  Top vendors will be in demand, that is a given.  But a true professional will give you the attention you need and deserve and knows how to make their schedule accommodate their clients.  If you don’t feel valued, walk away

In the end, the young couple had a very beautiful wedding… at another venue.  They were not able to bridge the gap with the owners and, unfortunately,  did not trust them with this very important day, despite loving the venue.  We were fortunate to find a location that met all of their needs and exceeded their expectations in customer service  This story ended happily.  But a tough lesson was learned.

Your wedding day is special.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that you will remember for the rest of your life.  When you choose vendors and professionals, it is okay to be excited and expect them to be excited for you.  If something isn’t clear, ask questions.  If you aren’t sure about anything, delay making a decision, or paying a deposit until you can gather more information, time permitting.  Planning far enough in advance affords you the time to choose vendors well.  If you hire a planner, share any concerns you may have with them.  They may have the history and background to address your issues quickly or find other referrals who can.

Finally, be realistic and fair in your choosing.  Some personalities work better together than others.  If you and a vendor simply do not share the same “vibe”, decide how important that is to you if you love their work. This may not be a good idea for the planner, who is your right hand and, sometimes, your representative.  But, it may be okay that you aren’t warm fuzzy with the baker who can create the Lemon/Raspberry cake with Swiss butter cream icing of your dreams.  A vendor has provided you with good value when they communicate to set proper expectations, deliver consistently on their promises and especially on event day.  You deserve that. Your gut just makes sure you know it.

Trust Your Gut!

Trusting Your Instincts When Planning Your Wedding



Would you go into a car dealership and buy a car you don't like?  After hours, weeks and even months of researching, would you let the dealer convince you to take the model they had in mind for you?  Didn't think so.  So, why is it so difficult to speak up when the florist, the designer, the baker or even your wedding planner are not on the same page with you and the vision you have for your wedding day?  It doesn't have to be that way.

Quality vendors do have a lot of experience, which is a benefit to you.  However, your wedding is a first for them...or anyone for that matter because you and your fiance are a unique couple.  Even if you have been married before, there has never been a wedding like the one you want to have now.  When you put a plan together for the design and the flow of your day, it ought to feel one-of-a-kind, because you are.  If that plan isn't a map to what you envision, let your vendors know.  If you don't, they can't fix it.  Worse, you will end up settling for someone else's vision, and disappointment is pretty much impossible to overcome after your wedding day.

If you are in the beginning stages of planning and aren't sure how everything should come together, you still know what you want.  Even if you are challenged with putting your vision into words, there are steps you can take to make sure your day reflects you:

1.   Start Collecting Photos/Images -  You have a vision of what your dream wedding looks like.  Unfortunately, until you share it, that picture only exists in your head.  A good planner/designer/event director will be able to pull elements from your photos and put together a visual collage.  We put together a  "Vision Board" for our couples, so that we can be sure we are on the same page before choosing any event elements.  Even if you can't explain what you want, we know what you have in mind, once we see a picture

2.   Refer Back to Visual Collage/VIsion Boards Throughout Planning - Your Board becomes a road map of sorts, because it reminds you of what you are working towards.  Make sure that you refer to it when you begin selecting florals, decorative elements, table linens, stationery, etc.  Even if you choose a detail different than what is pictured on your board, you'll be sure to stay true to your overall vision

3.   Communicate Quickly When Something Isn't Working - Remember, that you and your fiance set the tone for your day.  But in order to have the wedding you envision, you have to let your vendors know if something (sometimes someone)  is not quite right, when they have time to fix it.  If you have that nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach (small or growling), trust it and say it!  A professional desires to meet his/her clients' expectations, so getting it right is crucial.  Beware of the vendor who makes you feel like you are wasting their time with your opinion and/or reasonable changes.  The worst time to hear that a bride was unhappy is after her wedding day...

4.  Trust Your Feelings  - I am meeting far too many brides who leave vendor meetings feeling  under valued... after paying top dollar.  If a vendor does not make you feel important or that your wedding day is special, reconsider giving them your business.  A good vendor is not just talented, they are professional.  They may work 3-10 weddings every weekend, but this is likely your first and only wedding.  You should be made to feel like a priority.  Vendors who work well together usually have similar work styles, so ask your favorite vendors for referrals.  Chances are that if your planner is patient, organized and resourceful  he/she will know others who are too.  Above all else, if you have the feeling early on...or even late that a vendor is not going to work out after you have tried to communicate with them, move on

Our instincts are loyal. They aren't privy to the background stories of others or their political ties... they just know us.  When your instincts tell you something is not quite right, listen and investigate.  Once you know the facts, act on your behalf.  Do not wait for "things to work themselves out", particularly when it comes to planning your wedding of a lifetime.

There are some wonderful, talented vendors in this industry.  But just as you are unique, so should the team pulled together for your wedding be.  Be selective and make sure that you are equally excited to work with one another.