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Hey Wedding Watchers!
So here at SoLi Events, we are asked a bunch of different questions about wedding planning. “Why do I need a planner”? or “What does a wedding planner do”? Yes, this seems like a simple question to answer, but to be honest, because each couple is different, what I do changes with each client. Every wedding is unique. Weddings seem like roses and sunshine on the outside, but for a bride and groom, it’s anything but, and the stress really sets in. Planning a wedding should be a wonderful experience! I’m always asked questions about other aspects of a wedding; photography, hair, makeup etc. Sure, I can refer clients to some amazing talented wedding vendors, but as a wedding planner, I’m not equipped to answer specific questions related to these areas. In order for you to avoid the typical pitfalls of planning a wedding, I have put together some FAQ’s that I get about planning a wedding and asked some top wedding professionals to provide us with some FAQ’s in their area of the industry. Let’s dive in!
FAQ’S ( frequently asked questions… for those of you who don’t know) from the Professionals:
I’ll begin with myself! At SoLi Events, LLC, as stated before, we are asked a bunch of different questions. One that sticks out the most however, would definitely be: “Why hire a Wedding Planner”? A lot of people do not feel like it is necessary to hire a planner, primarily because of the cost involved. Notice, I didn’t say “extra” cost. You should definitely budget for a planner, the way you budget for the rest of your wedding. We spend an average of 250 hours to plan. Would you like to add 250 hours on top of your work week? Probably not. We not only help you organize and prioritize your vendors, we help get your budget together, provide vendor referrals and even negotiate contracts. Oh did I mention that we also provide ideas about design and keep your vision alive and on track? You get to literally sit back and relax and allow us to handle the rest, free of stress. How do you NOT need a planner? So, the venue has a planner. Ok. That’s great. Is that planner setting up transportation, handling hotel accommodations or keeping that RSVP list together?? No. Believe it or not, you need a planner to handle all aspects and details (yes, there are a lot) of your wedding. So instead of saying, ” it’s an extra cost, we don’t need it”, really think about that extra time and effort you will need to plan on your own. You want to plan your wedding. Sure! But you should to focus on the fun parts of planning, like dress shopping, choosing your flowers or where you’ll go for your honeymoon (Aruba is amazing, just saying). With a planner you still have absolute control over what happens for your wedding with a lot less of feeling overwhelmed.
Apryl Roberts and Alicia Smith also share their FAQ’s about wedding planning.
Memorable Events by Apryl, LLC
What is the difference between event design and event planning?
“An event designer creates the aesthetic elements to bring your event’s theme to fruition. An event planner handles the the logistical elements of the event.”
What if my venue already has a coordinator?
“Great! Our team will be happy to collaborate with the venue coordinator. Complimenting each other further ensuring your experience is smooth. Their team will be able to focus on venue-related aspects and our team will focus on the ceremony, reception, timeline, and making wonderful memories for the couple.”
I think these are really great points! Ensure you are asking your planner exactly what they do. Most planners like myself, Apryl and Alicia also do design and coordination. There are some planners that ONLY handle the logistics (planning), some that ONLY do design and some that ONLY coordinate. So ask! Most venues, particularly ones that provide ballrooms, have a coordinator. Like Alicia said, that’s great! It’s important to work together to ensure smooth execution and provide the best experience!
Moving on to our MUA’s! I reached out to two fantastic artists, Jenae and Melanie to provide us with their most FAQ’s.
Why do I need a Professional Makeup Artist vs. a free makeup artist or doing it myself?
“Using a professional has many benefits including enhancing your natural features based on your undertones, eye and face structures, and personal style.”
Should I do a trial?
“Absolutely! During a trial appointment, we will discover what you like or dislike through product testing and knowledge. Ultimately, we will achieve a final look for your special occasion so you are comfortable.”
Kurls, Stilettos & Lipstick, Melanie Brown
Is a Bridal Preview (Makeup Trial) Really Necessary?
“There are no do overs on your wedding day when it comes to makeup and photography! Your makeup trial is a collaborative effort where we will work together to get the look you desire just right! I want to ensure you will be completely in love with the way your makeup will look on the most important day of your life! Not to mention, it is critical that we ensure your skin will not react to any of the products used.
During your preview, I will ask questions about your wedding day details, as well as your skin, how you plan to wear your hair, personal style and lifestyle, wedding day vision etc. Having a clear understanding of the above will allow me to fulfill your vision for your day! Your preview is a safe place to discuss your likes and dislikes, and open communication is essential!”
Surprisingly, some brides do not understand the importance of a MUA on their wedding day. It is so much more than someone “just doing your makeup”. They want to ensure you look beautiful on your wedding day. For Jenaè and Melanie, it’s clearly a lot more than just putting makeup on your face. They want to make sure that your makeup is not just on point, but that the products work with your skin type, flow with your hairstyle and go with the theme of your wedding. Don’t skip a trial or missed opportunity to work with a professional!
Now, let’s talk about the wedding Officiant! The important person that carries out the ceremony.
1. Do you work with couples who are not religious?
“Absolutely! While my ordination has some limitations, I certainly do work with couple with no religious affiliation at all. In these cases we anchor the ceremony’s message and presentation around the couples love stories, hopes and wishes for the future. Religious or not, you will want a ceremony that is custom to you both as a couple. When your guest hear the words in the ceremony they should be inspired to say, “That was SO them!”
2. What are your thought on pre-marital counseling?
“All my couples are allotted a complimentary pre-marital session where I get to know the couple. MARRIED by REV ROXY provides a full pre-marital counseling program that is very detailed in nature and only works if BOTH people in the relationship desire to take part. This is highly recommended for all of my couples. The full program is not required to have your ceremony officiated.”
3. “I am already married, can I still take part in your pre-marital counseling program + retreats?”
“Absolutely! It’s never to late to get on the same page. The sooner you get on the same page the more proactive you can be in preserving your marriage for the long term”.
4. “I am being married by my childhood pastor/family friend, can I still do my pre-marital counseling with you?”
“30% of my pre-marital counseling clients are from all over the United States, they take part in the program 100% virtually, it is tailored around their personal schedules and they will be married by other ministers or officiants. We have very limited space due to our boutique nature. You are more than welcome to inquire for a spot.”
This is SO important. People come from different backgrounds and religions. There are always questions about this. No one wants to offend anyone and couples want to make sure that they are taking the correct steps before marriage. Great questions/responses REV ROXY!
Last, but certainly not least, Photography.
Tyrone and Shane wanted to share their FAQ’s:
How long do I have to wait until we get our pictures?
“This will vary depending on the service that is requested. Timeframes can range from one week to 3 months. There are various factors that go into this timeframe, such as the amount of photos that were taken, the amount of photos that will be delivered, and the amount of time it takes to edit each image. We stress that clients read through their contracts carefully and allow for the full amount of time in the agreement to play out before asking about photos. We at RSWeddings currently do all of our own editing and like to have photos back to our clients within 60 days of the wedding. In addition, we’re big on communication so we provide plenty of updates to our clients during the editing process If at all possible, we try to give couples 2 or 3 pictures within 48 hours for them to share on social media and occasionally take special requests for things like birthdays, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day gift ideas if those occasions occur within the 60 day waiting period.”
Can we have our outdoor session between 11:30am and 4:00pm?
“Outdoor sessions are typically best during the very early morning hours or the late evening hours. Having your photography session during the time of day when the sun is highest in the sky is not ideal. Not to say that it can’t be done, because it surely can, but there are weather related occasions where the sun will cast shadows under your eyes and/or be at an angle which will cause you to squint. Also, these are typically the hottest times of day and can cause sweat and makeup to run. There are a few things that seasoned photographers can do/have to combat these conditions, but it is important to make sure that your photographer can accommodate. We have a number of ways to combat the sun and talk about them in our client tips at RSWeddings.com”
Do we have to have a second shooter?
“We highly recommend to both clients and even other photographers to not have one photographer at a wedding. No one with a camera is omnipresent. The more cameras and eyes you have, the more moments that can be captured. We at RSWeddings will always have a minimum of 2 shooters and have even had as many as 5 shooters for a wedding! We stress the importance of 2 photographers because it gives us added flexibility to capture all the moments, gives our clients peace of mind that we have all the bases covered from a photography standpoint and of course two eyes are always better than one. With that being said, depending on the size of an event and/or requirements, we also understand that a second shooter sometimes may not be needed. Knowing that everyone’s situation is different, we strive to be as dynamic as we can.”
Photography is an important part of any wedding! It is definitely high on the list when planning weddings. It captures the entire day and memories that you’ll always have. A good photographer tells a story through the pictures they take. They also capture the details that you may not get the opportunity to focus on. Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and you need a good photographer who can document it all.
Thank you to, Apryl, Alicia, Jenaè, Melanie, Rev. Roxy, Tyrone and Shane for providing us with your FAQ’s, as well as responses.
I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I did Wedding Watchers! Until next time.