wedding planning Tag

March 25, 2016
in Uncategorized

Buckle in – this is a long one. I didn’t get into this business because I have Scrooge McDuck dreams of swimming around in a pool of gold coins. As I’ve said on many occasions, there is a difference between the WEDDING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX and small business owners – like myself – who are just trying to run a tight ship, keep their clients happy, and have enough money to pay their bills, raise their families, and take the occasional vaca. And in most cases, my clients come to me with budgets...

August 20, 2015
in Ideas

I’m writing this post today for those of you who are buried in wedding magazines, up to your eyeballs in fabric swatches, and so sick of wedding jargon that you swear if you hear one more person say the words “wow factor,” you’re going to glue your own ears shut. For you, I offer this simple, straight forward piece of advice. Wedding planning is just project management. How is that for a non-sexy blog topic!  “Ooh, project management! What I’ve always dreamed about for my big day!” But this is a message worth...

August 17, 2015
in Wedding

I am a lucky woman. I lead a blessed life; I have my health, friends, family, and every so often I get to work on a wedding that is so beautiful that I can’t believe I actually get PAID to do this. V and T’s wedding in Brooklyn was just so, and they themselves are so lovely and wonderful that I just couldn’t wait to share this wedding! The wedding was held at a super off-the-beaten-path venue in Brooklyn – Lot 45. The groom had previously hosted his record release party there,...

August 10, 2015
in DIY

Welcome to my new blog feature, DIY IRL (“Do It Yourself, In Real Life” for you newbs out there). It occurs to me that every wedding blog features DIY-this and DIY-that. If you go on Pinterest, you can get step by step instructions on how to make coffee filter flowers. But nobody really covers the financial, logistical, and sometimes emotional toll “DIY”ing can really take on your wedding plans. Now, I L. O. V. E. done-yourself details at a wedding, but I also coach my clients on how to get...

January 11, 2014
in Uncategorized

A word that strikes fear into the hearts of every business owner.  A word that calls to mind a ritualistic dance of calculators, spreadsheets, legal pads, and tears.  A word that - despite its actual length - is considered a four letter word to my husband. Budget. It's certainly not a word that one would associate with a wedding.  No, when you think of a wedding you think of flowers, cake, candles, fancy clothes, hard partying, and close friends.  But budgeting is the number one thing that clients, potential clients, and engaged...

August 23, 2013
in Uncategorized

Thank you so much, Rebecca, for your kind words!  You guys weren't so bad yourselves!  (And to see photos of Rebecca and Chris' lovely wedding at the Horticulture Center, click here.) Natalie was amazing down to every last detail. We used her for coordination and day of services. Throughout the process she made suggestions to cut costs and to make things more personal. What she saved us just by a few suggestions actually negated the cost of hiring her. On the day of the wedding itself, she and her husband/assistant created...

August 22, 2013
in Uncategorized

Did you know May 25th is National Wine Day?  Neither did we, but that didn't stop Rebecca and Chris from throwing a wine-themed wedding on that day this year!  (Side note - don't you think the purple lanterns look like big, billowing clusters of grapes?  That was totally on purpose.)  I had a blast getting to know this couple (they are hysterical and I'm hoping I can get Rebecca to teach me how to scuba dive!) and am so honored that they included me in their big day. As usual, the...

August 6, 2013
in Uncategorized

[caption id="attachment_772" align="alignright" width="300"] A still photo of our first dance to "Happy Together" - we killed it. (Photo by the wonderful Matthew Tennison)[/caption] Real talk from a married wedding planner. I am rapidly approaching my two-year anniversary (what?!) and it's made me more introspective than usual.  Planning a wedding is like cutting an onion - layers or something.  It's a difficult simile because it's a complex experience - you deal with all the emotions coming at you from all angles.  Even as you make every effort to keep your wedding "drama...

July 23, 2013
in Uncategorized

[caption id="attachment_857" align="alignright" width="300"] Cake by Whipped Bakeshop; photo by peach plum pear photograhy[/caption] Not everyone is lucky enough to plan a wedding for a writer, but when your bride is the former arts editor of a newspaper, it's really exciting to read what she has to say!  Carolyn was especially kind in her recent review (and take a peek at yesterday's blog post for their wedding photos and details!) My Right Arm    posted 6/8/2013 My newly minted husband and I have nothing but warm, fuzzy feelings toward our appointed Wedding Coordinator/Lifesaver/Right Arm, Natalie...

July 22, 2013
in Uncategorized

I am always bragging about how I have the coolest clients (is it bragging if it's true?), but Carolyn and Brian really take the (wedding) cake.  I met this lovely couple before they even started dating - way back in my days in the newspaper biz.  I was the Events Manager (natch), Carolyn was the Arts and Copy Editor, and Brian was a Senior Editor (he later become Editor in Chief - fancy!).  Their mutual love of Philadelphia, homebrew, and being awesome brought them together, until one day they found...