5 Reasons To Hire A Professional For Your Wedding, Not A Friend!

Jun 14th

by: Lauren

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Today we’re talking about something that is near and dear to my heart- hiring professionals for your wedding. One would think that hiring professionals would be a no-brainer, but this isn’t always true. Sometimes you just want to spend as little as possible, and so you resort to trying to find “alternatives” for the usual wedding services. And some of these “alternatives” tend to end up involving having a friend or family member or friend of a friend or distant cousin do something instead of hiring a professional. In fact, there are even wedding planning sites out there that will tell you to not hire professionals in order to save money.

Well friends, that is NOT the kind of wedding planning site ELD is. If you ask me, not hiring professionals is a recipe for disaster! Hiring a friend would end up causing way more issues than paying for a professional would… and yes, you get what you pay for!

Don’t just take it from me though. This couple unfortunately found out the hard way when they decided to let a “budding photographer” friend take their wedding photos. The thing is though, this wasn’t a friend who had shot a few weddings and was trying to get into the industry. He just had a “nice camera” and so they asked him to capture their day. To make a long story short, this “photographer” lost the couple’s image card and now they have no wedding photos. Because he wasn’t a professional and didn’t know what he was doing. Yeah… that’s awful, isn’t it? Can you imagine?!

Here’s the thing- if it was the successful norm to have your friend who has a nice camera take your wedding photos, cater your wedding, or do your flowers, there wouldn’t be professionals doing it! And there most likely wouldn’t be amazing images like this one…

Image by Live View Studios

In my experience, having a friend do a professional’s job almost never works out… unless they ARE a professional who truly is your friend (in which case, you are one lucky gal!).

So before we go any further, let’s just go over a few of the reasons for why you should hire a professional and not your friend…

1. A professional is committed to YOU.

A professional will be committed to YOU and your wedding day. They are guaranteed to show up on your wedding day, no questions asked. I’ve seen “friends” commit to photographing a wedding and then flake out 2 months – even a few weeks- before the wedding, people not show up to help on the day-of when they said they would, and even people just not caring at all. When you hire and pay a professional, they are contractually obligated to carry out the duties that you hired them to perform!

2. A professional will have EXPERIENCE.

There’s nothing worse than having everyone standing around at your wedding not knowing what to do next. Hiring someone who has experience will most definitely help your stress level both before and during the wedding. A professional with experience will also have a specific way of doing things, so there won’t be too much guesswork for you while planning your wedding. The last thing you want to have to do while planning your wedding is figure out what your friend is supposed to be doing!

3. You will get awesome RESULTS from a professional.

Or in other words, you get what you PAY for! Hiring a professional will ensure that you get a great result. Whether it’s photos or flowers, or food or coordinating, having someone who does weddings for a living will certainly give you the best outcome. It may not always be the most ideal option to spend money on a professional, but really and truly, paying for a service makes SUCH a huge difference! Not to mention that yes, there’s a contract involved, and as I stated before, they are obligated to provide you with those awesome results.

4. You won’t have to worry about straining your RELATIONSHIP.

When working with a professional, if anything, you will build a relationship with them. Almost always, when hiring a friend the relationship gets strained in some way. Either they hold a grudge against you for making them work for free or less than normal, or you’re not happy with your results and you just can’t tell them. It’s not worth ruining a relationship with one of your friends!

5. You want your friends to ENJOY your wedding!!

If they truly are your friend, you’ll want to have them at your wedding and enjoy it, right? And if that’s not the case, then you don’t really want to even have them at your wedding.

Image by Jordan Keenan Photography

Don’t get me wrong- there CAN be friends that help out with your wedding who will do a great job. But in my experience, it doesn’t always work out for the best.

One of the things that I’ve discovered about weddings is that it’s pretty common for “friends” who “do weddings” to pop up when you get engaged. What a coincidence that you have a friend who photographs weddings, coordinates, AND is a DJ, right?! At the time, it seems lucky and like you have all your bases covered, but please do your best to make an informed decision when friends offer to help with your wedding.

I would love to hear from you all on this. Do you have any friends who wanted to help you with your wedding? Did you decide to go with them, or go with a professional? And any former brides out there… did you have any experiences with “friends”?

A version of this post was originally posted in June 2012.

Why Do Weddings Cost So Much?!

Category: WEDDING PLANNING 20 Comments

Jan 2nd

by: Lauren

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[Editor’s note: If you haven’t noticed by now, wedding cost is something that I talk about a lot here in the wedding planning information on ELD. Part of the reason for this is because I was absolutely unaware of the true cost of weddings when I was planning my own wedding. The other reason is that when I entered into the wedding industry (after my own wedding), I actually learned why things cost what they cost, and it all made sense as to why weddings cost “so much”!

And so, I have made it my mission to take both of those personal experiences with wedding costs and educate you about what I have learned. I’ve talked about why weddings cost so much before, but I felt like it was about time that I touched on the subject again- so I’ve updated this previously published post on why weddings cost so much…]

“Why do weddings cost so much?!”

I’m pretty sure this is a question that I think just about EVERY couple (and parent and bridesmaid and friend) asks. Don’t worry- I asked the same exact question when I was planning my wedding. And I never really figured out the answer until AFTER my wedding when I started working in the industry, learning the ins and outs and what it really takes for a wedding to happen. (Thankfully, since that’s a HUGE part of why I started blogging in the first place!)

So at first, you’re SUPER excited to start planning your wedding, right? And yeah, you know weddings can cost a good chunk of change… but when you start getting the proposals and quotes from people, THAT’S when it really hits you.

I think a HUGE part of it is that you don’t really have a good *idea* of what things cost beforehand. Whenever I give brides and grooms a ballpark range of what to expect for what something would cost, it’s usually a shock. But then after that, it’s always so much easier for them to take that expectation and make a decision using the information. There’s just something about knowing ahead of time that helps SO much, don’t you think?

Here’s the thing: when I was planning my wedding I did always wonder why things cost so much. But I was so focused on the COST that I never really considered or bothered to find out the WHY. So today’s that’s what we’re talking about…

1. Making it happen.

What does it take to make a wedding happen? Wedding professionals.

I don’t know what it is about weddings, but for some reason, lots of people don’t think of wedding professionals as having a “normal” job. Maybe because weddings are such happy and fun times, so it’s hard to think of any “work” being associated with them. (Confession: I was one of those brides who thought this!) Or maybe it’s because there are indeed a few “hobbyists” in the wedding industry providing services to brides. Whatever it is that’s causing this thought process, it’s incorrect.

Wedding professionals aren’t charging what they charge just for the heck of it. They charge what they charge because it’s their livelihoods. Their career. How they put food on the table for their families. Sure, some charge less and some charge more, but it’s what they have deemed their worth to be based on their cost of doing business, their training, and their expertise. Oh and let’s not forget about experience, which is also a huge factor of wedding professionals’ costs too. And also, their TIME. They work during the week, and then they still have weddings on the weekend. Half the time, they’re not even being paid enough for the time they put in, but it’s what has to be done to make awesome weddings happen.

[Note: wedding professionals don’t charge more just because the word “wedding” is attached. This might be true for business owners who *aren’t* actively doing weddings, but please don’t think it’s true for those whose careers are 100% dedicated to weddings. Let’s kill that myth right here and now, k? :)]

2. The Things

Yes, there are *things* that are needed for your wedding. Lots of them. And these things are also what “cost so much”. Rentals, purchases, food, alcohol, flowers, linens, etc etc. They’re all things, and are a HUGE part of the wedding costs. These things usually have to be purchased (or rented) FOR your wedding, so they can be functional AT your wedding.

[Get ready for a baking/cooking analogy because that’s something that we all do, right?]

Think of it this way: You want to make chocolate chip cookies (from scratch) to bring to a party. But before you can make your cookies, you have to have all of the ingredients. That’s what the things for your wedding are. They’re the elements, the ingredients, of your wedding. These things still cost money- they don’t just appear out of thin air. And even though you may be making cookies from scratch, you don’t necessarily want to physically make the flour, chocolate chips, and butter, right? So that’s where wedding professionals come in, because they know/own/make/have access to those things that are needed to create a wedding.

Image via Bourbon & Blush Events

3. Guests.

Yep, the guests. Guests are really why weddings cost so much. I probably say it once a month. The more guests you have, the more money you’ll have to spend. It’s more food, drinks, tables, linens, centerpieces, all of the things that I just referred to above, etc. And guess what? It’s something that YOU can have control over. If you don’t want to spend much on your wedding- keep your guest list small. That is the key to EVERYTHING!

4. What YOU Want.

You can be your own worst enemy when it comes to what your wedding costs- I know I was! A wedding that costs “so much” could just be the result of what YOU want and your own taste! But hey, it’s AWESOME to know what you want, and hopefully you can get it for your wedding day! :)

Oh and after I wrote this whole post, I forgot that I wrote a post similar to this a while ago. It’s a little bit of a different breakdown though, so be sure to read it next! :)

All of this considered, it’s important to me that you know something: I don’t share this information to “inflate” the expectations for what weddings cost. I do it to educate you about weddings, and to share the truth with you. In my experience as both a bride and (after being a bride) a wedding professional, there’s plenty of fluff out there about weddings, but not enough truth! It is my goal to help brides and grooms, and to hopefully keep some of you from making the same uneducated wedding planning mistakes that I made.

Okay, so out of the things I mentioned above, which is the most IMPORTANT to you? It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting your planning, halfway through, almost done, or already married- I’m sure one of these things is/was what you absolutely have/had to have!

*Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2012 and and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Festive Holiday Inspired Wedding Ideas

Category: 1 Comments

Dec 22nd

by: ELD Team

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We couldn’t let the holiday season come and go without sharing these elegant, yet very festive holiday inspired wedding ideas! With the desire to capture all of the traditional colors and textures of Christmas with an elevated and romantic flair, Jennifer Nicole Photography designed and shot her very own winter wonderland in Florida. With a vision in hand, Jennifer assembled a dream team of vendors she knew could bring this very merry shoot to life, starting with The Event Company for vendor coordination and set-up. The beautiful white barn of Protea Weddings & Events gave this team the perfect backdrop – a hint of rustic charm for that warm and cozy Christmas feel, but plenty of natural light and an open layout for that airy elegance.

But, the real show stoppers of this shoot lie in the details! Farm tables decked with pinecones, evergreen, and exposed bark table numbers and place cards make you wish you were sitting down to Christmas dinner right now! The dessert table is decadent to say the least and with mint and red velvet shooters, chocolate cake pops, peppermint chocolate covered pretzel rods, coconut covered strawberries and hand crafted gingerbread custom cookies, just looking at this spread will make you put on a few holiday pounds.

And then there’s that hexagon arch- we love the variety in arch shapes we’ve seen this year and this beauty from Coastal Events is a favorite! No holiday celebration would be complete without some festive beverages and the mobile bar from Marion’s Bar & Bubbles, will have you wishing Santa was bringing you one of your own! And we love how this team incorporated two different looks for their bride and grooms- one with a grey suit from The Modern Groom and a fun, flirty dress, and another with a classic black suit and ballgown! Cheers to this elegant holiday inspired wedding look and wishing you all a beautiful and merry Christmas!

And, we LOVE it when we get to see video of everything in action! This one from Jennifer Nicole Photography definitely has us feeling even more of the holiday spirit!

VENDORS WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN…

Host & Planning: Jennifer Nicole Photography // Photography & Videography: Jennifer Nicole Photography // Venue: Protea Weddings & Events // Coordinating & Set-Up: The Event Company // Floral Designer: Angela’s Floral Studio // Gown, Veil & Jewelry: Benedict Bridal // Suit: The Modern Groom // Hair: Simply Stunning You Beauty // Makeup: Beauty by Ashley 904 // Cake/Dessert Bar: LuBelle’s Cakes // Mobile Bar: Marion’s Bar & Bubbles // Signage/Stationery: Flourish Creative Designs // Flat Lay Styling: Champagne & Grit // Furniture Rentals: The Event Warehouse Company // Tabletop Rentals: The Event Company // Arch: Coastal Events

Exclusive ELD Vendors

Like the post above? Here are the Every Last Detail vendors that participated making this post beautiful! Featured vendors are hand picked and approved by Lauren. Get more information by clicking on them below:

The Event Company
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How To Create A Custom Engagement Ring and Wedding Ring

Category: WEDDING PLANNING 0 Comments

Nov 23rd

by: Lauren

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When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, you’re no longer constrained by the limited options showcased on local jewelers’ shelves. But it may be a bit of a foreign concept to navigate, so we’ve partnered with jeweler Taylor & Hart to share tips on how you can create a unique, custom design for your engagement or wedding ring.

Anything less than a custom engagement ring or wedding band feels impersonal- but thanks to the innovation of softwares like 3D CAD designs and printing, it’s now possible for anyone to create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that reflects their style and personality! Let’s have a look at some of the top tips to bear in mind when you customize your engagement or wedding ring.

Choose a jeweler who will help you design your ring

Finding a jeweler who will listen to you and go the extra mile to guide you through this exciting journey is almost as important as finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Bespoke jewelry is crafted by people for people and it involves authentic, real-life communication. Many jewelry e-tailers say they offer custom service, but very few of them give people the chance to actually speak to real designers, and discuss their ideas in person, over the phone, or via a virtual consultation. (One of the many things that we love about Taylor & Hart is that you can book a virtual consultation with them!) The best starting point is to seek knowledge, ask questions, and let your imagination go wild. A good jeweler will listen to your ideas and help you design the ring of your dreams.

Set a budget

Don’t be afraid to put a limit to your spending. It’s your love that should have no limits, not your budget. We’ve all heard the “three paychecks rule” about engagement rings, or that wedding rings should be 4% of the whole wedding budget. Those rules may suit some, but what matters is your own comfort and financial security.

Your jeweler will be able to fill you in on how you can save on your ring. A few examples of how to do this: opting for a lab-grown diamond rather than a mined one, choosing a non-round diamond shape, getting a halo which optically enlarges the center stone, choosing a fancy colored gemstone over the traditional diamond center. You’ll be surprised to find that there are many ways to spend wisely while maintaining your creativity.

Work with metals

Choosing the right metal for your engagement or wedding ring is entirely up to you- some want it to match their skin tone or fashion taste, others go for durability and maintenance. Platinum, for example, is the easiest to maintain and doesn’t lose its shine, mainly because it doesn’t contain any alloys (like gold) which wear away with time.

Customizing the metal of your ring may refer to the metal finish or texture, which adds character to your ring. No wonder textured gold has been a hit with brides-to-be in the past year. You may feel inspired in the finishing touches, too. Using an ornate filigree technique gives your jewelry a unique vintage look, reminiscent of the Art Deco period, while milgrain is a beading detail that is often found in antique jewelry. Hand and inscription engravings are the most personal you can get with metal work and will definitely ensure you’re not wearing someone else’s ring.

Shapes and colors

The gemstone is the show-stopper of an engagement ring, so it’s best to choose the color and cut that will best reflect your personality. Some brides don’t want just one centerstone, which is why they opt for duos, trilogies, or clusters so that they can mix and match gemstone cuts and colors. There are no rules to follow and many celebrities have proven that custom is best- think Emily Ratajkowski’s bespoke pear and princess diamond duo or Lily Collins’ rose cut fancy pink diamond engagement ring. Colored gemstones give you the irresistible opportunity to create something special and unconventional. Remember: your love is like no other love, so why should your ring be?

Nowadays even wedding bands can be set with diamonds or have a diamond pavé. Some are made to match the engagement ring design, others pay extra attention to what the wedding ring reveals about them personally. One can even wear their loved one’s voice on the inside of the ring by engraving the visual pattern of a sound wave.

Pop of color

You can always design an engagement ring with a fancy colored gemstone, but color can be incorporated in even more subtle ways. On a plain band, color can be incorporated by setting a colored gem on the inside, such as your partner’s birthstone or favorite color. You’ll share a secret known only to the both of you. Some couples put those tiny sparkling messages somewhere within the setting which gives even the most traditional designs an exciting twist.

Flora and fauna

Some of the most outstanding engagement and wedding ring designs are inspired by nature. Flowers, branches, animals, luminaries- it’s all part of the organic spectrum and many couples find inspiration in those elements. An organic-inspired ring can incorporate all of the customizable elements above and have a unique, unmistakable charm.

We certainly learned a lot about creating custom engagement rings and weddings from Taylor & Hart, and we hope you did too! Now pardon us as we go and get lost in the designs they’ve created with couples and dream about a ring upgrade!

*This post is part of a sponsored partnership with Taylor & Hart.