How To Know When a “Wedding Planner” Isn’t Really a Wedding Planner

Feb 12th

by: Lauren

Lately there has been a bit of talk going around about wedding planners- more specifically, how to know when you’re working with someone just using the term “wedding planner”, or a true wedding planner… and what both of those things mean. V List Member Tonia Adleta, Owner and Creative Director of Aribella Events, recently wrote a piece offering insight into this dilemma. She points out the discrepancy in how the titles of “wedding planner” and “wedding coordinator” are used, and how it can sometimes be a bit confusing to a couple. Titles, duties, expectations- they are all an integral part of a wedding planner’s job, and as couples planning a wedding, you should absolutely be knowledgable about these things when it comes to hiring (or not hiring) a wedding planner. And since we’re all about education here at Every Last Detail, we thought it was best to share Tonia’s insight with you on this topic… take it away Tonia!

This isn’t the first time this has happened. First it was the reception venues, “And you’ll work with our wedding planner to handle all of your details.” And the little church lady, “Schedule your rehearsal with our wedding coordinator.” Barnes and Noble offers dozens of wedding planners too… in paper form. So how do you even know when a “wedding planner” is a “wedding planner”?

To be fair, each of the aforementioned components has a place in the market, but none serve the same purpose. It’s unfair to you, our couples, for titles to be thrown about without explanation, so here’s a quick and dirty guide:

An independent wedding planner is the only one who incorporates the entire wedding – and the wedding planning process – into his or her range of services.
The ceremony coordinator focuses on things for the ceremony, if you’re even lucky enough to have such a person. The reception coordinator only focuses on the details of the reception. The independent planner, however, runs from soup to nuts, start to finish, the full planning process and the wedding day itself. And when you’re able to work with someone (like me) who is both a planner and a designer, you’re able to have both the brains and the beauty under the same roof.

And now? Rumor has it that a popular wedding site wants to offer you a FREE “consultant” to help you plan your wedding.

Kudos to this website for at least not calling their Consultants “Wedding Planners,” but a closer look at their deliverables muddy the water of expectations…

From finding wedding vendors, to creating a guest list, head over to Tonia’s blog post to find out what constitutes the differences between a “wedding planner”

and a true wedding planner.

A Vintage Glam Champagne & Red Wedding

Category: REAL WEDDINGS 3 Comments

Feb 12th

by: Carly

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Marissa and Owen welcomed their family and friends to their beautiful champagne and red wedding last fall at The Inn at Fox Hollow. Their style is at once vintage and rustic, so their venue was the perfect choice! The bridesmaids’ dresses are some of the best I’ve ever seen – I love the combination of lace and cranberry – and I cannot (as usual!) help but stare at the bouquets of dahlias and roses designed by Flowers by Burton. Plus, Marissa and Owen’s ceremony occurred in the evening by candlelight- gorgeous!

As much as I love each and every beautiful detail, I have to say how much I loved reading Owen’s story about his relationship with Marissa. The pair met through online dating, and ended up going on two dates in one day. It’s safe to say they’ve been inseparable ever since! Though we love hearing from brides (Marissa’s planning story is below!), it’s always special to hear details from the groom. We cannot thank Bethanne Arthur Photography enough for sending this stunning soiree our way! You’re going to absolutely swoon… enjoy!

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

My mom was the biggest help in the planning process of both our wedding and on our wedding day. Since we live in Virginia and got married in NY it was a huge help that my mom was in NY and was able to visit with some of our vendors when we couldn’t be there. She also helped to make a lot of our details such as our programs, menus, escort cards and table numbers since I was finishing up grad school at the time and time was limited.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

We tried to go with vendors that not only fit our budget but also made a personal connection to us. For example, Bethanne Arthur photography did our engagement photos and she not only did a beautiful job with them but we connected with her which is why we decided it was worth paying the travel fee rather than find a photographer in NY.

What was your inspiration for your wedding details and/or design?

We both love going on adventures which is where we came up with a travel theme but didn’t want to be over the top with it so we subtly incorporated it such as using the compasses for the escort cards and the map background on the table numbers. I also love vintage and then my mom found a way to add a bit of “bling” to everything which I ironically did not want in the beginning but then found I really did love it and started finding a way to add a bit of “bling” to everything.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

Aside from marrying my husband, the first time I walked into our venue space I was blown away by how beautiful it looked, everything came together perfectly. We also danced the night away!

What is your best piece of advice for other couples?

Take a step back on the night of your wedding to appreciate not only what you worked so hard to plan but to appreciate that all your guests are there to celebrate the love you and your husband share.

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Bethanne Arthur Photography // Floral Designer: Flowers by Burton // Cinema and Video:Paul Hairston Cinematography // Officiant: Reverend Sarah Guttman // Reception Venue: The Fox Hollow //DJ: Body Rock

Rustic Elegant Red and Gold Wedding

Category: REAL WEDDINGS 3 Comments

Feb 11th

by: Carly

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Tiffany and Zachary were married in an elegant red and gold wedding, taking place at The Sonoma House in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida. Tiffany was inspired by vintage and rustic textures, and she designed their day with an enchanted forest theme in mind. In order to bring their wedding day vision to life, Tiffany and Zachary filled their wedding day palette with rich shades of red, pink, ivory, and gold. Because their wedding date was close to Valentine’s Day, we also love that the palette paid homage to our favorite love-filled holiday! The couple also incorporated beautiful blooms (seriously, Tiffany’s bouquet is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!) designed by Boynton Flower Market. Flowers also adorned their cake, and guests were presented with succulent escort cards that also doubled as favors. We also have to mention the moss table numbers – they’re so pretty and unique!

Every photo from Tiffany and Zachary’s wedding is filled with so much love, especially the portraits, and I cannot wait for you to see more of their day captured by Erica J Photography! Plus, make sure to keep reading for all of Tiffany’s best planning tips (hint: sleep, y’all!).

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

I planned my wedding on my own, so I mainly used Pinterest for ideas and inspiration, and found a few vendors through friends who had recently gotten married. I think I used the knot for one or two of them, lots of google searches for new and unique venues.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

I definitely valued referrals from friends, people who used them first hand and loved them was most important to me. Also reading a lot of online reviews.

What was your inspiration for your wedding details and/or design?

I wanted it to feel like an enchanted forest, lots of rich colors like different shades of greens, reds, gold, creams, and blush. I used moss accents like the table numbers (which my mom made) and moss initials on the fire place. I wanted a very romantic feel so tons of candles, and we brought in a chandelier for the archway we got married under.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

I truly loved everything so it’s really hard to say, but I think I’d have to say my dress was my favorite. I wanted something really unique and dramatic, and I felt amazing in it. And it made my husband tear up which was my goal lol

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

Get a good night’s sleep the night before the wedding, the rehearsal dinner and having everyone in town is fun but you want to feel your best the next day so go to bed early. Another thing I would definitely recommend is after the ceremony, before starting your pictures and everything else, take a few moments to go off just the two of you. My husband and I went into the bridal suite at our venue for a few minutes to talk and it was so nice, because the rest of the night you’re pulled in so many different directions.

Love Tiffany’s advice! We definitely agree with getting a good night’s sleep- there’s nothing worse than being totally exhausted on your wedding day!

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photography: Erica J Photography // Floral Design: Boynton Flower Market // Cake: Earth And Sugar // Bride’s Rings: Beverly’s Jewelers // Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Angelo // Veil: Alfred Angelo // Grooms Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

An Italy Inspired Blush and Red Wedding

Category: REAL WEDDINGS 2 Comments

Feb 10th

by: Lauren

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Abigail and David drew upon their memories of a summer day in Florence as the inspiration for their blush and red wedding in Massachusetts. The natural beauty of the Crane Estate was a perfect canvas for their Italy inspired day, allowing the rest of the detail to fall into place effortlessly. Rich, saturated tones of red and pastel shades of blush paired with Italian inspired decor elements created the most romantic ambiance all throughout the estate, creating a little piece of Italy for Abigail, David, and their guests. The images captured by Rochelle Cheever Photography most certainly having me longing for Florence (coincidentally one of my favorite Italian cities), and I cannot wait for you to see all of the beauty!

My goodness, does this not feel like a dream? I can’t believe it’s in the States and not in an Italian village!

Have any of you been inspired by a particular location for your own wedding design? I would love to hear all about it in the comments, or in the comments over on our Instagram!