Tip 49: Do Your Research On Cultural Differences I was planning a wedding for a culture that was new to me. The couple had 400 guests, and at the final vendor meeting, I asked if they needed a babysitter for the younger attendees, and the mother of the bride said four would be enough. By..
Tip 48: Ask The Right Questions About Guest Preferences I planned a wedding at a venue with an outdoor cocktail area. It was a beautiful night, so after the guests moved inside for dinner, they moved back outside for cocktails, smokes, and socializing. There was no power or sound outside, so the poor DJ was..
Tip 47: Make Budget Priorities Known I was planning a wedding for a couple that didn’t drink alcohol, so they didn’t budget for it. They ended up with a cash bar at a seated dinner, which I typically do not suggest. At the reception, the bride’s aunt took the microphone and told guests she couldn’t..
Tip 46: Match Your Venue, Budget, Food, and Guest List I had a bride who hired me for partial planning at an intimate venue. She ended up inviting 125 guests while planning for 75 with the caterer. At the event, the venue manager had to stop people from going inside due to fire code capacity,..
Tip 45: Plan on Full Attendance I had a client getting married the week of Christmas that budgeted for half the guests, assuming many wouldn’t show. The RSVPs started rolling in and they ended up having way more guests than planned. I was calling different cities to accommodate the needs while playing the numbers game...
Technology defines the modern world. Humans are designing and refining new devices faster than ever, and each one changes our lifestyle. It's impossible to perfectly predict what tomorrow will bring, but we can still look ahead and get a general impression of the future. Drones Drones have been around for a long time, but they..
Tip 44: Manage the Expectations of Your Client’s Budget I met with a bride and groom who were fairly well known in the public eye. They told me their dreams for the wedding, and I gave them a quote — which was shocking to them! They asked for endorsement deals and discounts, and even tried..
TimeLine Genius has just announced the launch of their Wedding Industry Insider podcast series, and I had the privilege to be their first guest. If you’re a wedding planner and you’re looking for ways to build your business, you're going to love my interview! When it comes to understanding marketing, business and technology, I have..
Photo: Love Be Photography It's important to take care of out-of-town guests traveling a long way to attend your wedding — starting with their arrival. So what better way to greet your guests than with a welcome bag full of goodies? And these welcome bags aren't just there for show. They provide a glimpse of..
Tip 43: Assign Someone To Be Responsible For All Personal Items I once worked with a groom who was very involved in the planning process, very accountable and responsible. Well, an hour before the ceremony, I asked for the ring, and he had no idea where it was. Once he figured out he left it..
