Category: Event Planning DC - page 2

Summer is always a season that people are looking forward to. It’s one of the best times of the year to enjoy the outdoors. Many brides and grooms love the sound of having a summer wedding.  With all of the positive aspects to a summer wedding, every season comes with its fair share of things to consider. Hiring a wedding coordinator to help overcome these obstacles can save you a lot of stress. Learn a few important do’s and don’ts when planning your summer wedding below.

Protection from The Sun

The warmth of the sun does feel great but too much of a good thing will make any event a disaster. Give your guests opportunities to escape the heat.  This will make your wedding more enjoyable. When choosing an outdoor location, locate shade options as well as an available air-conditioned space if it is needed.

If you cannot escape the sun at times during the wedding, be sure to supply guests with sunscreen.  Sunburn and overheating can become very serious and no one wants memories of friends or family having medical emergencies during their event. Prevent these situations by placing water bottles in accessible areas during the ceremony and reception, use misting fans, and have multiple cooling stations. Once the party begins, dancing heats things up even more, place cold water near the action. Wedding coordinators can help locate the perfect vendors for even more options for refreshing cold beverages.

Get Those Save The Dates Mailed

Summer time is very busy for a lot of families. With school being out of session, many families choose to plan their vacations during these months. Letting your friends and family know of your upcoming nuptials will allow your guests to plan.  This will ensure their calendars are earmarked early enough to plan around your big day. Many couples tend to forget about the save the dates and are not sure the proper etiquette on mailing them.  It is always a good idea to consult with a wedding planner for help in this area.

Choose Lighter Food Options

When thinking of food to serve at a summer wedding, it is best to stay away from anything too heavy since it will not mix well with the heat. A few good options would be to stick with a main course that is grilled or a local option to provide a fresh selection for a variety of appetites. A playful in season fruit or appetizer or using pie or popsicles instead of traditional cake will sure to please all your summer guests.

The Right Time of Day

With summer temperatures peaking mid-day, it is wise to begin your celebration in the late afternoon or early evening.  The sun’s heat will not be as intense and make your guest more ready to dance and have fun. Not only is the sunset a beautiful back drop for your wedding, it will also be perfect lighting for photos.

Summer Attire

The last thing you want on your big day is to be hot and uncomfortable the entire day. A bride should choose a dress that has a lighter material that allows it to breath such as silk. Many brides are skipping the traditional look and switching to shorter more adventurous gowns. If you have your mind set on a large ballgown, try wearing it only to the ceremony and then change into something smaller or a cocktail dress for dancing at the reception.  As for the grooms, choose lighter color suits such as light gray or a beige will provide the perfect casual, beachy look for any summer wedding.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Its wedding season and you know what that means, our confusion about what proper attire is for the vastly different events.  The wedding coordinators at Event Planning DC are here to help with this easy guide on wedding attire.

When the Invitation Says: White-Tie Wedding Dress Code

This is attire for the most formal event you can think of.  Attire you would wear to attend a White House reception dinner.  Ladies should wear a formal, floor length gown with conservative jewelry, high heels, and an elegant clutch.  There are no exceptions to this.  Men should choose a tuxedo with tails.  A formal white shirt should be worn with a simple colored vest and bow tie, think white, gray, or black.  Formal footwear should be worn as well like derby shoes or oxford styles.

When the Invitation Says: Black-Tie Wedding Dress Code

A step down from formal, but still incredibly dressy, black tie weddings most often occur in the evening.  There are a few more options for men and women alike at a black-tie affair.  Ladies can choose from a formal gown or a classy cocktail dress.  Dressy heels or flats can be chosen. 

If you are uncomfortable in a gown or dress a dressed-up pants suit is acceptable.  Men must wear a tuxedo, but it doesn’t have to include tails.  A black tie, vest or cummerbund are completely acceptable. 

Patent leather shoes can be worn.  If the wedding is in the summer, men may consider a white jacket with black tuxedo trousers.

When the Invitation Says: Formal or Black-Tie Wedding Dress Code Optional

This is the trickiest of tricky invitation to receive, let us help decode.  This means that the occasion is slightly less formal than black tie, so a tuxedo is not necessary, but it is still formal enough if you want.  Ladies can dress as they would for a black-tie wedding.  Men however can choose a tuxedo if they want but can also be appropriately dressed if they show up in a formal dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie.

When the Invitation Says: Semi-formal or Dressy Casual Wedding Dress Code

This is when the time of the wedding really plays a role in how people dress.  Darker is better for evening events and lighter colors and fabrics are better for the daytime.  Ladies should choose a cocktail dress or dressy skirt and top.  A floor length gown is inappropriate. 

Heals, wedges, or flats are acceptable.  If an event is outdoors, then it is best for ladies to avoid traditional heels as they are likely to get stuck along the way.  Men should wear a suit and tie, again depending on the time of day it can be light colored or dark.

When the Invitation Says: Festive Attire Wedding Dress Code

This one is new and has a lot of leeway.  Attendees can have fun and play with their look or choose cocktail attire that is a bit more playful.  Ladies can choose a cocktail dress or super fun party dress. 

Funky accessories are okay and bold colored shoes as well. Men should wear a suit jacket however it can be jazzed up with a colorful tie and jazzy pocket square.

When the Invitation Says: Casual Attire Wedding Dress Code

This is usually the case for weddings that are outdoors or on the water.

It will be a laid-back occasion and attire is simple.  Of course, you should NEVER, let me say it again… NEVER, wear jeans, shorts, or a tank to a wedding.  Not even when it is noted that it is okay.  Ladies should opt for a sundress and wedges.  If you think it may be chilly a sweater can be worn.  Sandals and sneakers are still off limits.   Men are free to wear dress pants or khakis.  A collared shirt is recommended but a tie and sport jacket are optional.  T-shirts and tennis shoes are off limits.

When the Invitation Says: Tropical or Destination Wedding Dress Code

You must dress appropriately for the weather.  Always err on the dressier side if you aren’t sure however you want to be comfy for the weather.  Ladies can choose a sundress with sandals or wedges.  If it is super sunny a hat that blocks the sun is just fine as an accessory.  For men a sport shirt or lightweight jacket is appropriate.  Short sleeve button downs are a great option as well, consider a guayabera style shirt. Khaki pants are appropriate for men as are dock style shoes. 

Think Casual when dressing for this type of wedding.

Wedding attire is always a little tricky.  It is always better to be over-dressed verse under dressed EXCEPT in situations where you “out attire” the bride and groom.  If you have any doubts reach out to the couple.  If you are close enough to be invited to their special day they will have no problem at all telling you how you should dress for the occasion.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Let’s face it, there isn’t a perfect time of year to get married.  Each of the four seasons offers a laundry list of positives and negatives.  Today our wedding consultants dive into considerations that couples getting married in the spring face. 

Spring Weather

The weather throughout the spring is highly unpredictable.  Many parts of the country have beautiful seventy-degree days throughout the season while others have large temperature variations from one day to the next.  One thing that can be said for springtime weddings is that you usually don’t have to take precautions against a heatwave.  If you are having a spring wedding you may experience gray skies or a little rain, possibly even a little snow but you for sure don’t need to worry about your guests dehydrating in the heat and humidity found during a summer wedding. 

Holidays

When planning a spring wedding it is important to consider the different holidays that fall throughout these three months.  Many families take vacations surrounding their child’s spring break.  This could be good or bad for you.  If you are planning on having a lot of family come in from out of town a spring break wedding may be perfect timing.  Memorial Day, Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day all fall within this three-month period of time. 

Pros and Cons of Spring Weddings

One of the biggest benefits of a spring wedding comes from the natural décor that is in bloom.  Spring gives birth to fresh buds and colorful blooms.  From cherry blossoms to daffodils the colors are amazing.  Wedding planners love to help brides coordinate their spring weddings, they provide the ultimate backdrop and don’t require a lot of décor to be beautiful.

Another major advantage of a spring wedding is that most family and friends won’t have other obligations to attend to like they may during the summer.  During the summer people don’t like to have a full schedule because it doesn’t allow them to be as carefree as they desire during their free time.

It is also a great time for an indoor/outdoor wedding.   When planning an outdoor spring wedding, plan for the enjoyment that the spring weather brings but back up that plan with a beautiful tent.  The beauty is that if it is a nice day the tent walls can be rolled up and the tent can be used as more of a canopy.  If the weather is less than perfect or it gets a bit chilly as the evening commences the walls can be rolled down and the towering heaters can be turned on.

Now we all know that a pro doesn’t occur without a con. There are a few cons that follow spring time weddings besides the unpredictable weather.  Most venues and vendors have different pricing depending on the season.  Towards the end of the spring season couples will start to see prices rise as it moves into peak-wedding season.  If you like the idea of a spring wedding but can’t afford the peak-wedding expense, consider holding your wedding earlier in the season.  These price increases occur for destination weddings and honeymoon costs.  

Another con that brides and grooms run into is that venues and vendors are booked well in advanced.  A spring wedding is not something that can often fall into place with just a few months of planning.  If you are set on a wedding that falls during the spring it is important to plan far in advance.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Spring is a perfect time to get married!  The start of warmer weather and the beautiful blossoms blooming which is exactly why over 20% of brides and grooms choose to get married during the spring.   There are a few things that need consideration when planning a spring wedding such as planning around spring break when hotels can be hard to come by.  Here is how you can pull off the perfect spring wedding, remember our wedding consultants are always here to help!

Wilt Proof Wedding Flowers for Spring and Summer Weddings

Spring is when everything is in bloom.  There are a huge selection of flowers and greenery in bloom.  Brides have access to colorful peonies, sweet peas, lily of the valley, daffodils, hyacinths, lilacs, and tulips.  Not only are there a number of different flowers to choose from, Mother Nature offers a perfect backdrop of spring colors from cherry blossoms, wheat grass, dogwood, moss, and herbs.

When you stick to flowers that are in season not only are they fresher, they are more affordable.  Spring flowers and blooms when used in arrangements for weddings offer an incredibly feminine feel to your event.  If you prefer something more understated and elegant consider using one color theme and incorporating ivy or other types of flowing greenery. 

Bringing the Best of Spring to the Menu

Temperatures are on the rise however it is far from hot for most springtime weddings.  A crisp cocktail with fresh appetizers is perfect for the pre-dinner cocktail hour(s).  It will start the fresh vibe of your wedding off on the right foot.  Try a light white wine sangria that includes fresh spring fruits or an effortless muddled strawberry mojito.  Consider fresh flavored martinis including mango, watermelon, and cucumber. 

For meal time work with a caterer that specializes in bringing the seasons best ingredients to the table.  Highlight artichokes, asparagus, carrots, morels, and more.  Springtime fruits can add color and flavor to plating using apricots, mangoes, pineapple, and rhubarb.  Your food should be reflective of the season, working with the flavors of the season instead of against them will bring the best menu for your family and friends. 

Enjoying Spring Flavors and Colors Even in Your Wedding Cake

There are so many benefits to having a spring wedding and being able to use color flowers that won’t wilt from heat to decorate your wedding cake.  It’s easy to turn your wedding cake into an ultimate showstopper with fresh spring flowers.  Choose a cake flavor that embraces the flavors of spring.  Of course, chocolate cake is always a good idea especially when you enhance it with the flavors of spring like a strawberry filling.  Thankfully you don’t have to settle on fondant as you often do in the heat of the summer because all types of frosting work during the crisp temperatures of spring.

Endless Options for Guest Attire During Spring Weddings

There are simply more options for wedding guests and your wedding party when it comes to participating in a spring wedding.  Hemlines can be shorter, fabrics can be lighters, and there are endless colors that work.  The dress code for springtime weddings can be more low-key no matter what time of day it is. 

Weddings, no matter what time of year they happen in, are a joyous occasion that mark a momentous change in your relationship.  When you choose the date for your wedding embrace the season it falls in and take all the best qualities and bring them out during the wedding planning process.

​ Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

There are so many decisions a bride and groom need to make; one of the most important decisions being whether to hire a wedding planner or to go it alone.  We hear so many brides that have decided to forgo hiring a wedding planner regretting their decision in the end.  They go through all the reason why they didn’t think they needed to hire a professional and realize in the end most of those were the same reasons why they should have. 

The Most Common Reasons Brides Decide Not to Hire A Wedding Planner

• We will bond over finding vendors and going to vendor appointments
• We will make better more informed decisions doing the work ourselves
• We can save money
• We won’t be forced into using the planners go to suppliers
• We won’t have to run our consideration by anyone else

The Most Common Reasons Brides Wish They Would Have Hired A Wedding Planner

• Planning a wedding and the mundane tasks involved throughout the process are not always fun.  There are aspects that brides and grooms enjoy such as dinner sampling and cake testing however, they are still involved in those aspects even when hiring a professional planner to assist in making their big dream what they picture.  The part that isn’t fun, finding vendors, coordinating tastings, and keeping track of how much they each cost.  A wedding planners’ job is to allow you to enjoy the fun aspects of wedding planning without the behind the scenes stress.
• Planning the perfect party for your closest friends and family doesn’t happen without a little stress.  The stress of planning a wedding takes away a lot of the romance.  The last thing you want as a bride or groom is to deal with the stress and exhaustion of dealing with everyone’s drama, opinions, and overall meddling.  Thankfully wedding planners know exactly how to deal with people getting in the way of making your day anything less than perfect.  Their specialty is bringing your dream to life, not your mothers-in-laws dream. 
• It turns out that choosing vendors to work with is not as easy as most people think it will be.  It turns out that a lot of vendors are very charismatic and are great at telling people what they want to hear vs actual performance.  Wedding planners have a preferred list of vendors because they have actually seen the vendors in action and know who to work with and who to steer away from.  Having seen a vendor performing is a far better indicator of what to expect during your wedding than a simple face to face interview one time.  Yes, you can learn a little from online reviews but who is to say those sources are trustworthy? 
• Planning a wedding takes a lot of time.  Instead of getting to enjoy your engagement you are running around like a chicken with its head cut off when planning a wedding without the help of a planner.  It is a planner’s job to create the perfect evening for you.  This is what their time is devoted to so that you can focus on your own job and relationship.

This list could go on and on.  When deciding if hiring a wedding planner is right for you and your wedding start by talking to a newly married couple that didn’t.  It will soon be clear how the services of a wedding consultant/planner will benefit you!

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Yay, you just got engaged and get to marry your best friend for life!  Once the love of your life has finally popped the question, the ring is securely in place on hand, your tears have passed, and you have announced to the world you are getting married it is time to get started on the hard part, planning a wedding.

At this point if you are breathing at a quicker pace don’t worry, we will get you breathing normally in just a few minutes.  Anxiety is just one of the many feeling’s brides will experience when planning a wedding.  One thing that can help with this overwhelming feeling, is to of course hire help from a wedding consultant/planner to help but we will get to that in a little bit.

Here Are Some of The First Steps to Take Once You Have Taken the Plunge and Gotten Engaged

Take Some Time to Just Be Together

Our world is so full of ways to connect to the outside world that sometimes we forget to take time to just live within the moment.  Our first piece of advice surrounding your engagement centers around social media; take time to just live in the moment, don’t rush to announce your engagement the minute it occurs.  Yes, it is a happy moment and the news is share worthy but the announcement doesn’t have to occur the moment it happens.

The electricity of the moment is something that cannot be recreated so just soak it in.  There should be no pressure to start calling people or letting the world of social media in just yet.  Instead, try taking a day or two to let it set in.  Share the moment with one another and just savor the secret of your engagement between the two of you without others input for just a little bit.  When the chaos of planning a wedding begins you will be glad you did.

Announce Your Engagement to Your Parents, Family, Important People in Your Life, & Then the World

It might be tempting to put a picture online right away but hold back, the people closest to you should be the first people in line to hear your news.  There is a hierarchy to announcing good news.  Milestones in your life are something that your parents should hear about before your middle school teacher. Instead of texting try actually picking up the phone to make this announcement to your family if you can’t be there in person.

Make Sure Your Ring Is Properly Sized and Insured

Yes, the plan is to always present a properly fitting ring however, sometimes this just doesn’t occur.  If your ring doesn’t fit properly it is important to take it to be properly sized, yes you will be without it for a little while, but you don’t have to risk it slipping off into the abyss of missing jewelry.  The next step is to take the time to have it properly insured.  Insuring your ring is the only way in which it will be replaced if it gets lost without you having to purchase a new one.

Choose Your Wedding Party and Plan an Engagement Party

There aren’t a lot of important decisions that you need to make once you are engaged but if you think you want an engagement party, right after you are engaged is the time to do it.  An engagement party is a great time to bring the families together to mingle.  It is also a great opportunity to choose and announce your bridal party.  Most brides and grooms have these people in mind long before becoming engaged.

Create a Timeline

The one question you will be asked over and over again is in regard to the wedding date.  It is not required to choose a wedding date upon getting engaged you should expect it at least once a day.  It is important however once a date is chosen to create a timeline to keep you on the same page as your partner.  The wedding can be anywhere from weeks to months to years away, the importance of a timeline doesn’t change.

Start Booking

Once you have set a date and created a timeline you are set to start booking vendors.  This is when most couples decide to call in the big guns and look into hiring a professional wedding planner to help.  The last thing you want is for your relationship to start to center for the sole purpose to plan for this day.  To alleviate that wedding consultants can help by taking your vision, completing the leg work, and let you make the end decisions.  This is an easy way to ensure that your time is not completely devoted only to planning a wedding but instead to better your relationship as you head into a new realm together.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

When it comes to planning a wedding the spectrum of brides ranges from those who have absolutely no idea what they are doing to those who believe that after they have planned their own wedding, they should quit their jobs and plan weddings full-time.  It is pretty obvious that brides who have no idea where to start would hire a wedding planner to help them through the planning and execution of their big day however, for brides that feel like they have it under control or where money is tight the answer might not be as clear cut. 

Should you hire a wedding planner?

YES! All brides, no matter if they have a clue or not can benefit from the experience, industry connections, and extra hands that a wedding planner offers to their big day. 

A wedding planner not only saves brides and grooms time but also money.  Choosing to hire a wedding planner is wise.  In actuality, the money spent on a wedding planner is often recouped by brides and groom in a multitude of ways. Consider the days off that you would have to take if planning your wedding without the help of a planner.  Days off without pay to visit vendors and scope out venues.  Think about all the lost connections as well.  Wedding planners have connection within the industry that brides and grooms don’t.  These connections can lead to big savings.  It is not uncommon for vendors to offer discounts to brides and grooms who book them through certain wedding planners. 

Wedding consultants can really help stretch a wedding parties’ budget.  After planning so many weddings, consultants know what is important, what aspects are going to have an impact and what aspects will get overlooked.  Although releasing 20 doves may seem like a good idea, the same affect can be had from just two and save a ton of money.  What seems like a small decision can wind up costing brides and grooms’ big bucks.  Wedding planners can help guide them into better decisions that offer the same impact.  

Wedding planners will always be on your side.  They fight for what you want and work for you to keep your vision in mind when working with vendors and YOUR FAMILY.  It is true, not all fairy tale weddings occur without some hiccups from the people throwing their two sense in the mix which can often derail an already stressed out bride’s ability to make decisions.  Thankfully when you hire a wedding planner to help make your magical day come to life all they want is to bring your dream to life.  They will fight for your wants and needs.  They take your unique vision and eliminate the opinions of others to make it happen. 

The journey from “Will you marry me” to “I Do” is a long one.  Many brides have told us that by the end they just run out of fight.  A wedding planner doesn’t let this happen.  If you want an outdoor wedding even if it looks like it is going to rain, a wedding planner will fight to bring your vision to light up to the very last minute.  They will be out drying chairs if it stops 5 minutes before you are walking down the aisle and if the rain looks like it won’t be stopping, we do our best to turn the indoors into an outdoor paradise for you.  

Wedding planners bring the level of stress down a hundred notches.  Let’s face it, brides are under a lot of stress.  Vendors often mention that it way more difficult to work with a bride, groom or their parents then it is to work with a planner.  Wedding planners streamline the process, thus decreasing the overall stress that participants from all angles are experiencing. 

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Planning a wedding takes a great deal of time.  Many brides don’t have enough hours in the day to make this happen the way they want without the help of a professional.  There are several different professionals that play a role in making your big day come to a reality.  Some confusion comes from who they need to hire vs who is unnecessary.  This will basically come down to how much time and effort you, the bride, wants to put into planning your wedding.  Below we will look into the difference between wedding coordinators, wedding planners, and wedding designers.  These are the three key professionals that are hired to make your wedding dreams come to life.  Here we will find out exactly what role each plays in making your big day go off without a hitch. 

Wedding Planners

Wedding planners are logistic professionals.  From managing vendors, negotiating contracts, and day of execution wedding planners take any guess work out of the day.  The make planning the wedding as smooth and easy as possible for brides and grooms.  A wedding planner will track your budget and ensure everyone, and everything is in place.  Wedding planners help brides make the details of the day become a reality.  Wedding planners often put in between 80 to 250 hours planning for your big day.  The more people and pieces that are involved in the wedding the more hours they will need to spend creating perfection for your day.

Duties of A Wedding Planner

• Provide referrals to vendors
• Schedule and attend all meetings with vendors
• Negotiate vendor contracts
• Helps determine and manage the wedding budget
• Attends location viewings and food tastings
• Suggest ideas and coordinate design details
• Coordinates hotels and transportation
• Supervise the rehearsal
• Manages everything on the day of your wedding
• Creates a detailed timeline
• Handles wedding party, guests, and vendors
• Executes the on-site design vision

Brides should hire a wedding planner when:

• They have a budget that allows for it
• Want the least amount of wedding stress possible
• Have a demanding career and therefore little time for planning
• Are organizationally challenged
• Are on a tight time frame
• Want an event that includes multiple events
• Are putting on a destination wedding
• The wedding/reception are being thrown somewhere other than a traditional hotel, banquet room, or restaurant

Wedding Designer

Wedding designers have one specific role and that is to ensure that your wedding is aesthetically pleasing.  They have nothing to do with negotiations or appointments.  Wedding designers consult brides on anything and everything to do with the design of your venue.  This includes everything from the floor plan, lighting, flowers, furniture, linens, and such.  Planners create a cohesive, stylish, and chic look that creates the ambiance that the bride desires.  Wedding designers are artists and can truly transform a blank banquet room into a canvas that represents the bride and groom. They usually work about 40 hours to make your vision come true.

Duties of A Wedding Designer

• Works with the bride to create a wedding design concept
• Provides guidance in creating a color palette
• Manages the décor budget including the florist, rentals, lighting, and stationary
• Locate and contract special props and equipment
• Visits the site to devise a layout and identify potential areas of concern
• Makes sure all decorate elements are in place on-site the day of the wedding

Brides should hire a wedding designer when:

• Décor is the most important aspect of your wedding
• You are organized and logistically savvy but are lacking creativity
• You want a specific theme
• There are too many wedding styles you like, and you can’t choose one

Wedding Coordinators/Consultants

Wedding coordinators is focused on the logistics of the event however don’t usually get involved with the process until closer to the day up until the end. Wedding consultants are a second set of eyes that in theory are double checking what has been done to plan the wedding up until this point and work as the point person on the day of the wedding.  Wedding coordinators confirm vendor contracts, make sure vendor are paid their final payments, create a day of timeline, coordinate guest counts, and such.  Wedding coordinators unlike wedding planners have nothing to do with budgeting for the wedding or earlier vendor contacts. They bring the end game all together for brides as the wedding day approaches.  They usually put in about 25 hours during to help ensure the bride is set up and ready for her big day.

Duties of A Wedding Coordinator

• Meets with the bride and groom about 4 to 8 weeks before the wedding to see what has been done up to this point
• Reviews vendors their signed contracts and confirming the logistics of the day
• Creates a detailed timeline & floor plan
• Complete day of final walk throughs at the ceremony and reception site
• Considers any overlooked details
• Supervises the rehearsal
• Oversees wedding day events

Brides should hire a wedding coordinator/consultant when:

• You want to play an active role in planning your wedding but want help at the end to make sure nothing has been missed
• You are an extremely organized bride that is very detailed oriented
• The budget for your wedding isn’t large enough to employ a wedding planner

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

The simple answer to this question, YES!  If you want to keep your sanity when planning your wedding the first person you will want to hire is a professional wedding planner. 

Preparing for a wedding can turn into a full-time job.  If you are a working bride, like many are, this is a huge time commitment that many people can’t take on without serious assistance.  Every element of planning a wedding from interviewing and hiring vendors, choosing décor, and managing family is important and often overwhelming.  A professional wedding planner can help weed through your options and help make the whole process far more enjoyable than struggling to do it all on your own.

Advantages of Hiring A Wedding Planner

Wedding Planners Shoulder the Responsibility

Tasks related to planning a wedding take up a great deal of time.  When you are working full-time and want to still have a social life, you may find that you just don’t have the time it takes to keep up.  When you hire a wedding planner you are handing off the more time-consuming tasks of scheduling appointments, working with vendors, and the nitty-gritty details of the day itself. 

Budgeting and Scheduling

Most couples try to stick to a strict wedding budget when planning a wedding.  Often times brides that are going it alone stop considering the budget as they become overwhelmed and opt for easy over budgeting.  Wedding planners are here to make sure that doesn’t happen.  There is no need to go into extreme debt to have the day you have always envisioned without stress while making it happen.  Because of the relationships that exist between wedding consultants and vendors they are often able to reach deals that brides alone cannot.  On top of scoring big with industry connections they can also help to make sure that vendors scheduling works into your already tight schedule so that you aren’t missing work or social events in order to plan. 

Inside Knowledge and Connections

Wedding planners are in constant contact with a wide range of florists, DJs, bands, stationary experts, bridal salons, hair salons, photographers, and videographers. After listening to what you want for your day, they can match you with vendors they know jive with your vibe.  This means that you, as a bride, don’t have to spend hours searching Google, scheduling appointments, and sifting through it all.  Another benefit, the connection that wedding planners have with vendors.  This will help with negotiations, paperwork, and contracts.  Fundamentals of wedding planning that need to occur but that don’t need you stressing over them.

New Ideas

Many new brides have file folders of Pinterest pictures of their ideal wedding.  Sometimes they get stuck in a rut thinking about only these visions of the perfect event and forget to stop and consider new, original ideas that can’t be found on Pinterest.  From unique centerpieces, memorable desserts, custom vows, wedding planners are perfect at bouncing ideas back and forth with their brides.  Brainstorming with a professional is priceless.

Priceless Advice and Day of Assistance

A wedding planner is a best friend without the overly close connection.  This is a priceless investment.  Believe is or not, your best friend will not want to hear about your wedding non-stop from the minute you get engaged until your big day.  A wedding planner however, it is their job to be as obsessed about your wedding day as you are.  They can help with meddling mothers-in-law, dramatic divorced parents, bridal shower disagreements, appropriate dates, and everything in between.  When the big day comes a wedding planner literally makes sure you are stress free and that the day you have planned comes to light without a hitch.  She will be there for issues, if they happen to occur, so that you have nothing to worry about expect meeting your best friend at the end of the aisle and committing your lives to one another.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

New Year’s Eve is the BIGGEST party night of the year and the Event Planners at Event Planning DC are here to help!   Not everyone is a “party person” so that is why we are here to help.  Whether you are planning a party at your home or at a location there are a few creative ideas for celebrating with your family and friends. Below you will find some top tips for planning an event to remember.

Snack Trays

Instead of planning a huge elaborate meal consider snack trays to feed your guests throughout the evening.  Cheese, meats, and cracker trays, fruit and veggie trays, nut samplers, chips and popcorn trays, hummus and pita  platters, dessert trays, and more. 

Karaoke

Nobody can resist a microphone!  Karaoke is a crowd favorite.  If you have a speaker, a microphone, and a computer you can have a karaoke party. Whether you choose to sing popular Christmas tunes or piano bar songs people will love to sing along. Karaoke is a great ice breaker and gets people enjoying the moment.

Photo Booths and Props

Photo booths are all the rage and are easier then ever to set up and execute.  Grab a back drop,some basic props and costumes, a camera, and get ready to click away!  A photo booth works for all age groups and is a great way collect memories from your event.

Themed Party

Any type of theme will work, they are all fun and can be inclusive to everyone at the party. Decorations, food, music, and attire can all match the theme to make it legit.  One of the most popular New Year’s Eve themes is The Great Gatsby. If you want something a bit more festive and fun, try a beach party in the middle of the winter. 

Game Night

 This is a great option when planning an event that involves families and people of all ages.  Whether it is board games or competitive Wii competition, or a combination of the two it is a perfect way to gap the age difference and bring everyone together as one. 

Makeovers

This may not be a night time activity but how much better is a makeover party when bringing in a New Year. Start the night with the girls getting your hair, nails, toes, and a purchasing a new outfit for your big evening out. 

Movie/Fort Night

This is a great party event when bringing your family together.  It is a special time for cousins to unite under a massive living room fort and some good movies. 

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.