A Good Way to Drive Yourself Nuts:

1.) Book your wedding 2 years in advance and tell yourself that you are going to get everything done “early”.


It’s NOT going to happen.

Your wedding planner and catering manager will try their best to help you get as much done as soon as possible but I can tell you right now, the last 2 months before your wedding there WILL be changes.

The changes may have nothing to do with your planner or your venue, but nothing in this life is perfect and there are many factors and details that will most definitely change. Vendors will need your opinion on an idea or friends may call and ask if they can bring someone. Your wedding will constantly change.

I had a bride who had booked two years at a venue prior to her wedding date and believed that she could have all detailing done a year before the wedding. Sure, she locked down her vendors, secured her space, and detailed as much of the event as she possibly could in that first year.  I started at the venue 4 months prior to her wedding and took over for the previous catering manager. When it came down to it, she couldn’t enjoy herself because she had a notion in her head that “all this was supposed to be done”. She was also a serious nightmare for her planner and for me.

My advice: Go with the flow.  Enjoy the planning process!  Things will change inevitably and you must prepare yourself for those changes.

Types of Wedding Planners

Are you on a budget and are afraid you won’t be able to afford a wedding planner? Or do you have an unlimited budget and want all of the planning details taken care of?


There is a planner to fit everyone’s needs!

Here are some different types of wedding planners and what they can provide:


Full Service Planner
This planner will take care of EVERYTHING! This type is great for brides that do not have a restricted budget. Have an idea but not really sure how to put it into action? This type of planner is excellent for you! Planners love brides like that because it gives them a chance to be creative. You can give them a general idea and they will run with it and create and amazing design for you.

Partial Planners
A little less help that full service, but much more than a day of planner. These types of planners are still great assets and can help you interact with your vendors and give any last minute recommendations for vendors that are still needed.

Day-of Planner
This is most likely the best option for a couple that is on a budget. This type of planner doesn’t walk you through the process but is very helpful on the day of to help coordinate your vendors. Although this may sound like something easy, you are not going to want to have to worry about that on your wedding day. Your wedding is supposed to be fun for you too!


Here is a site of a trusted planner friend of mine that shows what is generally included for all three types of planning: http://www.briannakeboevents.com/services.html


Most importantly: Do your research! Don’t just pick one off the internet because they have a pretty website. Check to see if they are part of an association such as ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) or other national associations. http://www.bridalassn.com/
These associations have protocols to ensure that their planners are the best! Also, ask your friends or family members if they have used a planner in the past that they really enjoyed. Most planners do get their business by referrals.

Do I Really Need a Wedding Planner?

YES, YES, & YES!


While you are sitting and getting your make-up done, do you really want the florist, bakery, venue, and calling and bugging you wondering where they are supposed to go or asking you detail questions?

Also, keep in mind that your catering manager at your venue is NOT your wedding planner!

What are some of the tasks that your catering manager is responsible for?
-Provides venue information and venue
-Set-up and tear down of the event
-Provides the couple with a menu tasting and menu
-Provide couple with a floor plan of the event with his/her knowledge of the property in order to create the best flow
-Act as the go-to person if your wedding planner has questions regarding the venue/staff/set-up

What are some of the tasks that your wedding planner should be responsible for?
-Set-up a complete timeline of your event
-Your catering manager can refer preferred vendors, but your wedding planner most likely has a more vast knowledge of trusted vendors
-Coordinate drop off times with vendors and ensure they find the right place when they do arrive
-Coordinate your entire event while working closing with the Catering Manager
-The wedding planner also stays much later than your catering manager. Generally, the catering manager leaves after the grand entrance or immediately after dinner is served
-Reviews contracts with all of your vendors. This is VERY important. Planners know what verbiage to watch out for and be wary of.
-Planners also know a whole lot about wedding etiquette. Don’t embarrass yourself and make a wedding no-no. It always seems like your fiancé’s grandma catches you on something like that!

Wedding planning is a tough and competitive business. These ladies and gentlemen pride themselves on knowing all there is to know about weddings. It would be in your favor to have one on your special day.



*Definitely can’t afford a planner? To save your sanity, make sure you designate a family member on the day of your wedding to deal with all the vendors, put out any favors on your tables, and speak with the catering manager onsite if he/she has any questions.

Do You Know Your Catering Manager?

Sure, you know your fabulous, awesome wedding planner who is at your every beck and call, but do you know your catering manager? You remember, right? That person you signed a 10-15 page contract with for your ceremony and/or reception venue?

You may think that your catering manager is out of the picture and your wedding planner takes over as soon as that contract is signed. In reality, your catering manager is JUST as important to your big day as your wedding planner. Who do you think your wedding planner goes to when they have questions?

Think of your wedding like a concert: Your wedding planner is the Tour Manager and your catering manager is the Lead Roadie. The CM (catering manager) is behind the scenes making sure the venue is set exactly the way it is supposed to be, all staff is in the appropriate places, and everything is just right at the venue.

It is very important to get to know your CM at your venue. He/She knows the property very well and may know little things that can make your wedding that much more beautiful. It can also be significant to know your CM when it comes to the final bill. Did you sign your contract guaranteeing that you would have 100 guests and now you are only going to have 90 attending? Having a rapport or friendship with your CM may sometimes alleviate additional costs. Obviously that isn’t a guarantee but it couldn’t hurt and it will definitely make your event go smoothly. It also makes it easier for you as a bride when making last minute requests at the venue. If you are friendly with your CM, they are more than happy to rush around for you.