We're Engaged, Now What?
Emmrich Creative Photography
Did you know that December is one of the most popular months for wedding proposals? If you were one of the lucky ones to enter 2022 with a new fiance, then you will want to check out the tips and tricks for wedding planning that we will be sharing each week!
As wedding professionals, we have navigated the planning journey with hundreds of couples and are here to continue to be a partner for you! Collectively, our team has over 2 decades of experience in the event & wedding industry in various cities, so we have seen it all when it comes to planning, executing and enjoying a wedding!
In addition to the tips provided here, be sure to like and follow us on TikTok and Instagram for weekly advice!
Tip 1: Sit down with your new fiance and decide what are the most important parts of the wedding day to YOU. Invest and book these vendors first!
We’ve polled our friends, family and clients and the most popular answers were food, venue and photography!
Remember if you are looking to tie the knot in April, May, September or October, you will want to secure your vendors immediately! These are the most popular wedding months each year. Securing your venue and wedding date will be one of the most important things to do, but you can certainly inquire with other vendors will deciding your location! Unlike catering, a majority of wedding vendors work for themselves (photographers, planners, make up artists, etc), meaning they are not always able to book more than one event per day or weekend.
While many caterers can book multiple events per day, you will want to book a caterer earlier than you think! We limit the number of events we book on any given day to ensure we are providing an exceptional service to each client. Catering services are often a large portion of your overall wedding budget and we want to make sure your event is not compromised by overbooking. Often memories are created around food. We pride ourselves on working with each of our individual clients to create a customized menu that will leave you and guests wanting more!
Tip 2: Hire a planner! Event planning for the caliber of a wedding is often new to many couples. To relieve some stress through searching hundreds of vendors, contract negotiations, timelines and coordination, we always suggest hiring a planner! A well-seasoned planner will be able to provide a narrowed down list of preferred vendors that they have vetted through their time in the industry.
A majority of venues require a day of coordinator. Hiring a full-time or month-of planner will create an established relationship between you and your planner that will provide you with additional confidence that your wedding day will be stress-free and allow you and your new spouse to enjoy the day with friends and family instead of wondering if your timeline is on track.
Tip 3: Having a difficult time deciding between a DJ or live band for the day of? Oftentimes this decision comes down to budget. A live band is typically more expensive than a DJ, but there are additional options to incorporate live music into your special day. Whether you are looking for a string quartet, harpist or guitarist, musical groups like Deans Duets, are an excellent option for your ceremony and cocktail hour before your DJ officially takes over during the reception! This is a great opportunity to not only support multiple local vendors on your wedding day, but have the best of both worlds when it comes to entertainment!