Northern California Wedding Planner | Entourage to Encourage

Your wedding party isn’t just a group of folks who signed up to look amazing next to you in your wedding photos, these are your die-hards who are going to support you through anything! In the years of planning we have seen the most incredible bonds and lifetime friendships that our couple’s are blessed to have and we want to encourage to lean on those friends. Repeat after us, you don’t have to carry the stress of uncertainty on your own or even just alone with your fiance.

Photo by Sarah Tamagni Photography

Silly wine nights (even over Zoom) chatting way too late or getting a nice walk in while talking to your besties will not only give you a chance to connect to see how they are doing but to also take a break from non-stop wedding thoughts. If you are stressed, they can remind you that you are going to marry the most amazing life partner ever and if you are anxious they can talk you down from running off to elope!

Photo by Wild Native Photography

Friends are the most precious gift in life and we love that we get to remain close with our couples, see their incredible adventures and milestones together and reminisce about their wonderful day. We usually aren’t this mushy we promise, but hey we are missing our normal wedding weekend routines over here! In the meantime we hope you will shoot your friends a text or a call to just thank them for being in your lives and for committing to being by your side in your wedding planning journey.

Happy Planning!

Northern California Wedding Planner | The Unspoken Rules of Being a Bridesmaid

Beyond the dresses, the bouquets and uncomfortable shoes is the unspoken rules of being a bridesmaid.  If you've been a bridesmaid, maid of honor or even a just a close friend to a couple who are getting married than you can probably relate.

Good vibes only

Photo by Jack Vu Photography

From a wedding planner standpoint we get to meet a lot of wedding parties, with that we see the good bad and the ugly.  From the bridesmaids who step up and help make sure the bride is good spirits the week of the wedding, even after countless hours of coffee dates that turn into counseling sessions or late night panic texts about the decor.  We thank you for all of that support for the couple!

Typically we grab a phone number from the bridal party and the groomsmen so that we can touch base without bugging the bride or groom while they are getting ready.  It is a huge help.

Not all weddings have a full service wedding coordinator who is there to handle all of the tasks involved with a wedding weekend.  Offer your help in a task that you can own, maybe if you have a truck offer to help load the couples personal decor on the morning after their wedding, or if you can make sure the bride has her go-bag with her comfy shoes, lip gloss and other handy items keep that close by for photos if she needs a touch up. Just those small steps are a big help.  

Sometimes there are personalities who can take over a wedding day experience for the bride and groom or even a member of the wedding party who has indulged too much and causes issues or damages that ultimately reflect back on the couple.  Not cool. If someone in the wedding party has had to much to drink, try to deflect the situation to keep it away from the bride and groom if possible.

We don't support the bridezilla notion, however it is common for brides to be under a wee bit of stress with all of the activities and planning leading up to their wedding day.  It can be easy to focus on those moments where maybe your friend is not him or herself.  But ultimately if you can put those moments aside and celebrate the couple we promise you will have so much fun.

Our advice to couples is to choose your crew with your heart, but don't over assign tasks that would set them up to fail.  If you would like ideas on what your wedding party can help with ask your coordinator or even your venue/event team to see if there is anything that would be needed.  Otherwise just make it your mission to enjoy the heck out of your wedding day and dance the night away.

~ Happy Planning~

Northern California Wedding Planner | What Your Bridesmaids Wish You Knew

These ladies seriously love you and are going to be your side no matter what, but your bridesmaids wish you knew:

They aren't your wedding planner, your florist, or your clean-up crew!

Understandably, your bridesmaids and/or MOH will want to do anything in her power to help take things off your plate.  But between having to decipher seating charts, arrange bouquets, set up your wedding decor before hair and make-up or even break down after an event we have seen wedding parties end up in some pretty tough spots! If you can make it work to hire professional vendors, or at a minimum hire a team for set-up and break down your wedding party will thank you!

They are taking time out of their life to attend your bridal shower, bachelorette weekend and your wedding day! 

Give as much notice as possible to allow your wedding party time to ask for time off or make arrangements to travel.  For those who live out of town, try to be understanding and only ask them to attend what they can without the pressure of attending all events (travel adds up! $$.) Speaking of costs, the average cost of being in a wedding is up to $700 when you consider attire & alterations, travel, hair & make-up and wedding gifts.     

Let's talk about bridesmaid dresses..

Bridesmaid dresses and the over all attire can be a point of contention especially when your bridal party varies in age, size/shapes and general preferences.  Not all fabrics, necklines or lengths are universally flattering so really keep this in mind when you are starting to look at dress options.  Also consider the price, and likelihood of additional alterations.  Mixing dress styles and shades has been a big trend which allows each of your bridesmaids to find a gown that works for them and that they may even prefer to wear again.  

Communication is key! 

To keep communication clear, consider creating a private Facebook group for your bridal party. This may also help them get to know each other if they aren't already close.  You can share links to dress styles or even share pictures from your bridal shower, bachelorette weekend etc.  Be careful not overload them with too many S.O.S messages, utilize your wedding vendors as much as possible rather (that's what you are paying them for!)  

Head Table vs Sweetheart Table

Many couples are moving away from a head table because the majority of their wedding party is married or in serious relationships and would prefer to sit with their spouse/date.  The head table often sits vacant right after the toasts and first dance and ends up just being a coat hanger for the tux jackets! A sweetheart table can be a great alternative and you can seat your wedding party and immediate family and reserved tables nearby.  (You will likely save money on full drop linens as well)

Make the most of this special time with your friends

If you can plan in time just to hang out like a day pool side with your gals, or a silly slumber party, lunch out (with no wedding talk) etc you will make lasting memories with your friends.  Ask them about whats new in their lives, catch up and connect with them as much as you can.  It seems like a no-brainer but when you are deep in the trenches of planning it is easy to slip into wedding mode.  

Happy Planning!