Guest Experience: Hotel Room Blocks & Guest Transportation

When it comes to your wedding guest experience it’s best to think of the whole package. Out-of-town guests are traveling to your wedding, so you want to make sure you make their experience as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Securing a room block and transportation to and from the hotel is the best way to ensure a great experience for your guests.

Tips For Choosing Hotels for Room Blocks

• Call around to different hotels near your venue. Gather pricing options to compare. Take note of what they offer your guests. Do they provide free wifi, complimentary continental or hot breakfast, is there a pool, fitness center, free parking, valet services, in-hotel restaurants or bistros, complimentary shuttles for the guests? You also want to check to see if the hotel is close to good restaurants, shopping, activities and how easy it is to get to and from highways/major roadways? If you are able to visit the hotels in-person to get a sense and feel of the space as well, that can really help you narrow down the hotel options that will be best to offer your guests in the area.

• Look over the hotels check in and check out times. If they conflict with timing for your wedding activities, ask if it might be possible to schedule early check ins or late check outs for your block, as needed.

• Check to see if your room block will qualify for the hotel’s rewards program. Some hotels offer a rewards program that will allow you and your guests to earn points for upgrades and free hotel accommodations in the future. If you aren’t already a part of the hotel’s rewards program, ask how you can join and see what rewards might be possible for joining their program.

• Once your room block has been secured, ask the hotel for a direct link or code for your guests to use to book their accommodations. Adding this link or code to your wedding website will make it quick and easy for your guests to book their accommodations for your wedding weekend.

• I typically recommend setting up room blocks at 2 to 3 different hotels in the area. This allows your guests options to choose from and will allow for more rooms to be secured, upfront, for your wedding weekend.

• A lot of hotels will not allow room blocks to be set up until about 9-12 months before your wedding date. But, make sure not to wait to secure your room blocks. There may be other events taking place in the area around your wedding date so you want to make sure you secure your blocks sometime between that 9-12 months before your wedding to guarantee accommodations for your out-of-town guests.

• Ask the hotel if the room blocks would be secured as a courtesy block (meaning the guests are each responsible for booking their own rooms on their own credit cards and there is no financial responsibility on you as the couple if the rooms do not book) or if they would be book on attrition (meaning you pay for a select amount of rooms upfront and are financially responsible for all those rooms, whether they book or not).

Questions to ask when Securing A Room Block

1. How many rooms can I secure on an inital agreement? Can I add additional rooms to the block, once these rooms book up?

2. What is the cancelation policy?

3. What is the parking situation? Do they offer free parking?

4. Do they offer free/complimentary transportation to your venue? Or work with/recommend a third party transportation company?

5. What are the amenities included for your guests?

6. Can we provide welcome gifts for my guests upon arrival?

7. What is the cut-off date for your guests to book by?

8. If there is still availability, can our guests make a reservations with the discounted block rate after the cut-off date?

9. Is breakfast included for the guests?

10. What activities/locations do you recommend in the are for guests to enjoy?

After you secure your room blocks at 2 to 3 different hotels, you will want to reach out to some different transporation companies in the area who can help transport your guests to and from those hotels. There are a few things you want to make sure you discuss with the transporation company to ensure you secure the right amount of transportation for your guests needs and plan for proper timing for pick ups and drop off. Here are some things to consider with transporation below:

1. How far away is the venue to each of your hotels?

2. Will your Ceremony be taking place during/around high rush hour traffic times? (this may impact how much time your shuttles need to get to and from the venue)

3. What time is your Ceremony set to begin?

4. What time is your Reception over?

5. About how many people do you expect to be staying at each hotel?

6. Would you like one shuttle per hotel or one shuttle that can visit multiple hotels?

7. Do you have any guests who need handicap accessible/ADA compliant transportation?

Once you select the hotel options and secure your guest transportation informatuion and links, make sure you add everything you can to your wedding website. This will help them choose the best options in the area for themselves but will also serve as a great resourse for questions about your wedding weekend. This will not only help your guests make great decisions and feel comfortable and stress free but will also help save your sanity. ;)

Happy Planning <3

Naticia

Organizing, Coordinating, and Managing a Wedding Day Takes More Than Just "Day-Of Coordination."

When it comes to planning a wedding, you may hear the term “Day-Of Coordination” thrown around a lot. This can be very confusing and sometimes people think this means they will have help planning their wedding through their venue and therefore, won’t need a Wedding Planner.

Everything that goes into your perfect wedding day takes months of planning and orchestration. Often times Wedding Planners and Day-Of Coordinators get lumped into the same category however, we have very different roles to play. There is a big difference between the two and I want to lay out the differences between the two types of service.

Day-of coordinatation:

Most venues offer what is referred to as a venue coordinator or event manager. This person's role is to help protect the venue and ensure that all venue rules are being followed. They are employed by the venue and work on behalf of the venue. This person is there to help you with venue questions and sometimes they will take on more of a role with some details, depending on the venue. I have seen some venues offer a helping hand and make sure that all the vendors are in the proper locations. Some of the coordinators will make sure the venue is set up correctly if they offer to use their tables and chairs, they will make sure they are set up to the layout you agreed upon.

Wedding Planner:

A Wedding Planner is hired by and works directly for you. I think this is the most important thing to understanding the difference between the two roles. Your Wedding Planner is more involved with the planning process and all the little details along the way like, assisting you with booking the right vendors, creating a cohesive design for your wedding day, helping you manage your budget and so much more. A Wedding Planner has your best interest at heart, always, and is focused on bringing your dream wedding to life. They have built relationships with vendors and have so much knowledge in the industry to bring to the table and help guide you through each step of the wedding planning process seamlessly. The whole point of hiring a Wedding Planner is to take the stress off you and your partner so you can focus on the most exciting time of your lives. This means they will help you plan out all the details, everything that will help you lead up to “I do.”

there is so much more that goes into the lead-up to your wedding day Than Just the “Day-of coordination.”

When organizing all the vendors, decorations, and the timeline of the day it takes months of planning and prepping and making sure that every little moment has been thought through and planned out with meticulous detail. Having peace of mind that all of these things are in order and are being handled by a trusted professional can make all the difference in the wedding planning process. My hope is that this helps you better understand the different roles that a Coordinator and a Planner can play. There is so much that goes into all the planning, management, organization and coordinating of your wedding day and you want to make sure it all runs smoothly so that you can just be present and live in the moments of your special day!

Happy Planning <3

Naticia

Reasons To Hire A Wedding Planner

Wedding Planning may seem easy from the outside looking in, but in reality, there is quite a lot to it. A lot of engaged couples think that hiring a wedding planner might be too expensive, or a waste of money. They think they can handle the whole process themselves. The truth is, more often than not, couples realize how overwhelming and stressful planning a wedding without help can be and find themselves wishing they had hired a planner much earlier on in the process.

Today I want to share with you reasons why hiring a wedding planner can actually benefit you in many ways and help ease your mind if you are on the fence about what to do.

Wedding Planners are Big Time Savers

It can be so draining adding something as big as planning a wedding to your regular overscheduled lives. It can be like adding a second job to your plate and there are so many moving parts, tasks and to-dos to remember. There are vendors to communicate with, questions to be answered, endless decisions to be made, quotes and proposals to be requested, contracts and deposits to be placed, timelines, logistics and so much more. Everything necessary to plan your wedding and keep up with your normal daily lives can become a huge mental overload and can really take the fun away from what should be a very exciting time in your lives. Wedding planners can help take a lot of these tasks and to-dos off your plate by handling communciations with your vendors, taking care of paperwork, confirming details, creating timelines and planning out all the little logistical components of the day. This can help ease your stress, overwhelm and cut down the amount of emails in your inbox.

Photo by Jess Palatucci Photography

Wedding Planners Have Important Vendor Connections & Relationships

A perk of having an experienced wedding planner comes with the connections and relationships we have made over the years with amazingly talented and experienced wedding professionals. Forget researching for the best vendors out there and spending countless hours searching the internet. A wedding planner can provided you with trusted professional recommendations, options and advice. Providing my couples with the best possible wedding professionals for their big day is something that is very important to me as wedding planner. Knowing that my couples are in great hands with vendors who I know will provide them with a top notch experience is worth it’s weight in gold because I know that their wedding will be handled with the best care possible.

Wedding Planners Help Save You Money

This one might come as a shocker. You might be asking yourself, “You mean hiring a wedding planner could cost me less money?” The answer is, 1000% YES! Having a wedding planner help you with creating and maintaining your overall budget can save you lots of money in the long run. When a wedding planner is provided with your overall budget, we can make recommendations, provide compromise options you might actually like and provide helpful guidance and advice around your budget needs to help you save money and get the best bang for your buck. We can also help you better understand your budget, different wedding costs and where the most value is in different services and providers. So, if the budget is something that has been keeping you up at night, talk to a wedding planner. You might find that they can really help ease your mind but also your wallet.

Wedding Planners Can Help Bring Your Wedding Day Vision To Life

Dreaming up your perfect wedding day can be so exciting! But, pulling all those ideas and inspiration together to flow, be cohesive and beautiful can be hard to manage. A wedding planner, who offers design services, can be like your personal Fairy Godmother! We strive to make our couples dreams come true. As a wedding planner who does offer design services, it is what fuels me to do this job every day and one of the reasons I enjoy it so much! With a degree in fashion and a background in weddings, I specialize in taking all your ideas and inspiration and making them come to life in a big way for your big day.

As your wedding planner, my job is to insure everything runs smoothly and seemlessly on your big day. I take the burden off you as a couple so that you can enjoy your day and all the little moments with your loved ones. The last thing you want is to be getting ready and have someone tap on your should to ask you where the tables and chairs should be set up, or tell you the flowers haven’t arrived yet. If you have a wedding planner on your side, they will take care of all those little questions and details for you so that you can sit back, sip your mimosa, get pampered and relax. You want to enjoy your day as much as possible and take in all those little moments that will become life long memories. Let us handle all the little details so that you can just be present and in the moment.

Happy Planning,

<3 Naticia

Breaking Down The Cost Of A Wedding

Today we are talking about some of the not so fun parts of planning a wedding, the cost. It’s fun to dream up all the beautiful things for a wedding but the reality is that each of those ideas come with a price tag and when you pull all those costs together, they can add up very quickly. Often times couples come into the planning process with no realistic idea of what a wedding actually costs and it can leave them feeling very overwhelmed and in complete sticker shock. So, I wanted to share some helpful information about the realistic costs of some of those larger ticket items so that you can create a realistic budget for your big day. Now keep in mind that the pricing of venues and wedding professionals can range greatly depending on the area/loction, their experience/knowledge/licensing and certifications/education/years in business, etc. but, this should give you a good idea of where to start with your budget. As I am a Wedding Planner in the Philadelphia suburbs, the numbers I am providing below are based on the price points and averages that I tend to see in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Venue

The cost of a venue can vary greatly depending on the location, the size, what is included and not included, etc. But, expect to spend somewhere between $2,500 to about $8,500 for the venue fee alone.

Caterer

Your food and beverage costs are usually the highest ticket item. Usually 45 to 50% of your overall budget. You need to provide your guests with food and beverages so it’s a necessary part of the day and the budget. Most food and beverage costs are calculated based on a per person price. So, the more people you have in attendance, the higher the price. Expect to spend between $95 to $250 per person for food and beverages, depending on the caterer, their menu options, the area/venues they work in, the style of service (meaning buffet, plated/seated, family style, food truck, etc.) and the extent of their services provided (are they full service meaning they set up, serve, clear plates and trash from tables, fully bartend, take out the trash, clean the space afterwards, etc. or do they just serve the food and nothing else). There are definitely less expensive options out there, such as food trucks, which can offer your guests delicious food options and a fun and exciting dinner experience. However, remember that you will still need people to help clear tables and trash and you will need RAMP certified bartenders to help serve alcohol to your guests. Keep this all in mind when you are budgeting for food and beverages.

Photography/Videography

Again, this is a service that can vary greatly in pricing. Photography and videography pricing can very much vary depending on a few different factors such as the area they work in, their education/knowledge, their experience/ their years in business and more. For a quality photographer or videographer, expect to spend anywhere between $4,500 to $10,000. Some companies offer the option of booking both photography and videography through the same company as a bundle deal which can often times save you a few hundred dollars. The photos and video are the things you will have to look back on for years to come and rememeber your special day so make sure you find a good quality photographer and videographer who fits your needs, style and your budget.

Hair & Makeup

Hair and makeup artists can also vary in pricing depending on their education/experience/years in business as well as the size and experience of their team and the type of products that they use. For Bridal hair & makeup, expect to spend between $150 to $350 per service. Most Bride’s hire a hair and makeup team to help get them ready for the big day as well as their wedding party and special VIP’s such as mothers, grandmothers and sometimes even flower girls. Your wedding party and VIP’s should be prepared to pay between $95 to $200 per service. If you are wanting to add the option for your wedding party and VIP’s to get ready with you, talk with your hair and makeup artist to discuss how many stylists will be needed for your group and whether you are all coming to their studio/salon or if they are coming to your getting ready location as they may require additional service, travel and parking fees.

DJ/ Band

Bands and DJ’s usually cost very different amounts. DJ’s tend to be less expensive options and typically range between $1,250 and $2,500. Bands however, can often cost between $6,500 to $12,000 or more depending on how many musicians and singers are in the band. The larger the band, the higher the cost.

Florist

Flowers are something that vary greatly. This can depend on the type of flowers, the amount of florals and greens you are needing, your guest count and size of your wedding party, the season, the florist’s style and their minimums (a lot of florists do have a minimum cost so make sure you check into this information to see if they will be within your budget before inquiring with a florist). Expect to spend anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 on your florals for your wedding. If you are looking to keep costs on the lower end of this price range, talk with your florist or wedding planner about options to cut costs but still keep the look and feel you are going for.

Wedding Cake

Wedding cake costs can also vary greatly depending on your guest count, size of the cake, style and design of the cake, flavors options and delivery and set up fees. A lot of couples these days are opting to do a smaller cutting cake that is meant more for just photos and not meant to feed their whole crowd, or opt to not do a cake at all. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you talk to your caterer about offering other dessert options for your guests instead. Smaller cutting cakes (meaning a 1-2 tiered cake) typically tend to cost between $150 to $400. If you opt to do the full size wedding cake to feed all your guests, expect to budget between $450 to $850.

Wedding Attire

Wedding dresses/gowns will vary as well depending on the designer, the materials, the quality, etc. On average, wedding gowns can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 (or more). Make sure you give yourself a realistic budget for your needs and come into your appointment prepared to stick to your budget. You also want to make sure you factor in things like your alterations and accessories. Alterations typically cost between $450 to $1,200 so make sure you budget for that. Wedding party dresses typically tend to cost between $95 to $500 and your ladies should prepare to spend between $50 to $250 on their alterations as well (depending on what they need to get done). For the guys, suits can be rented or purchased, depending on the look and style you are going for. Rented suits typically range between $150 to $250 and purchased suits can often range from about $200 to $500 (or more, depending on how custom you go with the look).

According to some of the larger wedding sources online, the average cost of a wedding is $30,000 however, this is a very basic overall average that does not factor in things like different areas and demographics, style of a wedding or guest counts. All of those facotrs will play a major role in your overall budget for your wedding so make sure you do some research on local wedding venues and professionals prices before deciding on an official overall wedding budget. Having a Wedding Planner to help you navigate this process can help you better understand your budget, better manage your budget and help you get the most bang for your buck.

I’m hoping this blog will help you better prepare for your wedding day costs and expenses and help you create an overall budget that works for your wedding needs and leaves you with less stress and overwhelm when it comes to talking price. When you have more information upfront it will help you better navigate difficult conversations like; where you want to cut the costs and where you might want to splurge. Your overall budget matters in making these decisions and it helps to have these conversations early on so that you can make sure that you and your partner are on the same page.

Happy Budgeting and Happy Planning!

<3 Naticia

Tips For Creating Your Wedding Guest List

Photo by Lovestruck Pictures

Let’s face it there are fun things to plan when it comes to your wedding and there are a few tasks that just aren’t as fun. I know for most of my couples at the top of that list are planning out their guest lists. Since this can be such a daunting task I thought I would give you a few tips and things to consider, to make it a bit easier when it comes to tackling your guest list.

How many people Do You Want To Invite?

This is probably the single most important factor when planning your guest list. Before you start searching for venues for your wedding, you will want to get a better idea of this number first. So, sit down with your partner and write up an inital list of all the people you want to invite to be a part of your special day. Once you know that number, you will be able to start looking at venue options that can accommodate your guest count in the area you are planning to get married in.

Once you are able to start looking at different venues and catering costs, you will get a better idea of what your per person cost will look like. Your food and beverage costs will be the bulk of your budget and is based on your guest count. So, the more guests you invite, the higher the cost. This will give you a better understanding on some of the main costs for your wedding and will help you determine if you need to cut your guest list down a bit more to better accommodate your budget needs.

Set some ground rules for inviting people

Why would you need ground rules? Well, because just writing names down of people you know can pack your list very quickly. Talk over some non-negotiable guests that mean the most to you. This doesn’t mean let’s get the whole high school reunion together, or the entire neighborhood. Create some simple rules to help weed the unnecessary invites out at the very beginning.

• Haven’t spoken in X amount of years.

• No children under 12 allowed - or whatever age works for your wedding plans

• Never met before

• Parents of the Bride/ Groom have a certain amount they can invite if helping pay for the wedding (keep this limited or your guest list can very easily get way out of control)

These are simple examples of some ground rules that can be put in place to help you keep your list under control while writing it.

Make an A, B & C List

Creating lists of A - absolutely must be invited, B - would like them there but only if the budget and space allow, and C - invite only if you need to feel more seats, will help you narrow down your guest list as well. So, for example, you can add people like your immediate family members, grandparents, close aunts/uncles/cousins and all your closest friends to list A. Then on list B, add people like your extended aunts/uncles/cousins, some co-workers, etc. On list C, add people like additional co-workers, neighors, your parents friends, etc. Whatever this might look like for you. Focus on the number on list A first. If you decide you would like to expand your budget or invite additional guests, then take a look at adding list A & B together, and so on.

Remember that when inviting people to your wedding not everyone is going to be able to make it. Allow for about a 15% to 30% rejection and just know that is completely normal. It could be a popular wedding weekend or they have already accepted another invite. With that being said, always have at least a B list - basically your backup list. This way when you receive a decline on your A list, you can automatically send out another invite to someone on the B list. Now, just a little reminder they don’t need to know that they are on the B list. You aren’t looking to hurt feelings with this so keep it as a list that is just for you and your partner to keep between the two of you. Creating lists like this are not meant to hurt feelings or cause riffs between loved ones but can simply help you plan out and stick to your wedding needs and your budget better.

Photo by Lovestruck Pictures

Dont forget Etiquette

If you have invited anyone to your engagement party or wedding shower they should also be invited to your wedding. They have already established investment in your big day and it would be rude to not include them at the wedding. So, with this being said, keep that in mind when you are planning the prequel parties as well. Make sure you create the intial guest list before inviting anyone to any of the celebrations and festivities. That way, if you are thinking about inviting someone you may not want on the actual wedding guest list, you don’t want to invite them to the other festivities either. It’s a good rule of thumb to keep in your back pocket to keep proper etiquette in mind.

You Can’t Nor Do You Need To Invite Everyone

You may get some people in your life that will ask about your wedding, on the regularly and even ask whether they are being invited or not. Just because they are asking about your wedding does mean that you are obligated to invite them. It can be hard sometimes to tell people that they aren’t invited to your big day but, you can have a planned-out response of what to say so you don’t feel so bad about not inviting them. Stick to the choices you made, the numbers you need to stick to for space and budget and remember you simply just cannot invite everyone. And, it is ok to politely let someone know that you can’t invite everyone. You can say something like:

"Unfortunately, the venue doesn’t have enough space for more guests than we have already committed to. We wish we could invite everyone we know but there just isn’t that kind of space.”

Or even something like:

“We are keeping things small and intimate so we are only inviting a limited amount of people to our wedding.”

Just remember this day is about you two and the celebration of your love. If you could/wanted to have absolutely everyone there you would but you planned your dream wedding and there are realistic limitations on things like space and budget. Be confident in your decisions and stick to your guns. At the end of the day, when you look out over the crowd of people who are celebrating with you, it should be a room full of people who make you both smile and feel loved.

Photo by Lovestruck Pictures

Happy Planning <3

Naticia

How To Make Sure You Have A Relaxing Wedding Morning

There is one day that you actually get to feel like a fairy tale princess and that day is your wedding day. waking up on your wedding morning it is normal to feel excited and anxious. I wanted to share some advice on how to make sure you can relax and enjoy the process of getting ready for your big day and start your day off right.

Sweet Dreams

A good night’s sleep is the best way to start your wedding day. Getting a good quality 7-8hrs of sleep the night before the wedding will help you wake up feeling well rested and get things started off on the right foot. If there is drinking involved while spending quality time with your wedding party the night before your wedding, make sure to limit your alcohol intake, drink lots of water along with the alcohol and get yourself to bed at a decent hour. You don’t want to be hungover or exhausted the morning of your wedding.

Before you head off to bed, make sure to have your dress, shoes, undergarments and accessories layed out and ready to go the night before. This will help you get organized so you are prepared for the mornings activites and can sleep better knowing everything is all ready to go.

Agenda is key

Create a plan of action for the morning/afternoon activies and share this with your Wedding Party and your VIP’s (parents, siblings, close friends and grandparents) to make sure they all know where they need to be and when on wedding day. For example, if you are having hair and makeup done for all the ladies, make sure you let them all know what time hair and makeup starts, where it is taking place and to come with clean, dry hair and faces. Most of the time, couples will opt to doing “getting ready” photos during this time so, your photographer will want to show up and take some photos in the getting ready space. Designate 1-2 of your wedding party members to be responsible for room cleanup to ensure you have a nice comfortable space for photos and also make sure everyone knows what time they need to be done with their hair and makeup/dressed. Keeping your Wedding Party in the loop on the plan of action/agenda on the morning of will ensure more of a team effort is taken to keep things smooth and comfortable.

Delegate

It’s ok to delegate certain tasks and to-do’s to trusted Wedding Party members to help you keep things on track and running smoothly on wedding day. In addition to delegating the task of tidying up your getting ready room for photos, you can also delegate the ordering/setting up food/beverages for everyone in the space. You will want to make sure that you and your Wedding Party are all drinking lots of water as well as eating on the morning of the wedding, this helps control hydration; sugar levels; stress; anxiety and attitudes. You can also delegate someone to ensure all your detail items like your shoes, jewelry, invitations, rings, etc are all together and ready to go for the photographer when they arrive. Also, delegate someone to be your point person during the morning off who will handle any phone calls, texts and questions vendors or Wedding Party member that will come up while you are getting ready. The last thing you will want to do is answer the phone or respond to a text while you are getting pampered. Hand the phone off to a trusted friend or family member and just enjoy the morning.

Bridal Bag Checklist

Make a checklist of all the things you want/need to bring for the morning of your wedding. This will make it easier to not forget things when you are packing and just give you a clearer mind. Below is an example of some things you might want to include:

• Wedding Dress

• Bridal shoes

• Bridal Undergarments

• Veil/Headpiece

• Bridal Lingerie

• Wedding Rings

• Jewelry/Accessories

• Pj’s

• Getting Ready Robe/Shirt

• Music Player & Fun Playlist

• Champagne & Glasses/Cups

• Snacks

• Bridal Party Gifts

• MOB/ MOG Gifts

• Copy of Invitation

Relax

Remember that this day is something that you have been planning for months or even years and it’s special day just for you and your partner. Everything at this point has been planned and put together, trust that the people you hired will get the job done and just enjoy every moment of the day. Enjoy being pampered, dancing/singing with your closest friends and family and soaking in all those special memories while you excitedly wait to marry your soul mate. The day really does go by so fast so make sure to live in the moments and set yourselve up for a smooth and relaxing morning!

Happy Planning <3

Naticia

Buffet vs Sit-Down Dinner

Photo by John Malloy Photography

When choosing the meal for your wedding, the number one question you have to ask yourselves is whether you will be choosing a sit-down or a buffet style dinner. Both options offer their own sets of pros and cons so it will come down to what feels like the right fit for your wedding style and your guests. Today I want to share with you the difference between the two options as well as some pros and cons of each to help you make this decision easier for your wedding.

Sit-Down Dinner

This option is the more formal option of the two. A sit-down dinner means that your guests will be served their own individual meals at their table by servers and will not need to leave their seats to get their food. This option does require a bit more work on your part, as the couple, and your guests ahead of time. Sit-down dinners typically requires your guests to select their main course when they send back their RSVP. This means that your RSVP cards need to include a section for your guests to make their entrée selections. Your wedding day menu may include multiple protein options (usually 2-4) for the guests to choose from such as beef, chicken, fish, duck, scallops and a vegetation option. A sit-down dinner does require assigned tables for your guests and your caterer will need all final numbers for each entrée option prior to your wedding day. Sit-down dinners do require more service during the dinner hour so the guests will be served their meals at their seats and the servers will need time to serve each entrée and then clear them all as well so keep that in mind as you plan out your reception formalities.

Pros of a Sit-Down Dinner

Photo by Yael Pachino Photography

• It is a more formal way to serve dinner.

• Guests are served their own individual pre-selected meals.

• It makes for a more elegant look and keeps the flow of things moving a bit more smoothly then with a buffet style event.

• Formalities can be staggered between service of your first course and the main course.

Cons of a Sit-Down Dinner

• It requires extra work on the back end to plan out assigned tables and gather all guests pre-selected meal choices.

Buffet Dinner

This option is slightly less formal than a sit-down dinner but still offers your guests a great dinner service! You are able to pick a variety of options on a buffet and the guests can choose what they want to have for dinner, on the spot instead of deciding ahead of time. Usually, your DJ/MC, Catering Manager or Wedding Planner will call up the tables, one at a time, to get in line for the buffet so that the line doesn’t get too long. Guests are then typically given the option, once all the guests have been served, to grab seconds. Dinner tends to take a bit longer with this option because of the staggard serving style but your DJ or Band can play some great dinner music to keep the guests engaged.

Pros of a Buffet

Photo by John Malloy Photography

• A wider array of food options can be served to allow for guests personal preferences.

• Second helpings can usually be accommodated for any guests who might like another round at the buffet.

• There is less work ahead of time on your part as you won’t have to have each guest’s pre-selected entrée selection determined before the wedding day.

• Buffet dinners allow for more open and casual seating arrangements so the guests can sit where they would prefer instead of an assigned table or place setting.

• It gives you more time to make your rounds to each table during dinner service to say hello and thank your guests for coming.

Cons of a Buffet

• Your guests will have to wait to be called up, table by table to the buffet. It can take some time and can make guests a little antsy.

• It is the less formal option of the two so if you are looking to host a more formal event, buffet style might not be the way to go for your wedding.

• Dinner service can take a bit longer to complete to ensure all tables have had the opportunity to enjoy the buffet. So, this can delay formalities and dancing a bit.

Photo by Nate Heckenberger Photography

Each of these options have their drawbacks and their benefits however, both options offer an opportunity for a wonderful dinner experience for your guests. It will come down to which option better fits you as a couple and your wedding day style and vibe and will mesh well with the flow of your wedding day. It’s your day, plan it your way!

Happy Planning,

Naticia

Wedding Invitations - The Front Cover to your Wedding Day Story

Wedding invitations are often an underestimated and undervalued part of the wedding planning process. But, they really shouldn’t be. They actually play a very important role in your wedding planning story.

Think about your wedding as a beautiful love story that is just waiting to be brought to life on your special day. When you are selecting a book to read, you look at the cover first, right? We all love pretty pictures! Visual images help us understand creative ideas and help pique our interest in things. Well, couldn’t this apply to your wedding too? Of course, it can! You’ve worked so hard to bring each piece of your wedding together to create this perfect, cohesive and unique event. Now, it’s time to get your friends and family excited about your love story! You can help bring that excitement through your invitations.

When your guests receive your wedding invitation in their mail or inbox, it is their first glimpse into your wedding story. They open the envelope to find a beautifully crafted invitation of hand-selected paper, font, color, design, and style. All these individual parts that make up your invitation are an opportunity for you to add your own unique style to the overall design. Think about what your guests will see when they open that invitation. Will they see elegance and simplicity, clean lines and modern vibes for your upscale city art loft-themed wedding? Or, will they see a rustic cut-edge paper with vines of greenery framing out the casual font for your rustic barn wedding? Or, will they see a classic style font surrounded by colorful floral patterns and rose gold foil details for your elegant flower garden wedding?

Your wedding invitation should convey the theme and style of your wedding perfectly! It is also what tells your guests the important information like who, where, and when and helps them understand the recommended attire.

My client above created the perfect brand story with their invitations and the vision of their beautiful day to convey a colorful, retro tropical vibe to the guests of honor. When their guests received the invitations they were given a perfect front page view of the couple’s style and what type of vibe they would expect to see at the wedding itself. This is a great example and wonderful inspiration to dream up your own storybook cover page for your guests. Just remember when selecting your colors and theme to be true to you and your significant other. Your style is always the best style and that’s what your guests want to see!

Happy Planning,

Naticia