Featured Article

January 2007

Wedding Planners... More than a luxury... a Necessity!

You are about to plan one of the most important days in your life and most likely the largest party you will ever throw…so where do you begin? How do you make sure everything goes as planned and that you and your guests have a great time? Today, many couples are taking advantage of the benefits of hiring a professionally trained wedding planner. In the past, this was considered a luxury reserved for the rich and famous, but not any more.

Getting Started:

Gaining information from an expert in the beginning of the planning process can save you lots of time, money and frustration. They can help you create your “wedding vision.” Is it formal, simple, elegant, casual or trendy? You will learn ways to create a wedding that is uniquely yours and reflects the personalities of both you and your fiancé.

Once you and your planner have the vision in place, you will need to begin discussing the hard stuff…the budget and the guest list. How much will it cost to have the wedding you want? Will your parents (both bride and groom) be expected to contribute? How many guests can each side invite? A professional can lead you through some of these tough questions and decisions, making sure you are being realistic about your plans.

You might know how much you have to spend, but how will you know where to spend it? If you buy that certain bridal gown, can you also afford a live band? What wedding vendors are in your price range? A professional can assist you in a creating a “customized budget breakdown” according to your style, your taste, and your budget. You will receive help determining what wedding elements are most important to you and how to best to prioritize them according to your budget.

Your wedding planner will also create a list of “recommended wedding professionals” just for you, usually two to three vendors in each category (photographers, cakes, music, etc.) This will allow you to interview a few, rather than dozens of vendors. You will make the final decisions, of course, but now you are not wasting time interviewing vendors that don’t match your style or fit into your budget.

When these decisions are made up front and a solid game plan is put into place, the planning of your wedding will be an enjoyable experience. The price of a professional planner can be well worth the money for all the advice and direction they provide. Often, you save more than their actual fee, because they share with you their expertise and the some of the best deals in town.

Along the Way:

You have your wedding date. You have selected your ceremony and reception site. You are selecting your bridesmaid dresses, music, and have hired all your vendors. You are now busy finalizing details for the ceremony, and ordering your invitations. You are deciding on party favors and the song for your first dance. Throughout the planning process, it is nice to be able to call upon your planner to gage how you are doing, or if you are forgetting anything. Many times, you may have questions on matters of etiquette or protocol. They will also help you plan for the “what if’ situations and help bring about that “perfect wedding.” This reassurance can be invaluable in times of stress and uncertainty.

The Big Day:

- It’s finally here! All your planning and hard work is about to go into action. There are so many details to put into place. The programs, the linens, the chair covers, the bookmarks, the candles, the bows, the streamers, the cameras, the toasting flutes…you don’t want to be the one (nor does your mother or maid of honor) running around all day, checking up on everything, decorating, hauling in supplies, or answering dozens of questions from all of the vendors and guests. Now should be the time for you to relax and actually enjoy the day by handing over the details to your planner.

Waking up and taking a long shower, having your hair and makeup done, and enjoying the time with your mother and bridesmaids…this is the way to begin your wedding day. You might enjoy a light lunch together and calmly wait for the photographer to arrive, knowing that someone you trust, that knows exactly what you want, will be taking care of all the details.

Your planner will be doing the grunt work: haul supplies, pin and sew, tape, direct, deliver, and decorate. They will represent you as they interact with the rest of your wedding vendors, ensuring that your exact wishes happen throughout the day. They will help make sure that the day stays on schedule. You, on the other hand, are the calm, glamorous bride you have always imagined waiting for the moment when you see your groom for the first time!

Hiring a professional wedding planner, whether it’s for full service, for just a few hours consulting or only the day itself…may be the key to making your wedding a truly splendid experience and the assistance you need to throw the biggest party you will ever have!

Elegant Events by Elisa

Weddings and fashionable events

Elisa Mackenzie is a Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP), one of only two in the Cincinnati area. Mackenzie, a charter member of the Cincinnati ISES chapter, is a past local chapter president and a Past Midwest Regional Vice President. She is currently serving on the local ISES chapter board of directors and is the current Kentucky State Coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultant where she holds the designation of Accredited Bridal Consultant ^tm.

Pictured are Elisa Mackenzie, CSEP of Elegant Events by Elisa and Ellen Shaheen Fox, CMP of My Kentucky Wedding.com. Both are members of the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Photograph courtesy of Todd Nichols Photography