Wedding Planning Tips + Tricks: Perfecting an Imperfect Process
We are the co-owners and principle planners of A & L Events, a Pittsburgh based wedding + event planning and design boutique. If you are interested in learning more about us, feel welcome to give us some internet love here: www.aandlevents.com.
Ok, ok. Enough about us, right? You’re reading this to gain insight on a subject the majority of people seem to dread. DUN DUN DUN -- wedding planning! Really, it’s not so scary and we’re here to share our tips & tricks on how to streamline and perfect this seemingly daunting process. Without further adieu..
Special treat for you all today! I have Antoinette & Lauren from A & L Events here sharing their expertise in wedding planning. I’ll let them take it away!
Wedding Planning Tips + Tricks: Perfecting an Imperfect Process - The 5 C’s
Hey there, friends!
We’re glad you’re here on the talented Kathryn Hyslop Photography’s blog. We love our dear Katie, so when she asked us to contribute a feature, we of course told her to count us in!
Allow us to introduce ourselves. Our names are Antoinette Yelenic and Lauren Virgin. First and foremost, we are (and have been) best friends, who happened to take a chance on what was initially thought to be a wild dream to become wedding + event planners and designers. Well, turns out we’re making that wild dream into a wonderful reality. We are the co-owners and principle planners of A & L Events, a Pittsburgh based wedding + event planning and design boutique. If you are interested in learning more about us, feel welcome to give us some internet love here: www.aandlevents.com.
Ok, ok. Enough about us, right? You’re reading this to gain insight on a subject the majority of people seem to dread. DUN DUN DUN -- wedding planning! Really, it’s not so scary and we’re here to share our tips & tricks on how to streamline and perfect this seemingly daunting process. Without further adieu..
1. COUPLE UP
You’re engaged, congratulations! Brides, this doesn’t mean that you take full reigns and hit the ground running. We say this in the sweetest way possible: remember your hubby-to-be too. While some grooms say they’re fine with their lady taking charge of the process, we say that it should be a team effort. Always consolidate with your partner about what they desire from their big day. Yes, sometimes this means compromise, but hello you’re on your way to the altar, a life of compromise is ahead so you might as well learn to master the craft while you’re ahead! In all seriousness though, we really believe the basis of an enjoyable wedding planning process is teaming up with your love and remembering this day is solely about the both of you and the lifetime vows you commit to one another. At the end of the day, no one is going to critique your choice of linen or bouquet style (this means a lot coming from the mouths -or, fingers - of planners), and by the end of your wedding day, you may not care too much about it either because guess what? You just won big - you married the love of your life!
2. CURATE
Once you committed on C numero uno, it’s time to get those brains working. During this phase, it is imperative to lay out exactly what you want and envision for your wedding day. And better yet, sometimes, it’s extremely helpful to lay out exactly what you do NOT want. Start by asking yourself these questions:
What feeling do we want to project with our wedding day?
What aspects of our personality do we want to evoke through our wedding day?
Is there a theme or aesthetic we want to encompass?
What are the top 3 aspects we care about most?
What are the top 3 aspects we care about least?
In what ways do we want to accommodate and take care of our guests?
What is the budget we plan to stick to? (Pro tip: whatever you budget, add a $10k buffer to allow for unforeseen costs)
How do we best allocate that budget to maximize the most from areas we want to spend more on?
Do we plan on DIY planning or partnering with a professional?
Once you have a solid ground basis on how you’d answer the questions above, you can begin to move forward and be better able to approach the next step.
3. COLLECT + COMPARE
Just when you thought your college research skills were done and over with! This is a crucial step to the planning process. In a nutshell, gather all necessary information possible. No biggie right? This is the phase when couples seek the expertise + assistance from a planning pro. We often see couples get intimidated by all the different vendors, venues, caterers, rentals and endless event options offered in today’s market. One of our main roles as your wedding planner is to research, receive and review the information you’re inquisitive about or interested in booking for your big day. The key: collect as much material as possible, and then compare. We recommend doing this for your ‘high profile vendors’ - which in our opinion are your venue, caterer, photographer and floral designer. If you nail those four vendors, then the chances you’ll have a magical wedding with beautiful images to forever reminisce on our high.
One more thing to touch on when you compare vendor information, do not just compare the price. While this is hard for most people (even us at times), we truly believe you get what you pay for. So, take into account more than just the cost - consider the quality of work, the provided staffing, the package inclusions, the services, etc. Are you in the midst of this now and looking for professional involvement? Check out our services here: http://www.aandlevents.com/services-1.
4. COORDINATE + COMMUNICATE
At this point, you either brought in a pro planning team or have decided to venture on solo - and if you’ve decided to venture on solo, you may start to consider a wedding coordinator, but don’t wait too long! This is where wedding planning gets a bad rap. But, with the proper organization it can become somewhat invigorating. Or are we the only weirdos that think so?
Firstly, we suggest that you create different email threads for each of your booked vendors. In example: Smith + Jones Wedding | Floral Designer or Smith + Jones Wedding | Catering. This way, when you are conducting correspondence, you can keep all communication streamlined and in one place. In addition to this method, we recommend using the same thread subject to create a spreadsheet or notebook with all directly related information such as; contracts, contacts, order details, invoices, payment schedules, timelines, etc. This way, it can be easily found and referenced when working out the specifics of coordination.
Speaking of timeline, it is helpful to get an understanding of the day’s flow - time stamps won’t be 100% finalized until a week or so prior to the wedding, but don’t let that make you nervous - this is actually quite normal. All in all, communication is key. Whether it is our job as your planner or your job as self-employed planner, keep all vendors in the loop and update them when necessary, occasional check-ins are always good too to keep lines open. A successful wedding coordination does not happen without successful communication.
5. CAPTURE
You can see the end-zone. You’re almost there. Now it’s time to let all of that hard work come together to create what you’ve been tirelessly putting your efforts towards. So, here’s what we say to this: Capture the moment, capture the feeling. Start living in the moment. Remember the road that led you here. Savor the delicious fact that you get to do life with the one you love. A final check in with all vendors to ensure there are all set for your big day is recommended about one week from your wedding. Make sure your appointed day-of contact is named (whether your planner or VIP guest that you trust and are comfortable with giving this responsibility) and their information is given to all vendors.
A pro piece of advice: don’t let the title of this feature fool you. Nothing is perfect. But it can be if you remember that. Does that make sense? Say it in your head one more time. When you allow yourself to realize that perfection does not exist, suddenly the pressure of perfection fades away and what you see is perfect (regardless if a boutonniere is out of place or if a table is missing a piece of flatware - if you hire a planner, these small issues will most likely not happen (JUST SAYIN’). Now, take a breath and let the celebration begin.
Wedding planning doesn’t sound so bad huh? These 5 C’s are keys to success and they can be yours too! (Of course, they can be even more successful with a little help...hint hint!) Now go enjoy the process and your big day! Cheers!
With Love,
A & L
—
Antoinette Yelenic & Lauren Virgin
www.aandlevents.com
Instagram: @aandlevents
Facebook: A & L Events
The Pros and Cons of Having a First Look
One thing’s for sure when it comes to your wedding day—the moment you see your significant other for the first time, all dressed up for the occasion, is bound to be a memorable one. Some couples are choosing this moment to happen before they walk down the aisle, while others are sticking with the more traditional route and waiting until the ceremony to see each other. There’s no right or wrong choice, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few pros and cons to having one.
The Pros and Cons of Having a First Look at Your Wedding
One thing’s for sure when it comes to your wedding day—the moment you see your significant other for the first time, all dressed up for the occasion, is bound to be a memorable one. Some couples are choosing this moment to happen before they walk down the aisle, while others are sticking with the more traditional route and waiting until the ceremony to see each other. There’s no right or wrong choice, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few pros and cons to having one.
PROS
Take all your photos before the ceremony
Having a first look allows you to get most of the portraits out of the way before tying the knot. That way, after the ceremony, you can enjoy your cocktail hour, mingle with guests, or even eat dinner before the reception! Couples who wait until after the ceremony may miss out on parts of their own wedding or visiting with their guests, especially if the reception immediately follows.
You’ll feel less rushed
Wedding photos with your fiancé(e), wedding party and family will take up more time than you think (and with good reason). Your photographer will want to make sure you have a variety of perfect images to choose from, so you should allow anywhere from 1.5 – 2 hours for pictures. Trying to fit all of that in during a short cocktail hour can cause stress, which is the exact opposite of how you want to feel on your big day. Trust me, your tense emotions will show in the pictures. After the ceremony you can spend some time reflecting on the fact that you just got married instead of rushing to get photos taken.
You’ll feel more relaxed and attentive during your vows
Sure, I can understand thinking that seeing each other before the ceremony will take all the excitement out of the walk down the aisle, but in reality, it will still be just as thrilling. You’re walking down the aisle to get married! How can that moment ever lose its magic? The only difference is that the “first-time” jitters will be out of your system. Your mind will be clear and you can focus on the most important part of the day.
It’s a more intimate moment
When you walk down the aisle, it’s not just your significant other that will be seeing you for the first time all glammed up, all of your guests will be as well. Obviously, you want them to be a part of your special day, but the feeling of seeing each other with hundreds of eyes on you can make the whole thing feel more like a spectacle rather than an intimate moment. A first look lets you enjoy the raw and organic emotions with one another before everyone else gets to see you. You may even feel more comfortable letting your emotions out, since 100 people aren’t all watching you. Plus, their opinion and reaction is the only one that matters.
It makes for some creative & emotional photos
There are so many fun options for seeing each other for the first time. You can walk up behind your S.O., stand back to back, hold hands on opposite sides of a door, cover their eyes from behind—the options are endless! I’ve got some great innovative ideas for your first look, just ask!
CONS
The photos aren’t as authentic
Staging a moment to see each other for the first time isn’t going to feel as natural, bottom line. When you appear at the other end of the aisle, your reaction is going to be pure and raw. Something that’s planned could influence you to react (or not react) a certain way for the camera, instead of showing your truest emotions. When you hear the music, see the guests rise to their feet, and see your fiancé(e) waiting for you, there’s no hiding how you really feel.
It may lessen the importance of walking down the aisle
Walking down the aisle is a staple moment of anyone’s wedding day. It’s often something people picture when they find the outfit of their dreams, “I can see myself walking down the aisle in this”, it’s the moment you share with your parent(s), and the anticipation of finally exchanging vows is at an all-time high. Seeing each other before all of these emotions happen can make the whole thing feel a little less emotional.
You’ll have to be ready much earlier in the day
Since you’ll want to get all of your wedding photos out of the way before the ceremony, you’ll need to push up your wedding day timeline a bit. You’ll all need to be ready hours before your walk down the aisle, which, depending on your ceremony time, could be tough the night after your rehearsal dinner. Skipping a first look allows for a little extra shuteye.
Your wedding day attire might get dirty
If you’re taking pictures with your S.O., family and friends outside, you run the risk of getting your dress or suit dirty before you even exchange vows. Skipping a first look mitigates any unnecessary stress and you can wait until the last possible minute before getting dressed!
You’ll really be married when you take the photos
Think about it, these pictures will be sitting in frames around your home for the rest of your lives. Would it be weird to think that in them you’re not technically married yet? The authentic joy you feel after exchanging vows is absolutely something that warrants taking pictures. There are plenty of ways to schedule your wedding day so that you don’t feel rushed during the photo session, but there’s no way of substituting that “just married” feeling that’s sure to radiate in every photo captured.
HELP! How to Prevent Wedding Day Disasters | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer
Let's talk frankly - on your wedding day, something is going to go wrong. It always does. There's a lot of moving parts to a wedding, and sometimes things just happen. However, if you're prepared, this doesn't have to be a big deal. Usually the issues that arise are minor, and easily remedied. To help you get ready, here are some tips keeping things running smoothly!
Step ONe: Wedding Timeline
Part of having everything go smoothly is having a well thought out wedding timeline (which is why I meet with my clients two weeks before the big day to finalize the details!). If you have a wedding planner, they'll be with you for this! If you're doing it on your own, make sure you ask your vendors how much time they'll need for their part of your day. For example, talk to your hair & makeup artist. How long will they need for each bridesmaid, the moms, and you? Then build in a buffer (at least 15 min) in case things run over! For photography, I prefer we build in 2 hours for pictures (1/2 hour for family formals, 1/2 hour for wedding party, 1/2 hour for the couple!, 1/2 hour for travel/buffer). For photography, this can be split up throughout the day if you plan on sneaking out of the reception for sunset pictures or if you're doing a first look. Be on the look out for a photographer's ideal timeline - coming soon to the blog!
step two: put someone in charge
When something inevitably goes wrong (again, its usually minor!), having someone in charge (who is NOT you) makes a big difference in how quickly it can be fixed. If you've hired a wedding planner, they'll be the go-to on your big day to handle these issues. If you didn't, put someone in charge! This can be your Mom, your maid of honor, or just a close friend that you feel would be able to handle things. Give that person all your vendors contact information, and make sure your vendors know who your point person is! This keeps you from adding more stress on your wedding day!
Step three: Pack an Emergency kit
The day of your wedding, you're going to need some things. Pack a small bag in advance that has everything you might need. If you don't end up using it - great! If you do, you'll be glad you prepared. Make sure your point person for the day is in charge of it!
Here's some things to consider packing. Depending on your day, you may need more or less!
- Sewing kit - many a button has fallen off during weddings!
- Stain removal pen - if something falls on your dress before the ceremony, you may need this
- Advil (or your preferred pain reliever)
- Hem tape & safety pins
- Tissues
- Deodorant wipes - works better & easier than a traditional deodorant when you have your dress on
- Wisps- remember those mini toothbrushes with breath fresheners on them? Super helpful!
- Blotting paper - especially for a summer wedding
- Nail file
- Makeup - especially your lip color for touch-ups throughout the night
- KrazyGlue - you never know!
- Earring backs
- Antacid
- Hairspray (travel sized)
- Lens wipes - if you have glasses (cake getting on glasses is hard to get out!)
- Tampons or sanitary napkins
- Lint roller
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezers
If you don't want to purchase all these items and make your own bag, there are many different "Bridal Emergency Kits" you can buy online! This is one of my favorites, but there are plenty of options to choose from!
STEP FOUR: RELAX!
The most important thing you can do for yourself on your wedding day is to relax. Yes, some things may go wrong. However, what's important is you marrying the love of your life! Let go of the little things, and focus on being present with your new spouse! Enjoy your day, and celebrate your relationship!
PS: A massage a few days before your wedding can help too!
Thanks for reading! If you have any other advice, please leave it in the comments!
Katie
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Why An Engagement Shoot is Important | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer
Three Reasons You Should Schedule an Engagement Shoot
So you are starting the wedding planning process. You found your venue, you chose your wedding party, and you hired your photographer. The engagement shoot is coming up, and you know you need amazing images for your save the dates, and probably your guest book as well. But with all the stress of wedding planning, you haven't really given much thought to your engagement shoot. I think you should - and here are three reasons why!
1: Date Night & Snuggles
The engagement shoot is supposed to be fun! Think of it like a date night. You'll be all dressed up, so take the opportunity to treat yourselves to a night out on the town when you're done with the shoot. During the session, you'll get to snuggle, hug, laugh, and kiss, and it'll be a good time.
2: Unique & Creative Portraits
You've also probably never had professional images taken of the two of you before, so it is something new, and a chance to get people excited about your wedding! You can dress in your wedding colors, or do something completely different. Many times, I have people that want to have an urban vibe to their engagement shoot, because their wedding images will be more nature oriented. Either way, this is the opportunity to show off your personalities, and what you like to do together.
3: Get Comfortable with Your Photographer
During your engagement shoot, you're also doing a dress rehearsal of what your formal portraits will be like during your wedding. You get to learn first-hand how you photographer works, poses, and likes to do things, and you can form a better relationship with them. By the time your wedding comes around, you won't feel awkward at all in front of the camera, since you've done it before!
So schedule your engagement shoot, and have fun!
Thanks for reading,
Katie
