Wedding Planning: 5 Things to Do Right Away

Planning a wedding is an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities and opportunities to bring your dream day to life. In Ocala, Florida, there are several options open to you where you can turn your wedding dreams into reality. Whether you envision a romantic garden ceremony at a private estate or a lavish celebration at a stunning venue, Ocala offers the perfect backdrop for your special day. With a focus on elegance and attention to detail, let us guide you through the process of creating a finely crafted wedding.

When it comes to planning a finely crafted wedding, attention to detail is key. Every aspect of your wedding, from the floral arrangements to the table settings, should reflect your unique style and personality. We work with talented vendors who understand the importance of details and working collaboratively we create a cohesive and harmonious wedding design that wows your guests. Infusing personal touches into your wedding day makes it truly memorable. Whether it’s incorporating family heirlooms, creating custom signage, or designing a signature cocktail, personalizing your wedding experience will ensure that your day is a true reflection of you as a couple. Below we have highlighted weddings from some of our favorite vendors.

Eighteenth Hour Photography

Rebecca and Joel came to Florida with their family from Kansas. We spent six months working hand in hand with them from a distance to ensure that every moment was just as they envisioned.

David and Blair’s New Year’s Eve wedding celebration was a royal affair. Every moment of this entire day was carefully planned and the details were exquisite.

Katelyn Virginia Photography

This Silver Springs State Park wedding did not disappoint with all the colors of spring. Shelby and Joseph’s vision was truly captured in this beautiful landscape.

Floral Architecture

If you can dream it Mary can do it. She is such a talented florist that I know I can reach out to her with the couple’s dreams and she can make it happen. Dawn and Sean knew that a tropical paradise was their vision and she completely delivered on this dream.

Graceful Gardener

Elegance is her game. Taylor Grace can handle everything you need for your wedding day, including an inventory of many wedding day rental needs. Colby and Connor knew that a classic black-and-white elegant affair was the dream for their day. Taylor Grace brought this to life.

R&M Custom Cakes

Marle can do it all. All of the flowers on these cakes are edible. Her exquisite sugar flowers and other sugar details are amazing. If an intricate cake is what you desire, Marle is the person you call.

Chef Yohann Le Bescond – The Equestrian Pasty Chef

Simply elegant cake from Chef Yohann is what you will get when you have a World Equestrian Center wedding.

The possibilities for creating a finely crafted wedding are endless. With its elegant venues, attention to detail, and talented vendors, Ocala provides the perfect setting for couples to bring their wedding dreams to life. By embracing elegance, focusing on details, choosing the perfect venue, working with local vendors, and personalizing your wedding experience, you can create a magical and unforgettable day that celebrates your love story in style. As a full-service wedding planner, let us lead you through the planning process ensuring that every detail of your love story is reflected in your day.

Let’s Start Planning!

Do you want to get married inside or outside? If inside, how many guests can the venue accommodate? If outside, what time of the year brings the best weather? Will the ceremony and reception be at the same venue? These are just a few of the questions you may consider when choosing the perfect place for your day. With endless possibilities, the decision may seem difficult to make and you may wonder if there even is that perfect place that meets all of your needs for your dream wedding – we’re here to tell you there is! Nestled in the heart of north central Florida is the town of Ocala, a hidden gem for Brides of every style! Conveniently enough, Ocala is central to almost anything you can imagine without the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities surrounding it. It is home to numerous venues with an elegant, modern ambiance, but also those with a charming, rustic feel. 

Some of the most popular, but also some of our favorite, local venues to work with include Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, the World Equestrian Center, and Protea Weddings and Events. Given the unique and somewhat unpredictable weather in Florida, something that is noteworthy for each of these venues is that they all offer indoor and outdoor options.

Golden Ocala is a luxurious choice, with the option to create a custom catering menu and accommodations for guests on site.

Photo Credit: Maudie Lucas Photography

The World Equestrian Center is a newer option, and whether you choose the chapel, the Equestrian Hotel, the Rose Garden, or the Event Center (coming in 2025), it boasts an elegant yet timeless ambiance. This venue offers various reception packages, based on your personal needs, each with delicious menu options. There are also on-site guest accommodations available here.

Photo Credit: Eighteenth Hour Photo

Protea comprises a beautiful farm with a historic, 200-year-old barn. The barn hosts all of today’s conveniences with a main hall, a Bridal suite, a Groom’s loft, a kitchen for caterers, as well as an outdoor bar for cocktail hour.

Photo credit: Eleven Eleven Imagery

Regardless of what venue choose, there is something for everyone and you cannot go wrong with any of these beautiful venues! Choosing a location and a venue are arguably the most daunting tasks of planning your day. Whether you are newly engaged or have already started planning your day, let us take some of the stress away! There are so many benefits to working with Blessed Magnolia, the first being the ease of planning. Working with a team who is so familiar with the area and its local vendors and amenities eliminates the overwhelm in the decision-making process, and enables us to match you with trusted vendors who complement your style. Secondly, we have an eye for detail and a planning process that ensures even the smallest of those details are not forgotten! We work very closely with our couples to ensure your day is a reflection of you and your spouse-to-be, and this all starts with picking the perfect venue! Contact us today so we can help make your vision a reality!

Let’s Start Planning Today!

Did you know that when asking engaged couples what they just did not feel prepared for when it came to wedding planning, 70% of them answered the number of decisions that had to be made?

Planning a wedding is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and memorable experiences in a couple’s life. However, the sheer number of decisions that need to be made can often lead to decision overwhelm. As a bride or groom-to-be, you might find yourself lost in a sea of choices, from the color of the flowers to the style of the invitations, and everything in between. This is where Blessed Magnolia comes to the rescue. We specialize in turning your dream wedding into reality while eliminating the stress and decision overwhelm from the process.

We understand that every couple is unique, and your wedding should reflect your personal style and preferences. Our expert wedding planners will sit down with you to understand your vision and guide you through the decision-making process. We’ll help you prioritize what matters most to you, ensuring that your wedding reflects your love story, rather than a collection of overwhelming choices.

Choosing the right vendors can be a daunting task. From photographers to florists, and caterers to entertainment, the options are endless. We have a trusted network of vendors who have been carefully vetted for their professionalism and excellence. We’ll recommend the perfect match for your style and budget, simplifying the selection process and reducing decision overwhelm.

Creating and managing a wedding budget can be a challenging endeavor. We’ll work closely with you to set a realistic budget and keep your expenses on track. Our experience allows us to anticipate hidden costs and make the most of your budget, leaving you with peace of mind.

Selecting the right décor, color palette, and theme can be a daunting task. Our team of experienced designers will help you create a cohesive and visually stunning wedding aesthetic. With our guidance, you can ensure that every decision, from table linens to centerpieces, contributes to the overall ambiance of your dream wedding.

A wedding is a meticulously orchestrated event with many moving parts. We create a detailed timeline to ensure that everything runs smoothly. We’ll handle the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying your special day without worrying about the small details. Our planners are experienced in handling any unexpected hiccups, so you can relax and savor every moment leading up to and on your wedding day.

Planning your dream wedding should be an exciting and memorable experience, free from decision overwhelm. Blessed Magnolia is here to make that dream a reality. With personalized consultations, trusted vendor connections, streamlined budgeting, design and décor guidance, and comprehensive logistical support, we take the stress out of wedding planning. Let us help you create a wedding that truly reflects your love story, with elegance and simplicity so that you can enjoy the journey leading up to your special day. Contact us today to start your stress-free wedding planning adventure!

Let’s start planning today!

Thank you to Eighteenth Hour Photography for the photos captured at weddings included in this post.

Colby’s passion for the timeless “Black and White” theme she had dreamed of for their special day found its ideal canvas at the luxurious Golden Ocala venue. The grand ballroom, adorned with opulent black marble floors, pristine white walls adorned with exquisite trim work, plush black velvet drapery, and breathtaking chandeliers, was a vision of elegance. Every facet of this remarkable day exuded beauty, and within the enchanting ambiance of Golden Ocala, it effortlessly transformed into the elegant celebration that Colby and Connor had envisioned.

The day commenced with the ladies’ gathering at The Equestrian Hotel, where a team of expert stylists worked their magic, creating stunning hair and makeup looks for the bride, her seven attendants, and the mothers of the bride and groom. Meanwhile, the gentlemen embarked on their own adventure, hitting the golf course at Golden Ocala, indulging in a leisurely lunch, and preparing for the festivities in the distinguished Governor’s Room within the clubhouse.

Colby and Connor cherished the idea of a “first touch” rather than a “first look.” With great anticipation, Connor arrived at The Equestrian and was guided to the Rose Garden, where he eagerly awaited the moment he could feel Colby’s hand, a precursor to their upcoming “I Do”s. In a heartfelt addition to this precious moment, Connor’s nana arrived to offer her blessings and prayers for both of them. It was undeniably one of the most profoundly touching moments we’ve had the privilege to witness.

Their garden wedding was a vision of natural beauty, adorned with aisle floral arrangements and magnificent free-standing floral columns framing the altar. Among the most anticipated moments of Colby and Connor’s special day was their heartfelt first encounter as she walked down the aisle. As they exchanged their heartfelt, personalized vows, not a single dry eye could be found among the gathered guests, for their profound love for one another resonated deeply with all who were in attendance.

The reception commenced with a spectacular entrance by the bridal party, leading the way for the newlyweds, Colby and Connor, who followed suit. Inside the ballroom, a breathtaking transformation had taken place, with the aisle florals now adorning tall towers on each table, surrounded by the warm glow of candlelight. The free-standing floral columns found new life as exquisite decorations behind the sweetheart table. At each place setting, guests discovered heartfelt thank-you notes from the couple, expressing their gratitude for sharing in this cherished moment. The seating chart sign was a work of art, and the special photo backdrop, aptly named “The Criles,” provided an ideal setting for capturing memorable moments of the bride and groom.

As dinner concluded, the real celebration ignited. DJ Staz from Our DJ Rocks took command of the music, ensuring the dance floor remained alive and vibrant throughout the evening. From the gleaming, light-up cowboy hats to the dazzling, illuminated foam dance wands, everyone reveled in the festivities, dancing the night away alongside The Criles. This was unquestionably a wedding that will forever hold a special place in our memories. Thank you to Catherine Coons for capturing all of these special moments.

Is a Golden Ocala wedding your dream? Allow our dedicated team to guide you in transforming this magnificent venue into the perfect backdrop for your special day. At Blessed Magnolia, we specialize in comprehensive wedding planning, promising a seamless, elegant, and sophisticated experience throughout your planning journey. Let’s turn your dream into a breathtaking reality.

Let’s Start Planning!

Here in Central Florida is the Horse Capital of the World, known as Ocala, Florida. There are a number of different wedding venues here in Ocala that fit every budget. Today we are going to take a look at a few of our favorite venues that cater to those couples that enjoy the finer details when thinking about their wedding day.

Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club is a venue for those that desire to host their wedding weekend in a country club atmosphere. The clubhouse has a bridal suite, grooms suite, garden or front lawn ceremony areas, an extensive lobby area for cocktail hour, a gorgeous ballroom for the reception, and a beautiful veranda for the evening dance party overlooking the garden and golf course. Want to make a full weekend out of it you can book the pool area to host your rehearsal dinner and welcome cocktail party. Housing is available to rent within the community as well, so that your entire wedding party, family, and friends can enjoy each other’s company the entire wedding weekend.

Front Lawn Weddings offer majestic photography | Photo by: Maudie Lucas Photography

The White Room and The Governor’s Room – space for bride and groom to get ready | Photo by: Maudie Lucas Photography

Exquisite Garden Ceremony Space | Photo by: Catherine Coons Photography

World Equestrian Center offers endless opportunities for ceremony, cocktail, and reception space. There is a charming formal chapel on site that can hold up to 125 for your ceremony. If you are looking for an outdoor ceremony area, behind the chapel is a gorgeous tree-covered space, or look no further than the Rose Garden which is located directly next to the Equestrian Hotel. Cocktail Hour and Reception space opportunities are endless. The Paris Room is an elegant gold and black room where you can host your cocktail hour that can spill out onto the Paris Terrace, followed by your reception on the Stirrups Terrace that overlooks the grand arena. You also rent one of the mezzanine levels inside each indoor arena, as well as one of the expo centers. With onsite hotel accommodations, restaurants, shops, and close to local attractions you can not go wrong with a World Equestrian Wedding.

Chapel Ceremony | Photo by: Eighteenth Hour Photography

The Paris Room, Stirrups Terrace and Grand Arena Backdrop are exquisite | Photos by: Eighteenth Hour Photography

Maybe you are looking for a barn venue to host your wedding day. Look no further than Protea Weddings and Events. This modern, historic barn is a beautiful location for couples that want the look and feel of a barn, but want upscale elements incorporated. This white barn has a gorgeous facade and it is only complimented more by the beautiful interior. The bridal suite is well stated with a place for the bride and her bridal party to get ready. The groom’s loft is a great place for the groom and groomsmen to play cards, hang out and relax. There are two different ceremony locations, under a gorgeous oak tree or in front of the water feature. The outside cocktail space holds a built-in bar, patio area, fire pit, and seating options for your guests to relax while you take pictures. The reception space has beautiful vaulted barn ceilings and beams. Whether you choose to leave the space blank or dress it up more with decor, if you are looking for a barn feel with rustic elegance, look no further than Protea Wedding and Events.

Protea Wedding and Events Barn | Photo by: Eleven Eleven Imagery

When you are looking for the finer details and amenities when hosting your wedding weekend event look no further than Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, The World Equestrian Center, or Protea Weddings and Events. The care that is taken to ensure your every moment is catered to is unsurpassed. Let Blessed Magnolia lead you through the planning process of hosting a grand wedding weekend at any of these beautiful locations.

Let’s talk today!

Maria and Chad were looking for a venue that would ensure they could host their families and friends for an entire weekend-long celebration. Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, in Maria’s hometown, fit the bill perfectly. Family and friends could rent townhomes and homes in this gated community and be close to all the weekend festivities.

Family and friends started to arrive on Friday while the gatherings began. Late nights, laughing, and just catching up were on the agenda for this start of the weekend celebration. On Saturday, most of the family enjoyed time at the pool and golfing, while we prepared for the rehearsal dinner and welcome cocktail reception. The wedding was held on Sunday at the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. The ceremony on the front lawn, made for a grand entrance of Maria and her father, Andy to Chad and all the family and friends. Cocktail hour was held in the entire lobby area of the clubhouse with signature cocktails and amazing hors d’oeuvre. The grand ballroom held the reception portion of our evening and was decorated so elegantly. Maria wanted to mix the tables with both longs and rounds to ensure that we could fit her guest list of 170+ in one room. These tables held both long greenery garlands, baby’s breath garlands, elevated white and toffee rose arrangements, and an abundance of candles. The cake was not a high priority for Chad or Maria, so they opted for a grand dessert station and Chef Alabaugh created just that. When dinner was over, everyone moved out onto the terrace for the most epic dance party that I have witnessed to date. Curate Entertainment and DJ Malike kept everyone on the dance floor the entire time.

Are you considering Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club for your wedding day? Let’s talk and see how we can help you every step of the way getting you from “Yes” to “I Do” while you enjoy every moment.

Wedding Team:

Planner: Blessed Magnolia

Venue: Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

Photography: Maudie Lucas Photography

Floral Designer: Floral Architecture

Entertainment: Curate Entertainment and DJ Malike

Ceremony Music: Anthology String Quartet

Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Reception Rentals: Party Time Rentals

Beauty: Makeup by Sabrina & Truluck Studio

It was the last wedding of the season and it was a true grand finale for every vendor involved. A large tented event on private property with many vendors and many moving parts to bring it all together. The installation timeline was a week-long event all by itself. So many things had to be perfectly planned in order to ensure that the next installation could happen at its scheduled time to keep everything on track. Well, mother nature had her own idea of how things should go. It rained all week, during the three-tent installation, the power installation, and the lighting installation. It was about 36 hours before the wedding and the tents flooded with anywhere from 2 – 6″ of water. The stage and dance floor had already been placed and were now underwater.

At that moment we had to step into our role as the wedding planner and ensure that this issue was resolved and fixed. Moving the tents to a different location that was dryer on the site was our first thought, but the time frame we were left with did not make this a viable option. Our option was to add a subfloor to the tent, but even that was not a guarantee. We knew that the rain was scheduled to stop overnight and remain beautiful for the rest of the weekend. This left us with the hope that the ground flooding would resolve enough for the floor to be the best option. We presented the plan to our couple that we must add the subfloor in order to salvage the use of the tents. Placing tables on this muddy ground was not an option as their stability would be in question and the liability this would hold on them for their guests’ safety is something we would highly advise against. Luckily we had a couple that the budget was available to add the flooring to all the tents. However, we now had to get the vendor teams to work around the clock to add this feature and ensure that all the decor teams that were arriving on the wedding day had things ready for them to begin their installs.

The timeline was adjusted and phone calls were made to every vendor to let them know of the issues and the adjustments we would all have to make the day of the wedding to bring it all together. As a team, we all worked together to bring the vision to life. It was truly a beautiful and magical day. The guests never knew that there were any issues just 36 hours prior and spoke highly of how beautiful everything was. Thank you to Eighteenth Hour Photography for these beautiful photos from this amazing day.

As a wedding planner, this is why I always suggest having a professional behind you for your wedding day. You never know when things will happen that will require many different solutions and adjustments to be made quickly. I would never want a couple to be left with the stress of making this happen 36 hours before their wedding day.

Are you getting ready to start wedding planning? Do you want to make sure that every item is handled, taken care of, and planned? Head on over to Blessed Magnolia’s full-services page to learn more about how we make it all happen. Don’t try to go it alone, let Blessed Magnolia get you from “Yes” to “I Do”. Let’s talk today about your dream day and what it will take to get you there.

Whether you have started the journey of planning your big day or just thinking about it, there is definitely a lingo that goes with the industry. Once you begin to talk with different vendors it is very important to understand their terminology so that you feel confident in the answers you are getting or the information you are receiving. Below we have broken things down with the most common words used to give you an advantage in the planning process.

• To Scale – this refers to the layout drawing of your venue in a CAD-type drawing system that allows your tables, chairs, bars, and any extra items to be added to the floor plan as they would fit exactly into the room. There are many different systems that wedding professionals use to handle this assignment.
• F&B minimum – this refers to the Food and Beverage minimum that a venue requires you to spend to book their facility. Make sure you truly understand what the F&B minimum means to the venue. Ask what their pricing is per person to better understand how you meet this F&B minimum. If you do not meet their minimum you will still have to pay the minimum due established in your contract.
• pp++ – this refers to the price per person plus service charge and tax. Many all-inclusive venues will give you the price for packages listed in a pp++. For example, your venue will give you three different levels to choose from; $130pp++, $145pp++, and $180pp++.
• BEO – Banquet Event Order. This comes from your venue or catering team that gives the details of the items that they are providing for your wedding day. If you are using an all-inclusive venue, this BEO will include everything about the rooms that will be used for your celebration, the breakdown of items needed in that room from the venue, and the breakdown of food and beverage.
• Venue Coordinator – this is the representative that works exclusively for the venue. On your wedding day, they do not work for you they work for the venue, ensuring that the venue is upholding their end of the contract on your day.
• Wedding Planner – this is a professional that you hire to assist with all the wedding day items you would be responsible for handling. There are many different types of planners: Day-of coordinator (aka Month-of Coordinator or Event Management), Partial Planner (aka Event Management plus design), and Full-Service Planner. Below we have broken down the three different types of planners.
• Day-of coordinator or Event Management – you handle all the planning of your day and they step in about 6 weeks out from your wedding day to take over. They will typically work 15-20 hours completing the planning and handling of your day.
• Event Management + Design – you secure your venue and most of your vendors with just a few left to get. The planning starts to get a little overwhelming and are ready to turn it over to a planner. These planners typically step in 4-6 months prior to your wedding day and get to work.
• Full-Service Planner – the thought of planning your big day overwhelms you from the start and are ready to have the guidance and experience of a professional planner to handle all the things. This type of planner, while an investment in your day, can usually save you money and time by knowing all the right vendors to bring your wedding day vision to life.
• Escort Card vs. Place Card – Escort cards are used at the entrance of your reception space to designate your assigned table. These are used instead of a table seating chart. Place Cards are used at the designated seat for each guest. These cards also signify to the catering team what your meal selection is for an efficient service to your guests.
• Invitation Suite – this is a complete package of your invitation needs. This suite typically includes the following; invitation, rsvp card, details card, thank you card, inner envelope, rsvp envelope, and main mailing envelope. Remember to order a few extra so that you will have one complete set for your photographer for wedding day detail shots.
• First Look or First Touch – Do you know the difference? First look is used for couples that wish to see one another prior to their wedding ceremony. This does help get couple photos done prior to the ceremony allowing you to get to the cocktail hour. First touch is a very special moment when the couple will not see one another but simply have a first touch. They will typically have a wall, or a door, or stand back to back so as to not see one another. This allows couples to have a moment to just check on each other and get some of the nerves out prior to the ceremony.
• Golden Hour – this is the time just before sunset that your photographer will definitely want to get couple photos done. It is important to consider the time of sunset on your wedding day when determining the ceremony time so that you get this golden hour perfectly.
• Timeline – this is the document that keeps it all on track. The wedding day timeline should not be taken lightly and is the road map for anyone and everyone that is helping to ensure your wedding day stays on time and everything that you desire to be done gets done.

Understanding these terms will definitely give you an advantage when talking with wedding professionals and navigating the waters of planning. While there are many more terms, this is a good start to give you the basics of what you need to know. Planning a wedding is such a fun and exciting time, however, if you feel overwhelmed seek out a professional wedding planner to help. Many planners offer consultations to get you on track, many can step in and take over from the point you are at, or if you are just feeling like you would like to put it in the hands of a professional from the beginning there are professionals that specialize in this service as well.

Here at Blessed Magnolia, we specialize in full-service wedding planning. However, maybe you are feeling stuck and would like to talk with us about your day to see how we can help. Let’s schedule a time to talk today to see how we can get you unstuck or step in and partner together to get you to your dream day.

Blair and David wanted to bring their families together for a wedding on New Year’s Eve. Now this wasn’t just a wedding that they wanted to plan, they had family and friends coming from as far away as Dubai, so they wanted it to be a full weekend celebration! They wanted to ensure that there was an abundance of food, drink, music, and time for everyone to relax in between each event. It was also important to them that no celebration was held in the same space, therefore utilizing every area of this beautiful sprawling venue, known as the World Equestrian Center. Everyone here at Blessed Magnolia understood the task and just how important the celebration was to Blair and David.

We set off on the planning journey working our way through the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and welcome cocktail reception. The pool deck set the stage for this opening night event.

Wedding day had arrived and rain crept up in the forecast. We had to move the morning brunch from the Rose Garden to the Paris Room. The guests enjoyed mimosas, scrumptious breakfast bites, and award-winning macaroons from Chef Johan.

While the guests were enjoying this lovely brunch; Blair, David, and their wedding party were getting ready for the big moment. Brittany with Eighteenth Hour Photography captured beautiful shots of the detail items and some great getting-ready photos of both Blaird and David.

At the end of the brunch, all the guests were taken to the Chapel for the noon ceremony. The sound of the ringing bells from the Chapels Bell Tower filled the air as Blair and her father were driven by horse and carriage from Orlando Horse and Carriage. There was a light mist but oh my the pictures were so gorgeous. Take a peek at a few of those shots here.

The Chapel was adorned with roses along the aisle to enhance its beauty. Guests were treated to Classern Quartet playing the prelude and processional music. Bibbi Bobbidi Boo was the special song for the lovely flower girl and her bubble wand. The elegance of Blair’s dress and the beauty of the chapel were just perfect.

David and Blair were whisked away by horse and carriage to the Paris Room, where they desired to hold a formal receiving line and greet each guest as they arrived for cocktail hour. It was a grand time for every guest to get this one-on-one moment with the bride and groom. Every guest also got to take a photo with David and Blair as they spent this moment with them. Once the cocktail hour was done, each guest was invited to join the bride and groom on the Stirrups Terrace for the formal lunch. Classern Quartet was serenading the guests during this time. At the end of lunch, the final song played Auld Lang Syne while guests joined in with song. After the cake-cutting, Blair and David made their way to couple portraits while their guests had a few hours of rest before the evening festivities.

Black and white, clean and crisp during the day; black and gold, and party mode at night. Every bit of the decor handled by Graceful Gardener was so flawlessly executed. Outfit changes all around for everyone, including myself, from daytime to nighttime. Champagne greeted everyone as they entered the elevator to head up to the party. Once off the elevator large 2023 numbers and a grand gold and black balloon garland created quite the entrance. There was food, drinks, and entertainment provided by Felix and Fingers. Dueling Pianos is such a fun and entertaining way to get your guests involved in the party and there was no shortage of guests willing to get up and sing with the entertainers. The closer and closer we got to midnight, the pianos switched over to a DJ to keep everyone going until the clock struck 12.

This wedding will always be one for the books for us here at Blessed Magnolia. 12 months of planning, weekly and monthly check-ins, and details for each and every moment that were meticulously planned. Working with Blair and David to make their wedding day dreams come true was a true delight. We are so grateful that they asked us to play such an important role in their big day.

Do you have a big dream for your wedding day? Let’s talk today about how Blessed Magnolia can bring it all to life for you.

Planning a wedding can be a fun and exciting experience especially when you think of the big picture.

However, once you start thinking about all the details, decisions you have to make, and research to be done, it can quickly become an overwhelming experience. This is likely your first time planning a wedding (or an event of this size) and on top of that, you probably have a full-time job or other commitments where you need to spend your time. Sure, you may have a family member that is really good at organizing things and has more free time to help, but what happens when their opinions become too much or the wedding weekend arrives and they want to enjoy the fun?

That is where a wedding planner can step in and help you through the research and decision-making process, keep you on track, and ensure you and your family and friends can enjoy the moment. Wedding planners are experts in the event industry and can be an invaluable resource in what it takes to coordinate an event that is not only personalized to you but beautiful and logistically sound, all while respecting your budget comfort zone. A planner allows you, and anyone else involved in the planning process, the chance to focus on the overall details and what most consider the “fun” parts of the planning process (menu tasting, design, etc.) while they handle the logistics and back and forth details with the vendors involved.

Many planning companies, offer a variety of packages ranging from event management (also known as day-of or month-of coordination) to full-service planning. These packages may vary between planning companies, however, at the core of what all these packages include is ensuring the wedding day runs smoothly. Sounds simple, right? The reality is your planner will spend anywhere from 30-40 hours on an event management package and 150+ hours for a full-service package -and around an average of 12 hours straight on your wedding day alone! Let’s briefly break down the high-level difference between an event management package and a full-service package, and what a planner might be responsible for in each of these offerings:

Event Management:

• Typically steps into the planning process around 3-5 months prior to the wedding
• Assists in communicating final details and logistics with vendors you selected
• Creates a comprehensive wedding weekend timeline to share with vendors as well as you and your wedding party
• Is onsite on the wedding day directing vendors and ensuring the timeline is being followed and the day runs smoothly

Full-Service:

• Is with you from the beginning, sometimes even before you have selected a date and location
• Assists you in establishing a vision and realistic budget
• Connects you with professional vendors to bring your vision to life and will review all contracts
• Communicates all details and logistics with vendors throughout the entire planning process
• Helps create a cohesive design based on your vision and budget
• Is there to guide you during the planning, providing etiquette guidance on aspects such as invitations, family situations, and wedding day flow
• Creates a comprehensive wedding weekend timeline to share with vendors as well as you and your wedding party
• Is onsite on the wedding day directing vendors and ensuring the timeline is being followed and the day runs smoothly

In addition to that long list of service offerings, there are so many more services not listed to help make your wedding day seamless and let your friends and family have the experience of a lifetime. Some of these unknown services are:

1. Sews back the groomsmen’s broken bowtie
2. Is equipped with socks for the groomsman that forgot theirs
3. Steamed or ironed a bridesmaids dress last minute to handle that pesky wrinkle
4. Fashions a bustle out of safety pins and thread underneath your dress when yours breaks
5. Sews your bridesmaid into her dress when the zipper breaks
6. Makes sure you have your room key/phone/wallet at the end of the night before you leave
7. Provides blank notes with envelopes in case you/your partner forgot to write your letter to each other (or a family member/vendor)
8. Helps out photographer/videographer to get the perfect shot (throws veil in the air for a wind-blown shot, holds extra lights, crouches behind you holding dress so it doesn’t get dirty, etc.)
9. Steps in when the venue is short-staffed to ensure service is top-notch. We have truly served meals when the moment called for it.

So, a wedding planner is so much more than someone who shows up on the wedding day and tells people what to do! It’s important to trust your planner and know they have your best interest in mind. They are experts in their field and have seen a thing or two when it comes to weddings.

At Blessed Magnolia, we are a full-service wedding planner. Working with our couples from the very beginning and spending each and every month together planning every little detail of your special day. Let’s talk today to see how we can help you with all the decisions you will need to make for your wedding day dreams to come true.

Let’s talk today about your dream day!