Wedding Planning and Where to Start: 5 Things to Do Right Away

There are so many decisions to make when it comes to your wedding day. You may think that setting the ceremony time would be an easy decision. If you are getting married in a church, the times may be set and scheduled based on the availability of the church. However, if you are getting married at a venue that has both indoor and outdoor spaces, you will want to consider a few factors when thinking about your ceremony time.

1. Do you want a daytime wedding or an evening wedding?
2. Do you want most of your photos taken before the ceremony or after?
3. Will you have a first look with each other prior to the ceremony?
4. What time will the sunset happen on your wedding day?

If you will be hosting a daytime wedding, consider the direction your ceremony will be facing. Will it face the West into the setting sun? If so, the sun may be in your guest’s eyes, making it uncomfortable for them to see. It could also be very hot if outside, to have the sun shining directly on your guests.

This photo taken by Katelyn Virginia Photography was taken prior to sunset. Working together with your photographer and planner makes all the difference in the world for your photos.

If you are having a first look, you will need to consider how early you may have to get ready in order to take photos of this moment and other bridal party photos and couple photos that could be taken prior to the ceremony. Remember that these will need to be completed in time to have the bridal party placed in a location so as to not be seen as guests start arriving.

Depending on the time of year you are getting married, the sun could be setting earlier in the day. Therefore, you will need to consider that your ceremony ends at least one hour prior to the sun setting so that your photographer can have enough light to get the best photos. Below we have listed a few sample timelines to ensure you get the most out of your day and create the perfect ceremony time.

The sunsetting would be one of the greatest factors in considering your ceremony time, that is if you are not on a set schedule already placed by a church or place of worship. If you are unsure what time your ceremony should be, consult with your photographer or wedding planner to ensure you have ample time to get the photos that you want. They will have the experience needed to help you make an educated choice for that time.

Still have questions and want to talk. Blessed Magnolia is a full-service wedding planner, located in Ocala, Florida. Let’s talk today.

So many of our couples know exactly what they want when they think about the subject of a First Look, First Touch, or waiting for the walk down the aisle to catch the first glimpse of each other. Each of them also has their reasons right at the front of their minds why they have chosen to make their decision. Today we wanted to take a moment to share thoughts and reasons from some of our couples to give you insight if you are still trying to figure out what you would like to do.

First Look! Many couples know right away that they need to see each other first before anyone else. They know that the emotion of the day and the anxiousness and anxiety of possibly losing it in front of everyone is just too much. These couples typically go this route. They want to share a private moment with each other, have a moment to take each other in alone, share some words, take a deep breath, and just fall right into the moment. Some couples even opt to read the vows that they have written to each other at this moment, simply because they would not be able to get through them in front of everyone. At ceremony time they bring their vow books to the altar, and the presiding officiant will take them and place them in a memory box for the new Mr. and Mrs. to have and to hold forever.

First Touch! For couples that know they need to get these emotions out prior to the ceremony, but still want to wait for an actual visual until they walk down the aisle. This is typically true for those couples that would like to share a private moment, holding hands around a wall, praying with one another, or reading a letter to each other.

Wait until the Aisle! This is the most traditional of them all. The couples that know they want to have everyone witness the moment that they see their future walking toward them, whether they break down out of pure joy, smile with excitement from ear to ear, or truly start pacing at the excitement of what their future will hold. (Yes, I have truly seen this and it was by far one of the most memorable weddings to date)

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to this subject. Both of you are in charge of this part of your day and you get to choose together what you would like to do. Talk with your planner and let them know what you would like to do, as every decision on your wedding day affects the timeline in one way or another. Timelines are a whole other issue and a future blog will be coming soon.

Blessed Magnolia is a full-service wedding planning company. We handle all the details from “Yes” to “I Do” so you and your family enjoy every moment. Take the stress out of planning your big day and talk with us to see how we can make it the most enjoyable moment of your life. Click here to talk with us today.

So you have booked that amazing venue that you have been dreaming of and then find out that they offer a venue coordinator for your planning process and you begin to check off wedding planner. You have a few phone calls and visit with the venue coordinator and then begin to realize that they are not helping with items that you thought they would assist with. Does this scenario sound familiar? Venue Coordinators are amazing at what they do and will help with many items that deal with the venue. However, if you are looking for someone to take a full-service approach to assist with planning your wedding day, the venue coordinator is not your person. Below we are going to talk about the difference between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator.

Wedding Planners are exactly what the name sounds like. They help you plan and manage your wedding day. They are there from the first day you begin working with them until the day you say “I Do” and based on the friendship you make during your planning time, they are there for you for many years to come. To spell out the difference between the two see the box below for a deeper description:

Venue coordinators are wonderful at what they do for the venue and to keep all the contracted items straight between you and the venue. However, if you are looking for more of a full-service wedding planning experience do not check Wedding Planner off your list. Make sure that you go into the process of understanding the difference between these two great vendors.

Do you have more questions? Would you like to see how Blessed Magnolia could help you with your wedding day? Click the link here and let’s talk today.

Wedding day shoes are always one of my favorite details of a bride’s wedding day ensemble. Every bride is different and has different tastes when it comes to their wedding day shoes. Flats, little heels, tall heels, plain shoes, colored shoes, blingy shoes, and even some keds or converse.

This photo from Eighteenth Hour Photography shows a pair of pale blue low heels that this bride wanted to wear to finish her look. High heels were not her desire but she wanted a heel, so these were the perfect fit. Although Kayla had something blue, these shoes would have definitely fit the bill if she had not.

This fun photo from Eighteenth Hour Photography shows this bride’s fun personality and desire to wear Converse. These were her favorite shoes and when she found a pair that matched the colors of her wedding she knew these were the ones. Anne was able to dance the night away and never worry about her feet hurting. That was truly a very important part of her decision to wear these shoes. I can tell you she absolutely danced the night away and enjoyed every moment of her day.

For Courtney, it was all about the pretty slippers. Courtney and Scott were having an intimate backyard wedding under a gorgeous tree on their property and she could not find the right pair of flats for her day. When she found these slippers, she knew that these were the right shoes for her day. This beautiful picture of her details comes from Brenna Marie Photography.

So there is no right or wrong pair of shoes to wear on your wedding day. It is just all about what your preference is and what you feel are the right shoes for you. If you should decide to go with a large or small heel, make sure you bring a change of shoes for dancing later in the evening so you can enjoy every moment of your wedding day.

Ready to talk about your wedding day? Let’s set up a time to talk about see how we can help you with all the details.

Every wedding is a chance to perfect my skills as a planner and ensure that our couples enjoy and take in each moment of their big day. There are crucial things that have to happen for a flawless wedding day, but what about those extra things that should happen to make it magical and intimate. Here are my top 2 things that every couple should do on their wedding day that are not normally on the radar of those who handle the planning of their day.

1. Take 5 minutes to enjoy your nuptials after the ceremony. You said “I Do”, you kissed, and now its time to take photos. But what if you slipped away after recessing out for 5 minutes to take some time with one another. As a planner, I always ensure that my couples have their favorite drink and some of the hors d’oeuvres from cocktail hour to enjoy this 5 minutes after their ceremony to take in what just happened. Don’t worry, your guests take this moment to move to cocktail hour and your photographer is starting to get everyone ready for photos. So upon your return everyone is there ready to embrace you both in congratulations!
2. At the end of the evening enjoy an intimate, romantic last dance alone in the venue. You have celebrated all evening with your family and friends, it has been a whirlwind of a day, and you are ready to be whisked away to your honeymoon. However, one last dance alone in your wedding reception is just the way to end the evening. As we get everyone ready for your send off, the venue empties out, the lights are dimmed, and the DJ or band will play one last song at your request. This moment to end your evening alone with a sweet dance to remember everything about this day is always a hit with couples.

These two intimate moments are a great way to have special memories that the two of you will share for a lifetime. Whether you are working to plan your own wedding or working with a planner, ensure that you work these into your timeline. These moments are magical and so meaningful, you will not regret making them happen.

Need help planning your big day? Blessed Magnolia is a full-service wedding planning company that helps our couples get from “Yes” to “I Do” by taking all the stress that a family would have planning a wedding day and giving you peace and comfort knowing everything is being handled. It is our motto, “We handle the details, so you enjoy the moment”. Contact us today to see how we can make your day everything you dreamed it would be.

Ok, so you have made it through the planning stages of your engagement and are ready for the big day. But hold on for just a minute, there are so many things to remember to pack for the wedding day to ensure that you have everything. There was something that my photographer told me to have so they could take those amazing detail shots, but what were they.

As couples start to get close to their wedding day, nerves and excitement start to set in. Feeling a little overwhelmed is very common and all the little things that need to get done the week of your wedding seem like a little much. Hopefully, you have hired a professional wedding planner to get you through all these times where you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. However, if you did not, I am here today to share with you the packing list of the items you will need to have to get those amazing detail shots you see on Pinterest.

1. Invitation Suite – bring everything that you used for your invitations including your save the date card
2. Rings – of course, you need those for the big day, but make sure the bride has all the rings for these shots.
3. Jewelry – any jewelry that you may be wearing on this day really makes those detail shots amazing.
4. Florals – make sure your florist brings a few extra flowers for these shots. Also, make sure your bouquet is being delivered in time to make it for these shots as well. Bouquets work great for the placement of your rings, for some amazing detail shots.
5. Ribbon or material – you would be amazed at what a piece of material or ribbon in the colors of your wedding will do for your detail shots.

While there are many other things that you could bring for your detail shots these are the must-haves so that you end up with some amazing pictures of these items. If you are still unsure about items that you should pack for your wedding day, click here to get a free copy of my wedding day packing list that I give to all of my brides to ensure they are ready.

You are engaged! You are ready to start planning your big day but where do you start? Do you know what vendors are the best to take care of you and your needs? You ask your friends, relatives, and start doing social media searches for vendors in your area to help make your day everything. But wait, do you know that these are the right vendors, have you vetted them to be sure that their reviews are accurate? What are you to do, where are you to begin?

The first vendor in that search should be a professional wedding planner. When you hire a professional wedding planner, you can bet that this individual has done the vetting for you. Most planners will recommend vendors to you only after you have had a meeting or two with them. They take your thoughts, dreams, moments of the day, and every detail you have shared and use that information to recommend the perfect vendors to make your dreams come true. The experience that a professional planner brings to your day makes it a stress-free process. This includes the time spent with vendors, watching them work, understanding their process, their pricing, as well as their ethical practices when it comes to working with couples. All of this information is important to a planner when recommending the right vendor your way.

It truly pays to consider a wedding planner when you are in the beginning stages of planning. This professional will guide you through the entire process, ensure that you select the must-have vendors first. After those important vendors are secured, the planner will then start to work through all the needs and details of your day to ensure you get the best vendors to make it all happen.

While working my last couple’s wedding day, it was truly evident to me that we had secured the correct vendors to make their dreams come true. They had a pole barn that they wanted to completely convert to the wedding day of their dreams. Below are the images of the design process we went through when they were describing what their desired look was.

Below was the final look! Finding the right planner can only help you find the right vendors to make your dream day come true.

Blessed Magnolia is a full-service wedding planner. We specialize in serving those couples that want to be a part of every process of their day but are busy professionals that need the assistance of a full-service planner to keep it all together. Set up a time for us to talk today to see how we can help you have the wedding of your dreams and connect you to the vendors to make it all come true.

You did it, you got your first inquiry, and now feel overwhelmed at the process to close the sale. This process does not have to be overwhelming as there are 5 steps to get a client from inquiry to contract. Once you write these steps down and follow them each and every time you talk with a client, you will watch your sales process become easier and easier.

1. Inquiry
2. Conversation or Sales Call
3. Proposal
4. Acceptance
5. Contract or Close the sale

*Inquiry – take the time to make notes about the information the client took the time to give you. If your inquiry process lets them give you information, be respectful of their time and know your client before you call.

*Conversation or Sales Call – you have done your homework, studied anything that the client has given you in advance from the inquiry, and feel confident that you are ready to speak about what you do and ensure them that you can handle their big moment.

*Proposal – be prompt in getting a proposal to the client. If it is going to take you a week to get a proposal to the client, tell them that. Don’t say you will get it right over to them and then it takes many days before they receive it. This will leave a client wondering if you could even handle a deadline when presented with one. Be open and honest about the time frame. Make it clear when you will get it done and earn their trust right away.

*Acceptance – Congratulations you have made it past the hardest part, the proposal. Once a client accepts your proposal with or without conditions, get to contract right away so you can begin working to make their day fabulous.

*Contract – Even though it feels like a victory to send out the contract, sometimes clients do not sign them right away. If you require that a contract be signed in a certain number of days, you have to let them know that upfront so they have the urgency needed to get it signed. Clients have to be held accountable to your expectations as well. Don’t be scared to be clear about your deadlines. Trust me a client will not be scared to present you with theirs.

Write down your sales process in steps 1 – 5 as I have them above. Make a script that you follow every time you have an inquiry. Once you have established the flow for you and your business, it will amaze you how easy this process becomes over time. Guess what you just wrote your first SOP, standard operating procedure. Congratulations and happy planning.

The fall wedding season is on the horizon. As wedding professionals, we are going to experience a boom that we have not seen in some time. So before that season is upon us, we need to think about our workflow and those areas that are truly the pain points that stop us from being productive. Below are 5 steps to prepare yourself to outsource these areas to get you back to your clients.

1. Write down those items in your daily work that are necessary but take time from your clients.
2. Group these items by task. (ie. CRM work, Social Media, Content Writing, Bookkeeping, etc.)
3. Prioritize these items by the order of importance you need to take care of vs. those items you would like to consider outsourcing.
4. Research professionals that can help with the items that you feel you need the most assistance with. Use Clubhouse, Facebook Groups, or referrals from other professionals to assist you in your search.
5. Schedule a consultation to determine if the cost of outsourcing these items is worth the time you gain.

A professional that is ready to handle your outsourced items should have a clear and precise onboarding process that makes this transition easy for you. Take these 5 steps today to get back to your clients and to get back to the reason you started your business in the first place. Don’t waste your time on items in your day that take away from your client experience.

If you would like to talk about a virtual assistant or OBM assistance for your wedding business, let’s schedule a time to talk today.

Gifting your mother is probably one of the hardest things you will do in your life. Knowing what is the right gift to give the woman that has given you so much. When it comes to your wedding day, the #1 gift to give to your mom is the gift of hiring a wedding planner.

As a planner, I have spoken with many mothers and most of them have all said that having a planner was one of the best investments their son’s or daughter’s has ever made. Ensuring that the day was taken care of, all of the steps were handled along the way, not trying to figure everything out and keeping everything straight, and knowing that nothing was missed. All of these things gave them peace of mind and helped them to enjoy the day to the fullest.

There are so many stressful factors that creep up along the way during wedding planning. Hiring a professional that does this every day, ensures that you do not need to worry and can feel confident that everyone is on the same page.

Here are some notes that I have received from the moms of brides:

“I just wanted to tell you again what an outstanding job you did with our daughter’s wedding. I thank you very much for your help and for being such an awesome person.” ~Kim

“It was such a nice day. Sooooo many compliments. Thank you so much for all you did to make this day great.”

~Julie

“Thank you Penny for all of your hard work. You did an amazing job. So thankful that you were able to help make it such a special weekend.”

~Lynn

“Thank you so much for everything. Everything was truly amazing.”

~Jennifer

So when you are thinking about the best way to keep everyone stress-free for your big day, hire a professional that understands everything about making it the greatest day for not only you and your future spouse but your mother as well.