The question was popped, the answer is yes, and the celebration has commenced. You are engaged! CONGRATULATIONS! But, now what?
When planning a wedding it may seem like there is a list of to-dos a mile long and figuring out where to start is not always easy.
There are many questions to be answered. Will it be a large wedding or small? Indoor or outdoor? Are you going to have it in your hometown or will it be a destination wedding? What color palette will you use? Will it be an indoor or outdoor event?
Once the general idea of the wedding is shaped, it is time to answer the more detailed questions. Will it be a religious ceremony? Is there more than one religion, tradition, or culture that needs to be honored during the event? What types of flower are in season that would compliment the theme or color scheme of the wedding? How do I hire the various vendors - and what type of vendors will I need? What should the timeline look like for the day of the event?
Just reading the questions listed above can create anxiety. There is a lot of pressure placed on creating the perfect wedding and with this can follow a lot of undue stress.
One of the options that brides and grooms-to-be can take to help alleviate the stress of planning their big day is to hire an event team to help during the stages of planning and execution. Although people may question whether it is worth the extra money to invest in a planner, if you take the time to find a company or individual that can best suit your needs, the benefits can be priceless.
Hiring a wedding planner allows an expert to guide you through the design process of your wedding. You bring the ideas and the vision and the company or individual will help you bring your dreams to fruition. A reputable company will also help you stay on budget for your wedding. They can provide you tips and tricks for cutting costs in areas of low impact and spending it on the what really matters to you. For example, knowing which flowers are in bloom locally during the time of your wedding can reduce costs by simply avoiding the extra fee to import flowers. Or they can guide you on how to incorporate less expensive flowers into the centerpieces in order to dilute the cost of higher priced dream flowers.
Different companies offer different services ranging from planning or day of coordination to full follow through of the event. It is important to know which company would best fit your needs. Depending on the type of wedding that is being planned it may be more beneficial to hire a full service events company, which in addition to the planning process will have its own access to events staff, audio visual equipment, lighting, furniture rentals. This inclusive option typically offers cost savings and easier execution because it removes the middleman.
When researching event companies to use it is also important to know how long they have been in business, what prior clients are saying about their own experiences, what types of services they provide, what pricing packages they offer, and what their comfort and knowledge level is of your specific cultural or religious needs.
During your search, it essential to speak one on one to the individual who will be the point person for your wedding to ensure that you are attuned to one another, that they are able to conceive of your vision, and that you are in agreeance on how to carry through with the plan. The personal relationship you build with the individual and company you work with can either positively or negatively impact the outcome of your experience. It is vital that you trust the individual to take your dream and make it a reality and to do so in a harmonious way.
At Elegant Events we pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients and continue to build upon these relationships even once your wedding is complete. Our focus is to design and organize each wedding with passion and excellence, embracing your dreams while using our expertise and creativity to create an event that will leave you in awe. Elegant Events is a premier, full-service event management company with over twenty five years of experience. We are located in Columbia, Maryland, but work with clients worldwide. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you on your next event.
Photo Credit:
Dejohn Davis Photography (images 1 & 5)
Akbar Sayed Photography (images 2-4)