The Press and My Response to Chelsea's Wedding…
4 comments Aug 1, 2010 | Queen of Hearts
So, a few days ago I get a call from a local reporter asking -
If you were designing Chelsea’s wedding where would you have them get married? What would you do for flowers, cake, etc?
My answer:
I’m going to give you the answer I’d hope any good wedding planner would…
I don’t know Chelsea or Marc personally and since it’s their day the first thing we’d do, just like every couple we work with, is get to know their likes and dislikes, some of their favorite foods, colors, flowers and then build a wedding that reflects them.
I can throw out lots of color combinations, gown designers and over the top ideas – but without knowing them it’s just an over the top, pretty picture
Well I’m guessing the reporter didn’t like that answer as it never made the column…
The planners they did feature offered answers ranging from historic and classic with earth-tones to American royalty with silver, white and gold with touches of red and blue with some sparkle…
OK, so let’s go back to the beginning…. regardless of if it’s Chelsea’s wedding, your wedding or (for moms) your daughter’s wedding …..
The first thing we do with EVERY client we work with is have them fill out our wedding questionnaire – we want to know as much as possible about each couple – likes, dislikes, allergies for food or flowers, size and vision of their wedding and any family dynamics we should know about….
Based on those answers we then prepare a customized month by month planning calendar with target dates, we use their answers to customize a working budget so we can refer them to the wedding professionals who are the best fit for their budget.
We then take the rest of the information to further filter the recomendations based on thier style and personality….
Of course we make recomendations based on our expertise ….but it’s your wedding day and should be a reflection of you….
So to the reporter who didn’t like our answer…..
Sorry – that’s the way wedding planning is in the real world….
To Chelsea and Marc: Great wedding, I hope it was all you dreamed it would be!
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“It didn’t make the column”, LOL. Go Mark for telling the press like it is.
First and Foremost
LOVE what you wrote. When I see your thoughts on weddings etc..I see the same thing on my end…I try to show our prospective clients that when I am asked for my fees..The first question “What is your fee for Full Coordination”..That I could say any number as I have no idea what they want and what their budget will allow.
I also tell them that I could be the best deal in town..BUT..how is that a great deal when 2 months later you and I don’t mesh..? Anyone can afford a planner, if they use us the right way. Sometimes a consult for a few hours is enough. Sometimes referrals..Again even with our vendors, we try to match the budget, style and personality of the client..it’s not a win win if any of these items are missed or not desired. So while I can appreciate not wanting to waste time, if you care more about how much a planner costs rather than how qualified they are to do the job..Your going to waste money..It’s that simple. As always you are a fabulous planner and a realist and that’s why I love ys so much..xoxxo
That’s great Mark!
Same with cake designing. When people say “just make it pretty” that is very subjective and scary. We always pin them down to a style and color palate.
Even if Chelsea has no specific style or design sense she still has likes and dislikes! Everyone has favorite colors and styles that they prefer over others.
Mark:
I totally agree with what you told the local reporter ~ there is “no one wedding to fit all brides” Each couple are indvidual in their taste, likes and dislikes. You gave the right answer even if it didn’t get published ~ your integrity is what is important!