WEDDING PLANNERS

So you are getting married!!! Congrats!!


You have been thinking about hiring a wedding planner/consultant for your wedding. When would you want to take that step?

From the very beginning is the best time!

Engagement picture

The help that you receive from a professional wedding planner is invaluable! They are trained and certified in all aspects of the planning process. Experience, training and certification are all traits that set a professional wedding planner apart from others!
Today's demands often are overwhelming to brides. New careers, still in college, long distance engagements, families who live in another town or state, sometimes country make it very difficult to do the planning of such an important event!

The advice and assistance of an expert in the wedding field leaves them free to enjoy being a bride-to-be!



Unique & Yours Wedding Services - Tablescape

 Most professional planners, including Unique & Yours Wedding Services, offer a variety of programs to fit the needs and budgets of the bride. Did we say budgets? Yes we did! A planner can also help you in setting a realistic budget for your big event.

Services that planners provide varies with each planner, but most offer packages that would include some of the following - full service, day of, reception only, and others.

Full Service Planning - this involves booking sites, vendor recommendations, budget construction, organizing guest lists, rsvp's, gift bags for out of town guests, hotel arrangements, transportation arrangements. just to name a few. Full service planners will assist you in every detail of your event, using your requests and ideas! They ASSIST you in planning YOUR wedding and reception. So many feel that a planner plans the entire wedding and reception without even consulting the client. That is not true.

A professional planner will sit down with the client and discuss every aspect of the events. Taking tedious notes, covering all the wants and dreams. It is after all the clients event, not the planners! When all is said and done, the planner takes all those notes, desires and wants, and attempts to fit them within the budget to give their clients THEIR event!

Unique & Yours Wedding Services - flowers

I often hear from prospective clients "But planners cost to much". That simply is not true. While fees of planners may vary from location to location, and from planner to planner, they are money saving fees. Planners spend alot of time and energy searching for vendors, venues, etc. for your big day. They spend hours that you might not have available, which saves you money.

Unique & Yours Wedding Services - Candy and Dessert Buffets

Hiring a Certified Wedding Specialist should be one of your first steps in planning! You can trust their experience, knowledge, education to planning a stress free and memorable event! Treat yourself to the services of a Certified Wedding Specialist!




Unique & Yours Wedding Services - Congrats to one of our couples
Kayla & Tyler - August 12, 2011
Club 1000
Kansas City, Missouri

A Note: Remember that the Wedding Planner at a venue is there for the venue not the planning of your special event!

PLANNING YOUR GIFT REGISTRIES

Gift Registries


The use of gift registries has changed over the years! Even the bride to be with one of the biggest engagement rings - Kim Kardashian is using gift registries. Although hers is probably not the norm, with a registry approaching over $200,000 in registered gift wants, she is none the less using them. One of her least expensive requests is a $195 bottle opener.

At the other end of the spectrum are many brides who are delighted just to receive wedding bands from the men they love and expect little else. In the middle is the vast number of brides who embrace the concept of helping their guests find a gift, which will symbolize their good wishes for the new couple. That is the role played by most businesses, such as: J.C. Penney's; Kohls; Target; Bed, Bath and Beyond, etc. Each of them have their niches, and are widely available throughout America, as well as online.

With the impact of the sagging economy on many minds, we are seeing changes in selections made by the couples in their gift registry. In the by gone days, couples would get an abundance of toasters, coffee pots, blankets, sheet sets, towels, kitchen utensils and so forth. While registries are still being used, the requested (or suggested) items have changed. Practical, useful, current - are adjectives being attached to the bulk of many couples choices today.

Something new that as been added to the mix of registries is the - Honeymoon Gift Registries. They are becoming a popular way for couples to get added luxuries to their honeymoons. But beware there are online sites that may not follow through with your lists, so shop safely. Check for references!

According the www.consumer reports.com and their 2011 Guide to Wedding Gifts, more and more couples are going for practical gifts - but let us not confuse practical with inexpensive. Topping the lists are cooking knives - the REALLY GOOD chef's knives. This makes sense, since a first rate knife in the kitchen is as necessary as electricity, running water and of course the microwave. Also on the list are video games, video game consoles, single serve coffee makers (so each person can have their preferred flavor!), cookware (often the better and BEST sets available) and the up to date vacumn cleaners, as well as other small appliances. Most of these items are often over $100. A far cry from the $50 or less spent on gifts for the couple several years ago.

A trend that seems to be continuing is the giving of gift cards. If you are unsure what to give, give a gift card from a store where the couple is registered. Many couples today live together and own homes prior to the wedding, so a gift card to one of the Home Improvement - Lowe's, Home Depot - for example might be a good idea!

Couples should select locations for the registries that they truly desire, and should also take into consideration the guests that will be selecting gifts for them. Remember that the economy has taken a big blow and money might not be as readily available for some of the guests. Be considerate! And do not forget to thank them for each item - whether it is a gift, money or gift card!

In your thank you to them, mention what you got with the gift card or money, so they feel good about their decision!

If you are having any trouble deciding on where or what to register, check with your wedding planner. They are trained and educated to help you deal with these issues. Trust their experience!!!!!

WHAT'S YOUR COLOR

WEDDING COLORS AND THEME

Brides often ask when they should decide on the color scheme of their wedding and reception. My answer is at the beginning, often before you shop for your wedding dress. It is beneficial to have colors and a theme, as well as the time of the year when your wedding will be held prior to doing any shopping.

Colors will help set the tone of your wedding. Fall weddings tend to feature colors such as gold, green, burgundy, along with these fabulous colors which have been reported as the 2010 Fall Colors of choice for weddings.

Fall/Winter:
deep red
teal
violet
mocha
sage

You can take any of these colors and add accent colors to make things pop. I recommend choosing two main colors and two accent colors. White and ivory are great fillers. Picking your attendants dresses is easier if you have your color palette decided. And they do not all have to be the same color or style. Let your bridesmaids help in that decision by trying on several styles and colors. Remember you do have the final approval as it is YOUR wedding. Be sure and ask for samples of the colors when your decision is made. This will help in future planning, such as the matching of linens and flowers.

Your accent colors can be used in your flowers, as well as the vests and ties of the groomsmen. I really like using several colors rather than just staying with one color. It gives your event a more vibrant setting.

Use the same colors at your reception venue also. And this can be one in chair coverings, table linens, flowers and much more. Be creative! Florists and wedding designers have a way of making it happen! And it does not need to be expensive. Simple and elegant are often more appealing.

Ask your planner for suggestions also. Chances are they have seen these colors used before and can give you valuable input. Most planners are also talented decorators for receptions!

Make your wedding “Unique and Yours” with your choices!

WEATHER AND OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

Planning an Outdoor Wedding -

The weather has been really bad here in the Midwest so far this summer, lots of rain, winds and even tornadoes. The heat and humidity are also taking their toll. As a wedding planner, the weather is one of my greatest concerns when planning an outdoor wedding, BUT it also affects indoor weddings!

Last week I had a friend of mine call and talk to me about what happened at her nieces “outdoor” wedding the week before (notice this was after the fact). I had talked to her many months ago about her nieces wedding and asked who her planner was – there was none. Hearing that, I began to worry for her.

Her niece and her mother decided they could plan and coordinate it all. That was the first big mistake. While many brides begin planning their weddings, usually with Mom’s help, very few look at the total concept. They get wrapped up in the flowers, dresses, colors, etc. Aunts, friends, girlfriends are put in charge of doing the day of coordinating – just because they attended or took part in a wedding. They knew nothing about the proper formation of the wedding party or other ceremony related items. This turned out to be another issue – sending people down the aisle wrong, not to the right music, and more. My friend said it was a little messy.

Dreaming of an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer and often fall in Missouri is a beautiful thought. But it requires much more planning than one realizes. This is where a wedding planner could have guided the bride. Planners are not planning their wedding for you; they are assisting in the planning of your wedding for you! The planner would have given advice on what all needs to happen with an outdoor wedding – to avoid any problems or disappointments.

In listening to my friend, I learned that apparently no plans were made for an alternative location in case of inclement weather – which we had that weekend. The venue where her wedding was held did not offer an indoor location, and no mention of tents was made. However that weekend, no tent vendor would have set up due to high winds. I learned this from years of experience with community events.

While the mother and daughter had the basics planned for the wedding, they failed to plan the logistics. I once again stress the importance of a wedding planner involved somewhere in the picture. Often brides are led to believe that the venue “coordinator” will assist in all these issues, but that is not always the case. Most venue coordinators are not trained or certified in the wedding planning field. They are only concerned with their venue. Everything else is not their concern.

Another one of the logistical problems that came up while everyone was running for their cars, was the parking issue at the venue. It apparently was a nightmare. Many had to park a distance from the ceremony location. There was not enough parking for the number of guests that came to witness this event.

I could go on, but I think you probably get the idea. While it is a lot of fun picking out the colors, dresses, food, etc., there are other issues that need to be considered. A planner, whether for the entire planning process, or a day of coordinator, it is well worth it. They can handle the above issues while saving you money, and keeping the heartbreaking problems from raising their ugly heads!

This is the event that every girl dreams of; make sure all the items are covered!

Happy planning!!!!! And consult a planner – you will not regret it.

"VENUE" WEDDING COORDINATORS

VENUES AND THEIR WEDDING STAFF

A week does not go by without me receiving a call from a frantic bride. She is looking for a wedding coordinator or planner to help her put things together. She feels she was misled by the “venue” wedding coordinator.

Many venues where the weddings and receptions are held have a “coordinator” on staff. BUT without reading through her contract the bride “assumes” that the venue coordinator will help her in doing “all” the planning for her big event.

WRONG…the norm in the venue coordinator job description is to help plan the usage of the venue and what they (venue) are to provide. The coordinator is there to make sure you follow the signed contract, and to provide only what they have agreed to in the contract.

Some venue coordinators step out of line and try to do more than they are trained for and led the rehearsal, often doing it wrong and causing a huge problem. While they may have helped with several weddings in that venue, they are not often properly trained to lead a rehearsal or get the group down the aisle properly on the day of the event.

Brides should ALWAYS ask up front what specifically the venue coordinator will be doing, ask for references on their ability to do more, and get it in writing. Make sure they are qualified, really qualified. Professional wedding planners/coordinators are trained in every aspect of wedding planning and coordination. They study different religious and cultural aspects that make some weddings unique.

I have been doing this for years and have only come across a handful of venue coordinators that actually have the training to do the rehearsal or ceremony items. Some think they do, but usually do not get it right, and the bride is very disappointed. This is her day and to have it upset by the inexperience of a venue coordinator is sad.

The venue coordinator should ALWAYS make it perfectly clear that they will not be doing any of the planning of the event with the exception of dealing with what the venue does or provides. When a bride sees the words “wedding planner” or “wedding coordinator” as part of the venue details, they feel as if that person will help in every aspect of the planning. This is wrong.
You notice that I have mentioned the same thing twice. There is a reason for that. Brides should not assume that the venue coordinator/planner is going to take the place of a real wedding planner, because doing that is asking for a problem. Ask before, not afterwards.

I will share with you now a horrible thing that happened to a bride when she assumed that the venue coordinator was taking care of things. The bride read in the contract and on their website that the venue had a wedding coordinator who would help “plan” their event “at” this venue. Nothing was in the contract about what it was exactly the venue coordinator/planner was going to provide.

So to make this shorter, but not less painful, the bride went on for a couple of months wondering how her wedding was coming along and how the planner was doing with it. She called the venue coordinator, and found out that nothing had been done, except for what the venue was to take care of…..lots of mis-communication; misunderstanding and hurt feelings followed that call. She now had to really get busy and complete the planning….panic had set in.

The moral of this story is……DO NOT assume that the venue (ceremony or reception) coordinator will take care of everything for you!!! It just doesn’t work that way. Read the contract and ask for explanations.

Venues need to be up front with clients and explain it all to them……do not lead them on to think you will do it all. There are some that will not open up and explain, so clients need to ask around, and be straight forward with their questions.

Remember brides, ask questions, read contracts and make sure you are getting what you think you are, or look elsewhere!!!

UNIQUE & YOURS WINS AWARD

Unique & Yours Wedding Services wins 2010 Bride’s Choice Award

Liberty, Missouri- January 19, 2010 – WeddingWire.com, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Unique & Yours Wedding Services has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Wedding Planning/Coordinating !

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Unique & Yours Wedding Services is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

Unique and Yours Wedding Services is part of TREPS “Tourism Research and Event Planning Services” located in Liberty, Missouri. The recognized planner for the business is Marilyn Buck.“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Unique & Yours Wedding Services is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™. For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/shared/Search?l=y&name=TREPS%2FUnique+%26+Yours&geo=kansas+city

WELCOME

I want to extend my welcome to any followers of this blog. I will be posting in the next few days on topics like

1. Why you need a wedding planner, what exactly they do and how they can make your event less stressful for you.

2. What to look for in venues, whether it is for your ceremony or reception. Hidden items in the contracts.

I look forward to hearing from you. If you have a wedding related topic that you would like discussed, please feel free to let me know.