We're Engaged.. Now What?!

The Holidays are over and tons of engagements have popped out of everywhere!! Yes, Engagement season is here!!! And one of the first questions a newly engaged couple hears is, "Soooo, when is the big day?!" That's right, everyone wants to know the date! And most couples are thinking, "Whoa! hold your horses, we just got engaged and we have no clue on even where to begin!!! - LOL Well, I'm here to help! I'm going to blog about a few areas where couples can begin the planning process :-).

There are many different timelines you could follow, however below is just my little opinion based off my personal and professional experiences on how you should get started!

1. Enjoy your engagement!
Don't feel so rushed to immediately get started on those super stressful tasks of a bride/groom! Enjoy this time of sharing such wonderful news to family and friends! If you are into social media, post it! Announce it to the world, because of course you are SUPER EXCITED! LOL But be sure to give a personal call to close family and friends before posting on social media sites :-).

2. Date & Location (I could also add budget in here)
The reason I listed these together is because each of these highly impact each other in decision making. Would you like a destination wedding or a wedding in the town you both reside? If both of you are living in a different state or country from your home town, which location would you choose? Both the date and location go hand and hand here.


3. Budget & Guests list
Determine if you want to have a intimate wedding, or a big traditional wedding and reception. Just remember, the amount of guests that you plan to invite, entirely affects your budget! The higher the amount of guests, the higher the budget goes! If your parents are contributing, please be sure to take them out to a nice cozy brunch, lunch or dinner. Get their tummys full and I'm almost positive the amount that they had originally planned to give will increase because a full tummy always makes people happier! LOL Ok, that was just a joke, but try it and let me know!LOL 


4.HIRE A PLANNER!! 
You'll really be winning if you hire B Posh Events (You like how I threw in that plug there?) 
I put this high up on the list because you can truly eliminate alot of stress by hiring a professional to help you collect your thoughts, wishes and plans! Based off most of your decisions, a planner can help guide you in the perfect direction and down a smooth road of wedding planning while saving you time, stress and possibly ALOT of $$$. A planner can make sure that vendors are not taking advantage of you. We know what you should expect from each vendor physically (services) and financially (pricing). For example: One of my brides that I was hired to do "day of" wedding coordinating service for provided me with her floral contract. I read it over and noticed she was getting charged almost double what she should have. If I were her full planner, I would have been able to be right there in the vendor meeting when reviewing pricing to ensure she was charged the appropriate amounts. Also, a planner can match you up with the perfect locations and vendors based off your vision. If your planner has amazing relationships with wedding pro's, like myself ;-), you'll have access to the best wedding professionals in business!

5. Select a Bridal Party
Would you like a small bridal party, or a big bridal party? By already knowing the date and location, this can affect the decision of your bridal party. So go ahead and start asking!

6. Schedule Engagement Pictures and a Engagement Party
Schedule a shoot with a great photographer!Debut your engagement pictures and announce your bridal party at your engagement party!


7. Theme/Colors
Work with your planner on your wedding day vision! Research special themes or if no theme, just select your choice of colors.

8. The DRESS! The SUIT!!
By now you have most likely tried on tons of dresses! Now is the time to go ahead and narrow it down to "THE ONE"! And for our groom, go ahead and start researching your style! There are so many styles out there for the groom now that are so cool and far from the traditional suit. 

9. Start selecting very important vendors
You want to start researching and booking the following:
Officiant,Photography, DJ or band, Videography, Floral, Linens


10. Enjoy the Process
Listen, planning a wedding can be stressful whether you have a planner or not. Soooo many people will have lots of input, suggestions, comments, etc.However, you have to try and focus of YOUR needs and wants vs. trying to appease others. Try and enjoy the process because once the wedding day comes, you want to be able to sit back and say "it was all worth it".

 Welp, thats all I have for now. I truly hope this helps! And again, feel free to give us a call. We are here to help all types of brides. Maybe you are lost and just have no clue on where to begin or who to reach out to, or you could be the type of bride that has it all together and you just need a day of coordinator to help manage your wedding day. Either way, B Posh Events is here to accommodate your needs! Give us a call or email us!

PLANNER VS COORDINATOR

if you are in the market of Looking for a Detroit Wedding Planner, Michigan wedding Coordinator or any Metro Detroit Wedding Planning or Event Management company, this blog should be able to help you answer any questions regarding the need to hire one.

Read below to understand why having a Detroit Wedding planner/Michigan Wedding Planner, is so necessary even when having a venue coordinator.

 

I have been asked a few times about venue coordinators vs. a personal wedding planner/coordinator.

Q.Is there a difference?
A. ABSOLUTELY Yes, there is a difference.

Q. Do I really need my own coordinator if the venue has one?
A.The answer is ABSOLUTELY, YES!

To break it down simply, the venue coordinator works and looks out for the best interest of the venue.
A Wedding planner/Coordinator, works and looks out for the best interest for you, your groom and your guests.

Venue coordinators are timekeepers, security, and management for the venue. They make sure you are in and out of the reserved spaces based on the time allotted in your contract. While your personal wedding planner/coordinator focuses more on the logistics within a timeline previously drafted and shared with your vendors for the wedding day.

For example. The venue coordinator makes sure you are out of the ceremony room by 5pm.
You planner makes sure that not only are you following your timeline, but that you are able to take those "must have pictures", before having to vacate the ceremony area by 5pm. The venue coordinator wouldn't know your "must have" shots, because thats not their responsibility.And honestly, they most likely don't care. Your planner however will and does care because she has that bond with you and understands just  how important capturing those "must haves" are to you. 

Being clear about the difference between a wedding venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator (or wedding planner) can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary frustration. Yes, the two roles sound very similar, however, please dont be under the assumption that they perform the same function.Its very common for brides to make that mistake, especially when they see FREE on site coordinator in their package description. 
Dont be fooled love.

Please also understand that the venue coordinator is not going to oversee the placement of  decor (linens, centerpieces, place cards, etc.) Her job is to only be sure that the amount of tables and chairs requested are put in place per the layout in the contract. The venue coordinator is not the person that manages your wedding day, and unfortunately that is the assumption right?

But how does this happen? Maybe you hear the venue coordinator say: “Of course I’ll be there to assist on the day should you need anything.” But what you think she means is: “I will plan and take full ownership of making sure that each and every detail falls perfectly into place for your wedding day, and will take responsibility for all third party vendors too.” Although your venue coordinator will offer her assistance with emergencies should you need it, that is quite a different thing from taking responsibility for the running of the entire wedding. This is commonly misunderstood and can be quite confusing for you when you mistakenly and innocently infer additional responsibility over and above what is explicitly stated in the contract.

Be mindful that a venue coordinator is just that. She works and represents the well being of the venue, not the bride and groom. 

In conclusion, hire a planner. It will be one the the best wedding decisions you make as a couple.

Here are a few Michigan Wedding Venues that I have had the pleasure of teaming up with.

Laural Manor, Livoina Michigan
Laurel Manor Weddings
http://laurelmanor.com

Burton Manor, Livonia Michigan
Burton Manor Weddings
http://www.burtonmanor.net/index.asp

MRCC Banquet and Convention Center located in Warren, Michigan
MRCC Banquet Weddings
http://mrccbanquetandconventioncenter.com

Charles H. Wright Museum located in Detroit,Michigan
Charles H Wright Museum Weddings
http://thewright.org/index.php/visit/facility-rental

Pi Banquet Hall located in Southfield, Michigan
http://www.pibanquethall.com

Regency Manor located in Southfield,Michigan
http://www.regencymanorbanquetcenter.com

Shriners Silver Gardens located in Southfield, Michigan
http://www.silvergardenevents.com


Happy Planning!