3 Biggest Misconceptions About Hiring a Wedding Planner

 

1.) "I don't think I need a Wedding Planner."
 "I think I'm a fairly organized and creative person...I can plan my wedding and whatever I can't do on my own, I have friends and family to help."

Everyone needs and most importantly deserves a Wedding Planner. A Wedding Planner is the central nucleus of your Wedding Day. Without one, there is no guarantee that your wedding will run as smoothly as it would with a Wedding Planner. Plus, you want to enjoy every minute of that day. You don't want to spend your day answering questions from vendors or family members or guests.  An experienced Wedding Planner has planned hundreds of weddings and that wisdom is invaluable. Your family and friends also deserve to enjoy the day and not running around stressing about every detail.  Let the expert take great care of all of you. 

2.) "I can't afford a Wedding Planner."
"Weddings are expensive enough, why would I spend more money hiring a Wedding Planner?"

While Wedding Planners can be expensive, you will never regret the investment.  Wedding Planners will often times save you immense amounts of money in the long run.  Planners are well aware of the average price of all vendors and all things wedding related.  They can advise you on making wise decisions and educate you and your choices and options along the way.


3.) "I'm afraid a Wedding Planner will take over my Wedding".
"I want our Wedding day to be our vision, not someone else's."

A Wedding Planner will only help to best enhance your vision and serve as a huge resource.  Wedding Planners can help you to funnel through all your many ideas and stay on track so that you don't become buried and overwhelmed in all the details. 

Choose What Matters Most... First

Photography by Brooke Photography
Floral by Flower Bar
At the JW Marriott Desert Ridge
For Arizona's Finest Wedding Sites & Services Magazine

Happy Wednesday Lovelies!

Alright... Let's talk about what matters most to you.

Planning a Wedding can put an immense amount of pressure on a couple. Many times couple feel like they have to "out do" everything that they've ever seen before. But I'm telling you all... Please do not to put that kind of extra pressure on yourselves because the truth is, if you "out do" everything, nothing will ever stand out.

I would like to encourage you to choose the two things that matter most to you. Is it the venue? Guest count? Is it the photography? Or is it the overall design and style? Is it the culinary experience?

Put some solid thought into it and whatever those two things may be, stick with them and really focus in on making them extra special! Focus on those two things, and be willing to compromise on other areas.

For example, if you know that the most important thing to you is being able to invite everyone then think about about offering your guests a modest dinner, such as a plated chicken dish and perhaps a cash bar instead of an open bar.

If you desire to put a big focus on the catering of your wedding then consider choosing a venue that already offers a beautiful setting. Find one that doesn't require you to add an enormous amount of additional decor.

If entertainment is your number one factor and you want to hire a live band, think about choosing non-floral arrangements for your centerpieces (candles, antique books, lanterns, etc.)

The bottom line is... It's your day. If you truly put your personality into the details, your wedding day will shine and be incredibly unique to all those that attend.

Much Love,

Jennifer Starr

Want more J. Starr tips to help you out with the planning process? Check out these blog posts I have done in the past!

Going with Your Gut, When Choosing Vendors

5 Questions to Consider, Before Your Initial Wedding Planning Consultation

Budged & Guest Selection Before Venue Selection

{Wedding Wednesday}: "Going with Your Gut, When Choosing Vendors"

(Photo By: Brie Marie Photographers)

 

 

After the date is set, the venue is selected, your wedding "foundation" is laid...it's time to select your vendors.  Start with the core vendors, the vendors you must have. 

1.) Photographer
2.) Caterer (if the venue does not provide on-site catering)
3.) Entertainment
4.) Florist

Before doing this be sure to consult with your Wedding Planner (if not myself, then another fabulous planner.) Wedding Planners usually have preferred vendor lists of creative professionals they've worked with in the past who provide incredible talent and great service to their couples.  Review each companies' online portfolio, reviews, online presence.  Do you like what you see?  Do they seem like people that would take great care of you on one of the most expensive days of your life?  Because they certainly should. 

After narrowing down the vendors who's work your admire most, then review pricing. Do not look at pricing first.  Often times couples will allow pricing to interfere with their first impression, and by doing so will overlook the vendors personality, style, and reviews.  Next consult with a planner on your Wedding budget and the cost of each vendor.  Your Planner will educate you on which vendor you should allow more money for depending on your overall Wedding Day vision. 

Next, meet with your vendors.  When you book my full service collection, I actually attend your meetings with your "core" vendors.  Meeting your vendors face to face is incredibly important.  It's a chance to get to know their personalities, potentially see their work "in person", hear their voices, listen to their stories, advice, and ideas.

Lastly and most importantly, go with your gut.  How did the vendors make your feel?  Did you feel special?  Did you feel welcomed?  Do you feel like you trust these people?  Did this vendor make you feel comfortable.  I can't tell you how many times I've talked to couples who booked vendors that didn't make them feel these things.  Instead they simply booked them because they were inexpensive, or their friend used them, or the vendor was pushy and you felt obligated to book after meeting with them. 

Let's Recap:
1.) Review Wedding Planner's Preferred Vendor List
2.) Review Each Companies' Online Presence (Portfolio, Reviews, Personality)
3.) Review Pricing with Wedding Planner
4.) Meet in Person
5.) Go With Your Gut

I'll say it again...go with your gut.  These people will be in your lives for a long time during the planning process, they need to make your Wedding Planning experience easier, not more difficult.  You only get to throw one Wedding Day, and it's the most expensive celebration you will ever host....you deserve to have a vendor team who genuinely cares about your Wedding Day as much as you do. 

{Wedding Wednesday} 5 Questions to Consider, Before Your Initial Wedding Planning Consulation

(Photo By Still Life Studios)

Dear Newly Engaged Couples,

Are you feeling completely overwhelmed and worried that while you thought this should be the "happiest" time in your life is actually one of the most "stressful". Well... lemme tell ya, you're not alone, all couples feel this way right after they get engaged and before they select their venue and lock down their date.  I tell all newly engaged couples to take a deep breath and relax, because the very beginning stages of the Wedding Planning process are  the hardest. 

Reason being, you go from complete elation (We're Engaged!) to complete exhaustion (Oh, wow...we had no idea how many factors are involved!)  Again, hang in there, laying your "Wedding Foundation" is the hardest.

This is the exact reason why you need a Wedding Planner (yes, preferably me, wink wink).  Most planners offer a complimentary initial consultation to better explain all that's involved in the Wedding planning process and will go over in detail the differences in planning services they offer. 

Prior to your consultation, here are some things to consider:

1.) What time of the year do you have in mind?  I encourage you not to get "set" on a specific date if possible.
2.) What type of style are you looking for in your venue?  Luxury Resort? Museum? Country Club, Modern? Private Home?
3.) Do you have a budget in mind?  Is anyone contributing to your budget, or are you paying for it yourselves? If you have no idea to start, not to worry Wedding Planners will help to educate you on what's realistic.
4.) What is the approximate size of your guest list?
5.) What aspects of the Wedding are most important to you?  Culinary? Design/Décor? Entertainment?

{Wedding Wednesday} Budget + Guest List BEFORE Venue Selection

The best way for a Bride to completely overwhelm herself is by trying to choose the venue BEFORE she has come up with a budget estimate and the guest list.

That's because looking at venues and getting excited about all the creative aspects of wedding planning is more fun than number crunching and deciding who you like and who you just kinda like.

But believe me as a former bride myself and as a Wedding Planner who has had heart to heart discussions with several brides....I'm telling you...You MUST establish your budget and guests list FIRST.

Ask Yourself These Questions:
(Budget Related) What is your ideal wedding budget?
(Budget Related) What is most important to you? 
(Budget Related) Is it having all of your friends and family there? 
(Budget Related) Is it being able to put a lot into the design and décor?
(Budget Related) Is it being able to have your dream dress?
(Budget Related) Is it being able to have it at the venue of your dreams?
(Budget Related) Is it being able to host a bar for all your guests? 
(Budget Related) What are areas that you're flexible on?
 
(Venue Related) Where do you want to get married? Location in terms of city and state?
(Venue Related) Will your Ceremony take place in a Church or the same location as the Reception?
(Venue Related) How many guests do you plan on inviting?
(Venue Related) Out of those guests how many do you anticipate actually attending?
(Venue Related) Out of those guests how many are children?
(Venue Related) Out of those guests how many are under 21?

Then ask your Wedding Planner is this a realistic budget?  Your Wedding Planner (hopefully yours truly) will explain to what your options are, where you need to increase and decrease. Your planner will then be able to give you a list of optional venues that match what you are looking for...Your planner will then help you determine areas that you're willing to possibly cut back in order to make room for other areas that are more important to  you.  Your Planner will save you tons of time and heartache (from getting your hopes up on aspects that might not fit into your budget).  Your Planner will be able to help you set realistic expectations and help you start to see the vision of your wedding day more clearly. 

{Wedding Wednesday} "After the Engagement"

Getting Engaged is incredibly exciting....but often times can be followed up by much stress and feeling completely overwhelmed.  Today I thought I would share some tips on how to enjoy this time period...specifically the time period between after the engagement and before you book your venue.

1.) Celebrate!  Celebrate your engagement. This is a milestone within itself.  This is important.  Savor this time.  Tell your family and friends.  People love hearing good news, especially in person or over the phone if possible. 
2.) Journal about the Proposal....write down how it happened, what words were said, how you felt, where it took place, what you were wearing...All the details, the funny ones, embarrassing ones, even the "non fairytale like" details...Write about it.  It's life, it's real, it's your story, and it will grow more precious with time.
3.) Announce Your Engagement/Share your Photos.... of the proposal, the ring, anything that contributes to your story.
4.)  Don't Answer Questions....unless they are about the Proposal.  It's normal that you will start getting bombarded with questions (typically by the most random people) when's the date?are we invited? do I have to dress up? you need to let me know the date right away so I can plan ahead! what are your colors?are you going to have a hosted bar? 
5.) Get Your Ring Sized (and Insured)...if needed.  And yes, often times this means you have to part with your brand new sparkly ring for a few days, it's a bummer...but better than it slipping off your finger and losing it permanently.
6.) Ignore the Opinions... It's often at this time that people want to share with you everything that's ever gone wrong at a wedding they've attended.....It's often for them to start telling you what and what not to do. Laugh it off.
7.) Day Dream....Yes, its perfectly fine to buy some bridal magazines, peruse Pinterest, have fun.  This time period is meant to be fun...the hard part comes later...enjoy right now.  Don't succumb to the pressure, there's plenty of time for all the decisions to made soon.
8.) Meet with a Wedding Planner...Most Planners offer a complimentary consultation (myself included) This is a crucial time to meet with a planner as they can begin to direct you.  BIG decisions are ahead of you....establishing a budget, creating a vision, and knowing how many guests you anticipate inviting are key elements that must be discussed before booking your venue.  Booking a professional can save you money, time, and your sanity. 

If at all humanly possible don't try to start planning the wedding the same week you get engaged...give yourself some to time to let everything soak it.  You have big life changes ahead of you....celebrate the beginning stages. 

How to Design & Coordinate a Stylized Shoot

Awhile back you may have seen this post ~ this was the magazine spread that I coordinated and designed for Arizona Finest Weddings Magazine.  What I showcased in that post was the final product, today I'd like to discuss the process and how it all came to be....This information can also be useful in stylized engagement sessions, bridal sessions or themed family sessions. 

 

1.) Select Your Vendor Team~ You must choose professionals, if you desire a professional outcome.  Each member of your vendor team will play a very crucial role. Choose vendors that will work well in a team and that will listen to your communicated vision.  Sometimes when you gather a group of professional artists, they tend to want to go their own direction....you must choose vendors that will be dedicated to your vision...but at the same time communicate ideas/suggestions/enhancements that they might have to make the overall outcome even more spectacular.

2.) Layout the Foundation~ Do your research, walk the grounds of the venue/location in which the photo shoot will occur....don't work against it, simply work to enhance it.  Once you have you general idea, seek out other ideas in this theme.  Look through fashion magazines, design books, scour pinterest drench yourself in your idea, and eventually you'll have a very specific direction. 

3.) Communicate Your Vision~ this step is the MOST important.  And I'll be the first to admit, I don't think I'm the best at giving directions {that's why I don't teach kindergarten}.  For me, I've found sending photo layouts to the vendors is the best way to communicate the collaborative style.  And then respond quickly to any follow up questions they have to ensure the puzzle pieces fall together nicely. 

4.) Timeline~ When you're coordinating a stylized photo shoot for a magazine most of the vendors time and product is donated, knowing that they will receive credit in the magazine for their showcased work.  However, as the planner, you have to respect their time and efforts.  By doing so, you must make sure that your timeline is as flawless as possible. For example, you don't want the fresh flowers arriving before the all the rental pieces are set up and staged{tables, linens, plate ware}, you don't want the models arriving after the hair and make up team are already on site, etc. etc. 

5.) Pull it All Together~ If you have done your job correctly, the day of the shoot should be fairly easy on your part.  Reason being...you've already take the appropriate steps to create a stress free day for your vendor team.  Your job the day of, is to greet your team, answer pop up questions, make suggestions...However, it's very important to allow the vendor artists to be true artists the day of.  Many times planners will interrupt this process simply because they want to feel 100% in charge, this can only damage the overall outcome of the shoot.  You must TRUST that you've selected the right vendor team and that you've set them up for success, don't throw them off their game, when they're in the moment of the shoot.  Certainly ask questions and make suggestions if you feel something is wrong, but please don't micro manage the shoot...this allow interrupts the creative process and overall outcome.

 

VENDOR TEAM:  

 

MAGAZINE

Arizona's Finest Wedding Sites and Services : www.finestweddingsites.com  

EVENT DESIGN AND STYLING

J. Starr Stylized Weddings & Events: www.jstarrweddings.com 

VENUE

Hotel Valley Ho: www.hotelvalleyho.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Erica Velasco Photographers: www.ericavelasco.com
FLORAL

Garden Gate Flowers: www.gardengateflowersaz.com
CAKE

Piece of Cake Desserts: www.arizonaweddingcakes.com 

CHAIRS AND DISHES

Classic Party Rentals: www.classicpartyrentals.com
HAIR

Lisa Berger: www.thehairchick.com
MAKEUP

Linda Valenzuela: www.miacosmetics.com
GOWN

Suzanne’s Bridal Boutique: www.suzannesbridalboutique.com
GROOM’S ATTIRE

Mr. Formal: www.mrformalaz.com
INVITATIONS AND PAPER DETAILS

The Event Essentials: www.theeventessentials.com
LINENS

Southwick Linens: www.southwicklinens.com
JEWELRY

Claudia’s Custom Jewelry: www.designsbyclaudias.com 

So You Want to be a Wedding Planner Vol. 1 {Gaining Experience}

So You Want to be a Wedding Planner?

 

I hear this A LOT....
~I want to be a Wedding Planner
~Your job must be so fun and glamorous
~Did you have to go to school for it?
~Do you have any special certifications?
~How do I become one?

Since I'm asked this so frequently I thought it would make a nice blog series...so here we go.....

Gaining Experience:

This is by far the most important piece of the puzzle.  I've seen planners fail several times and the reason being.....they didn't have enough experience.  More times than not, a girl will plan her own wedding....love doing it, and afterwards think she's capable of planning other people's weddings....and that's just not realistic. 

Now, please allow me to preface this by saying...some days I still feel new...and there are several planners who have even more experience than me, but I can tell you that I'm at a point in my life where I feel 100% confident in planning a wedding, and here's why....

Gaining Experience:

I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Communication.  Do you have to have a college degree to be a Wedding Planner?  Not necessarily, but I do believe that having a degree definitely gives you more career confidence.  Plus allows you many more opportunities to initially gain experience and allows you more diversity should you want to change your career one day.

Following college graduation, I experienced some set back.  I was waitressing at the Olive Garden, and regretfully had a bad attitude about it {probably mainly because the uniform was so damn unflattering}... I remember getting sent home one time because I was missing a button on my collar...I was furious.  I wish I could back now and tell my 22 year old self to "calm down....you won't be serving salad and bread sticks forever".

After a long job hunt I finally landed a job at a private event venue....I was elated!  I had no experience...other than planning events in high school and college {which by the way, professionals don't take seriously on a resume}.  And, after about a week, I was fired.  That's right FIRED.  I was beyond devastated. More on this later...

A few months later {still waiting tables at this point}  I was hired again, this time at a brand new gorgeous Private Golf & Country Club, there I spent five years of my life.... five years, four promotions and tons of incredible experience!

Job titles over this time included; Membership Concierge,  Member Events Coordinator, Catering Sales Manager, Private Event Director

After leaving, I then went on to work for a private photography company handling their sales and marketing... only to again return to another private wedding venue...then on to another Golf Club.

Job titles over this time included;  Sales & Marketing Director and Director of Sales.

Collectively spending nine years before I launched my own company and felt comfortable and confident enough to call myself a Wedding Planner!

During that time, if I had to guess I had involvement 500 plus weddings. 

And that is why I can proudly say I'm experienced...I'm seasoned, I've been in several amazing and terrifying situations...each one teaching me something different.

So that's where I suggest starting.... There are several different pathways, mine is only one example... but you must start by getting lots of exposure in the wedding and event world...and learn, grow, allow yourself to be naïve and vulnerable. It will be a very humbling but very rewarding experience.

Must Dos & Don'ts on Your Wedding Day, According to J.Starr Vol.2

Goooood Morning, how we all feeling this morning??? It's 6:30am and the baby bugs are stirring in the cribs but let's just see if I can get a quick little post in...

 YESTERDAY was by far the most productive day I've had in a looong time...thanks to my nanny and my summer intern!  So many tasks were crossed off the list!!! LOOOOVE that feeling!

Alright, so awhile back I posted about MUST DOS on your Wedding Day Vol 1., let's talk today about some....MUST DON'TS!

Must DON'TS :

 

 

Don't Try to be TOO Trendy on Your Wedding Day

Be careful of the dramatic trends.  You don't want to look back on your Wedding Day and think uggh...what was I thinking??  It's much more safe to keep your wedding style and design classic and timeless. 

 

Don't Forget to show LOVE to Your Family

Yes, I know wedding planning can be stressful.  But please, please, please don't forget the BIG picture.  This is a very special moment for not only you and your groom but also your family.  Refrain yourself from lashing out at them in times of stress, they are EXCITED for you and only want the best, do your best to make sure that they feel loved too.  Parents especially tend to struggle with their children's life milestones...remember to try and be a little sensitive to this.   

 

 

Don't Expect for Everything Go PERFECTLY on Your Wedding Day

Of course hiring a Wedding Planner and hiring other quality professional vendors will certainly help your day run as smooth as possible {and definitely help to minimize  the unexpected}...... However, keep in mind that when you're combining 100 plus humans on an emotional day...chances are something will NOT go exactly as planned.  Believe me, I've seen it happen.... the venue could have a flood in the kitchen which could result in a ceiling leak into the bridal suite, your groom could forget the wedding rings at home, the minister could get lost on his way to the venue and the ceremony might need to start 15 minutes behind schedule ...I tell all my brides something WILL happen.  And when it does, EMBRACE it...smile and laugh it off...it's just part of your story.  If you have this mindset going into your day...you'll be better prepared to handle "hiccups".

 

Must Dos & Don'ts on Your Wedding Day, According to J.Starr Vol.1

Good Morning Beautiful People,

Little Hannah Bug woke up at 5am this morning, she had one arm and one leg completely sticking out of her swaddle...silly little monkey. So we've been up jamming pretty early today.  I thought I might take a few moments to discuss MUST DOs on your wedding day...

Must Dos:

Be a Guest at Your Own Wedding

When the big day arrives....try your best to RELAX and ENJOY.  All of your planning is done, it's time to reap the rewards of your hard work.  Take a moment to stop and look around, FEEL the moment, embrace.  Admire your hard work in all the details...the sights, the sounds, the smells.  And if things don't go exactly as planned, LET IT GO...trust in the professionals (Your Wedding Planner) to take care of any hiccups that might occur.  And some of the BEST wedding day stories come from "hiccups" that happen.  Let your story unwind by itself on the day, you can't control life and all of it's surprises.

Hire a Great Photographer

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you KNOW how incredibly passionate I am about this.  When it's all over, all you have left is your photos and memories.....and they become even more precious as time passes.  CLICK HERE to read a past post on this. 

Make Sure You Still Feel and Look Like Yourself

Yes you want to look stunning, no doubt about that. But don't choose a dress, hair style or make up that makes you look TOO different.  You want to look back and see YOU, not some cartoon version of yourself.  BE SURE to do trials when it comes to your hair and make up.  Take a photo, be sure you LOVE what you see and you feel BEAUTIFUL.

Think Outside the Box

I LOVE weddings that are different!  Make it yours! There are no rules.  If you want to get married in the middle of the forest...DO IT.  If you want to serve gourmet pizza for dinner DO IT.  If you want to hire break dancers for your reception DO IT.  Make if different, make it YOURS.

Take a Day or Two to Decompress after Your Wedding

I've never understood couples who leave their reception early to jump on a plane.  Please don't underestimate how emotionally exhausted you'll be the next day, you'll be in a total daze.  Just relax.....treat yourself to a mini honeymoon at a nice resort for a few days to unwind and soak it all in.

"Progress, not Perfection"

{One of Justin's favorite photos...all of his girls}

Happy Friday Peeps!  How we doing today??? Excellent!  I have ten minutes to write a quick little blog here.  I've been asked by a handful of sweet readers this question....."How are you able to run your business, while you have newborn twins?" 

 And that my friends, is an excellent question and one that I ask myself about ten times a day. And the answer is: I don't know, I'm still figuring it out. 

Things I have learned in the past three months about this topic:

1.) I can no longer be a perfectionist freak about things that I used to be a freak about.  Example: In the past you would never see a "non professional" photo hit my blog. I was {still am}" a photo snob".  Professional photos make everything look SO MUCH more professional.  But, this blog isn't just about my business it's about my life.  And well, my life isn't professional all the time.  And the truth is....the readers...don't really care.  They like knowing what's going on, in real time.  So that's why you've seen such and increase in non professional photos....however they have all at least gone through the "instagram" filter, so I am still a half freak.

2.) "Start Where You Are, Use What You Have, Do What You Can".  This is my favorite quote right now, for this time in my life.  In the past if something wasn't just right, often times I would draaaag my feet on a project.....taking forever to finish.  I just don't have that luxury anymore, my family needs me. 

3.) Right now, I'm working part time.  My J.Starr office hours are a dedicated 20 hours a week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays {and of course more on the weekends when I have scheduled events}.  During those hours I have hired help to take care of my sweet little loves, and I have the amazing luxury of working at home from my {soon to be awesome....still unpacking and decorating} home studio.  I love my business and love growing it! But right now, I can only do that on a part time basis, and I have to be okay with that.  My little bunnies will only be little for a short time, I have to soak up as much as possible.

4.)  Write it down!  I have to write everything down.  I'm a list making machine...it's the only way I can relax my brain and be able to fully invest in my daily activities { business projects, time with the babies, working out, date nights, social time with friends, cleaning and errands, and on and on}. 

5.) I don't beat myself up so much.  I can be pretty critical of myself (as most women are) If things don't go as planned all the time, that's okay...I usually have a back up plan. 

And that's where I'm at right now, I'm sure this will change 100 more times this year.  But I feel pretty good about it.  "It's about progress, not perfection." 

 



Wedding Planner's "Best Kept" Big Day Secrets

Good morning All!!!  I hope your Thursday is off to great start.  Mine started super early as I had to carpool with Justin due to our recent car situation....oh the joys of being a adult.  We’re going to pick up the rental this afternoon, so life should be back to normal soon.  This does allow me to get an extra early start on blogging today.... here we go!

So.....I recently came across this article and thought I’d share my own personal thoughts and insight on these “secrets”.  In an effort not to write a novel, I will touch on 3 of these today.

1.     I have to stop guests from ruining the day.

Umm.... yes this is very much true and probably one of the most delicate of duties.  Often times family and friends get so excited about your wedding day that they forget the about “the big picture”.

Few Examples:

Bridemaids~ They want everything to be perfect for YOU (the bride)!  But in doing so... they worry and they ask the bride TONS of unnecessary questions completely overwhelming her on the day of her wedding.  In my opinion on that day, the Bride’s planning is DONE.  So any questions that the Bridesmaids may have ~should ask the Wedding Planner, Catering Manager, or other Bridesmaids...let the bride relish in feeling beautiful. 

Groomsmen~ Not all, but some can get CRAZY! Yes, it’s all about having fun...that’s for sure, but I’ve had to remind them before..... the bride and groom have spent a lot of time and money for this day and it’s still important to keep things classy... at least until the dinner is over.  I’ve also caught a few groomsmen peeing outside while the reception is going on, instead of using the bathroom.  This is always a nice and awkward conversation to have....but all I typically have to say to them is Do you want me to tell the bride???  That typically ends most bad behavior with groomsmen, real quick.

Eager Guests~ You know that lady that you haven’t seen in ten years, but just HAS TO SEE THE BRIDE BEFORE SHE WALKS DOWN THE AISLE... this happens at every wedding.  I always have a conversation with the bride ahead of time asking her how she feels about this.  If the bride says she only wants her bridal party and mother in her suite before the wedding.....we put out a sign that says something like The bride is busy getting ready, she will greet you after she becomes “Mrs. Starr”.  We also let the staff know ahead of time of the bride’s request. 

2.     I’m not your personal assistant.

Wow, that is such a snotty comment; I don’t even like typing those words out.  Here’s the deal... if your Wedding Planner is experienced she will lay out from the very beginning what her/his duties in your initial meeting.  This is definitely something I struggled with in the beginning, I wanted to be everything to the bride and take care of her every need...but in doing so I learned quickly I was setting myself up for failure.  It’s all about communication and written descriptions so that the bride is clear of what her Wedding Planner will do and what her close friend can help her with.  As much as I would love to do everything...it’s just not always possible.  If time permits day of and things are going smoothly with the venue, photographer, dj, caterer, etc...I’m happy to jump in where I'm needed and (for example) help you go to the bathroom ~not an easy task in a wedding dress!!

3.     Your vendor messed up.

If at all humanly possible.... I will never tell you something went wrong on your wedding day... I will wait and tell you several weeks later after you return from your honeymoon...so we can laugh about it together.   Mistakes do happen.  Vendors do “mess up”... after all , we are humans….  but if it’s not going to impact your day in a direct huge way... I’m not going to tell you.  I’ve had many situations where things have gone wrong the day of.

Examples: the venue didn’t order enough linens, the wrong cake was delivered, the minister is lost and late, the best man forgot the rings, the list goes on and on.... but THAT’S WHY YOU HIRE A WEDDING COORDINATOR (among several other reasons) to be a problem solver...so you, your groom, your mom, your maid of honor can ENJOY THE DAY!!!

What's Trending in Weddings for 2012?

Gooood Morning Readers! 

 Today I'm posting about a few wedding trends that are hot right now and why I love or hate them. Enjoy!

Ritzy Ranch Weddings

The setting? A 200-year-old barn complete with long exposed-wood tables, large chandeliers and ambient lighting. The flowers? Lace-wrapped bouquets of wild roses, lilies of the valley, Queen Anne's lace and gardenias. The food? Delicate wild game like juniper-spiced venison, cider-braised pheasant and pan-roasted quail, Brides will be channeling the Old West with a rustic-elegant spin. 

Jen's Take On This: Personally, I'm not a fan.  I think this would be cute for your bridal shower or rehearsal dinner, but not for the wedding.  Call me old fashion, but I like keeping the wedding look..clean, elegant, and timeless. 

Long Sleeves and Lace

Brides can thank Kate Middleton and the latest Twilight installment for this wedding fashion trend -- long sleeves and lace!Think: sheer backs and illusion sleeves. And don't be surprised if the look of lace pops up on everything from the wedding cake to the decor.

Jen's Take On This: I LOVE!

Enchanting Flowers

The magical settings of these Snow White-inspired movies and even much-anticipated fantasy film The Hobbit will have an effect on wedding decor, with brides opting for a woodsy vibe. Think: soft, decadent bouquets filled with flowers like cabbage roses, peonies and dinner plate dahlias.

Jen's Take On This: I think this is cute for day time garden wedding, but for an evening wedding... I prefer a more modern look when it comes to bouquets.  I prefer tight, clean, round bouquets with a touch of sparkle or accent.

Watercolor Designs

On dresses, invitations and table designs, watercolor touches give weddings the perfect creative bent for 2012. A-list designer Carolina Herrera showed stunning watercolor prints in her spring 2012 bridal collection. And the color palette to do this in? Pastels like pink and lilac are the "it" colors of 2012!

Jen's Take On This: I think this is great for a beach wedding but not for a traditional wedding.

The Panoramic Wedding Portrait

Just like critically acclaimed movie The Artist was shot on film without sound, the trend in wedding photography is to steer away from all the overdone effects (like odd angles and lots of added filters). Instead, photographers are shooting turn-of-the-century-inspired wedding portraits with a formal, classic approach. One shot that's totally mantel-worthy? A panoramic wedding portrait where every single wedding guest is in the photo.

Jen's Take On This: NO!!! Don't do it!! I thought this trend was going away!  Honestly, this is the biggest waste of your time and the photographers time!  And seriously, you can only really see the first three rows of guests anyways. 

 I've had several brides request this shot, and really the only way to pull it off successfully is right after the bride and groom are pronounced husband a wife and they march down the aisle and pause. Then I'm waiting at the back with a ladder for the photographer and the minister asks all the guests to turn around in their seats to pose for a photo. 

To me, that is just such a magical moment for the bride and groom....it's their first moments as husband and wife, why kill that moment of magic for a silly group shot? 

7 Questions You Should Ask....

One of the most common things I hear in the wedding industry are horror stories about peoples past wedding photography experiences, it just breaks my heart....please don't make a mistake by choosing a photographer based on their "cheap" price, please........I beg you!  
Your number one expense should be:  Venue and Catering

Your number two expense should be:  Photography

When it's all said and done, the only thing you have left are your cherished memories.  

Listed below are some questions provided by one of my all time favorite Photography Companies: Still Life Studios.

                                                Happy Friday All ~ J.Starr   

7 Questions You Should Ask Your Photographer...........

By: Still Life Studios

1.) What's your photographic style on a typical wedding day and can I see a complete wedding?

This question is a bit tricky. Remember the photographer wants your business and may want to sell you the style they know you're after.  There are lots of buzz words and confusing ideas about photographic style. Traditional is typically considered a bad thing, with photo journalist perhaps being the most sought after "style".  What is most important is that the photographer's style makes the most sense to you and connects with your emotional center.  If you see samples on their website and love the work then ask to see a complete wedding from the photographer. If you can see the same style in a full wedding then this gives you a pretty good sense of the photographer's eye. Asking to see a wedding should be a piece of cake for the photographer since they should have plenty of recent weddings online for you to look at and review by asking for the password.  You might als make sure they are actually shoot a few weddings as this may tell you how successful they are currently.  As for us (Still Life Studios) ...we shoot in a Documentary Style which means we capture the majority of your wedding day by being there but not directing you.  We are there to answer questions and help if needed but wae love the natural moments that happen without our direction.  We also capture in a Fashion Style for a small portion of time...during the Bridal Party photos we help your party to be at ease and relax, have a little fun. This requires some direction for us but it turns out to be good time.   During the Bride and Groom session we also jump in and give you direction since moments like walking down a busy street in your wedding dress don't just happen...we send a little prompting your way and let your personalites take over.  We like to assist in bringing out the model within you. Work it baby! What's your style?

2.)  Is this your career and full-time business?

This gets to the heart of several things and that is, "Is this just a hobby? Something for side cash? Are you adequately trained?"  Don't ask these though...they might be considered offensive but we think it makes a difference to know that your teams knows what they're doing, and that they do this for love AND survival! That way you know that your photographer(s) are going to make sure they are constantly on their toes to ensure your needs are met and that you are super happy with the results.  Would you trust your spleen to someone who just dabbles in surgery?

3.)  Are you running a legitimate business?

Or are you just some random person with a camera? Because anyone can become a "photographer" by buying a camera and selling their services, this is just one way you know that they play by the rules of the state by carrying actual business liability insurance, paying taxes and also that they have common sense.  Bad apple photographers can go to jail for selling photography and not paying taxes.  You also want to know that they treat customers and clients and won't rip you off.

4.) Do you have adequate back up equipment?

Each of our photographers come with mulitple camera bodies and an assortment of lenses, flashes, and various other equipment.  It's electronic and equipment fails on occasion, even when you buy the best (like we do).  You want to make sure your photographer has a back up plan, because Murphy's Law exists and sometimes things go wrong.  For example, if something of ours does fail, you will never know it because we reach for other equipment we have eagerly awaiting use in the bag.  If you aren't careful, you photographer may have to wipe the dust off that film camera (if they brought a back up along) which has its own set of risks, or they might have to use the disposables you bought for the tables, unless of course you're prepared to bring the expensive backup equipment for your lesser priced photographer....

5.) Who's got your back?

This is a serious question.  You are going to embark on one of the most dreamed about events of your life.  The last thing you want is someone not making it to your big day.  Accidents, sickness, and emergencies can and do happen.  No one can guarantee your day will be void of any problem, but the answer to this question can certainly put you at ease concerning your photographer.  Our studio has a dedicated team of photographers who have all had extensive training in the Still Life Studios style.  You can rest knowing that if there were a problem, we have backup photographers who are prepped to step in. 

6.)  Do you sell/include the disc in your packages?

This can be a double-edged sword for an answer.  Most brides think this is the most important thing they can ask.  Sometimes I wonder if it's because the bridal magazines say so.  Can this be important? Yes, but maybe not for the reasons you think.  Many brides want a disc so they can go and get cheap prints make at a corner store.  This cracks us up! Since you are hiring a photographer to take professional pictures, you might also consider letting them make sure it's professionally printed.  (yes printing on professional paper at a professional lab has big advantages) and has all the final treatments to best fit the size and circumstance of the pictures you want to display so proudly.  Ask what the photographer charges for reprints.  You may find that all the extra work they put into the print may cost quite a bit more than the drug store photo lab but they worked up the image to perfection and will stand behind it if anything was to be amiss. 

7.)  What measures do you take to protect my photographic memories?

Many of our clients don't buy a disc and yet, they still want to make sure their images are safe-that they can come back and get copies at some point in the future.  You want to make sure that your photography studio has routine methods of safely protecting your images. Besides having routine storing methods of protecting your images on your wedding day, we backup your images to multiple hard drives as soon as we reach the office.  In addition to that, we make a third copy of your images once they are posted online (within a week!) and then they are placed in your client file.  In an effort to also avoid the dangers of fire or other disaster we take your images to an offise location for storage.  No that you know we are serious about protecting your memories, this might be a good time to think about how you are protecting your own personal photographs...

For more information contact: Still Life Studios at

(480) 985-3959/www.stilllifestudios.com

My Love/Hate Relationship with The Bridal Fashion Debut...

It's that time of year again...time for all the newly engaged brides and grooms to celebrate their engagement with a little torture fun by attending the infamous two day Bridal Fashion Debut.

If I had to guess, I would say this will be my tenth time to set up a booth as a featured wedding vendor. Why torture, I mean fun? I'm kidding, kinda.... I really do recommend attending, I really do, but you MUST be prepared....It's very crowded and very overwhelming (especially if your at the infancy stages of your planning). 

Here's a few tips to make this experience more enjoyable and comfortable for you.

1.) Come researched and prepared.  Know ahead of time what vendors specifically you're interested in meeting.  Once you arrive at the show you'll be given a map, take a few moments to step aside..sip on your morning latte and map out where you desired vendors are ahead of time.

2.) Wear comfortable shoes!  You will be doing a ton of walking.

3.) Create a separate wedding email address, trust me you'll be so glad you did! (ex: justinandjenniferswedding@gmail.com)

4.) Create several labels with all of your contact number (including your new wedding email) so that you can enter all of the fantastic contests and be eligible for the givaways.

5.) Bring a backpack or a canvas big beach bag to carry all the information your receive...it's a lot of info and the paper shopping bag they give you at the front door will break halfway through the show.

6.) Just breath and don't allow yourself to become too overwhelmed, just go there for ideas, don't go there thinking you'll plan your entire wedding in one day!

I have a handful of complimentary tickets in my office, let me know if you need some.

See You There!