Kenzie Amick 5/13/20 Kenzie Amick 5/13/20

The Havoc of Coronavirus on Wedding Planning

As wedding planners, we too are devastated for the couples whose weddings have been impacted by Covid-19. There is nothing like the feeling of being surrounded by friends and family on your wedding day and right now, that is not an option. With restrictions lifting but social distancing recommendations remaining in place, it’s unclear when weddings will resume unencumbered by regulations and fear.

To help couples out, here are a few of the questions we are regularly hearing from our couples and our responses.

WHEN DO I NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO POSTPONE OUR WEDDING?

There are two windows of time to consider in this decision. Wedding invitations should be mailed eight weeks prior to the date at the latest. To avoid the cost of reprinting and confusing or frustrating guests who need to book flights or make other travel arrangements, we suggest you make the decision by the print deadline for your invitations. Depending on the printer, this is 10-12 weeks out from the wedding.

Of course, three months is a lot of time and much can change. If you prefer to push the decision to as late as possible, we suggest no later than five weeks before the wedding. After this time, additional payments are generally due, flowers get ordered and vendors move into high gear planning the final details of your event. The more notice you give vendors, the more amenable they will be to your rescheduling.

IF I FEEL I NEED TO RESCHEDULE, HOW DO I GO ABOUT IT?

Assuming you are not working with a planner who can handle these changes for you, contact the biggest ticket item vendors to get a read on their policies regarding rescheduling and get a list of available dates that fit your schedule. Cross reference all the lists and select your new date. In most cases and with enough notice, vendors are transferring deposits to new non-peak dates (meaning off-season) with no penalty. If the vendor is not available, then you enter a gray area that falls under cancellation and you could lose your deposit, so be sure to involve the vendors in the selection of the new date. Once a new date has been selected, be sure to get a contract addendum or new contract from each vendor for the new date.

CAN I BUY EVENT INSURANCE TO PROTECT THE DEPOSITS I’VE MADE?

You may be thinking of purchasing event cancellation insurance to protect yourself. The unfortunate news is that major insurance carriers have either suspended issuing cancellation policies or have language in the policy that would prevent claims tied to coronavirus since they are considered a “known circumstance” and therefore are not covered. So, for example, if vendors you’ve booked go under, lost deposits will not be covered if the closure can be traced to coronavirus. If your wedding is next summer and you want to purchase now, it is a known circumstance at this time so coronavirus next summer will not be covered. If it completely goes away this fall and you purchase for next year in the anticipation it could return like the flu, this is a gray area. What we’ve been told by insurance carriers is that if you are thinking of purchasing a policy to protect yourself from coronavirus, then don’t.

This is a time for appreciating all we do have, and we just want you to know how humble and honored we feel to be a part of such momentous occasions. These are unusual times and we are all in this together. Lean on your vendors to help you navigate the effects of this pandemic on your wedding planning. We are all eager to help. Stay well.

Kenzie Amick 10/4/18 Kenzie Amick 10/4/18

Wedding Planning 101: Venue

We’re back with more wedding planning tips and this week it’s all about location! The venue is where all the magic happens, so it’s important this step doesn’t get overlooked. If you are following our advice, then you have already established your wedding-day vision, right? Whether you’re going for a glamorous chic soiree, a trendy and modern celebration, or a bright and organic outdoor wedding, we encourage couples to pick a space that is consistent with their overall look. If you haven’t defined the vision yet, then you’re not ready to pick a venue!

Not only should the venue fit in with the style of the overall wedding, but it should also be budget-friendly. {Still a little stressed out about the budget? Don’t fret. Before reading on, take a peek at our Wedding Planning 101 blog on budgets!}

The most important thing to do when touring venues is ask the right questions. Aside from the basic “What is the room rental and food and beverage minimum?” type of questions, there are many things couples forget to ask that are crucial to nailing down your perfect venue.

Capacity is often a confusing and overstated number. When a venue quotes capacities, think no dance floor, no bar set-ups and tables so tight you need to turn sideways to get through! Ask for sample floor layouts to really see whether your wedding will “fit” within the space.

We also encourage couples to ask for a sample BEO, or “Banquet Event Order,” which itemizes every little cost that a couple would need to pay. This is a definite must before signing your name on the dotted line! Don’t forget to ask about extra charges that can add to the overall cost. Here are some examples of questions you should be sure to ask: Are there additional charges for auxiliary room rentals? Does your venue charge extra for tables, linens, chairs, lighting or lounge furniture? What about AV equipment? Is there a bartender fee or bar set-up fee associated with the venue? Do you need to rent a dance floor? What is the parking situation for your guests? Is security required? After all, nobody likes those last-minute surprises {and neither does your bank account!}

There you have it. Now, go schedule some venue tours and blow this one out of the park! Stay tuned for our next Wedding Planning 101 post on catering!

Kenzie Amick 1/19/18 Kenzie Amick 1/19/18

Machine Shop // Leslie & Samer

Most brides love flowers and gorgeous details, but this stunning Machine Shop wedding takes planning to a whole other level! The focal point of the room was a 6' x 20' floating garden detailed with both large and miniature chandeliers suspended over the head table laden with flowers. A soft mix of linens on the dining tables provided the backdrop for a stunning mix of boldly colored, unique blooms whereas bold linen choices were used upstairs. Every detail, from the glassware to the china to Spoon and Stable chocolate truffles, was thoughtfully planned. The invites were mounted on a fabric covered and gold foil embossed pocket. The cake featured custom wafer paper florals and a floral print reproduction from Leslie's favorite restaurant wall. From the incredible décor to the courses that were almost too pretty to eat {such as the grilled peach and fig salad} every detail was perfect.

Though we are keeping most of the images private at the client's request, we are happy to share some of the lovely details from the day with the client's approval!