The Value of Planning

We're just getting back into the swing of things after a fantastic wedding up in Saratoga Springs this past weekend. While we had planned the logistics and created our timeline for the wedding, a few snafu's did arise throughout the day and I thought I would bring them up for discussion and awareness. Even the best laid plans can somehow get pushed back.

During your planning process, its easy for the Groom to give up the reigns and not be involved. In fact, some couple's prefer this method planning. As a wedding coordinator, I remain indifferent to this. Some wedding's I never meet the Groom until the wedding rehearsal, and some wedding's I converse more with the Groom than the Bride. My job isn't to mettle in the couple's relationship, just to plan their wedding day! That being said, if you've got a hands off Groom ~ the week prior to the wedding, he needs to become a hands on Groom. He needs to be briefed, either by the Bride or the Coordinator, on all aspects of the wedding day. Timing, expectations, room layout, what has been discussed with the venue, band, transportation, photographer and any other vendors. This way, on the wedding day, its not all new to the Groom. He won't be 30 minutes late to board the bus and claim he didn't know the time. He won't want to change the order of dances and speeches. He won't question any aspect of the day. While as a planner, we are well versed in making quick decisions based on the flow of events and the needs of the newlyweds, its difficult to be discussing changing logistics one to two minutes before something else was supposed to happen.

Remember, timeline's are your friend and are created to ensure that the wedding flows seamlessly.



Happy Planning!

Groom - diva?

I always get asked about how involved the Groom should be in the wedding planning ... I always get a kick out of this. Without the Groom, there'd be no wedding, so he's involved from day one!!! In all seriousness though, having an active (or somewhet active) Groom throughout the planning process is a must have. Firstly, it eliminates him having an surprises on the wedding day ("I hate chicken, why are we serving chicken?" or "This is the venue you picked?") and it also gives him a little bit of ownership of the day. Now, the Groom's involvement doesn't have to be much (obviously you're planning over the course of many sports seasons ... wouldn't want him to miss out on any big games) but he should be helping out.

My suggestions for where the Groom should be involved:

Getting the guest list in order (he should be finalizing his side of invitees AND getting the appropriate addresses from his side)

Help picking the food - he will be eating it, he should like it!

Help picking the band - gotta make sure they play music suitable for his dance moves!

Acting as a buffer between the Bride and the future in-laws ... this is a must do if your in laws are being difficult throughout the planning phase. In theory, he should be the neutral ground - supporting you, listening to them (and then saying no, right?!)

Most importantly - he should be your #1 supporter right now. When you want to scream because all you have is tulle, beef and hydrangea's on the mind and you need to escape from the induced wedding coma, he should be there to listen, calm you down and redirect your fury elsewhere.

Lastly, an involved Groom means he'll be insanely proud of all your hard work after the wedding, and be your personal marketer telling everyone that the wedding was incredible and amazing because of all your fantastic planning!