Answering Our Most Commonly Asked Questions

Ask, and you shall receive - answering our most commonly asked questions.

1. SHOULD I SPLURGE ON AN OPEN BAR?

Short answer, no. If you find yourself trying to justify the per person cost to upgrade to an open bar, don't push yourself past your limit/budget. Guests won't complain about free (to them) alcohol, so limiting your guests to beer and wine is completely acceptable

2. HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Easily, the work-life balance. We're fortunate to have understanding and flexible clients, but I'd be lying if I didn't say every now and then we get a client who really pushes and tests us. Remember, your Wedding Planner is human too - we have your best interest in mind, but the reality is that outside of your wedding we have other clients and life too.

3. DO WE NEED USHERS AT OUR CEREMONY?

We suggest usher, always. In most cases it's to help corral guests, urge them to take a seat and helps minimize mingling too close to your ceremony time. Your guests should feel comfortable and welcomes, but it's also important to stay on time.

4. ARE PLACE CARDS A MUST?

This is a personal preference, unless you're doing a plated dinner where guests have chosen their entree prior when they RSVP'd, then yes place cards are a must. Otherwise, having a seating chart directing guests to a tables is a great way to inform guests where they will sit. However, if you're worried about who will end up sitting next to who at that specific table, or your caterer requires it, map out the seating and assign guests to specific seats at their given table (hints the place card). We do not encourage open seating - it can ultimately cause more confusion and disruption than one might think. Family and your bridal party tend to be the last to sit before dinner and could end up sitting in the back corner. Not to mention, you'll have to over set your tables/chairs because some guests may pull chairs from other tables and squeeze extra at another just to sit with family or friends. Of course, you will also have some guests who save seats for their friends and it can be awkward for guests to ask if a seat is open.

5. TELL US ABOUT YOUR WEDDING, WE WANT TO KNOW IT ALL.

We were young, just 23. We paid for our own wedding. We got married on October 1, 2016 with roughly 120 guests. No alcohol, we don't drink. Yes to a first look. Changed into a second dress for the reception.

6. HOW DO I NOT STRESS THE SMALL THINGS?

The end of the day you're married. Be present. Trust the vendors you'e hired to do their job. Take a deep breath and let someone else take control (should be your Wedding Planner/Coordinator). Enjoy it, because it's over in the matter of hours, literally.

7. DO YOU EVER GET TIRED OF WEDDINGS?

Absolutely not, because every wedding and every couple is different. But it's sad to always miss birthdays, family gatherings, and events with family/friends because we give up our weekends (almost every Friday/Saturday May-October). Honestly, if it's not on our calendar a year in advance, we likely can't go because we'll have already booked a wedding for that day/weekend.

8. WHEN SHOULD THE RSVP REPLY CARD BE DUE?

We recommend setting your RSVP date to be 3 weeks (at the minimum, 4 weeks even better) before the wedding date. Many caterers require meal counts two weeks in advance (some 30 days, so make sure you confirm) so this gives you enough time to track down guests you haven't heard from, but also enough time to send your final counts, finalize seating arrangements, and time to create/order your seating chart/place cards. We recommend keeping track of RSVP's and any meal preferences or allergies in a spreadsheet as reply cards are received. Doing so will cause less stress at the end, all you have to do is tally a final count.

9. DOES A FIRST LOOK MAKE SENSE FOR OUR WEDDING DAY?

Some believe first looks can take away from the big reveal, while others find it private, intimate and that it can alleviate those wedding day jitters. However, the decision could also depend on your ceremony and reception timing. For brides who choose to have a back to back ceremony and reception (most common), a first look can be extremely beneficial to your timeline. With a 5:30pm ceremony and 6:00 cocktail hour you may feel rushed to get all of your family photos, bride and groom portraits, and bridal party complete in that one hour. Not to mention, any detail photos you want your photographer to capture of your reception space will be rushed or missed, just due to a lack of time. A first look might be recommended by your photographer and Wedding Planner/Coordinator to allot ample time for all the important images ahead of your ceremony without feeling rushed. Transparently, we're team first look!

10. BEST ADVICE FOR A NERVOUS BRIDE ON HER WEDDING DAY?

The nerves you're feeling are normal. Before the wedding day plan as much as possible, talk through your expectations, spend time alone as a couple, and get a good night's sleep. As for the day-of jitters eat a light but filling breakfast, excercise (even if it's just a walk), keep your wedding party close, and trust the vendors you have hired. As for during the wedding itself, outsource any questions to your Wedding Planner, take deep breaths, and remember to focus on your partner (everything will happen the way it's supposed to).

11. WHAT ARE YOU TIRED OF EATING AT THE RECEPTION?

Chicken! Don't get me wrong, chicken is our favorite and at home we eat it at least four nights a week, but ALWAYS at weddings it's dry and never warm.

12. MOST OVER PLAYED SONG AT THE RECEPTION?

Being in Kentucky, Grove St. Party by Waka Flocka Flame (honestly, IYKYK), like it's not even a new song. It's old. It's overplayed at football games, weddings, everywhere.

13. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE ACCURATE GUEST COUNT?

The easiest way, create and Excel sheet with all your guests names listed (list them individually), then as you receive your RSVPs make note - yes for attending, no for not attending. It's that easy. Also, if you're using your wedding website as the one place for guests to RSVP online, make sure you upload your guest list and then you can export it and see who has/hasn't RSVP'd.

14. WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH YOUR HUSBAND?

It has it's pros and cons - the pros heavily outweigh the cons, but again at the end of the day it's work.

15. FAVORITE PART OF A WEDDING DAY?

The ceremony hands down. It's the bride's walk down the aisle, and then her walk at the end with her groo - their smiles could light up the world. It gives me that 'we did it' moment everytime. Sure there's still the reception, but that's the fun part.

16. REGRETS ABOUT YOUR WEDDING, WHAT YOU WISH YOU DID DIFFERENTLY?

People ask us this often, and I mean it when I say I wouldn't change a thing. For who I was then, for who Hunter was then, and for who we were then, it was perfect! Looking back the things I 'think' I would like to have changed are solely because I've grown as a person. BUT, if I have to give an answer, the one thing I wish we would have done was a black/white dance floor, not the wood/teak dancefloor (wasn't my vibe then, and still isn't, but budget wise it was an area we decided to settle).

17. THOUGHTS ON A CHAMPAGNE TOWER.

Cool for a picture, and that's it. You don't want to use real glassware or rented glassware especially, because it ALWAYS falls down, and glasses will break. Take it, or leave it, I don't think it has an impression either way, nor do I feel it leaves your guests feeling some type of way.

18. WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR GIFTS AT THE END OF THE NIGHT?

Check with your venue's policy to see if they require you to have all decor out at the end of the night or if they will allow you to store things overnight, and come back the following morning to retrieve them. Regardless, someone should definitely take your wedding gifts at the end of the night.

19. WHEN DO YOU SUGGEST CLOSING THE BAR?

First we recommend reviewing the bar package you've selected with catering or bar company to see how many hours are included - each company follows different procedures. For us, we suggest closing the bar 30 minutes prior to the end of the reception. If your reception is over at 10:30pm, then the bar would close at 10pm- this helps calm the night and gives guests a chance to make travel arrangements. Note, we do not allow a last call, it defeats the purpose of closing the bar early because everyone rushes to the bar.

20. DO WE REALLY NEED A WEDDING PLANNER OR WEDDING COORDINATOR?

Let me ask you this, do you want to enjoy yourself on your wedding day? If you answer yes, then you most certainly need a Wedding Planner/Coordinator. Deciding between the two it's importatnt to think about what role you may want someone to have in your wedding. Both Wedding Planners and Coordinators will coordinate the wedding day logistics, but your Wedding Planners will help plan and design the event - that is come up with the look for the wedding, find the right vendros to bring that vision to life, and help work through budgets and contracts. Utilmately it's your decision, but we've never heard a bride say I wish I didn't have a Wedding Planner/Coordinator.