Tips in Choosing Your Wedding Planner

A wedding planner is a professional who plans, organizes, collaborates the weddings of couples who wish to marry. The wedding planner assists in the design, planning and and over all management of the wedding event. 

The professional wedding planner has the following responsibilities:

• ·     Initial consultation with the bride and groom, complimentary
• ·     Unlimited phone and email availability during business hours
• ·     At least three planning meetings between clients and planner
• ·     Preparation of  a detailed budget breakdown and management process of the budget during the planning period
• ·     Custom schedule/time line and checklists
• ·     Assistance with site tours, selection and booking of ceremony and reception venues
• ·     Assistance with menu selection
• ·     Assistance with selecting a color scheme, theme and style of the wedding
• ·     Assistance with selection of wedding attire and accessories, accompaniment to fitting if desired
• ·     Guidance in finding, negotiating, and booking suitable vendors. Assistance with scheduling appointments. We will accompany clients to a minimum of one meeting per vendor category.  (some vendors will require more meetings)
• ·     Baker
• ·     Caterer
• ·     Florist
• ·     Musicians
• ·     Photographer
• ·     Rental Facilities
• ·     Videographer
• ·     Wedding Attire (bridal shops) Alterations if needed
• ·     Officiate
• ·     Transportation
• ·     Ongoing updates and consultation with clients about vendors services/products
• ·     Coordination with vendors to ensure services/products are provided in a timely manner
• ·     Assistance with choosing invitations, printing
• ·     Assistance with tracking RSVP’s and who will be attending
• ·     Ceremony planning
• ·     Preparation of  itineraries to be provided to vendors
• ·     Final walk-through with client at selected venues the month of the wedding
• ·     Final time lines prepared the month of the wedding
• ·     Final phone consultation with vendors the month of the wedding
• ·     Final meeting covering all details with client, the month of wedding and the week prior to the wedding. This two hour planning meeting will include:
• ·     Ceremony planning, processional, recessional, placement, timing for music if applicable
• ·     Preparation of rehearsal and wedding day itinerary as a time line to be provided to client and vendors
• ·     Final walk-through with client at selected sites month of the wedding (meeting should include florist if possible)

Types of Wedding Planner

There are many types of modern wedding planner. Most of these professionals are multi taskers and take on several duties at the same time. Find out which of these types of wedding planner do you need most.

Exclusive Wedding Planner. This type of wedding planner is a professional who plans exclusively meaning the expertise of this professional is into planning, designing, concepts and devising the ways to achieve that plan. He/She knows which ideas are better, which are difficult to acquire and which ideas are feasible and attainable to the event.

Wedding Planner and Decorator. This type of wedding planner is both a planner and doer. He plans for wedding concepts and can create it with the right tools and supplies. They are mostly into site set up, floral decorations, ceiling and wall drapings and table arrangements and centerpieces.

Wedding Planner and Host. This type of wedding planner is excellent for program emcee. These are the professionals who can pull off a wedding program with their talents in speaking to the crowd using their wit and humor.

Overall Wedding Planner. If you have heard about Jack of All Trades, then this is the type of wedding planner who is an all around. He/She can do all of the above at any given point in time. But of course, no one can spread himself/herself too thinly in doing their work. There should be a focus of skills to achieve quality. 

Tips in Choosing the Best Wedding Planner for You

1. Ask questions. Don't hesitate to ask the wedding planner about his/her scope. Ask the following: 

• What are the inclusions of his/her services?
• What are the prices of the packages?
• What are the terms of payment?
• What are his/her experiences in the wedding industry?
• How long has he/she been to this job?

2. Ask more questions and samples of work. There are many wedding planners who are ready to cater your needs but there can only be one or a few who can meet your personality, style, and most of all budget. Do your research first before cashing out your down payment to them.

3. Security questions. This is very crucial for people who would search wedding planners online. There are a lot of fraud people just waiting for their next prey. If there's a doubt in your head, DON'T. You know that these people are fake with the following:

Photo courtesy: nextlevelvision.com

• They have no clear answers to your questions.
• They will evade some questions and mislead you with double meaning statements.
• They will pressure you to pay them immediately.
• They say nasty things to other wedding suppliers.
• They have no credibility online and no one can recommend or even recognize them.
• They will probe your private details and even credit cards and personal information.

With the easy access of information online today, there are also many if not millions of criminals online who are just waiting for an opportunity to make money by their fraudulent acts. It is imperative to be cautious always especially when it involves your hard-earned money.

I hope this post helps! For your wedding planning concerns, email me at leahjacobe@gmail.com

Happy Planning Your Wedding!!!

The Most Comprehensive Filipino Wedding Checklist

Philippines is a culturally rich country. There are many beliefs and rituals taking place especially during a Filipino wedding. Aside from the wedding cost, if you are planning to tie the knot with your Filipino spouse in one of the churches or places in the Philippines, you might need many things to prepare because a traditional Filipino wedding is not your ordinary westernized wedding. Here's a complete checklist of things you must prepare for your grandest event in your life, your dream Wedding Filipino Style!

The Most Comprehensive Filipino Wedding Checklist Pre-Wedding Checklist:

During Wedding Planning, decide on the following: Attire   [] Color Motif Attire for Female Entourage  [] long gown  [] cocktail dress  [] knee-length  [] below the knee length Attire for Male Entourage  [] Barong  [] Suit  [] Tuxedo  [] Others Venues    [] Church (strict for Catholic Weddings)    [] Outdoor (Christian Weddings)    [] Reception         [] Outdoor         [] Indoor    [] Caterer           [] c/o Hotel or Venue          [] Independent Photographer    [] with pre-nup   [] without pre-nup   [] other add-ons Videographer   [] with pre-nup   [] without pre-nup   [] other add-ons Florist   [] Church & Reception Venue   [] Church Only   [] Reception Venue Only Make-up Artist   [] Bride & Groom only   [] Bride, Groom and parents only   [] Bride, Groom, Parents and Female entourage only   [] Bride, Groom, Parents and whole entourage   [] Bride, Groom, Parents, whole entourage, & others Wedding Invitations   [] for VIPs   [] for Guests Wedding Souvenirs   [] for VIPs   [] for Guests   [] for Groom's Men   [] for Bride's Maids Cake Designer   [] 3 layered cake   [] 4 layered cake   [] 5 layered cake   [] satellite cakes   [] cascading cake   [] cupcakes with mother cake   [] cake tower   [] others Add-ons: [] Photobooth []  During- Wedding Day Checklist:

Church Checklist

Mass Participants (Catholic Weddings)

[] Priest

[] Commentator

[] Readers

[] Reading 1st

[] Responsorial Psalm

[] Reading 2nd

[] Prayers of the Faithful

[] Offertory and Offerors Things to prepare:

o   Candles on stand   (2) o   Unity Candle (unique to Christian Weddings) o   Candles for lighting the Unity Candle (2)  (unique to Christian Weddings)

o   Fruits

o   Flowers

o   Unblessed Host

o   Wine

o   Cruets (wine and water)

o   Ciborium (host)

Ceremony Materials

[] Secondary sponsors

[] Candles

[] Matches or lighters

[] Cord

[] Veil

[] Arrhae (13 pieces of coins)

[] Bride's Bible

[] Rings (with fakes if necessary)

[] Pillows (2)

[] Misalettes and/or ceremony program

[] Garter (worn on the right leg of bride)

[] Flowers for:

>Bride

>Maid of Honor

>Bridesmaids

>Junior Bridesmaids

>Flower girls

>Secondary sponsors

>Principal sponsors

>Mother of the bride

>Mother of the groom

>Bride's throw away

>Boutonnieres for suits

[] Recessional Effects

>Bubbles

>Confetti

>Party Poppers

>Petals

>Rice grains

>Doves

>Others: balloons

[] Songs for:

> Wedding Processional march

> Entourage

> Bride

>Vows

>Offertory

>Lord's Prayer

>Communion

>Picture taking

>Recessional

>Others

> Wedding Recessional March

[] Food tidbits for travel to reception

[] Priest's stipend (optional) Others    [] Jewelry and accessories

Reception Checklist

[] Invitation    [] RSVPs

[] Flat shoes

[] Souvenirs

[] Gifts

>Principal sponsors

>Entourage

[]  Seating arrangement (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]  Reception lay-out

[]  Place cards (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]  Menu cards (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]  Drinks

>Wines

>Champagne

>Liquor

[]  Reception Songs

>Cocktails

>Entrance of newlyweds

>Dinner

>Bouquet activity

>Garter activity

>Married couples activity

>Cutting of cake

>First toast

>First dance

[]   Entrance for the reception

[]   Procedure for pictures with guests

[]   Reception programme

>Emcees

>Opening prayer and blessing of the food

>Acknowledgment of principal sponsors    > First Dance (Prosperity Dance)

>Table hopping

>AVP if any

>Bouquet toss or other activity

>Garter toss or other activity

>Married couples activity

>Wedding Bell Pull (Balloon Bursting)    >Releasing of Doves

>Speeches           >Bestman's toast (prepare copy)

>Wishes from the Maid of Honor (prepare copy)

>Parents of the newlyweds

>Couple (thank you, honoring, etc.)

>Others

[]  Cutting of cake

o   Serve Cake

o   Favors

[]   First toast (unique to Westernized Weddings)

[]  First dance

[]   Presentation

o   Song

o   Dance

o   Friends

[]   Programme card

[]   Materials for bouquet toss and garter game

[]   Registration table specially for arranged seating (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]   Guest book or cards

[]   Crew meals

Persons in charge:

[] Registration table:

[] Gift registration:

[] Distribution of gifts:

[] Payment to suppliers:

[] Make-up Artist:

[] Dress Designer:

[] Photographer

[] Videographer

[] Transportation

[] Hotel or caterer

[] Musicians

o   Church:

o   Reception:

Sound equipment

[]  Cake maker

[] Florist

o   Entourage

o   Church

o   Reception

[] Reception venue

[] Wedding Planners

[] Others

Post- Wedding Checklist

[] Make-up remover

[] Endorsements of the ff:

[] Ceremony materials

[] Reception materials

[] Food for the bride's family

[] Food for the groom's family

[] Gifts

[] Transportation

[] For bride

[] For newlyweds

[] For family

[] For gifts

Contact Numbers of Suppliers

Make-up artist:

Designer:

Photographer:

Videographer:

Transportation:

Hotel or Caterer:

Musicians:

Church:

Reception:

Sound Equipment:

Cake Maker:

Florist:

Church:

Entourage:

Reception:

Church:

Reception venue:

Printer:

Others: --------------------------- If you find it overwhelming to take note each one of the wedding checklist,  you can request your maid-of-honor and bride's maids and even the groom's men to assist you in preparing the materials.  Sometimes, the couple want their friends and family to just enjoy and relax during the entirety of the wedding event.  For a hassle-free, worry-free wedding planning, it is best to hire a wedding coordinator on the day of your wedding or better yet,  hire a wedding planner six months before the wedding event to ensure smooth flow of the event  and stress-free transition from single-hood to married life. Good luck with your wedding planning!  I hope this article helps you in reducing stress in your wedding planning process!  For your On-the-day wedding coordination needs, you can always count on us for assistance!  For questions and inquiries, do not hesitate to email me at leahjacobeweddings@gmail.com. All the best in you transition to married life! Tete-a-tete!!!