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Organize your guest list (if you haven’t already) all in one place.  Make an alphabetized guest list which includes your guests’ full names with their complete addresses.  Depending on which program you use, would highly recommend separating each field (so you may sort as the need arises) by:

• assign a “special” number to each guest as a “couple”* (see #1 below for details on why you will thank me a billion times for this tip)
• first name
• last name (easy to make an alphabetical list by last name of each guest) and title (if any)
• address
• city
• state/country
• zip/postal code
• phone number (in case they don’t RSVP and you need to call them)
• # RSVPed for reception
• # RSVPed for brunch (the day after your wedding)
  dietary restrictions (if any, especially if you are having a choice of beef, fish, vegetarian, etc.)
• table number (if you are having assigned seating at your reception)
• thank-you sent
• make brief notes of relationships (“Andrew’s mom’s best friend,” “Elena’s fiancé”) NOTE:  as you assemble your list these details will be helpful when you greet guests, arrange table seating, and when you write your thank-you notes.

1).  Make an assembly line so you do each step one by one (one task at a time will make sure you don’t forget to do it for one invitation)!

2).   To keep your sanity once you receive your RSVPs, use your “special” assigned number to each guest on the back of their RSVP card.  Many of your guests will forget to write or fill in their name on their RSVP card when they see the M________________.  When this happens, you receive their RSVP with the number attending, yet you do NOT know who they are!  Easily solve this by being proactive and printing the guest’s “special” number lightly in pencil or an invisible ink pen on the back of your RSVP card.  If your guest forgets to write their name on the line, you will know who is responding.

3).  Consider hiring a calligrapher, or ask your wedding planner for a recommendation of someone who has nice hand writing to address your invitations.   Depending on your envelopes, they may fit into your printer if you are a DIY, check one before continuing this so you don’t damage multiple envelopes.

4).  Do not abbreviate streets, cities, or states.

5).  Write the guests’ full names on the outer envelope (without abbreviations).  Traditionally invitations are inserted into two envelopes, an inner envelope and an outer envelope.  The outer envelope is the one that is addressed and stamped, while the inner envelope has only the names of the people the invitation is addressed to.  For example a married couple’s inner envelope is addressed to “Mr. and Mrs.  Anderson” with neither first names nor address.   You may want to write the names of intimate relatives and lifelong friends in informal terms such as “Uncle Tom and Aunt Sadie”. 

6).  Avoid writing “and guest” or “and family” so everyone invited feels the invitation is especially for him or her.

7).  Before mailing, take an assembled invitation (don’t forget all of your enclosures such as  your maps, RSVP cards, etc.) to your local post office to have them measure and weigh your assembled invitation and confirm you have the correct postage on your invitations.  (The last thing you need is to have your invitations  returned for improper postage or even worse having them delivered to your guests with “postage due”).

8).  In addition to your invitation you may have other enclosures  such as response cards, maps, and tissues.  Make sure everything is assembled one by one so you don’t omit an important item from your invitation mailing.

9).  Stuffing the envelopes:

• When 2 envelopes are used (inner and outer envelope) put all the enclosures in the inner envelope facing the back.
• The inner envelope is placed unsealed in the outer envelope with the flap away from the person.
• When there are insertions, they are placed in front of the invitation, so they face the flap (and the person inserting them).
• In the case of a folded invitation, insertions are placed in the same direction but within the fold.

10).  Mail invitations eight weeks before the wedding (especially if you are inviting many out-of-town guests). 

11).  Make sure your return address appears on the invitation on the upper left-hand corner, or on the envelope’s flap.  This lets your guests know where to send replies and gifts to in case your return address does not appear on the invitation.

12).  Expect that not everyone will attend.  25 percent of those you invite will not be able to attend.   You will receive your “yes” RSVPs before the “can’t make it”.  

13).  A and B list etiquette.  If you have a “wish” list or “B” list, try to mail all your invitations on the same day regardless of their “list” category.  Remember your “B” list may know some of your “A” list, and vice versa.  You don’t want to hurt the feelings of others by thinking they are not invited to your wedding.

Copyright 2012, Kim Horn, MBC™

To hire Kim as your wedding planner, call 480.921.7891 or text your name, wedding date, and wedding planner request to 602.418.9089.

Kim M. Horn, MBC™

Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Phoenix and Destination Weddings

Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com

AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants May 2003 – May 2012

ABC 2010 Conference Chair worked with David Tutera

O 480.921.7891

C 602.418.9089

F 480.829.6292

E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com

ArizonaBridalSource.com

ArizonaBridalShow.com

This weekend is the largest Bridal Show in America!  January 7-8, 2012 at Phoenix Convention Center in the SOUTH building from 9am – 3pm.  Tickets are $12 at the door.  ArizonaBridalShow.com for tickets online.

Bridal shows are a great planning tool when you are a busy bride, groom, or parent planning an upcoming wedding.  In one day and in one place you are able to talk directly with many different exhibitors, see/hear/taste/smell/touch samples of their work, and get an idea of costs involved in hiring their products and services.  Many bridal show exhibitors have show “discounts” or “specials” available for a limited time.

Bridal shows may be overwhelming, crowded, and confusing.  Would highly recommend you spend time planning ahead to get the most out of your bridal show experience.

Here are a few tips I highly recommend to make your “Bridal Show Experience” the most productive:

1).  Visit the bridal show web site for discount coupons on admission.

2).  Mark your calendar with the day(s), start time, end time, and the location with the address and parking details.

3).  Come early, since the you will get more accomplished.

4).  Attend the fashion show, and check the start time.

5).  Bring the people involved in making major decisions for your wedding. 

6).  Bring a camera or video to capture what you like.

7).  Bring address labels or an address stamp with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and wedding date to register for prizes.  This will save you time and prevent writer’s cramp.  Remember to register at locations you are interested in, otherwise your mailboxes will be overflowing! 

8).  Bring a large bag (or bag with wheels) so you may comfortably carry all of the hand-outs and samples you receive from the exhibitors.

9).  Wear comfortable shoes since you will be walking and standing on your feet for hours.

10).  Bring your calendar so you may book appointments.

11).  Bring cash and your check book to take advantage of show discounts on site.

12).  Bring your color swatches if you still need a designer, florist, and bakery.

13).  Make a list of priorities of products and services you need the most.

14).  Some vendors may be able to book 1 or 2 weddings a day which will make them book more quickly.  Photographers, DJs, wedding planners, florists, and videographers may be examples of this vendor type.  Other vendors may be able to book multiple weddings on the same day.  Keep this in mind when organizing your priorities. 

15).  Stay until the end of the show, you may be able to have props which are leftover from the exhibitors. 

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, MBC™

To hire Kim as your wedding planner, call 480.921.7891 or text your name, wedding date, and wedding planner request to 602.418.9089.

Kim M. Horn, MBC™

Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Phoenix and Destination Weddings

Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com

AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants May 2003 – May 2012

ABC 2010 Conference Chair worked with David Tutera

O 480.921.7891

C 602.418.9089

F 480.829.6292

E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com

ArizonaBridalSource.com

Horn Family Holiday Card 2011

From our family in sunny Arizona (Christmas forecasts the high 65/low 41) to yours, wishing you an incredible holiday with your family and friends.  Thanks to Tracy Kreck from PhotoPassion.us for this family photo taken at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

ENGAGEMENTS.  Christmas and New Years Eve are two of the biggest engagement days.  If you need proposal ideas and ways to sweep her off her feet, check out our proposal blog. 

BRIDAL SHOW.  January 7-8, 2012 at the Phoenix Convention Center from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the South Building, discount tickets are available at ArizonaBridalShow.com, tickets are $12 at the door.  Your ticket gets you admission for Saturday and Sunday. 

TV SEGMENT on WEDDING TRENDS.  Watch AZ Channel 3 TV on December 31, 2011 at 9:50 a.m. for 2012 Wedding Trends.

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, MBC™

To hire Kim as your wedding planner, call 480.921.7891 or text your name, wedding date, and wedding planner request to 602.418.9089.

Kim M. Horn, MBC™

Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World

Lead Arizona Wedding Planner – specializing in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Phoenix, and Destination Weddings

Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com

AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants May 2003 – May 2012

ABC 2010 Conference Chair worked with David Tutera

O 480.921.7891

C 602.418.9089

F 480.829.6292

E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com

Your RSVPs are in, what’s next? 

Deciding who sits with whom requires being tact, being considerate, having diplomacy, and having a sense of adventure.  This is similar to a jigsaw puzzle, where you will be putting all the pieces together, one by one.    

1).  Do I really need assigned seating?  Most guests prefer having assigned seating to a table.  Unassigned seating sounds great in theory, yet it rarely works out well. 

• Do you like going to an event which is “general admission”?
• There may be a “rush” for the best seats.
• Couples may get split up.
• If people turn up who did not RSVP, they may take seats intended for your RSVPed guests.

2).  Assigning tables or assigning seats?  Guests may be assigned to a table (where they may be choose any seat)  or assigned to a specific seat.  Assigning tables is more common in the United States, where assigning seats is more common in Europe. 

3).  Obtain a floor plan of your room from your reception site manager.  Make photocopies of the floor plan so you may work with the seating arrangements.  A few items are critical in the seating placement of your guests, such as placement of your:

• band/DJ (not the best seating placement for your grandparents)
• dance floor (next to your DJ/Band)
• bar(s)
• food tables (depending on the type of service you have chosen – sit-down/plated, action stations, or a buffet)
• cake table
• dessert bar or candy bar (not the best seating placement for children)
• number/name your tables (make sure you place Table #1 next to Table #2; if you have “names” for your tables, make sure they are alphabetical beginning with the letter “A”)

4).  Know your tables sizes and how many guests fit at each table. 

• 36” rounds seat 2-4 people
• 48” rounds seat 4-6 people
• 60” rounds seats 8-10 people
• 66” rounds seat 10 people
• 72” rounds seat 10–12 people
• 4’ banquet seats 4–6 people
• 6’ banquet seats 6–8 people
• 8’ banquet seats 8–10 people
• 36”  square seats 4 people
• 48”  square seats 8 people
• 60” square seats 10 people
• 72” square seats 12 people

NOTE:  If you are having chargers/base plates, you may want to reduce the number of people at each table, since some charges are 13” in diameter.

5).  Seating the bride and groom. 

• together at a sweetheart table for two
• together with your matron/maid of honor and best man
• together with your matron/maid of honor, best man, and their spouse/guest
• together with your wedding party
• together with your wedding party and their spouse/guest
• together with both sets of parents

6).  Seating parents.  Traditionally you would have one table for the bride’s family and close friends, and another for the groom’s family.  You may want to combine the two tables, yet normally there is an entourage of extended family and friends.  When the bride and/or groom’s parents are divorced, and all are in attendance, it is usually not the best idea to seat them together.  Hopefully they are amicable, yet the extended family of each may make it difficult logistically to seat them all at one table.

7).  The bridal party table.   Be creative with your wedding party.  Think of how you feel when you attend weddings or events.  You may your wedding party to sit with their spouse, guest, or family.  The bridal party table may be a rectangular table set against one side or end of the room.  The bride and groom sit at the center of the long side of the table, facing out so guests may see you.  No one is seated opposite of the bride and groom.  The bride sits on the groom’s right, with the best man on her right; the maid/matron of honor sits on the groom’s left, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen alternate along the same side of the table.  If you have a large wedding party, or if you want the spouses/guests of the wedding party to be seated with them, you may want a U-shape table with the bride and groom in the center.     

8).  Other guest tables.  Your basic objective is to make each table as congenial as possible.  For couples, try to mix and match while considering their personalities and interests.  Try to “fill the table”.  If you have a table for 10, try to fill it with 10 guests.  It will cost you more money on each table, linen, centerpiece, etc., if you do not fill your tables.  Trust your instincts and common sense.  If you do not personally know the guest, discuss with your fiancé or the parent which invited that person to assist you in the most logical positioning and grouping.  NOTE:  Seating a guest at a table where the other guests are close friends may leave the person feeling uncomfortable. 

9).  Seating children.  Younger children are usually seated with their parents.  Older children, tweens, or teens enjoy not being seated with their parents. 

10).  Seating disabled guests.  If you have a guest in a wheelchair, you may want to put them close to the entrance doors so they easily may get in and out of the room.  You may want to remove the chair for them if they will be seated in their wheelchair.  If they would like to be seated in their chair, you may want to move the wheelchair to the side of the room for them.  If someone has difficulty walking and has a cane or walker, normally it is easier to place them closer to the entrance doors.  A person with impaired hearing or impaired vision may enjoy being placed near the bridal party or near the band/DJ. 

11).  Seating charts, escort cards, tables numbers, and place cards.  Guests will need to know which table they are seated at so they don’t have to walk around to every table to find their place.  Place cards are recommended for seated dinners and formal buffets with more than twenty guests.  Table numbers with stanchions or frames are placed on each table to display the number or name of the table.  Table cards assign a guest to a specific table.  Place cards assign a guest to a specific seat at a specific table.  The table number of each guest’s table is written on his or her place card.  These place cards are in alphabetical order by last name at the reception entrance.  For assigned seating at the table, you will need to assign a direction in the room such as “the band is at 12 o’clock”, and seating is clockwise in the room.  Make sure you number your floor plan with the appropriate table number or table name, and make sure the reception site has table numbers and table number holders/frames (hopefully their selection will match your décor). 

12).  Alphabetical list by last name of guest with their table number or table name.  Make sure your wedding planner and head captain have your approved floor plan as well as an alphabetical list by last name of the guest with their assigned table number.   It is also helpful if you have a table number or table name list with the guests listed under this.  You will want to double and triple check this to make sure everyone has a seat.

13).  Open the doors.  Make sure at each entrance you have your wedding planner, a head captain, or a server with a detailed floor plan directing guests to their tables.

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, MBC™

To you hire Kim as your wedding planner, call 480.921.7891 or text your name, wedding date, and wedding planner request to 602.418.9089.

Kim M. Horn, MBC™

Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World

Lead Arizona Wedding Planner – specializing in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Phoenix, and Destination Weddings

Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com

AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants May 2003 – present

ABC 2010 Conference Chair worked with David Tutera

 O 480.921.7891

C 602.418.9089

F 480.829.6292

E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com

ArizonaBridalSource.com

TellOurStoreToo - Wedding Dress Hanger

Brides hire me as their wedding planner for many reasons, yet the top 5 are so they may:

1).  Be the bride rather than being the wedding planner;

2).  Relax and enjoy their wedding;

3).  Have a one-of-a-kind design;

4).  Forget about small details;

5).  Know they received the best quality for the best price!

For your “get ready photos” this personalized hanger displays your gown in style.  For more, go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/TellOurStoryToo  There are notches for your wedding gown.  The wire colors currently available are fuschia, turquoise, hunter green, lavender, silver, and gold.  The wood colors currently available are natural or cherry. 

The hanger includes the charm and ribbon. 

Possible suggestions for personalization are:
Mrs. ________
Bride
Name
Bridesmaid
Love
I Do
Groom

Allow up to 2.5 weeks for your hanger to be completed from the date of purchase.

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, MBC™

To you hire Kim as your wedding planner, call 480.921.7891 or text your name, wedding date, and wedding planner request to 602.418.9089.

Kim M. Horn, MBC™

Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World

Lead Arizona Wedding Planner – specializing in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Phoenix, and Destination Weddings

Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com

AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants

ABC 2010 Conference Chair worked with David Tutera

O 480.921.7891

C 602.418.9089

F 480.829.6292

E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com

ArizonaBridalSource.com

Sylvia Weinstock is an incredible cake designer.  The pastry chef you select to design your wedding cake is crucial to the final appearance and taste of your cake.  Arrange a tasting with your pastry chef.  Each bakery has their own ”signature recipe”  for flavors, fillings, and icing.  Find out if your cake will be made from scratch or if it will be frozen at any time.  Find out if your bakery will deliver and setup your cake, including your cake topper.  For your initial cake consultation, take photos to share with your pastry chef so they see your vision of your cake style, shape, and color preference.  Make sure you get a color swatch to take with you for your pastry chef to keep in your cake file.  Your only limitation is your imagination.  Use a design from the bodice of your wedding gown, a monogram from your invitation, or another detail which may be enhanced to create a design thread for your wedding theme.  You may want to have different flavors and fillings on different layers so your family and friends get a variety.

Buttercream – icing made of butter, sugar and eggs, and may be used as a filling, or to create details and flowers which are edible.  

Fondant – icing which coats the entire cake and makes a seamless canvas for decorating.  You either love it, or could live without it – taste it.  You will love the look, and many brides prefer the taste to get the versatility in their design.

Whipped Cream – heavy whipping cream and sugar, the same whip cream you know and love. 

Royal Icing – icing which is strictly for decorating complex patterns and details.  Used for a lot of ornate cookies – the hard icing you see on top.

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, Master Bridal Consultant

To you have your own personal wedding planner, contact:

Kim M. Horn, MBC

Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World

Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com

Sponsor ArizonaBridalShow.com

AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants

ABC 2010 Conference Chair

O 480.921.7891

C 602.418.9089

F 480.829.6292

E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com

ArizonaBridalSource.com

BRIDE
Wedding ring for the groom.
Wedding gift for the groom.
Gifts for the bridal attendants.
Personal stationery.
Accommodations for her out-of-town attendants (optional).
Attendants’ dresses (optional).

BRIDE’S FAMILY
Engagement party (optional).
Bridal consultant.
Cost of ceremony (location, musicians, rentals, flowers, and decorations).
Entire cost of reception (food, beverage, gratuities, wedding cake, rental fee, rental items, decorations, music, and flowers).
Wedding gift for the couple.
Bride’s wedding attire and accessories.
Bridesmaids’ bouquets.
Flower girl bouquet or basket.
Wedding invitations, save the date cards, announcements, enclosures, and mailing costs.
Wedding programs.
Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and the reception site.
Engagement, wedding, and reception photographs.
Bridesmaids’ luncheon.
Gratuities for those directing traffic, valet parking, and checking coats.
Personal wedding attire.
Rehearsal dinner (optional).

GROOM
Engagement and wedding rings for the bride.
Wedding gift for the bride.
Marriage license.
Gifts for the best man and groomsmen.
Groom’s wedding attire.
Bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage.
Mothers’ and grandmothers’ corsages.
Boutonnieres for all men in the wedding party.
Accommodations for his out-of-town attendants (optional).
Groomsmen wedding attire (optional).
Attendants’ gloves, ties, ascots, and vests (optional).
Fee for the ceremony officiant.
Honeymoon.
Bachelor dinner (optional).

GROOM’S FAMILY
Personal wedding attire.
Travel and hotel expenses they incur.
Wedding gift for couple.
Bachelor’s dinner (optional).
Rehearsal dinner.

GUESTS
Traveling expenses.
Wedding gift for the couple.

WEDDING PARTY ATTENDANTS
Wedding attire for themselves.
Any traveling expenses.
Wedding gift for the couple.
Showers given by maid of honor or bridesmaids.
Bachelor party given by best man or groomsmen.

BRIDE AND GROOM
Gifts of appreciation for parents or others who helped with the wedding.
Expenses of items desired which have exceeded the original budget.

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, MBC.

To you have Kim Horn be your wedding planner, contact:

Kim M. Horn, MBC
Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World
Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com
Sponsor ArizonaBridalShow.com
AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants
ABC 2010 Conference Chair

O 480.921.7891
C 602.418.9089
F 480.829.6292
E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com
ArizonaBridalSource.com

Each reception venue and chef has a “claim to fame” menu and service style to go with it.  After receiving repetitive questions from brides, grooms, and their parents, decided it is time to blog about it. 

Think about other weddings you have attended.  What did you like about the food?  What did you dislike?  Was there a particular type of food you still remember?  Was there a type of food you would care to forget? 

Many brides and grooms are confused over which style is the “best”.  Just because it is included in the package you received, it doesn’t mean you have to agree to everything in the package.  Negotiate what you want in the package.  Negotiate what you do not want out of the package.  This is where an experienced wedding planner comes to your rescue.  There will options for upgrades available at an additional charge. 

 Confirm whether the menu price point is inclusive (including service charge and tax) or exclusive (not including service charge or tax).  Many refer to this as “++”, or plus plus.  This may easily add 30% or more to your menu price point.

 A local TV station called to interview me on live TV about this “hidden fee”.  When the segment aired, did mention this fee is normally written in detail in food and beverage agreements.  Most of the time people do not understand what they are reading, or how it affects their price point per person.

 Sit-down – you traditionally pay more for service.  Guests are pampered at their table, and the chef creates a stunning plate presentation.

 Buffet – you traditionally pay more for food.  This is less formal, while this style promotes more socializing.  An organized system is necessary to reduce the standing and wait time at the buffet. 

 Food Stations or Action Stations – this is a modern and fresh style.  This gives you the opportunity to provide something for everyone.  This style requires space to set the various stations.  Many stations are themed, or carry a different style of cuisine. 

 Family Style – this is a seated dinner where guests pass trays of food to each other.  You need more table space for platters to be placed on the table.  You may want to use long rectangular tables for ease of passing trays from person to person and across the table. 

 French Service – waiters serve guests from large serving dishes, which is very luxurious. 

 Russian Service – waiters hold the platters while guests help themselves, which is almost as luxurious as French service.

 Ask your chef or bartender about preparing a Family Recipe - This would be an excellent way to tie in your family history, yet the dish or drink may not be perfectly replicated.  Which leads to the next topic, tasting.

 Ask your chef about a Tasting – Schedule a tasting with the chef preparing your food.  Ask your chef if this tasting is included, for how many people, or if it is at an extra charge.  Find out what you get to “taste”…it may be entrée only, where your hors d’oeuvres may be omitted.  You may not get a full cake, just a small sampling.  Make sure you schedule your tasting in advance.  Ask your chef for menu recommendations based on your style and theme.  Bring your camera, to take photos of the presentation and the food portions.  Plan ahead and ask to have your table set up with the exact table size, table linen, napkin fold, chairs, crystal, china, and flatware they will be using for your wedding day.

 To have your own personal wedding planner, contact:

 Kim M. Horn, MBC
Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World
Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com
Sponsor ArizonaBridalShow.com
AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants
ABC 2010 Conference Chair – worked with David Tutera

O 480.921.7891
C 602.418.9089
F 480.829.6292
E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com
ArizonaBridalSource.com

What is the difference between a resort wedding planner, church wedding planner and having your own personal wedding planner?

Since brides, grooms, mothers, fathers, wedding party attendants, and vendors repetitively ask me this question, decided it is time to blog about it!  Could give you multiple essays on this topic, yet know you are busy, so will limit it to a “few instances” to show you brief examples.

The church and resort wedding planner manage multiple weddings and events at their same location, and are familiar with the ins and outs of their property.  The church and resort wedding planner may have more than one wedding and/or event on the same day and/or same time as your wedding.  Make sure when you are looking for a ceremony and reception site you know how many weddings and/or events they will book on the same day as your wedding (before, during and after your wedding).  It may affect your vendor load in, your photographs, and timeframe of what your designer will be able to do because of lack of time.

At a recent wedding where I was hired by the groom as their wedding planner, the resort wedding planner checked in with the bride and groom, then me. The resort wedding planner let me know at the wedding rehearsal the day before she had another wedding at the same time as my bride, and she was going to assign another resort wedding planner to be at her wedding.  I asked her if she had let my bride know, and she replied, “No”.   I highly suggested to the resort wedding planner a substitute the day before the wedding was not acceptable, and the bride and groom did not need any additional stress because of a resort situation.

The resort wedding planner was spread between multiple events at the same time at different locations at her property, since “both brides” wanted her, not the other person on site.  The resort wedding planner could not be with 2 brides at 2 different sites at the same time, she told me she would “be right back” to help get the ceremony started on time.  The resort wedding planner did come back, yet she missed my bride’s entire ceremony. The resort wedding planner showed up 23 minutes past the start time of the ceremony. The resort wedding planner was out of breath, and thanked me for starting everything without her. The bride and groom had just kissed, and were ready for their recessional (when you walk down the aisle as husband and wife).

Would you want this to happen to you, especially when it comes to the most stressful part of the wedding day, where it is beneficial to have an experienced wedding planner  lead, line up, and direct your VIP entrance of your closest family and friends, in the middle of making sure your musicians change the music on time for the appropriate VIP entrance.  Remember, everyone knows what time your ceremony is expected to start, it is printed on your invitation!

Focus is “all about my bride”, and I organized and directed the bride’s wedding rehearsal the previous day, and started her ceremony processional (when your VIPs walk in and you too) on time. My bride had no idea the resort wedding planner missed her ceremony, and that is the way it will stay. No names or photos are listed here for a reason, and if you are a client and think it was your wedding, I will deny it!

One church wedding planner tried to have the Mother of the Bride escorted down the aisle by her ex-husband. I immediately stepped in, diffused the situation, and had the mother walk in with her son (which is how we rehearsed it, and how it was on the approved wedding timeline which the church wedding planner had in her hands).

Thankfully the bride didn’t know, yet the MOB (mother of the bride) knew. The mother of the bride thanked me for eliminating what would have been an awkward situation, and commented, “You are worth your weight in gold”!  The church wedding planner had gotten the bride confused with the details on the wedding which was right after this bride’s wedding.

Focus, details and experience are everything when it comes to a wedding planner!

Copyright 2011, Kim Horn, Master Bridal Consultant.

To you have your own personal wedding planner, contact:

Kim M. Horn, MBC
Master Bridal Consultant | 1 of 59 in the World
Publisher | Pres. | ArizonaBridalSource.com
Sponsor ArizonaBridalShow.com
AZ State Coordinator | Assoc. of Bridal Consultants
ABC 2010 Conference Chair

O 480.921.7891
C 602.418.9089
F 480.829.6292
E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com
ArizonaBridalSource.com

Your upcoming wedding will affect people in your life differently. Many weddings are “all about the bride”, and rarely do you hear much about the FOB (father of the bride), except when another check needs to be written!

Hoping this helps explain your dad’s pre-wedding behavior (why is he suddenly always in the garage?), not to mention his “day of” apparel requests. Communication during stressful times is important.

During your engagement, make time to be with your dad and spend quality “one-on-one” time together. If you sense your dad is getting emotionally distant, ask him to be involved in a part of your wedding you and your mom think he would enjoy. This would be a perfect time to let your dad know that although your relationship may change, no one will take his place. Let him know you look forward to and will treasure this part of your relationship with him. Your dad is working on trusting another man to protect you, which has always been his duty.

With your wedding day around the corner, your dad may feel a sense of loss or feel “his job is over” once you are married. Mothers normally feel an “empty nest” when you leave for college. Yet with fatherhood, this is a major part of his identity, especially since fathers reflect on when you were little, when he taught you things, and remembering how quickly the time has passed.

Verbally walk your dad through your wedding day schedule for the “when and where” of your rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. Let him know the photography timeline, how he will be walking you down the aisle, and his very important line “her mother and I” or “we do” at the ceremony. Remind him of his welcome/toast to everyone and give him a time limit so he knows to be brief. Practice your father/daughter dance together, and ask your wedding planner for assistance if you need help with song selections and choreography.

Copyright 2011
Kim Horn, Master Bridal Consultant (1 of 59 in the World)
Publisher, Arizona Bridal Source
ABC AZ State Coordinator
ABC 2010 Conference Chair worked with David Tutera
O 480.921.7891
C 602.418.9089
E info@ArizonaBridalSource.com
ArizonaBridalSource.com