
Friday, November 6, 2009
Be a Planner Explains: Bouquets

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Brandi Hamerstone
Name: Brandi HamerstoneLocation: Main office is located in Chagrin Falls, OH but area market is all of Northeast Ohio
Company: All Events Planned (opened previously under A Planned Event)
Years in Business: All Events Planned was created and wedding planning began under that name only in July. Personally as a wedding planner, I have had over 8 years of experience. Working with weddings through hotels, off-site catering companies and even private business clubs have given me a full range of knowledge and ability through each different source.
Website: www.alleventsplanned.com
Blog: http://
What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?
I would say that most planners agree, we specialize in it all. I enjoy full service weddings because it gives me the opportunity to get to know the bride, get to know her likes, dislikes and her expectations. This allows me, as a planner and friend to the bride, to have all the answers and to stay one-step ahead of any issues or last minute decisions.
Day of Coordination is more of an on the spot activity. It gives you a little more excitement on the day and requires the planner to be organized, detailed and ready for anything. I would say that Day of is more of an adventure and gives you the ability rely heavily on your experience and expertise to ensure the day is perfect.
What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Wedding magazines will be my first. I subscribe to every single one that even mentions weddings. The times that you can sit with a bride a leaf through, page by page and explore colors, details and design are the best times to get to know them and their style. I hope print never goes away! Get Married is a new magazine that I have personally enjoyed and my clients have had a great response to as well!
Blogs have been a new source of inspiration. Until I started mine, I did not realize how many were out there, available to assist the bride, the planner or any of the vendors in their wedding journey. I love the photos, color layouts and even writing styles. You get to know so much about a person by how their blog is situated and it is just a click away if you want your client to enjoy the content as well!
Lastly would be my portfolio. Being able to show bridal clients what I have done, what I can create and what other brides have chosen for their events is priceless.
What made you get started in wedding planning?
I attended PA Culinary in order to obtain a degree, not in culinary, but in hotel/restaurant management. Even during school I was drawn to only the dynamics of events and planning. While in college, I worked for an exclusive club in downtown Pittsburgh as part of the event planning staff. As I worked my way up the ranks there, I stayed true to my love of event planning. After transferring from PA to OH I was able to find a job as a Catering Director at another exclusive club. Weddings were my love, my pride and my joy. Through the years of working, I stayed with events but always just felt a deep connection with weddings. I love sharing those special moments, those once in a lifetime events with clients. It takes so much to make it perfect, but at the end of the day, it is always worth it!
What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
That’s the tricky part there, technology excluded. My husband, that’s a fair response right? He is sometimes in the office. He is supportive of every decision I make and is always available for last minute assistance on site and even for appointments. I was lucky to find a man who loved weddings (or maybe loves his wedding planner wife) as much as any man could. He’s even drive hours away to drop off items that I’ve needed for wedding shows and when a steamer broke on-site he showed up minutes later with a new one. Wrinkled dress crises avoided!
If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Never stop learning and listening. This advice is for anyone in any field really though. As a planner, you can never know too much about the industry, about other vendors or even about other planners. Always be open to new advice, new styles and sometimes criticism. (of the constructive type, that is) Someone from California emailed me about the layout of my blog. Frankly, what they said was true and after I made a few of the changes they suggested, I actually got compliments on my “new blog layout.” Not much can be said for ignoring good advice.
Lastly, don’t be afraid of competition. There are 100’s of planners everywhere, find out what you are good at and be the best. Everyone planner has their own “specialty” and you just have to find yours. As long as you are good, there is nothing to feel threatened by as a wedding planner. Good planners stay good and when a better planner comes along, learn from them and then, yup, you’ll get better at planning too!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Day-of vs. Month-of Planning
There are similarities and differences.
Both services will be there on your wedding day or organize and orchestrate your wedding day. And you get to work with a planner, but the similaries sort of end there.
If you have a Full Service Coordinator they will do the following, plus a TON more:
• Help with budget
• Review contracts and negotiate your contracts, make sure nothing is missing or duplicated
• Offer Vendor Recommendations
• Attend your meetings with your vendors (offer our opinions)
• Assist with décor
• Help with Set up and possibly breakdown
• Be “In-the-know” with every aspect of your wedding
• Create and extensive timeline for each vendor involved in your wedding
• Organize and Orchestrate your Rehearsal and Wedding Day
• More extensive time on the day of the wedding
• And Much, much more!
What can a Day Of Coordinator do for you:
• Be there on the day of your wedding and your rehearsal to organize and orchestrate your day
• Meet with you 1 or 2 times prior to your wedding
• Be there for a limited amount of time on your wedding day
• Create a timeline
• Coordinate your Ceremony
It really depends on what you need. How much you’ve planned.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Mark Kingsdorf

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (service greater Philadelphia, southern New Jersey, and Delaware)
Company: The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants
Years in Business: February 2010 will be our 10th anniversary
Website: www.QOHweddings.com
Blog: www.QOHweddings.com/blog
What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design...)?
What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Day-of Coordinator
There is a lot of controversy going around as to hire or not to hire someone to help you on your wedding day… and I wonder why.
Let me clarify, we are a wedding planning company in Gainesville, Florida. That is what we do…that’s all we do. Full Planning. Day Of. We’ll plan anything, anywhere. Anything on the Planet we can Plan It! But I digress.
Why do you need a Day of Coordinator, Month of Coordinator- whatever you call it… someone to help you on the day of or month of your wedding. You have your wedding planned, your contracted with all of your wedding vendors. Now what? You don't want your mom or Bestie to be running around making sure your details are handled...
- Who is going to organize your wedding day, create your schedule for the day of your wedding, go over your contracts, make sure you and your fiancé – your mom can be guests at your party!
- Who is going to open the door for you right before you walk down the aisle… hint – NOT your mom, she’s already seated.
- Who is going to take care of THAT drunk guest at your wedding, that just so happens to be a prominent judge and is making a fool of himself and pulling down his pants on the dance floor – hint, NOT your mom!
- Who is going to inform your caterer that they didn’t include the green beans on the buffet, or make sure your 2 Vegan guests can't be served a vegetarian meal… hint- NOT your mom!
Does that make more sense as to what a wedding planner will be doing on the day of your wedding?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Lisa Green

Location: New York City
Company: Anderson Green Events
Years in Business: Established in 2007
Website: www.andersongreenevents.com
Blog: www.andersongreenevents.
What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?
I specialize in ensuring that the bride is a bride and the groom is a groom on their wedding day. My services range from Day Of to Full Planning.
What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Photographers websites and blogs, Interior Design magazines and blogs and DIY projects I find around the web. I look at all the wedding blogs too but mainly for color inspiration.
What made you get started in wedding planning?
I LOVE planning and organizing. Planning parties, planning trips, planning just about anything. It drives my husband insane when I announce that we are having a dinner party, since I treat it like a royal affair. My mother worked in fundraising events, so I’d been exposed to planning events from a young age. After college I worked at Sotheby’s and then a hedge fund and realized that I wasn’t doing what made my happy {or let’s face it, what I was great at}. I had an opportunity to work for a planner and as they say, the rest is history! Out of chance / luck / destiny & the right timing, my firm was born. Its grown organically in two years and I am having the best time helping to create seamless and beautiful weddings.
What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
Besides my office mates, Lulu and Max {my french bulldogs}, I would say SPACE. While I love certain technological advances that are wonderful and great, I still like pen and paper and being able to write notes and keep my day planner close to me. I also like space so I can spread out and work on projects ~ putting together welcome bags, or creating inspiration boards. Being cramped just doesn’t cut it for me!
If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Research and know the industry inside and out. Do your homework. Know who the ‘key’ players are in every field. Without research, you’ll never be able to formulate new trends or to stay ahead of the curve. Read a ton of business books to educate yourself not only in weddings and event planning but in business overall. Don’t forget that while planning weddings is awesome, you need to also be schooled in accounting, filing, marketing, advertising and technology. Write a solid business plan. If you treat your business like a business and not a hobby, everyone will treat it that way too. And lastly, remember that timing is everything.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Melissa DiStefano

Location: Gainesville, Florida
Company: MasterPiece Weddings, MasterPiece Certified
Years in Business: 15
Website: www.masterpieceweddings.net | www.beaplanner.com
Blog: http://masterpieceweddings.
What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Amanda B. Young

Monday, October 5, 2009
Preserving the Cake

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Erinn Ryan

Location: Gainesville, Florida
Company: MasterPiece Weddings
Years in Business: I've been working with MasterPiece Weddings since January 2009.
Website: www.masterpieceweddings.net
Blog: www.masterpieceweddings.
What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Legal Nonsense

Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Christy Bareijsza

Monday, September 21, 2009
Sole vs. LLC and Other Business Jargon
- The Sole Proprietorship: The sole proprietorship is for businesses owned by one person. It is the simplest and most prevalent type of business. It is also the easiest to set up - all assets and aspects of the company are owned by and the responsibility of one person. The downside? That one person bears the responsibility of any debts or liabilities of the company as well.
- The Limited Liability Company (LLC): The LLC is an increasingly popular form of company. This company type combines the best worlds of a corporation and partnership through personal protection and tax benefits. Members are not held responsible for company debts. But the disadvantage is that they do tend to cost more to set up than the other types.
- The S-Corp: The S-Corp has liability protection and single taxation - meaning the corporation's income or losses are passed through to the shareholders. It is, however, easier to set up than an LLC. The only difference here really is in record keeping procedures - essentially, it has a little more to do with formalities but might cost you a little more in filing.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Kathryn Kalabokes

The wine country. Just driving up there gets me inspired. The colors, the vineyards, the food and I guess the wine doesn’t hurt. I also love going to flea markets, antique stores and local street festivals to find really cool vintage finds. Plus, good old Martha Stewart Weddings may seem obvious, but I really do find creative inspiration through those pages.
I started my business to get away from doing corporate events, which I had done for years, and get into social event planning. I had done a few bridal showers and birthday parties when I was asked to do my first wedding. I was so incredibly nervous. I had helped on numerous weddings while interning in the past, but running your own had a whole new feel to it. It was thrilling! I have never looked back.
A wooden cutout that was a flea market find that says “dream.” I look up at it often throughout my day to take a moment to breathe and remember what got me here, even when I’m having one of my most stressful days. It reminds me of my first tiny little office that you could barely walk through, and how all my hard work has taken me to where I am today.
What I have seen is a lot of girls plan their own wedding, and then they go right into opening up their own business as a planner, without any training or business knowledge. A lot of money and time can avoid being wasted by taking a few months to shadow another planner in your area. Most are open to it, as I have had many come through my doors to ask my advice and work under me before taking the plunge of opening their own business. Once you decide that this is something you have the patience to do, then go for it! Do it the proper way though; get a business license, get insured, have a place of business operation, and please, above all else, don’t do this as a hobby. You will do your clients (and wedding planners as a whole) a huge disservice, and you will ultimately not reap the emotional rewards that this business offers.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Become a Notary

Friday, September 11, 2009
The Emergency Suitcase
Okay, so it might not be that big [though it certainly feels that way sometimes!], and, it's definitely not a Louis. But as planners, most people know that one of our famed assets is the emergency bag. But the real question is, what do you have in yours?
There are the typical standards that any planner should have and should know to have [bobby pins, hairspray, nailpolish remover, scissors, floral wire], but what items do we love that are not so well known? Here are a few:
Chalk: For touching up any stains or marks on the wedding dress. It's a quick fix that works well on nearly any material.
Pipecleaners: These are good for almost anything - jewelry repair, fixing items to pews, etc.
Black socks: You wouldn't believe how many groomsmen [and grooms!] forget theirs. The last thing you need is them going down the aisle in white ones [or without any!].
Gorilla tape: The super fix. This tape will stick on anything and is strong enough for even last-minute clothing repairs.
Velcro: Again, this can be used for anything - some options: afixing the runner to the aisle, additional clothing repairs.
Extra earring backs: You never know when you'll need them.
What about you? Do you keep anything interesting in your emergency bag or have you heard of/seen something interesting someone has kept in theirs?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Katasha Butler

Friday, September 4, 2009
Class Recap: Be a Planner
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Saundra Hadley


Friday, August 28, 2009
Kickback Question
What about non-financial kickback, i.e. an assumption or understanding of future referrals on the part of whoever you have referred people to? Should one recommend a vendor based on the knowledge that this may then get them more referrals in return? Sometimes you know up front, like when your reception venue only works with certain caterers. If it is happening behind the scenes, would that be ethical?
What do you think? I'll tell you next week how I feel.
Photo Credit
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Karry Castillo

As a full service firm, we pride ourselves on offering fresh, inspired planning and design services for the modern bride. Every wedding brings a unique opportunity to bring a client’s wedding vision to life. Because of the diversity among brides in terms of the services they desire and require, we design custom packages for every client. The services that comprise a planning dossier are based upon the client’s specified needs. We offer a complimentary, initial consultation during which time we get to know our clients and have an opportunity to discuss the services they desire as well as the ones we recommend to make their planning experience seamless and successful. The consultation serves to inform the options that will be included in their package. The planning process is highly collaborative, as we partner with our clients to take their vision from inspirational concept to flawless presentation and execution, all the while providing creative advice and expert assistance throughout the planning experience. We offer full service planning and design, partial planning, wedding day management, consultation and referrals, guest attendance and menu tracking, and everything in between. Our experience spans from opulent, extensive celebrity affairs to the most intimate and simple of seaside destination weddings. We serve the entire state of Florida and are available for travel.
Wow, there are so many wonderful sources of inspiration that serve our design and planning processes. One of our favorites is the Pantone Color Report. The seasonal reports keep us on top of the coming color trends each season especially as they apply to fashion which is closely linked to the trends we see in the wedding market. Another source of inspiration comes directly from our clients. Their personalities, interests, history (both cultural and familial), and lifestyles offer so much in the way of inspiring design, menu options, entertainment, venue choices and more. We feel that it is important for each wedding to tell a story about the couple from their lives growing up within their families to their shared life together. The more information we can gather about our clients, the more we can assist in creating a wedding that is highly unique and memorable to them, one that truly reflects their story. Finally, we look to the blog world. From interior design and stationery, to custom designed gowns and wedding accoutrements, to those that feature incredible weddings and inspiration boards from around the globe, there are so many amazing blogs that can inform and breathe life into any element of wedding design.
My initial experiences in the wedding industry involved musical performance. I was performing as a flutist in weddings on weekends while I taught elementary school during the week. From that position, I was able to experience the design and planning side as an intrigued observer. As a classroom teacher and school administrator, planning both short and long range goals and objectives were second nature. My last position in the schools required extensive communication within the community for fundraising and neighborhood activities. It also required the organization and planning of all major events both academic and social, including the opening of the school. When the opportunity came for me to take maternity leave and resign from full time academia, I decided to explore the wedding market further - specifically focusing on wedding planning. I spent several months researching the industry, visiting with wedding professionals, and attending seminars before I decided to take an accredited course for wedding planners. As a planner I could utilize and meld my creative talents and planning skills to the benefit of clients who rely on my assistance and expertise to make their lives easier and their wedding day memorable; and as a business owner I could organize my environment to allow more job flexibility and time to focus on raising my young children.
I could not live without my linen swatch books and rental product catalogs. They are an essential part of each wedding, and I refer to them daily as we explore design and décor options and make budget related decisions.
I would recommend you invest much time and attention to researching and understanding every facet of the industry from how to successfully operate a new business to partnering with the spectrum of wedding professionals with whom you will be involved. Invest in a wedding planning course, and get a solid educational background in planning and entrepreneurial skills before you start working with clients. Planning a wedding is not the glorified shopping spree that many new planners, mostly those that have just planned their own weddings, think it is. It is hard work, and you are taking someone’s most important day into your hands. There are no do-overs. Be prepared to develop the skill of negotiation, a sweet disposition and team building approach for working with other wedding professionals and client families, an ability to handle rejection, and a can-do attitude to deal with the pressures of things that may potentially go wrong. Be prepared to sweat on wedding day and for goodness sake, out of respect for the hard work of those that have come before you, do not copy the efforts, brand, or trademark products/services of other planners – find your own creative niche within the market. Yes, that was more than one recommendation! I love my job and wouldn’t trade my experiences as planner for anything. It has been an amazing career thus far. I have the best clients in the world, and look I forward to partnering with future couples to make their weddings all they have imagined and more!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Vitamin B!tch
This goes without saying. But more times than not, I hear from catering managers or photographers that tell me that after working with Joe Schmo Planner, they are appalled at their attitude and how rude they were!
Really!?!?! Is it necesary to take your Vitamin B!tch pills?
Make since, play nice, share your toys! You are going to have to work with these people again and again, and the quickest way to not get a referral is to be mean. To be not nice. To keep your composure.
Remember, more than anything, if you are stressed out, do not run off and cry, do not scream and yell at anyone, do not take it out or talk in a patronizing voice to any staff members - be professional, that is our job!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Andria Lewis

Location: Based in Memphis, Tennessee serving Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas
Company: Andria Lewis Events and Studio IV (design services)
Years in Business: I've been a planner for 13 years. I've had my company for four and a half years.
Website: www.andrialewisevents.com
Blog: www.theplannerpages.com
What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Why did you get started wedding planning?
What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Give Credit where Credit is Due!
Or when someone posts something on their blog and uses a video or an image that isn't theirs and not crediting the image.
This is copyright infringement! Those pictures belong to whomever bought them or took them, and you need to credit that photographer or the site you stole that image from. Most photographers would love to have you post their images to your site or blog, but if no one knows who took that picture, then it isn’t fair to them.
So please, be kind. Link back to who took that picture. It’s only fair, and it’s only legal!
Friday, August 14, 2009
We Have a Winner: Signed Southern Weddings
And comment #6 was Cynthia, who said....
Congratulations Cynthia! Please e-mail us at beaplanner {at} masterpieceweddings {dot} net for more information on claiming your prize. Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Terrica

Monday, August 10, 2009
Ethical Compensation
Or if you are charging by the hour, do you track time to read an email, talk on the phone, do you count driving time, what if you get stuck in traffic? Do you charge me for that time too?
Do you take a kick-back or a commission from other wedding professionals I've hired or that you recommend?
Do you up-charge any of the proposals you send me?
Well, these are tough questions and over the next week or so we are going to talk through them, and I'd like your opinions as well. So, please post your comments...
First up, let's talk ethics, is it ethical to not tell a prospective client or a client that you are receiving a kick-back? Is it ethical to even take a kick-back? Lots of planners do (we don't and never ever ever will) but does the client have a right to know that you are receiving compensation elsewhere?
What do you think?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Giveaway: Signed Southern Weddings EXTENDED

Thursday, August 6, 2009
Next Be A Planner Class! :: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
- The Significance of your role as a planner
- How to create a wedding day timeline
- Budget Supervision
- Social Etiquette
- Wedding Attire
- Conducting and Orchestrating a Rehearsal
- Emergency Production
- Starting a Business
- Working with Vendors
- The Art of Branding your business
- Wedding Trends and Traditions
- Establishing your Business
- Developing your Style
- Establishing your Fees and Services
- Contracts
- Artful Negociations
- And Much, Much, Much, Much more!!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Aletha VanderMaas
So without further ado, we would like to begin with one of our very favorite people in the wedding industry, the lovely Aletha VanderMaas.


Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Company: Pearls Events
Years in Business: Two
Website: http://www.pearlsevents.com/
Blog: http://www.pearlseventsblog.com/
What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…):
Event planning, with partial planning being our most popular.
What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Bride & Bloom magazine, photography blogs, and Martha Stewart.
Why did you get started wedding planning?
My Yorkie, Olive. She sits with me in there every single day and makes me smile. She's a great little addition to my day.
If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?


