Christina Formico 12/28/21 Christina Formico 12/28/21

Let's Talk About Venue Coordinators VS Wedding Coordinators

If your venue comes with a coordinator and you are wondering if you also need outside help, this blog is for you!

It has been a minute since we wrote a blog, but we wanted to come back with one that gives some clarity to a question we get all the time.. Do you really need a wedding coordinator if you have a venue coordinator? This topic was so easy for me because I have personally done both rolls, I worked for a number of years as a venue coordinator, and I had a scope of work that I handled, I saw time and time again, couples needing additional help, something a hired wedding coordinator would take care of that didn’t fit into my roll at the venue, that was a big reason we started Dos Goats Plans, we saw the need, and over the years, we have never not been needed at a wedding, reguardless of the venue coordinators. Every venue and every planning comppany sell different packages, we wanted to lay out what we see the most here in Minnesota. So if you have questioned this very topic yourself, just keep reading!

What Does a Venue Coordinator Do?

Your venue coordinator will be your person who you might meet with throughout your planning process after you book your venue. Your venue coordinator is going to get the details about your timeline, room layout, vendor information, and all the details that you have planned. A venue coordinator is great because they are the experts with the venue, and they know what to do and what not to do, they are typically there throughout your wedding day, ensuring everything with the venue is secure.

If the catering and bar go through the venue, then your venue coordinator is most likely helping with these things as well, assisting the bar, making sure catering is staff is doing what needs to be done. Non glamourous things are their duties as well, making sure the bathrooms are stocked and the venue is looking good for guest arrival. They should

Wedding Coordinator, Day of Coordinator, Month of Coordinator, Wedding Management…

Every planner out there has a different name for the service, but the gist of it, we are there to be your buddy during the planning process, run your day for you, be your point of contact, be your voice to the other vendors. Your coordinator, is the most important part of your wedding vendor team! One thing is for sure, your coordinator / planner is going to in most cases be your go-to person from the moment you hire them.

The reason why “Day of Coordinator” is outdated is because a coordinators job never starts on the “Day of” Any good coordinator is going to want to have a meeting with you at least 30-60 days out from the wedding to nail down the timeline, get an game plan in place for the decor, attend your final walk through, and solidify your vendors with you. Here at Dos Goats, we go a few steps further, doing an initial detail meeting and even a meeting 6 month out meeting, ensuring you have access to our recommended vendors, get your timeline started early, and show you access to our decor before you go and do that stuff on your own. We find that our meetings allow for a more vibey wedding planning experience, and to make sure you are as stress free as can be! We are also there to run your rehearsal, lining up the wedding party and making sure everyone knows where to be and when to be there. So you see, the term “Day of Coordinator” is just simply silly!

What does the Coordinator do on the day of the wedding?

Your coordinator is going to be at the venue while you and your peeps are getting ready, they will be there to oversee all of the vendors getting set up, as well as setting up your specialty tables (place cards, gift table, other specialty tables.) They will set up your center pieces, make sure the layout is perfection, and everything is set up the way you envision. They are also your advocate on the day, making sure that everything is done with you two in mind! They are running your timeline throughout the day, making sure all of the things get done in a timely order. If there are any hiccups, they make sure that you don’t have to stress about it. They are there for clean up, and making sure your gifts and decor go in the appropriate persons car. We like to say we are your stress shammies throughout the day, allowing you to be fully present on your day, not having to worry about a thing!

So do you need both?

The main difference between the two, one works for the venue and the other owns their own business, someone that owns their own business is going to always give you a more personable experience.

First, check with your venue, if they have a coordinator, ask for a breakdown of what the coordinator is actually responsible for. Most venues might actually require you hire an outside coordinator, while others will say that they handle everything for you and you don’t need one. We say, be diligent in your research. If the venue coordinator is in fact meeting all of your needs, you could possibly skip the outside coordination help, but if your ceremony is off site, you would benefit from both! Plus from our research and prior experience, we have always been an asset to a wedding day! One thing we tend to see with venue coordinators, the turn over is high, and often a couple will go through 2 sometimes 3 different coordinators through the planning journey… Sometimes this can be a bit of a pain because notes don’t always get transferred correctly, where as your Wedding Coordinator is by your side from the moment you hire them, and will be with you throughout the planning process.

Remember your friends at Dos Goats are always here to answer any and every question you have!

Christina Formico 12/8/20 Christina Formico 12/8/20

Our Favorite Sweet Spots in Twin Cities!

There are so many amazing bakeries in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area, but we wanted to give you a list of favorites incase you are planning a wedding or looking to get some sweet treats from a local shop this time of year! So if you are in the market for some sweets, keep reading!

FEED ME SWEETS AND TELL ME I’M PRETTY!

We love wedding desserts; it is definitely one of the top 5 reasons we love being planners haha! Our couples often come to us asking for suggestions, and we are always looking at the best places to send them to. Because life is too short for gross desserts am I right?

The number one question we get is “What are couples doing for desserts now a days?” Our response is “Whatever makes you happy!” Because today, there are no rules! From 5 tiered cakes, to groomsmen cakes, cupcakes, bars, cookies, ice cream, cotton candy, donuts, and more, the options for wedding desserts are endless!

Every small town has a great bakery, we can tell you where to get the best donuts in Glenwood Minnesota, but if we talked about our favorite bakeries around Minnesota, this would be 10 pages long, so today, we will talk about our favorites from the Twin Cities / surrounding areas!

1. Thirsty Whale

I don’t think it is a secret how much we love this little hidden gem in North Minneapolis, Thirsty Whale does it all, and we have never had a bad thing from there. Specializing in Donuts and cakes, they love to throw some flair on their cakes! You can get mini desserts from them as well! Most of the time, our couples will get a small cake to do their cake cutting photos, along with a mix of donuts & mini desserts. Need gluten free options, they got it! Looking for a funky and wonderful small bakery, Thirsty Whale is your jam! Thirsty Whale Website

Fun Fact: We had Thirsty Whale for our wedding and did 500 mini cupcakes plus maple bars, plus, a cake for us!

2. Café Latte

If you have not tried their Tres Leches cake, stop what your doing and go there right now! Café Latte specializes in gourmet cakes, tarts, and cheesecakes. Located off of Grand Avenue in St. Paul, if you want something special for your guests, this is the place! Cafe Latte Website

3. Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe

I remember the first wedding where we had Amy’s Cupcakes at, I think Adam ate like 3 of them that night, the flavors are always a hit! While yes, cupcakes is the game, they always have fun treats like mini cheesecakes, pies, tarts and more! Located in Hopkins, MN, this gem is always a great option! Amy's Cupcake Shoppe Website

4. Hey There Cup Cake

If you want a Pinterest cake that is also mouth watering good, Hey There Cupcake is your spot! Chelsea creates simply amazing cake creations, often times way to pretty to eat, but once you dig in, you won’t want to put it down! Hey There Cupcake Website

5. ‘Sammy’s Sweets

We have so much love for Sammy’s Sweets! These mini cupcakes are made by Sam & his Mom out of their home, they have the cutest little garage set up like a cupcake shop! These things are seriously so drool worthy, the blueberry pancake is YUM! If you haven’t heard of Sammy’s story, we urge you to go read more! Sammy's Website

6. Heights Bakery

Unless you grew up in Columbia Heights, Heights Bakery might not sound like something you were going to try, but this hometown bakery has some of the best donuts around! If you are looking for delicious simple donuts, Heights Bakery is it!

7. Nothing Bundt Cakes

Everyone loves NBC, when we have a wedding that has the bundtlets, those babies almost need a security guard of their own! They have a variety of different flavors, and they are simply to die for! Nothing Bundt Cakes Website

8. Patrick’s Bakery

Alright, so the desserts at Patrick’s Bakery will make you cry with joy, you want to wow your guests, get some of their mini desserts an create magic! Patrick's Website

9. North Mallow

We are huge fans of enhancing your guests experience, and this is how you do it! Obviously smores are always a hit, but how about fancy smores, with gourmet chocolate & marshmallows (that do not burn btw). The stand is super cute, and it comes with a host to assist guests in making their smores! Seriously you cannot go wrong with North Mallow! North Mallow Website

10. Fletcher’s Ice Cream

Handmade ice cream, custom flavors, its perfect! Fletcher’s is our go-to ice cream shop, but for weddings, we could not recommend them enough! Jason is the owner and master ice cream maker, when I say that his blueberry ice cream changed my life, I am not kidding, legit blueberries the size of marbles throughout, fresh and refreshing, his ice cream is out of this world! Why not change it up a bit and serve your guests ice cream!?! Fletchers Website

11. Muddy Paws Cheesecakes

When we think of super good cheesecakes, we head to Muddy Paws! You can wow your guests with their decadent cheesecakes, if you want to really enhance the guest experience, they also have trucks!

Christina Formico 1/2/20 Christina Formico 1/2/20

Wedding Management - What it is, and Why it is Better than "Day of Coordinator"

Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a day completely dedicated to you! After months and months of planning, you start to envision the day and you hope it is going to be perfect! Good news, there is a service out there that is meant to do just that, give you a flawless wedding day! It is called Wedding Management, and today we are here to dish all about it!

https://www.thestoryteller.media/

Planning a wedding is no joke! With roughly 260 hours of planning and the average cost in Minnesota being $33,000, its no wonder people want to run away and elope!

The term “Day of Coordinator” is almost boundless, there are over 200 “Wedding Planners” in the Twin Cities, and every one of them offer a different version of “Day of Coordinator”. We believe there is the perfect person out there to be by your side on your wedding day, because let’s be honest, we are not everyone’s cup of tea. We try to offer our clients the best experience possible, so what most call “Day of Coordination” We call our package “Wedding management” because in all honesty, the term “Day of Coordinator” is a bit outdated, Even with our wedding management package, we are by your side to some capacity, because we would never just show up on your big day and run everything, that is silly business!

So, if you are newly engaged, soon to be married, or just genuinely curious about wedding management, just keep reading!

Weather it’s your first wedding, or your third, we truly believe everyone deserves to fully enjoy their wedding day. You put hours of blood, sweat, and tears into this amazing day and its time you get to celebrate it!

It’s true that most of our clients will say after the wedding that hiring us was the best investment they made, that’s because having us run your wedding is basically insurance that allows for you, your hunny, and your family to be completely present! Yes the day goes extremely fast, but when you don’t have to worry about anything, you actually get a chance to remember all of the beautifully orchestrated chaos!

We have always had the philosophy of being as helpful as we can be, which is why, even with our Wedding Management package, we have at least 2-3 meetings prior to the wedding with our clients. Ensuring they are on the right track and coaching them along the way as well! Not only does the ensure everyone is on the right page, we get to know our couples more, making the wedding day extra special!

Here is a small list of what Dos Goats does for you during the wedding planning process:

Image Brynn Wheatly — Image Brynn Wheatley

Give you guidance and advice through the planning process
Give you vendor recommendation
Set you up with our Dos Goats Guide to Planning, filled with planning check lists, and tips & advice for an easy planning process
Meet with you through out the planning to make sure you are on the right track
Be involved with the final venue walk through, ensuring you ask all the right questions
Create a full timeline starting from the week of wedding activities, till the next morning
Manage the wedding party on the wedding day
Running the timeline and acting as the main point of contact
Assist with setting up special tables and decor
Taking down decor at the end of the night
Take gifts & cards to the proper persons car at the end of the night
Manage the vendor set ups and tear downs
Run the wedding ceremony
Manage transitions
Facilitate speeches
Fluff and bustle your dress for you
Hand out gratuities at the end of the night
Assisting with sparkler photos
And so much more. .

We pulled some of our most asked questions to help give you a bigger glimpse into what we offer!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if my venue comes with a coordinator?

This is a great question! I use to be a venue coordinator, so I know more than anyone, how important it is to have both! We work great along side of a venue coordinator, allowing them to focus on their main job, running the venue. Venue coordinators take care of a tons of back of house details on the day of the wedding, usually they are helping the staff as well. So while they are extremely helpful, we can provide a little more hands-on help to make the day extra special. While we are with you through the entire process (When you hire us) The venue coordinator is there for you for a detail meeting, and on the day of to turn on lights, make sure the room is set properly, make sure the staff knows what is gong sure catering is getting set up, among other things. These positions also have a high turnover, so there is a likelihood that you don’t end up with the coordinator that you started with.

Will both of you be at the event?

Absolutely! Part of the reason Adam & I started Dos Goats, was so that we could spend all of our time together! While we plan on hiring interns in the future, all events will have us both there. Occasionally, we have a wedding on the same day that we are helping run a rehearsal ceremony, in that case, we have an assistant on staff while one of us goes and runs the rehearsal.

How did you come up with your name?

You will have to hang out with us and we will tell you! We love Fletcher’s Ice Cream!

Do you set up all of our decorations?

With in reason! We are usually a two man team, so we will do the appropriate amount of setup that will still allow us to serve you through out the morning. If it is something larger that you want us to take care of, we are always willing to add one of our assistants to help out! We always go through this during our consultations!

Do we have to book with people on your preferred vendors list? Do you get a kick back if we do book with them?

A. Our number one priority is to create your dream wedding! Our preferred vendor list is full of vendors that we have personally worked with and we know that we work well with them, and they produce work to our standards. That being said, the wedding industry is vast and we love finding vendors of all shapes and sizes for our clients! We always encourage them to ask us for other recommendations if they don’t find someone they like on our list. Our list is always growing as we create such amazing vendor friendships through out the Mid-West!

B. No we do not get a kick back, often times, these vendors will give a discount to our clients, but we make no money off of you booking with them.

When it comes to wedding planning, it’s never a bad idea to have a professional by your side to help you out through the process. Seeing happy people on the most special day of their lives is our passion! Maybe you just got engaged, or you are a month out and want some last minute expert help for the big day, we can help! Let’s schedule a consultation and chat all about your vision!

Nameste!

Christina Formico 10/29/19 Christina Formico 10/29/19

Let's Talk About What to Ask During Venue Tours!

Touring venues can be stressful, we are here to make it easier for you! We came up with 14 questions you should ask while you are on your venue tour! Keep reading to learn more!

Image by Love Big Live Small Photography

One of the first things you need to do after getting engaged is, hire a planner (umm hi!) and start your venue search! Venues book out sometimes 2 years in advance, yes that is crazy pants, but the venue game is strong here in the Midwest.

Allow yourself time to sit with your partner and get a basic idea of what you are going to be interested in. Deciding your budget, estimated guest count and most importantly, a date, or at least a time of year that you would like to get married, is going to help when it comes to looking for venues.

When you start the touring process, it can sometimes be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be! If you hire us, we can sit with you and get a good idea of what you are looking for and we can set up those tours for you as well as come with so we can ensure all the questions are asked. Or if you don’t have the budget for a planner, we offer venue consulting at an hourly rate as well! If that is not in the cards, we still want to make sure you are set up for success, so we have come up with a list of questions you should be asking during your venue during tours, if you are starting this process, keep reading!

1. What is the max guest count?

If you are having a seated dinner, you want a clear max guest count number. So often we have couples who say “The max guest count is 250 and we are inviting 300, hoping that 50 people wont come.” While it is true that 20% typically will decline or not show up, we never suggest banking on that to accommodate max guest count. Our advice, cut back on the guest list or create a no stranger rule to cut back on the guest list. Why should you have to pay for someone to be there that you have never even met?

2. What is their catering policy? Who does the Bar service?

Every venue has different catering requirements. We always recommend checking out the catering before booking the venue.

Some venues offer exclusive catering, if they do, you want to get a quote on what that cost is going to be before booking the venue because it could be more expensive then you might be looking to spend on food, this could make your budget skyrocket!

Some venues have open catering, which offers tons of freedom, but with open catering, you have to be careful and make sure they come with serving staff, and everything you need.

Some venues have a list of caterers that they work with, so you get a little more choices.

Some venues don’t do catering, but the bar service runs through them, they will typically just have a bar minimum that you have to hit.

Extra Tip: If it is an in-house caterer, can you bring your own dessert? Do they have a fee for outside bakeries? Dessert plating fee? Cake cutting fee?

You can learn more about the kind of catering your venue offers by clicking here.

3. What is the food and beverage minimum? Is there any other fees?

When venues and caterers have minimums, it is simply a minimum amount of money that has to be hit.

If the venue is working with an exclusive caterer, they typically have a food minimum, if the venue is not handling the food, but they are handling the bar, they might have a bar minimum.

Sometimes they have both. We have also seen catering fees and bar fees being added on to bills, so we always tell our clients to look at every line item and don’t feel bad asking questions, because sometimes these fees and minimums can add up to thousand of dollars!

You can learn more about what to ask your caterer by clicking here.

4. Are tables, chairs included? If so, who sets them up? Does the room needs to be flipped? Is there a fee involved in flipping the room?

This is very important because it can make or break your budget if you not only have to rent the space but you have to rent everything that goes into the space. If you have a backyard or private home wedding, this is often the case, tables, chairs, linens and tents all have to be brought in.

Remember you don’t only need tables for the guests, you need place card tables, gift table, memory table. So if these need to be rented, make sure you are not forgetting those specialty tables.

You also have to make sure you like the chairs, some venues have ridiculous looking chairs!

5. Do they have a separate ceremony spot?

Some venues will have everything in one space and there is a time in between the ceremony and reception where the staff flips the space. If your venue does a full flip, its a good idea to do a 1.5 hour long social hour, because it will take time to set everything up.

Another thing to ask, is who sets up the ceremony chairs. Some venues will have housemen to set those up for you, others leave that task to the couple and they have friends and family set them up.

6. If the ceremony is outside, what is a rain backup?

Don’t just assume it will be 72 and sunny on your wedding day. Always… ALWAYS, have a back up plan for rain. Asking when that needs to be determined is also important. Some venues have a 24 - 48 hour policy, some will let you choose the morning of.

7. Are table Linens and napkins included? If so, are they floor length? Do you get a choice of colors? Who sets them up?

8. What is the House fee/ Service charge? Does that include gratuity for the staff?

There are often service charges as well as other fees that are associated with the venue. Be sure to have a clear understanding of what those charges are.

Always ask what the service charge goes towards, some use it to pay their staff gratuity and sometimes that is something they don’t.

9. Is staff included?

It is good to get an idea of what the staff is responsible for taking care of as far as set-up and tear-down go. Do they set up the ceremony chairs? What about tables, chairs in the reception space? Do they assist with tearing down decor?

If they are in charge of bar, do they clean up all the bar glasses or is that your responsibility? We run into this all the time, the venue runs the bar but they don’t clean up the bar glasses and leave that to either the wedding party or catering, but sometimes catering doesn’t do it either, so making sure you have a clear understanding on this is always important.

Pro tip! Your coordinator or wedding planner is not going to clean up bar glasses, that is not their job, so if your venue doesn’t do it, you might want to consider hiring extra staff!

Who stays until the end of the night?

10. Do you hold more than one event in a day?

If your venue has multiple spaces, they most likely will rent all of them out for events. We have seen some venues hold 3 weddings at a time! Just make sure you get a clear answer, to ensure you don’t get any unexpected surprises on your wedding day!

11. Are there any other charges that get added on to the rental fee?

Sometimes the rental fee will not include the getting ready rooms, additional bathrooms, bar set up, making sure the trash is taken out at the end of the night, just to name a few. Always look through the contract in depth as well as the invoice that they give you.

Photo by Eileen K | Floral by 651 Studio Floral

12. Is there an venue coordinator included – If yes. What exactly will they do for you the day of?

Just because your venue says they come with a coordinator, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still consider hiring someone like us! We are there from the moment you hire us and we are ALWAYS your biggest advocate! The venue coordinator has a job to assist you in figuring out the logistics at the venue, but they are not going to go outside of the venue parameters. I will also touch on the high turn over rate that venue coordinators have, (I know because I was one of them once.) I would say 9 times out of 10, a couple we are working with has at least one venue coordinator change through out their journey with a certain venue. So while we always say to find out what the scope of work a venue coordinator will do for you on the day of, don’t also look at hiring someone like us to help make your day perfect!

13. Is there separate places for both people to get ready? Is there an extra cost for using those spaces?

Having a getting ready space for the morning is lovely! Some venues have designated getting ready space for both partners. Others might have a bridal suite, leaving the guys to fend for themselves. (Don’t even get me started on same sex couples and their limited options.)

Another question is to ask when you need to be out of the getting ready rooms, some venues make you get your stuff out before the ceremony, some let you have access all day. Always have someone in charge of clearing out the getting ready rooms, it’s a great job for a personal attendant!

Pro Tip! Maybe your venue doesn’t have a getting ready space, but they have a room that you could use, instead of bringing in your own mirrors and things like that, look into Dream Day Dressing Rooms and see how they can transform any space into a luxurious getting ready wonderland!

14. What time does the party have to end? What time do vendors have to be out?

Usually, the party & music have to end at a certain time and guest have to be out, then the vendors have an hour after that to clean up what they need to and clear the premise.

15. What time can vendors get on-site?

If you are planning to do a hefty decor set up project, make sure you have enough time to do so! Some venues will let you pay hourly for extra time.

16. Is there any noise ordnance that we need to be aware of?

Most weddings will go till midnight, some venues have an 11pm cut off and on some occasions, there are venues where you have to have the music done even earlier because of city or building ordinances. Have a clear understanding of this in your contract so that there are no surprises on the big day!

17. Do you have any decor restrictions?

Can real candles be used, or LED? Do they have to be enclosed by glass? Can you do sparklers or fireworks outside? Are there any dried floral restrictions? If we are hanging anything from the ceiling does it have to be from a licensed and insured vendor?

If you are dreaming of a fun hanging ceiling decor, or pampas grass, you might want to check with your venue to make sure that you can do it. Most venues will not allow confetti or loose glitter.

Photo by Eileen K | Floral - 651 Studio Floral

18. Do you have on-site parking? Is there a cost involved? If there is not on-site parking, where are the nearest ramps?

Extra Tip: Can we leave our cars here overnight?

19. Do we need to hire security?

Learn More about dos goats services

Guest what!

We created a venue tour checklist for you! Sign up for our newsletter to get your FREE download, and stay up to date with Dos Goats!

Helping couples choose their wedding venue is one of our favorite parts of being wedding planners! We have been making a venue master list that can help you find that perfect fit for you both! If you feel stuck or confused, don’t be! Get in contact with us today and we can get you on the right track!

check out our favorite wedding stuff on amazon

Namaste

Christina Formico 10/8/19 Christina Formico 10/8/19

Rain Rain Go Away... Today's My Effing Wedding Day! Tips for Getting Through Rainy Wedding Days.

Today we are chatting about how to deal with unexpected weather on your wedding day!

It’s like raaaiiiiinnnnn on your wedding day… We all know the song and dance, people telling you its good luck, making sure you are happy and content, but deep down, we know that you are upset and that is ok. I would say everyone wishes for 72 and sunny, or if you are a photographer, partly cloudy. But no one is like “Oh boy I hope it rains on Saturday!”

We get it, as wedding planners, bad weather is our nightmare because its the very one thing we have no control over. We live in Minnesota, where the wedding season is also storm season. (Also where we can basically see all 4 seasons in a single week.) So I always tell my couples, if you are getting married between May and September, always prepare for rain. We recently had a wedding where there was a 1% chance or rain, out of nowhere, it was a Tsunami outside! Today, we are going to give you some tips for surviving rain or any unexpected weather on your wedding day!

No matter what, remember what the day is all about. You are marrying your best friend!
I can’t lie, I hate saying that because it sounds so dumb, but it is true, you have to remember why you are there. Your family and friends love you so much, and they will put up with a little rain to celebrate with you!
Have a plan B!
This one might sound obvious, but seriously, having a plan b is crucial because in the chance of some serious weather, we want to know that things can easily be moved into another space. We will once in a while get couples that say they don’t have a plan b because its going to be amazing, and we will straight up tell them, it’s a non negotiable. To plan in advance, makes the day so much more relaxing.
Your venue should always have some plan b in place for you, so make sure to ask them what works best in that space. In the past we have done some of the following:

Have a tent large enough to have everything covered. Most tents now a days can withstand 75 mile an hour winds!
Have the ceremony in the same spot as the reception, create an aisle with the tables, have guests sit at their tables and create a focal point for you two to stand at.
Push tables back and have the ceremony on the dance floor.
3. Have faith in your vendors, and trust their advice.
You hired professionals who have probably had to deal with weather changes quite often, make sure you are communicating your desires with them through out the day and they will work with you to make something happen.
As your wedding planner, we are there to make you happy. So we will wait till the very last minute to move a ceremony. But if we do have to move it, we will make that plan B look spectacular and have you forgetting all about being outside!
If the radar is spotty weather and you have a DJ setting up equipment outside, be mindful that their equipment is expensive and it is sometimes just not possible to throw them out there.
4. Push back the ceremony start time.
This is not ideal, but if your venue allows it and you can see that the weather is going to clear up soon, you can think about opening up the bar a bit early and having guests come get some drinks and mingle, giving the staff time to wipe chairs down and make sure things are ready to go!
5. Always have umbrellas!
We have had weddings where rain pops up out of no where and it has taught us to always have at least 1 umbrella (for the bride.) We have noticed that people always tend to keep a few umbrellas in their car so hopefully you will be prepared enough. If you see that the weather is going to be crap, ask relatives to bring any umbrellas they have.
Buy some cute shawls or sweaters for you and your bridesmaids to wear through out the day so that everyone can keep a little warm!

6. Remember, rain makes for some killer photos! Rainbows, crazy clouds, fog and more, can really make for some stunning photos.
Sometimes its not only rain that can eff up an outdoor ceremony. Winds make it hard for people to hear, if it is insanely hot out, that can affect sound equipment. If it snows… Well, then it is just cold and crappy. Always keep in mind, the weather can change in an instant and that is no reason to let it ruin the most amazing day ever!
So I would like to close this blog out by saying, rain & unforeseeable weather doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Keep a positive mindset and enjoy the greatest day ever!
Nameste

Christina Formico 5/15/19 Christina Formico 5/15/19

REAL Wedding Budgeting Tips & Tricks

Today we are giving some advice on how to determine your wedding budget. Here are 7 things to consider when making your budget! Happy reading!!!

We like to create our blogs to give you advice in the places where it is sometimes needed most. Budgets are one of those things that some people are rock-stars at, and others, need a little help. So lets talk about the subject that makes everyone want to hide under a rock when it comes to wedding planning, drum-roll… Lets talk budget!

There are the basic questions that we ask our couples to help them layout their budget as well as their payment schedules. Who is paying for this, who is paying for that? How are you keeping track of your budget? Do you have money now to start making deposits, or are you saving up? (this will determine when you should start booking your vendors, because all vendors will require a deposit to secure their services for your big day.)

As a couple, come up with 3 of your TOP priorities and 3 of your least important priorities. Some people want to spend money on a really high end photographer, some want floral and decor, others could care less about flowers, but they really want a band or a really awesome DJ. We try to get couples to pick 3 or 4 things that are at the top of the priority list for them, this will help when we allocate funds to certain vendors.

2. Who is contributing – Gone are the days of tradition where the brides parents pay for everything. I hate using terms like “Average cost of wedding” because the average can vary depending on the location, and the time of year, and we have seen costs of vendors going up lately, so what may have been average a year or two ago, is not. One thing is for sure, couples are getting creative when it comes to paying for there wedding. Older couples might be paying for a majority of it themselves, While some have parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that pitch in. Sometimes, the groom’s parents are more financially stable, and they pitch in more. So first thing first, once you are engaged, start talking to your family and see who is going to contribute.

3. Being intentional with your guests count!

Your guest count will be the biggest impact on your budget. 8 guests can be an extra $1000 dollars if factor in everything that goes into having those 8 guests there.

8 people is 1 more table, which is 1 more linen, 8 place settings, 8 dinners, drinks, desserts, that can add up quickly!

4. Getting advice from people who have been there! Asking friends, siblings, and co-workers for their advice, how they came up with their budget. Ask them what things WISH they had spent money on, and what they REGRET spending money on. Asking people who have been through this before will give you a great perspective on what you need to prioritize when it comes to determining your budget.

5. Hiring a planner – Yes, I know, hiring a planner when we are talking budgets? Wedding planners offer a wide variety of packages, each of them offer a little more service then the other, so while you might not be able to afford a full blown wedding planner, there is also partial planning and wedding management that you could look in to, the most important part of a planner, they run your wedding on your day so that you don’t have to!

Some other perks of wedding planners, they often come with a vendor recommendation, they are super organized and can make a very detailed timeline for you, they are professionals and they can help when shit might hit the fan!

Pixel Dust Photography | Muse Event Center | Crave Catering

6. Researching your venues: Venue & Catering will take up a ridiculous percentage of your budget. We always suggest looking at the catering list before booking with that venue. We all have those dream venues in mind, and I know that the venue to some is the most important part of planning, but we would argue that the most important part is being happy that you get to marry your best friend and spend the day with your friends and family. Sometimes choosing a less expensive venue, can leave more room in your budget for decor, and any venue can be gussied up with some nice decor!

Food is a huge portion of your budget and if you have a strict one to keep, you might not be able to get that dream venue you desire unless you up your budget. We never discourage our couples from touring these venues and getting to know the catering list, but we do like to be somewhat realistic when the budget is in play.

7. Have a timeline of when payments are due. This is where an organized spreadsheet comes in hand. You will know what payments are due when. Keeping track of when the big payments are due. Always ask if you get a discount for paying in full. Again, hiring a planner will help you keep this all organized!

8. Liquor Budgets!!! This can sometimes be such a touchy subject that it requires some booze at the meetings just to talk about it. No lie, I have had parents get in full blown arguments over if the alcohol was going to be hosted or cash. As a planner, we always want our couples to be happy, but if you are the ones that are going to end up paying for all of this, we also don’t want you to have to take out a credit card just for liquor bill at your wedding. Things to keep in mind when you are putting together your liquor budget

a. Does your venue have a beverage minimum? In our last blog (click here) you can read all about food and beverage minimums.

b. Pricing out kegs and bottles of wine vs. hosting per hour

c. Consider your crowd. You know your guests best… Are they beer and wind drinkers? Or are they vodka & whiskey drinkers? Would you benefit from hosting beer and wine while having your guests pay for liquor or is your guest list small enough that hosting the whole thing won’t break the bank.

9. Lastly, Pro Tip: Don’t just go with the flow and think that you will just come up with the money as time goes by. Figuring out a clear and accurate budget, prior to starting your wedding planning will save you heartbreak and stress!

Hopefully this gives you some starting points when it comes to coming up with your budget. As always, we are available for consultations and advice anytime! Click here to read more of our blogs and stay tuned for next week when we are back with the third installment of our catering series!

Namaste!

Christina Formico 4/30/19 Christina Formico 4/30/19

The Ultimate Guide - Questions to Ask Before you Hire your Caterer!

Are you swimming in a sea of catering quotes? We have made a list of 17 questions you should be asking your caterer, so that you can sort through the ones you want to move forward with easily.

If you have met Adam & I, you know… We love food! If you are looking for a specific type of food, we can usually tell you about a place and if you are open to anything, well… We can give those too!

With both of us having a decent background in catering, its always a priority for us to make sure our couples are asking all the key questions when scouting a caterer as to make sure things don’t get left out. We thought we would make a list, so the next time you are on the search, we got your back!

In the last blog, we talked about the different types of catering options most venues offer. Did you read that one? If not, you can read that (here). Today, its all about those hard hitting questions that you may not have thought about. So if you are interested in questions to ask your caterer, just keep reading!

1. What is your food & Beverage minimums?

Most (not all) caterers will have an F&B minimum. This is usually the lowest dollar amount that you will have to spend in order to use their catering services. Depending on the venue and caterer, this can range from $1000-$15000.

Some things to note about food and beverage minimums…

Some places may offer a lower f&b minimum on a Weekday, Friday or Sunday. Be aware that yes, the minimum might be lowered, but if you are having 300 guests and the food menu prices are the same as always, that minimum is not going to matter. Most places are not changing the menu price, so the only time a lower f&b minimum actually benefits people is when they have a smaller guest count and might want a certain venue.

For example…

A Golf Course might have a discounted f&b minimum on a Friday. Originally $10,000 but they lowered it to $7000 for appeal. Their base meal starts at $42 per plate and you have 250 guests. It doesn’t matter what the f&b minimum is, you are still paying over $10,000.

If you want a killer space like the Machine Shop and you have a smaller guest count, this is when a lower f&b minimum can actually help you. If they give a discount for Thursday weddings and you have 150 guests, this can save you from having to be stuck with a $10,000 minimum.

It is also a good thing to ask what is all included in the minimums. Sometimes it is everything that you are quoted on. Sometimes it is strictly food & beverage. Any additional fees like servers, bartenders, chefs, linens.. Those are not included in the minimum. Again, this differs between caterers so its always a good idea to ask.

2. Do you provide linens, and napkins?

If they do provide linens, make sure the size will match the size of the tables at the venue. Typically if the caterer provides and sets up the linens, this will happen two hours prior to the reception start time, or during the social hour if the space needs to be flipped. If possible, ask the caterer if you can pick up the linens the week of the wedding. This is where we come in, we will pick them up and set them up for you so that we can get the center pieces set up as well. (always have to plug our services in somewhere)

3. Do you provide glassware, plates and utensils?

Every caterer is different, some only provide plastics, some provide compostable, and other provide glass china. It is important to know which is going to be provided, because you can never assume they are bringing china.

Also, we personally love plastic and compostable for weddings! There are tons of options to make it fun and easy!

4. What is your server fee and how many servers would we have?

I used to have people that wanted to save money anywhere they could, and they would ask if we could take a few servers away. My advice, listen to your catering contact and do what they advise. Without the correct number of servers, this slows down the entire process and makes it stressful on the other catering staff and vendors. Servers are a vital part of any well functioning wedding!

5. What is the service charge and does any of that go to the server gratuity?

Often the service charge (generally 18%-25%) goes to administrative fees. Sometimes a portion of that goes to the servers as a gratuity.

6. What is the average cost per person?

There is going to be the per plate charge. But that doesn’t include appetizers and then when you divvy up all the additional fees, you should be left with an over all “per person” price.

7. What are some of your favorite dishes?

I was very honest when I was in catering. If there was something I didn’t like on the menu, I would explain what I didn’t like about a certain dish, but I would also encourage them to try it for themselves so that they could determine if they liked it. Everyone has different tastes and visions when it comes to their wedding dinner.

photo Sea Circus Weddings | Desserts Thirsty Whale Bakery

When it comes to appetizers, this is where you want to get real answers from your caterer. There are some options that seem innovated and delicious, but they might not hold up well for your venue.

8. Do you have cake cutting fees?

I would say, 99% of caterers are going to have a fee to cut and serve your cake.

“But I am not doing cake, I am doing xyz…”

Does “xyz” need plates, napkins, silverware? Does it need to be set up and maintained? Then there will be a fee. I don’t blame them; it is an overhead cost that they need to cover. But when they spit out a number like $2 per person, it can be a little shocking.

9. What do you do with left over food?

I personally don’t like to ask this question because, Per health codes, the caterers are required to dispose of all food. You can ask if they use pig buckets. Honestly, I have never worked at a place where it was ok to package up food at the end of the night. So, while it never hurts to ask if you can take home any left overs or if it can be donated. Don’t be surprised when they say no. I wouldn’t even ask, but there are some smaller mom & pop shops that might allow it.

10. Never ask if you can take the tapped keg home at the end of the night either.

If you are providing your own booze, then sure, take it home. But if you are getting married at a venue that is providing the alcohol, you will not be able to take any of that home.

Story time…. I once had a drunk bride at the end of the night get very upset with me because she couldn’t bring her have tapped keg home.

11. Will you set up a water station?

While its classy to have water glasses on the tables, it never hurts to have water stations set up as well. Esp. during the social hour. You don’t want to have your guests wait in line at the bar just to grab a water. Nor should they have to pay for a water when the bar or catering can easily set up a station.

12. Does bar service go through you?

Sometimes they require bar service go through them, and other times, you can look into other options. There are tons of bar options now, so it is nice to have options!

The pros to having catering handle bar service – That will go towards your food and beverage minimum.

The cons – You are stuck with their prices.

Photo by Heather Hanson | Bar Service | With a Twist

13. What are the bar options?

Do they take care of the bar? Or will you have to find outside bar service?

Do you have to host the bar? Can you have a cash bar? Do cash bar sales go towards the f&b minimum? Can you do a split – Hosting the bar for the first few hours and switch to cash bar?

14. How many bartenders will there be?

I would always suggest 1 per 75 adults.

15. Do we have to get desserts from you?

Its nice when your caterer is a Rock star at desserts as well. But its also nice to have options. Most caterers will allow an outside licensed vendor to provide desserts.

16. Do you offer coffee & Tea? Table side or Station?

- I always prefer stations for coffee and tea. That way, people can get up and mingle, it is less clutter on the tables and it eliminates the waste when there are carafes of coffee on all the tables, some guest might not want any. Some guests might want more than one cup. If you have a station, you get to please everyone.

17. How many events do you do in a night?

Some catering companies are huge and they work events all over the state. The last company I worked for was the biggest catering company in the area and they serviced some of the the most amazing venues out there. They would service as many events in one day as possible, because they could. Smaller caterers might only service 1 - 2 weddings a day. This is why you shouldn’t wait until 3 months out (I have seen it) to choose your caterer.

Another question to ask is what their backup plan is when they are short staffed, we have noticed that with all of the weddings moving from last year to this year, catering companies are seeing it with being short staffed. You want to make sure that doesn’t effect your event.

18. Do you cook the food on-site or off-site?

Also, its always good to know where the food will be prepared. Some venues don’t have kitchen spaces, so they set up makeshift kitchens and work from hot boxes and warmers. I know from experience that this is a totally normal way of serving food and it has always worked for me in the past.

19. How many servers stay till the end of the event? Will they clear dishes and bar glasses?

Some catering staff leave right after the dinner service, leaving you and your guests the responsibility to clean everything up! This happens more often then not, so it never hurts to pay extra for the staff to stay till the end. Usually you only need 2 people. We never recommend just assuming your guests will throw pick up their mess, because we have seen it week after week, and we can tell you it rarely happens!

I think we will leave it at that. This is a pretty decent list for you to start out with, and if at any time you are looking into catering and have random questions, we are always around to give you advice and help you along the way! Stay tuned for the final series to the catering blog, where we talk about the different types of dinners you can have at your reception!

Cheers!

Christina Formico 3/25/19 Christina Formico 3/25/19

Getting Your Guy to be More Present During the Planning Process!

Today on the blog, we are giving guys a list of tips for helping guys get more excited to start wedding planning!

So, my wonderful girlfriend and I run a wedding planning business and as the male counterpart, it’s kind of funny that when I respond to e-mails, the client knows there are two of us and the signature is my name and the only one ever addressed is Christina, which I’m okay with and we joke about all the time! It’s always funny during our initial consultation, sometimes we get the comment of… oh you must “be along for the ride.” Again, this is so far from the truth, and they soon find that out when I’m throwing out design ideas and color pallets and logistical details that no one was thinking. We never take offence to this, living on a high vibe and educating them that guys can be wedding planners too.

Just writing this blog out, we realized that most guys are not looking at wedding blogs, so we are writing this in hopes that you brides out there are reading it and giving it to your guys to read.

When it comes to wedding planning, you always notice the bride is putting in more passion & effort than the groom, it is rare that the guys ever give too much input. We want to see guys get more involved which is why we created a list that men can read through showing them the awesome aspects there are to planning a wedding.

Planning is a GOD DAMN BLAST!!! The venue tours, all be it sometimes eat up your nights and weekends, can be a lot of fun, there’s something special about finding a place that you both feel a connection to instead of just her and the venue manager. Other planners can attest to this, when you show up the day of and the groom is all, oh I don’t remember that, or can we do this instead of that. All of these things were already covered and now that it’s the day of and your soon to be wife is about to rip your head off because you’re talking out of your ass since you don’t know what the plan is and now as planners we have to make sure you both make it to the alter and also the day. Men! Being present is so important in this process and you’ll be able to learn and make sure the budget is also somewhat intact at the end! If you want to see some awesome reasons to be present during planning, then just keep reading!

1. Venue tours!!! I know we kind of touched on this in the beginning, however this is very important. Don’t you want to have a say in where this special day will be going down?! I know that guys get left in the dust but do a little list of ones you find online just so you have an idea what’s out there. Guys unless you’re getting married every five years things have changed when it comes to where people are getting hitched and finding out what’s out there is so much fun!

2. Holy shit man the desserts!!! Weddings today are getting creative with desserts and we are here for it! The game is changing, and it isn’t just cake anymore! There’s everything from donuts on walls to cookie carts, and even custom ice cream (we know a guy). Dessert tastings are some of the most fun parts of the planning process. Below, the wedding cake was one flavor but the groom really wanted cookies & cream, so the bride surprised him with his own cake!

Photo Vow House Studios | Cake Sugar Rose Bakeshop

3. Color Schemes – This is one where guys usually don’t pay attention, but think about this, the colors are going to dictate what you wear and what you will be looking at all day. If periwinkle isn’t your jam, you should make that known, being a part of the process will make the color choices and décor reflect both of your personalities instead of just hers. To be totally honest, you may not get exactly what you want but at least you’ll know that you did your job by being present and throwing input into the ring.

4. Food, food, food, don’t be sitting there at your wedding wondering why you’re eating what you’re eating and it not tasting good. Now guys are usually present for this being that food is involved and hey don’t get me wrong it’s my favorite thing too. And with catering if you want to ask a question about off menu things, you aren’t going to be able to have any input after the contract and menu have been finalized.

5. The Bar – This is a place where you can really

6. The music!!! Do you want a band or DJ? The music selection really can make or break a wedding. You will either be dancing the night away or everyone will be hanging outside or at the bar and all be it a great evening if people are exchanging war stories all night along the bar but ultimately you will want to be able to cut a rug and have fun with everyone at your party (wedding) but its really a party!

7. Your clothing! Make sure you have a say in what you are wearing, we are huge fans of guys getting custom suits made for their wedding. You look more polished and you tend to be more comfortable. Ask us for some great vendors!

8. Hire a Day of Coordinator! You’ve done all this planning, sacrificed hours and hours to make sure you have everything you want on your day, all the vendors are paid, her dress is fitted and the wedding party and guest list is finalized…now let me ask you…do you want someone from your family who may or may not be able to be responsible all day and don’t you want to have everyone enjoy your day with you??? Encourage hiring some form of wedding management! Be it a wedding planner to help you throughout the process, or a wedding manager to help you with the last few weeks leading up to the big day and the day of. Coordinators are so helpful to ensuring you both get to fully enjoy your big day. You’re dropping a down payment on what is ultimately a party so don’t you want to have it go off without a hitch?! Any one of your friends that has been through the process, you can ask them, and if they didn’t have one, would they have liked to have one? We always find the answer to be yes if they didn’t have one.

The list could go on, but we know attention spans are short. We want make wedding planning fun, sexy and something that you two can do together, we will continue to spread the love and hope to see some guys during the planning process soon!

Christina Formico 3/8/19 Christina Formico 3/8/19

What Catering Does Your Venue Offer? A Blog about Catering...

We are trying to simplify catering for you! Breaking it out into a few blogs, we will dive into catering and give you some advice on what to look for when booking your venue and caterer!

Eat! Drink! & Be Married! Food is the foundation to any good event, a wedding is no different!

Let’s be real, it is usually what guests are most excited about, besides the bar and watching their cool humans tie the knot. Catering can be confusing, but we are here to break it down for you! We have decided to do a series that dives into catering. Today, we are breaking the venue catering options.

We often have clients that are a little shell shocked by catering prices. They might have unrealistic expectations, or they might just be unaware of all the extra costs that come with catering, but I know from experience, catering tends to be quite a big chuck of your budget, think 30-50% of your budget can go towards the catering. When you are going through the process of choosing vendors, it’s important to choose a venue first. Wedding Venues will usually have one of four options for their clients when it comes to catering. In-House, Catering List, Exclusive caterer, or Open Catering. We wanted to go over those options more in-depth, give you some pros and cons to all of them, so that you can better understand what they are talking about when you start your venue/catering search! If you need help, or just a general idea where to start, just keep reading!

Photographer: Shane Long | Minneapolis Wedding Venue : The Beach Club

In-House – This is where venues provide the catering with rental of the space.

When we think of in-house catering we think of establishments that are not just venues to hold events, my idea of in-house consists of hotels, golf clubs, country clubs, restaurants (just to name a few) they will most likely have an in-house kitchen that does the catering.

Pros:

You don’t have to go through the process of emailing a million caterers.
They have kitchens on-site with a chef on-site. If you need to store flowers or cake in the coolers, there is usually not a problem with that, and having a full kitchen is HUGE!
Having an in-house kitchen, and chef means that they are dedicated to you and your event. Your food will be made on-site and most of the time, not sitting in a hot box for an hour. (While I say most of the time, I always suggest ask how they prep the food because you never know if they pre-cook and have food sit in a hot box till dinner service, its always better to ask.)
Most provide tables, linens, china & glassware and service staff included in the pricing.

Cons

You are limited to that specific caterer. The menu is going to be basic and and food is going to be your typical wedding food. While these in-house caterers might be willing to do custom options, if you have a certain taste in mind, it might not be what you are hoping for.

Exclusive Caterer – Some venues may use an exclusive caterer, think of Bavaria Downs, Nicollet Island Pavilion, or Mississippi Gardens, just to name a few. These venues have a catering company that they work exclusively with and they either have a kitchen on-site that they work out of, or they may prepare the food off-site at the catering company and deliver it to the venue.

Pros-

Having an exclusive caterer means it is their space and they are familiar with the space. This is huge because they are the only caterer that works at this space and they take pride in the weddings there.
They may be more open to creating custom menu options for you.
They are well versed in the space, they know the best layout options and they usually have a specific person working that space.

Cons-

Just like having in-house catering, an exclusive caterer means you do not get to choose that caterer. They might be out of your price range, so you will have to look at adjusting your budget.
They may be the exclusive caterer for that venue, but that does not mean they have a full kitchen at the venue. It’s always nice to know how & where the food is going to be prepared.

Catering List – Some venues will offer a catering list, this is a list of vendors that are approved by the venue to cater there. Some venues have a wide variety of caterers, like Three Rivers Park District, There catering list has almost 20 caterers on it, ensuring you will be able to find someone you love. Some only have maybe 3-8, and that could be because they don’t want to overwhelm people with caterers, or they want to set a certain tone for their venue.

Pros-

Having a preferred catering list means that these caterers are familiar with the venue and have worked there at least once. They will know their way around the property and will be seasoned in catering the space.
This gives you options when choosing a caterer, you can be more creative and you can find one that fits your budget.

Cons-

While I just stated that with a catering list, you will be able to find someone that you’re your budget, that is not always the case, sometimes, there are not any caterers on the list that fit into your budget, so if you don’t check around with the catering companies prior to signing contract with the venue, you might be stuck picking a caterer off a list that is far out of your price range.

You are most likely going to have to pay extra for staffing, linens, glassware and silverware. In our next topic we talk all about the hidden costs that you have to look at when hiring a caterer.

When there is a preferred catering list, there might not be a lot of ethnic options to choose from. Sometimes the catering company will work with you to create a custom option, but this is something you always have to make sure of when hiring them. I will be real here, if you are having a catering company work with another catering company to co-create an ethnic menu, it is always going to cost way more than you think it is.

Open Catering – This is when the venue does not have a required catering list, They just have to be licensed. This leaves the option open to any catering company out there.

Pros-

Your options are endless, you can do food truck, catering, pizza, tacos, BBQ, whatever you choose! An open catering list, ensures that you will find a caterer that fits your budget.
Most catering companies will be willing to work with custom options.
This gives smaller catering companies the opportunity to work weddings. We are all about supporting other small businesses!

Cons-

Your options are endless! While this sounds appealing, if you are one of those people who can not make up their damn mind… There might be too many options for you to make a choice.
The catering company might not be familiar with the space. This shouldn’t be an issue because any good caterer is going to familiarize themselves before the event. It is just always something you want to communicate with them prior.
These spaces don’t tend to have kitchens for the caterer to work out of, most companies are equipped with everything they need to work with no kitchen, it just takes proper planning.
Again, we will mention, linens, glassware, china and silverware, just make sure to see what the costs are.

Our intention is for every couple to have a stress free time planning their wedding. Catering can be a topic that seems overwhelming, but our goal of breaking theses out into a series is to educate you so that you go into the planning process like a rock star! Want additional help, Contact us! We work with some of the best catering companies around, and we would love to help you in your planning venture, food is our jam and we enjoy chatting with couples (usually centered around pancakes!)

Somethings to keep in mind when starting It is always important to figure out what is most important to the both of you and start from there. If you are dreaming of getting married at your family’s country club, then you probably are not even thinking about what the catering options are going to be, because you know that this is your venue and the rest will work its self out. That is awesome! It alleviates so much stress and we are all for it!

On the other hand, if you have a smaller budget and you want to get married at a fancy historical venue that is currently all the rage, but their catering only offers high end catering options, you might not be able to realistically make that work for you. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a unique and creative wedding, it just means you have to look at alternative options (This is where we come handy).

We are always here to offer advice and give you lists of some of our favorites to work at! So, if you read this and still have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Stay tuned for part 2 where we talk about all the questions you should be asking your caterer and hidden fees to watch out for!

Namaste friends!

Christina Formico 1/29/19 Christina Formico 1/29/19

8 fun way to Keep Kids Entertained at Your Wedding

Having kids at your upcoming wedding? We are here to give you 8 fun ways to keep them entertained throughout the day!

To invite children or to not invite children… This seems to be one of those age old questions we find our couples conflicted with more times than not. It can be an awkward conversation to tell people you don’t want to have their children at your wedding, but there are appropriate ways to do so, (we will save that for a different blog)

Depending on the style of your wedding, you can always find ways to keep the children entertained. I love when there are children at weddings, they are always dressed so cute, they love to dance around and have fun, but, when there are not enough activities to keep them entertained, it can quickly turn in to a bunch of well dressed monkeys running around a zoo. Fun Fact, back in my banquet serving days, I had a wedding with a ton of children that ran around and they ran into me while I held a tray of champagne, I was lucky and quick on my feet and did not manage to drop the tray. To avoid situations like this happening to your catering staff (we can not account for the drunk people running into the catering staff) Why not think about having some fun activities to kids entertained? We came up with a list of 8 ways to keep kids entertained at your wedding. If you are interested in our take on kids entertainment, just keep reading!

Before we start listing off ways to entertain, I wanted to note, that if you have more than 5 kids coming to the wedding, have a specific kids table and if its possible, some venues might have a small room near the main space where the kids could be in to play and eat while the reception is going on. See number 8 for a good way to ensure the kids are watched after while all of your guests are enjoying the party, now… On to the list!

1. Petting Zoo – By far our favorite idea we have ever heard!

I mean, we are Dos Goats am I right? If it fits the surroundings and you are feeling super fun, a petting zoo would be a great idea! Llama’s have become super fun to have during your social hour, guests get to take pictures with them, and it is a ton of fun! Check out Carlson’s Lovable Llamas to learn more!

Better yet, pick a venue that already has pets on hand like one of our favorites, Gale Wood Farms in Minnetrista, MN.

Another thought… Getting married at a museum where they may keep the exhibits open for people to explore, this would be a great activity for children and adults!

2. Scavenger hunt – How fun would a museum scavenger hunt be? This one takes a bit of work, but if you plan ahead and has someone do the planting of the clues, this could be really fun! It could be clues about the couple, the family history or you can pick a theme for the night. You could get the DJ involved and have some prizes for the winners!

3. Cartoon artist – We love that couples are hiring painters to do live painting of their wedding! There are also artists that will do live portraits of you and your guests, How cute would it be to have the kids pose for stylish portrait in their fancy cloths!

4. Coloring books, word puzzles & puzzles – You could have a puzzle made of your wedding venue, your engagement photo or something wedding related. You could have coloring books or you could do word finds, crosswords and other word games that are wedding related or related to the state you are getting married in. Maybe a word-cross about the couple, and the kids have to figure out the answers by asking the adults.

https://www.stylemepretty.com/portfolio/we-heart-photography

5. Yard games – No matter what, if you want to entertain your guests, always have some yard games. There are a number of games to choose from but if you are catering to kids, stick to simple games like Corn Hole, Giant Tic Tac Toe, Giant Jenga, Giant Checkers. If you want to get crazy, get a wedding bouncy house!

6. Video Game Truck - If you have a lot of space and, a lot of 10 year olds and want to really give them a fun experience, you could look into hiring a Video Gaming Truck, you can rent them for a few hours at a time and it will keep those older kids nice and quiet and away from their phones.

7. Kids photo booth with props – Kids love photo booths! Make it easy for them and make it even more fun with those old school Polaroid cameras!

8. Hire a wedding nanny. My last tip is essential.. Do your wedding guests a favor and hire a wedding nanny! It will be a nice treat for your guests who may not be able to afford a sitter and has to bring them. They will be pleasantly surprised when they see there is someone to watch them so that they can enjoy the night! Some services will actually come with activities for the children which makes it easier on everyone!

I hope this gave some insight on ways to entertain children for you. After reading these fun and exciting things to do, you may now want all the children to come running to the funniest wedding ever, or, you read the list of activities and have a little stress demon that is now wallowing over your head, this might be your intuition telling you to forgo the children invite. Either way, we are always here to support you and help you with all your planning needs. Nameste friends!

Christina Formico 1/2/19 Christina Formico 1/2/19

Yay you are engaged! 8 Things to do RIGHT After You Get Engaged!

Recently engaged? Here is a list of 7 things you must do RIGHT after getting engaged!

Are you enjoying that newly engaged life? I don’t know about you, but getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments in two peoples lives! We LOVE hearing proposal stories, and get teary eyed listening to all of them! You may or may not have been dreaming of this day your whole life, it is extremely exciting and somewhat overwhelming! Once you get over that initial “Holy shit I am engaged” feeling out of the way, the “Oh shit, we need to plan a wedding” starts to settle in.

We know that it can be a little stressful, people will INSTANTLY start asking what the plans are, as if, just because it happened 3 days ago, automatically you have everything planned… (WTF is with that anyways? Can we all collectively start a PSA for newly engaged couples, that it is OK to not have EVERYTHING planned right out the gate.)

Being wedding planners, we have a mental list of things that need to get done right away and we want those newly engaged vibes to last as long as possible for you, so we came up with a list of what you should focus on when you first get engaged. Need more help? We have tons of informational blogs for you to check out right here!

“Engagement Season” That time in-between Thanksgiving and Valentines Day where all the people get engaged! A romantic time of year, filled with family, friends and fun!

But we also know that it can be insanely overwhelming, and you may not know where to begin the process of planning a wedding. Which vendors do you need to book right away? Which vendors can wait a couple months? Who the hell is paying for this thing? Do I need a dress right now? Don’t fear! This is list is here to help and hopefully alleviate some of that initial stress!

1. Enjoy being engaged for a little bit!

Let’s start with the ENGAGED part! This is your permission slip to take some time and just enjoy it. Get some cute balloons that say “Engaged AF” or something fun! This is a very big time for you both, you have taken the first step in solidifying your relationship, and it needs to be celebrated! Shout it from the roof top! Tell parents, family, friends, co-workers, EVERYONE! Take that perfect ring selfie and post it on all of your socials because it is time to celebrate! (We always suggest telling important people before blasting it on social media!)

Added Tip: You will instantly be asked a million questions, a good piece of advice is to just say “We are enjoying the engagement right now. We will focus on the other stuff in a few weeks.

2. Get your ring insured and Get a Decoy for Travel!

This is just a simple reminder, that thing is sparkly and expensive and can easily slip off your finger super easy! Don’t wait, jump right in and get that little baby insured!

We love the idea of getting a cheap knockoff from Amazon as well if you plan on doing any travel!

3. Create a “Wedding ONLY” Email address.

We enjoy Gmail, but it is really up to your preference. You can make it easy like kellyandjonwed21@gmail.com or you can creative like turningtoff20@gmail.com. You can both have access to this email and it will keep everything wedding related organized to this email address!

4. Get together with your partner and start talking about the visions you BOTH have on your wedding day!

Choose your top 3 or 4 MUST HAVES! Come up with elements of the day that are important to you both! This could be Venue, photography, floral, maybe you really want a killer DJ, but start to think about what elements are important to you!
Think about weddings you two have been to in the past… What did you remember or love about those weddings? Also think about the things you didn’t like at those weddings, sometimes that is even more important, the things to avoid!
Picking a date - How long do you want to be engaged? When do you both envision the wedding being? If you get engaged in December and you want a summer wedding, you may have to push it out a year, otherwise you are looking at a 6-8 month engagement, and it might be difficult to find vendors. If you want a Fall wedding, those are becoming more and more popular, so again, finding vendors and especially a venue could be tricky. Pro Tip… Typical weddings are being planned 12 - 16 months out…
Discuss how involved both of you will plan on being during the engagement process. Does this all make you both stressed and overwhelmed, read number 5 and think about hiring some help!
Guest List! You might have to wait till you meet with parents to come up with a finalized guest list, but coming up with a general idea of how many people you want there will help when telling parents how many of their people they can invite. Having a max guest count can also help with the venue search!
Style of wedding - Classic, Vintage, Boho, Rustic, Elegant, Bold, Neutral, Simple. Whatever style you may want to have, we believe it is important for both to have design elements in the wedding that represent the both of you. You can have touches that represent you both individually as well as a partnership. (Pinterest is great for both guys and gals, talk to your man about just looking through so that he can get a better idea on his vision)
Start researching (not touring) venues around the area, there are so many different styles when it comes to venues, so first just start looking at types of venues that are out there and see what style you want. Don’t hop right into tours until you have budget, venues around Minneapolis can be expensive AF, you don’ t want to tour one, fall in love and realize there is no way you could ever spend that much money. Its better to get your budget in check and a general idea on guest count figured out, otherwise you will be going tours with no purpose.

5. Hire a Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner & start getting organized!

Every wedding needs a wedding coordinator at the MINIMUM to be there to make sure your day runs smoothly, which is why we offer wedding management (it’s like the new version of day of coordinator). For the busy couples, we also offer full service and partial planning, to help them with the wedding work load. The benefit of a planner are endless, but we are not here to bore you with all the details, once you are ready to dive into planning, hiring someone early on can not only save you money, we often come with great planning resources and vendor recommendations, all which can take away hours of stress!

Maybe you start planning and think a wedding planner is more of what you need by your side, you can learn all about that and other packages we offer (here)!

Schedule a consultation!

A wedding planning might not be in your budget, if you choose to forego the planner, our biggest piece of advice is to get organized! Spreadsheets and to - do lists are so important to help you stay on track!

6. Have a meeting with your parents to discuss guest list & budget.

Now that you and your partner have discussed your dream wedding vision, it is time to meet with the parents and get their visions. Some parents want to be super involved, while others may not. It’s important to talk with them, let them know your thoughts and to make sure they understand that it is your wedding and you want them to enjoy it as well. The big factors to discuss with parents are guest list and budget.

I. Who does everyone want at the wedding? You should have both sets of parents make their lists, combine those with your lists and then create an A, B & sometimes C category. If your parents are pitching in, they should have a say in guest list, but this can be a slippery slope and if it’s the two of you paying and you are on a tight budget, while it may be uncomfortable, you will have to discuss that with them. We hear all the time, parents want all of their friends and co-workers there to celebrate with, and while that is great, remind them, there is a budget and the venue will have a max capacity. A rule of thumb I love to recommend is, if you or your partner have never met the person, they do not get an invite.

II. Who is going to pay for the wedding? This is never a fun subject, but it needs to be done. Will you guys be saving up? Will the brides parents be paying? Will it be a collaborative effort? If so, get a clear understanding on who is contributing how much. I can not tell you how many times a couple has came to us and said “Well I think my parents will probably throw us $5000?” Come to find out, they are only planning on giving them $1000 or only paying for the food. Sometimes you need to educate them on how expensive its going to be & let them discuss what they are comfortable with contributing. Having this conversation will alleviate a ton of stress to just get it all out in the open.

7. Now is the time to start an in-depth venue search and schedule some tours.

Budget & guest list in mind, now its time for our favorite part of planning… VENUE TOURS! Compile a list of venues you really want to see and start making appointments. There are so many unique and fun venues out there and we love researching and touring them! If you are not like us, this stage can stress people out, because good lord there are so many venues in the area, you have hotel ballrooms, industrial & historic warehouses, classic estates, mansions, barns, farms, parks, gardens, ski chalets, breweries, restaurants, theaters, those are some off the top of my head, of course there are many more! We suggest touring many different styles not just 1 that you saw on Pinterest. Get a feel for the different styles out there, you may surprise yourself! Be open minded to styles, and think about your overall vision.

Here is a small list of initial things you can ask your venue consultant:

o Do they require In-house catering or can you use outside catering? You can learn more about the kind of catering your venue offers by clicking here.

o What is the food and beverage minimum? You can learn more about what to ask your caterer by clicking here.

o Tables, chairs included? Who sets them up if the room needs to be flipped? Is there a fee involved in flipping the room?

o Do they have a separate ceremony spot?

o If the ceremony is outside, what is a rain backup?

o Are table Linens and napkins included? If so, are they floor length? Do you get a choice of colors?

o What is the House fee/ Service charge? Does that include gratuity for the staff?

o Is staff included?

o Are there any other charges that get added on to the rental fee?

o Is there an event coordinator included – If yes. What exactly will they do for you the day of?

We have an in-depth blog on what to ask during venue tours (here)!

8. Hiring Other Vendors!

Brynn Wheatly Photography
DJ - Josh Taylor with Super Good DJ’s

You have your budget, guest list and vision in place, now is time to start looking at the other vendors that make the wedding a reality. Depending on how long your engagement will be, most of your vendors, don’t have to be booked right away, but there are a few that book out faster than others. 2022 is the year of the wedding boom, there is no denying that, we are seeing vendors book up faster than years before, so you use to be able to wait to book your vendors, but now, it’s common to see them book out 1.5 years in advance! That’s not to say there are not tons of quality vendors out there, we are just saying if you are dying to have someone as your vendor, don’t wait to book them! No matter what someone’s list says!

Not listed is a planner / coordinator, which you have already booked because of tip #5 ;)

1. Venue! The venue is the most important, you can’ not solidify any other vendors until you know that your venue is available for that day!

2. If you getting married at a church, this falls in line with venue, they should be booked together!

3. Photographer because they book out fast!

4. Dress! Your dress will take a while to get made and come in, so if you get engaged and are looking to have a wedding in less than 6 months, finding your dream dress is so important! There are so many boutique wedding shops out there, so don’t limit yourself to the big places!

5. Catering! If your venue does not come with catering, you should lock one in a few months after you book that venue!

A short list of other vendors that you should start booking 10 months out (the standard use to be 8-9 months out, but we are starting to see these book out earlier than in years past)

Hair & Makeup, floral, DJ / Band, Officiant, Stationary, Desserts, Hotel Blocks, Transportation! Again, if you love a certain vendor, don’t wait!

We want couples to enjoy every minute of their engagement! This is just a short list of what to get started on after the big day, if you need more help, feel free to contact us! We love sitting down for FREE consultations, we can brain storm, eat some pancakes, give advice, and have some fun!

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Make sure to check out our Amazon Storefront to see our favorite wedding stuff you can get off Amazon!

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Congratulations and Cheers!

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Christina Formico 10/3/18 Christina Formico 10/3/18

Advice: Tips for Having an Easy Breezy Wedding Day!

Your wedding day is coming up and we want you to be as stress free as possible! This is why we put together some tips to have an easy breezy wedding day!

The day is here, cue the happy tears! All of the hard work, late nights, planning, and hard work towards this day and now its here! Weddings are my favorite type of event for so many reasons but the number one is, you have all of your favorite people in one room and their purpose for being there is to celebrate the love you have with your best friend. IT’S THE BEST! Throughout my years as an event coordinator, I have learned that there are a few things that are a MUST to remaining calm on your wedding day. Read on to see some tips I have to make your day as stress free as can be.

Get a Good Night Sleep!

It is the day before, your nerves are on HIGH, you are putting together the finishing touches. Nail appointments, last minute packing, phone calls, it gets to be a busy day. Typically, you will have your rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner. Once its all done, you are exhausted, and you have to have the biggest day of your life in just a few short hours.

When you finish up with your rehearsal & rehearsal dinner, it is okay to be selfish and try to get to bed early. The time for celebrating is tomorrow.

2. Make sure EVERYONE has a timeline.

Grandma, Aunt Kathy, your vendors, your wedding party. All of them need to have timelines. I love making timelines and I think they are CRUCIAL for everything running smooth. There are 3 versions of timelines that are helpful

Wedding Party & Family Timeline - I like to start this timeline when the wedding activities start, so if Thursday or Friday you are starting with getting your nails done, have that on the timeline. Give this one to family as well that need to be at the rehearsal dinner and photos the day of.
Having a timeline for vendors will help them know when other vendors are arriving and they have an idea on how the day is planned out.
Timeline for guests, this is more simplified, letting guests know what time the ceremony, social hour and dinner starts. Some add extras such as, when they are cutting cake, when the first dance is, or when late night snacks come out, if the couple is planning a special send off, that could be on there as well.

3. Make Sure Everyone Gets Ready Before the Bride.

Moms, Grandmas, flower girls, bridesmaids. Everyone should get hair, makeup and dresses on before you. This is done for a number of reasons but the main, photos, but also, you don’t want to sit around all day in makeup and that big ass dress! Your bridesmaids are going to be in photos helping you get dressed, or maybe you are doing a big reveal to them? You want them looking just as amazing as you are right!?! Well maybe not JUST as amazing, you are the bride. :)

4. Stay Fed & Hydrated!

This might sound obvious, but when I am nervous, I feel like I can’t eat. I feel that is the case for most brides, but its a non-negotiable, EAT! Get breakfast in you, get some coffee in you and keep it going through out the day! Snacks and water will help you stay level headed and really give you the chance to enjoy your day!

I always encourage my brides to eat a well rounded breakfast! (Healthy fats make your brain happy) But also stay hydrated and fueled throughout the whole day!

We always run apps out to you during your social hour, but if you don’t have someone like us by your side, make sure someone is getting you those yummy apps!

Extra Tip

Ask your caterer to keep some appetizers on the side for you & your hunny. If your wedding party is not going to be at the social hour, make sure to ask them to hold back for the wedding party as well, otherwise, you will not get to enjoy any those apps that you loved and paid for.

5. Emergency Kit

They sell these tiny, cute, novelty “Fit in your purse” size emergency kits at fancy boutiques and Target, DON’T GET THOSE. Make sure someone is packing a real, survival skilled emergency kit. Thread, needles, safety pins, stain remover, wet wipes, make up, static guard, hair spray (the list goes on) As a planner, we have a huge tackle box that comes with us at all times! Make sure you have it all and that you have someone making sure it comes everywhere with you. You don’t want to have it at the reception space when you need it at the ceremony.

6. Delegating Tasks

This one is for all those control freaks out there (I mean freak in the sweetest way)

There are a million and 2 things to do on a wedding day, and the couple should not have to worry about ANY of it! My favorite part of my job is when a couple gives up complete control and just lets other people take care of the little details & tasks. The couple has the only task of getting married and getting their party on. They get to show up at their wedding venue and get teary eyed when they walk in and everything is perfection. For this reason, delegation is so huge to me! Now if you have hired a planner (raises hand) then they will take care of all of the little stuff for you, but if you do not decide on the planner route, enlisting in family and friends can be a big help!

Here is a shrunken down list of what the couple needs help with

Assisting the couple through out the day
Assisting with the ceremony, making sure the wedding party is lined up and ready to go!
Make sure the ceremony starts on time
Keep track of marriage licenses
Moving floral and decor from ceremony to reception
Setting up the escort card table
Setting up the gift & memory table
Setting up center pieces & lighting candles
Putting on chair covers
Wrangling family for photos (make sure the wrangler knows everyone so they know who they are looking for)
Directing & managing vendors
Handing out tip envelopes to vendors
Getting everyone in place for the Grand March
Cuing the Speeches & first dances
Taking decor down at the end of the night
Making sure the gifts and cards get into a responsible persons car at the end of the night

7. Make time for each other

This is your big day together, soak it all in! Sneak away if only for 5 minutes after the ceremony and have some alone time! Talk about your favorite moments from the ceremony, kiss, dance around (you just got married!) just be present in the moment & take time to let all the emotions sink in.

8. Have everything needed for the day packed and ready to go a week out!

Some say the day before, but I am a planner and I like all my stuff taken care of ahead of time!

Marriage certificate is in a secure spot, and someone is in charge of it. Make sure you have tip envelops ready, clothes for after the wedding night and honey moon are packed. All the decor is placed in totes & boxes. Make sure they are clearly labeled (What is in there and where it needs to go), this will help make those last few days less stressful & less of a chance you forgetting something.

Pro Tip!

If you want some of those Pinterest worthy detail shots, make sure you have those packed up in a shoe box.

A copy of your invitation suite
A cute ring box
Shoes
Jewelry
Little accents like a ring dish or ribbons
Perfume bottle

9. Backup Plans in Place!

If you are reading this in Minnesota, you know that the weather can change on the drop of a dime! Don’t let that derail you from having an outdoor ceremony or wedding. That being said, don’t get overwhelmed with the thought of something coming up on your big day as well. Have a rain plan, a tent, pavilion, or an indoor option is always key! Making sure that is in place and keep in mind that rain does not ruin your day, its good luck!

https://www.charisehealyphotography.com/ — Photo by Charise Healy

10. Don’t freak out over small mishaps.

The day has come and it is time to enjoy it! All of the backups, planning & prep in the world can not guarantee that things will be perfect, and that is OK. Things might come up, but staying calm & remaining flexible will allow you to roll with the punches & take in all of the memories of this special day!

That seems like a lot I know, but it does not have to be so overwhelming; investing in a Day of Coordinator / Wedding Planner can take care of most of these tasks and MORE! Our job & passion is to take the worry off of the couple and give them full rein to do nothing but enjoy their day! If you would like insight on pricing through us, you can reach out by clicking down below! If you don’t feel like a DOC is for you but you need some more tips and advice, we can do that too! Whatever you choose, I truly just hope you breath and take it all in and enjoy the best day ever!

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