Tuesday Tip | Volume 22 | Your Vermont Wedding Planner

Greetings! Vermont truly feels like a winter wonderland this week. The trees are still covered in snow and thankfully the roads are once again clear from all that snow. We were hit with quite a few inches, or feet, last week. Our girls and the other kids in the neighborhood are back out sledding after school and sports each day too. I’ve been so thankful for the blue sky and sunshine these last few days. It just brings Vermont to life. And honestly, it brings me to life too. There is something about the winter sun that feels so good. Thinking of all of this sunshine has brought my thoughts right back to summer and wedding season. A lot of clients are getting ready to send out their save the dates and invitations. Let’s break it down to a single tip about invitations today.

How To Choose Your RSVP Date

Design and Image from Christa Alexandra Designs

My full planning brides don’t usually have to ask when to schedule their RSVP date because it’s always added into their planning checklist but it is something we often discuss. Often you’ll be told, or read, that the date should be four weeks from your wedding day but that just doesn’t work for me and here is why… the dreaded “non-replier’s'“ you know, the stragglers. It kills me. The reason others suggest the four week mark is because most of your vendors need your guest count right about that time. As I mentioned though, it’s hard to get that number if you have a dozen or more guests that have not replied. This happens all the time. I would go so far as to say we have never had a wedding where everyone has replied on time. My best tip to you on picking an RSVP date is to make sure you give yourself enough time to contact all of the guests who do not reply on time. Sometimes it’s as easy as a quick text or email but we have seen it take weeks to get those responses. It’s important to have an accurate number for your vendors. More importantly, just imagine how it feels when that guest who forgot to reply shows up on your wedding day and there is no seat for them. Often it’s not a single guest but a couple so now we need to make room at tables that are already full for two guests. Obviously, we would handle this dilemma, and have, on a moments notice but it’s definitely an uncomfortable situation for the guest at that time. Now let’s get back to the date. My suggestion is to have an RSVP date that is at least 6 weeks before your wedding. You will not regret it!

Let’s start planning your wedding today! Reach out to me through the button below.

A Private Event in Vermont

It truly takes a village to pull off an over the top, spectacular event.  I had the honor of being the event planner and working with some of Vermont's best this past Spring on a private function.  And while I can't give you all the details I can share how a tent transforms with the right rentals, colors, flowers and as you will see, most importantly some killer lighting.  I have a whole new respect for the power of a great lighting crew.  These guys are amazing!  Thank you to Kevin and the whole Atomic team. Check out their website here:  Atomic Professional Audio

There wasn't a detail missed at this event.  Everyone of the vendors went above and beyond.  Besides the lighting, my favorite detail was the draping of the center bar.  It truly was a labor of love, and a ton of hard work, brought to life by Daniel and Susan of Let's Pretend Catering.  But that draping has nothing on the amazing buffet the Let's Pretend team served on the night of the event.

There were so many other great vendors involved in this event too. The century tent, the backdrop for it all, and all rentals, including but not limited to the hanging lanterns, the lounge furniture, the pillows, the perfect linens and chivari chairs, were provided by Vermont Tent Company. The beautiful vibrant floral designs, seen in the images, were provided by Wildflower Designs.  And while we did have a fantastic professional photographer, Daria Bishop, the above images were shot by me during lighting and sound check the night before the event. We will include a detail post in the future that will include this talented crew...   Liquid Arts, Creative Bar Catering,  Bake Aria and Design Du Jour Graphics. While we had a few more vendors involved, I think that is all the details I can share for now.

It's events like this that remind me how lucky I am to be a Planner.  And while I love a beautiful wedding we can help you plan, design and organize an event for any occasion.

Your Vermont Wedding and Event Planner,

Randi

Escort Card Displays

Escort Cards.  What are they, really?  I get asked this question all the time.  An Escort Card is what some call the casual cousin to the Place Card.  A Place Card will direct to your table and your exact seat at a wedding.  An Escort Card will direct you to your table where you are free to choose your own seat.

Another question I get all the time, "Won't it be fun to let guests sit where ever they want?"  In a very short answer, NO.  That is usually not a great idea for so many reasons.  I know it seems fun and it allows your guests to feel like they are at your home for a fun casual evening but none of that is true.  Your guests will feel a bit lost when no table is suggested for them.  Some tables will end up with one, two or several seats never used. You will need extra tables, linens and centerpieces because the tables will not fill up like they will when you assign them a table.  Plus, in my opinion it makes the caterers job much harder.  Now, if you truly are having a backyard barbecue or a wedding with only 20 guests, go for it.  But for a larger wedding, assigned tables is always the way to go.

One of my favorite areas to design is the Escort Card displays.  It's a way to bring the different elements and special touches together for the day.  Here are a few of the different displays we have done over the years. 

Your newest Vermont Wedding Planner,

Randi

A simple room divider transformed into a fab Escort Card display.

Birch, succulents, glitter and lavender were some of the brides favorite's things.

A simple vase full of flowers completes this table.

Your New Vermont Wedding Planner

Here we go! A blog from me? Never. No wait, it was more like, NEVER!  I have said those words so many times over my last 13 years in the wedding industry. And yet here I am...

I thought, after all these years I might finally have some things to share as we jump into wedding planning with both feet. My years of experience with flowers and design will most certainly help as our business grows and I develop this blog. I have seen so much over the years, worked with the most amazing vendors, been apart of over 500 weddings.  I'm excited to work in flowers one more season, this 2016 wedding season, and thrilled to start booking in planning for 2017.  Or to get super technical, we are open to book for planning after October 18, 2016. We are ready to go!

I am certain of one thing as we transition....

There is no looking back. No 'do over'.  This is go time. 

And I am thrilled!

I'm Randi, the newest Vermont Wedding Planner. 

Get in touch today so we can start planning the event you've been dreaming of.