Top 5 Questions Asked....
This wedding season has definitely been one for the books. With COVID restrictions lifting and the world trying its best to get back to some sense of normal, couples are ready to make their wedding dreams come true! Here are the top 5 questions asked by clients this season.
How do I pick my venue?
Next to the Officiant, this is one of the most important tasks to conquer. Its also typically one of the big ticket items in planning your wedding. The first thing you should do is to figure out the type of ceremony you would like to have. How many people are you planning for? Are you doing more than one location or are you having your ceremony and reception in one space? Did you want to get dressed at the venue? Will you need a full working kitchen or just a space to keep things warm? If you're new to wedding or party planning your Coordinator can be a huge wealth of knowledge in this arena. More than likely they already have working relationships with local venues and can recommend places that would fit your needs and vision.
Once you've nailed down what it is you want in a venue, its now time to talk numbers. What are you comfortable with spending on your wedding venue. In Charleston it is not unusual to see venues starting at $2500 or better for a weekday rental and $4000 or more for a weekend rental. When looking for a venue keep in mind the kinds of guests you're inviting, how much space there is for parking , and how easy is it for your guests to find. Also inquire about what's included in the rental price. You can find a $1500 venue but have to spend $3000 in rentals because there aren't any or not enough tables and chairs .
What's the difference between a Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Decorator?
This has been a very popular question! Lots of people assume that these terms are synonymous. They are not. Can a Wedding Professional be all of these things? Absolutely! Are these three different types of services? YES. Let me explain...
To keep things simple a Wedding Planner is someone that can plan your wedding from top to bottom. They help you decide on the small details and create a cohesive wedding look based on the information you've given in the consultation. They help you with finding EVERYTHING you will need to have an amazing day. A Wedding Coordinator, also called a Day of Coordinator or DOC, is primarily responsible for the logistics of your wedding day. They come in after you've already gotten all of your vendors, décor, etc. and make sure that everything and everyone is on one accord. They manage the day and make sure that you and your loved ones are able to solely focus on what's important-YOU. Lastly, the Wedding Decorator. This is the person who sets up and breaks down your requested décor items. It typically does not come with any other event services. Again, each wedding planner is different and offers different combinations and levels of these services. When scouting for a Wedding Pro please don't hesitate to ask in depth questions about the services they provide.
SIDENOTE: There is also something called a Wedding Designer. They too can do the same things as a Planner but they typically only create the aesthetic of your wedding day. You could equate this to a clothing designer. The designer only creates the idea and the look. They don't actually sew the clothes.
What is a Micro-wedding? How is it different from an Elopement?
A Micro-wedding is like a regular wedding but on a smaller scale. Most times its really simple and laid back. There is no industry standard for this as of yet but for Classic Noire Events a Micro-wedding consists of 50 guests or less. It also most likely will be held in one location. The major difference between this and an Elopement is the size of the wedding and the timeframe it takes to plan. An Elopement traditionally is when a Couple get married quickly with no planning. It more than likely will consist of the Couple, the Officiant and maybe 1-2 witnesses. In more recent times, Couples have been doing what's called a Styled Elopement. This is where a bit more planning is involved. They will have more upscale florals, maybe light refreshments along with a cake and a guest list under 10. They both are an alternative to the large traditional wedding.
What is the difference between a civil ceremony and religious ceremony?
The major difference between these two types of ceremonies is the mentioning of a religious figure or the adding of religion at all. In most civil ceremonies the Couple tend to focus more on celebrating their relationship and the vows that they take as they become one. A civil ceremony also tends to be much shorter as it does not contain any prayers, religious rituals, special readings or songs.
How can I save money while planning my wedding?
Let's face it-weddings are expensive. If you're looking for a grand lavish affair, prepare to spend, spend, SPEND. But having a grand affair does always mean a huge ticket price.
-Get married during the week.
Venues and some vendors are considerably cheaper during the week. If you book during "off season" the discounts can be even deeper.
- Plan a sunrise or morning wedding.
These are typically small weddings were breakfast or brunch is served which happens to be much more affordable than dinner.
-Have a dry event.
Alcohol is probably the third highest ticket item in wedding planning. If you must have alcohol serve beer and wine only or have signature drinks.
- Limit your guest list.
Everyone doesn't deserve to be apart of your big day. Surround yourself with only the closest family and friends. It will limit the amount of money you'll have to spend on everything.
I hope this has given you a bit more clarity when it comes to planning your wedding. Remember that this special day is about you, your beloved and your unique expression of love. Don't focus on the small things and enjoy the ride!
Happy Planning!
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