Jaclyn and Jason-Quidnessett Country Club

      Jaclyn and Jason had so many gorgeous details for their wedding at Quidnessett Country Club.  The florals by Michelle Jeanne Floral Design, were absolutely stunning. The food was plentiful, including an Awful Awful truck provided by Newport Creamery.  When you have M Studios, as your photographer, it is always a good time as they provide a fun, relaxed environment for any couple.  Congratulations to Jaclyn and Jason!

Photo by M Studios

Jenna and Dave-Regatta Place

      2021 was so busy, I barely had a chance to breathe. But now, as I sit a few weeks away from the 2022 season, I need to share all the wonderful weddings that Planned to Perfection got to be a part of!  We started off our season with Jenna and Dave at Regatta Place. This was such a fun couple! The groom's grandfather was the officiant and made the ceremony so special for them.  They had a fun photo booth, that their guests had a blast with and their DJ kept everyone the floor the entire evening. Congratulations Jenna and Dave!!! 

Wedding Planner vs Venue Coordinator

 I found this article helpful in explaining the difference between the two roles.

The Difference Between A Wedding Planner And Venue Coordinator

"Unless you’re in the wedding industry, the differences between the two aren’t commonly known."

By 

Summer McLane, Contributor

 

Alright ladies, let’s talk about the differences between venue coordinators and wedding planners. As a wedding planner, one of my biggest pet peeves is when a venue sells their in-house coordinator as an actual wedding planner. I’ve learned that unless you’re in the wedding industry, the differences between the two aren’t commonly known.

About 4 years ago, I received a frantic call from a bride who desperately needed help with her wedding which was 36 hours away. Yes…36 HOURS AWAY! When booking her venue, she said that the biggest selling point was that the venue came with a coordinator. She was told that hiring an outside planner would be a waste of money since she was already paying for one with her venue. Filling out a last-minute questionnaire from the venue, she thought it was odd that they asked who her coordinator for the day would be. She answered “you” with a smiley face. The next day, she received an email stating that the person who she had been working with for months wasn’t even going to be at her wedding. She was confused as to why the bride would think she’d be there…maybe because that’s what she was told? Luckily, I was able to step in and make magic happen.

Here are some of the key differences between a venue coordinator and a wedding planner:

1. Venue:

Venue Coordinator- They are responsible for everything that specifically deals with the venue. Tables, chairs, linens, food, etc. If the venue provides catering, their focus is to make sure that the kitchen and wait staff are scheduled according to their needs.

Wedding Planner- They are responsible for everything that comes with your venue AND making sure that your vendors know where and when they’re supposed to be. If the venue provides linens, it is the job of the wedding planner to choose the color based on the design of the wedding and to keep the quantities correct.

2. Vendors:

Venue Coordinator- The venue coordinator will most-likely provide a list of preferred vendors and that’s the extent of their involvement when it comes to interacting with the vendors.

Wedding Planner - Your wedding planner will schedule and attend your meetings with your vendors. They are the main point of contact between you and your vendors. If a vendor is lost or running late or is having an emergency, they’ll contact your wedding planner who will then put out the fire. Your wedding planner gives recommendations based on vendors they’ve worked with previously. They also review contracts; set up hotel room blocks, etc.

3. Timeline:

Venue Coordinator- Hotels that provide catering will have a timeline solely for their catering staff. Their timeline will center around when the food will be prepared and served. That’s it.

Wedding Planner - The wedding planner’s timeline details all aspects of the day from the time that the bride wakes up to the moment that the doors close. As a wedding planner, I have to know every single that is happening with every single person involved in the day. I schedule arrival times for all vendors, when the photos will be taken, what songs will be played for each dance, when the cake will be cut and when and where the sparkler send-off will be. We do it ALL.

4. Accessibility:

Venue Coordinator - You’re most likely sharing your venue coordinator with at least 100 other brides. This means delayed responses to phone calls and emails. This also means that you have to try to catch them during business hours.

Wedding Planner – Fortunately (and unfortunately), wedding planners are available almost 24/7. Of course there are exceptions but if you’re having an emergency, you can pick up the phone and send a quick text message. Your venue coordinator isn’t giving you their personal cell phone number.

5. Design.

Venue Coordinator – They’re not designing your wedding. Period.

Wedding Planner – They’ll design your ceremony and reception. They’ll choose your colors, linens, flowers, table set-up and design and so on and so on.

Brides, do not make the mistake of not hiring a wedding planner because your venue has a “wedding coordinator”. Planners do drastically different things and they’re more hands-on. Believe me, spend the money on a planner at the beginning so that you don’t have to find out in the middle of planning that you don’t actually have a planner, but a venue coordinator.

 

Michelle and Donald-Eisenhower House

      Michelle was getting married to Donald, with or without COVID! She wrote a letter to the Governor, she was focused on everything she needed to do to make her wedding go on safely and follow the state guidelines. We had Plan B and Plan C, and when it was time for Michelle's wedding, Rhode Island was in such a good spot, she got to have the guest count she had hoped for and the wedding she dreamed of. Michelle and I started planning her wedding before anyone knew what COVID was. She had picked Eisenhower House, but was unsure of all the extra's she needed to pull her ideas together. She chose Blackstone Caterers, New England Tent, Ryan Designs for tent décor, Le Isle Rose as a florist, Melody Piling Photography and PEAK Events. Together this team created a beautiful event, outstanding food and a happy couple at the end of the night.   Congratulations to Michelle and Donald.

Giving Back 2020

 Last Sunday, I received an email from an organization that grants wishes. They had an 11 year old boy, who is terminal with bone cancer who wanted to live a life of the rich and famous. They had a house rented for him for this weekend and that is it. I went into crazy planning mode. With the help of awesome vendors, we planned a great weekend! He rode in style with transpiration provided by @rockstar_limo, ate like a king with food from @gloriousaffairs, went to @audrainautomuseum and the breakers for private tours and photos taken by @jennifernevesphotography. He had his own ice cream provided by @benandjerrys, desserts from @scrumptions_inc and my parents provided a candy bar. Please pray for Lou and his family during this extremely difficult time, as they really need our prayers.

Microweddings-What are they? Should I have one?

     Microweddings have increased immensely due to Covid 19 this year.  This is a smaller version of both the ceremony and the reception, typically no more than 50 guests.  It is a super intimate wedding based of guests that are usually family and only close friends. Many couples don't look at it as a way to cut costs, but to provide more for their guests that they may have not been able to offer initially.  It is the perfect compromise if a couple still wants to get married in 2020 and does not want to postpone.  A smaller wedding may offer the opportunity to be more creative.  You could possible afford more florals or linens and decor, or add some lighting. You could move to a top shelf bar offerings and possibly an extra dessert or late night snack. A microwedding provides an opportunity to spend more time with your guests because there are not as many people to greet. Whether or not to have a microwedding is a personal choice. Many people want the larger wedding and are opting to postpone to 2021, And with many strict guidelines still in place in Rhode Island, the postponement means a full dance floor and a bar that guests can enjoy. No matter what you choose, it is between you and your spouse and what fits for you.  We are always here to help and answer your questions. 

Hope is not cancelled...

     It is August, I have not done a wedding since October 2019.  This is the longest I have gone without a wedding in 15 years.  In this time, I feel like a part of me is missing. I love what I do, I am passionate about my work, I truly love the connection with my clients and I have established such wonderful and meaningful relationships with vendors over the years, not seeing them has been difficult.  But we have to hold on top hope, that we will get past this difficult time and watch the joy on couples faces as they say their vows.  We have to embrace the micro weddings, because for the time being, they are what is possible. In an uncertain time, we have to have hope that the love of couples about to be married will prevail and they will embrace the changes that the wedding will now have. In the end, what really matters is the love between two people, looking to share a lifetime together. For now, we have hope, we have to hold on to that with all we can.  I miss you all and can't wait to share in your memories soon. 

Wedding Plans Changing Due to COVID 19?

We are here to help!! If your wedding has been cancelled or postponed due to COVID 19, we can help you rearrange your plans. We are offering discounted rates to those affected by COVID 19!

Call or email us today. 

Frank and Brian-Glen Manor, Redwood Library & 41 North

Frank and Brian are from Miami, and they wanted a destination wedding in Newport.  They were looking to do 3 large events for their guests, a Welcome Party, the Wedding and a spectacular brunch the following morning.  When we started our quest for the perfection location, they could not have picked the 3 most different venues to host each event at and give their guests a glimpse of what Newport has to offer.  The Welcome Party was hosted at Glen Manor, Blackstone Caterer was the caterer for both the Welcome Party and the Wedding and they did an outstanding job mixing up the menu's for each event and creating a menu that was unique to this couple.  The wedding ceremony was held outside at the Redwood Library and cocktail hour was at the Newport Art Museum and back to The Redwood Library for reception. I think guests were just blown away by all they got to take in that day from the art to the history of the library.  Sunday brunch was held at 41 North in the private room on the lower level.  We got to use so many elements from each of the three events and change how they were displayed and looked.  Congratulations to Frank and Brian!

Bethany and Phil-Hidden Meadow Farm

Bethany and Phil were married at her family's farm in West Greenwich.   I have known Bethany since she was in high school, so to be a part of her special day was such a honor to me. The ceremony was located on the upper portion of the farm where all the ladies were brought over by horse and carriage.   A beautiful ceremony was performed by Robin McDonald of Heart and Soul Ceremonies.  Cocktail hour was outside the tent, and guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres by B & M Catering, and an amazing antipasto that the groom's brother put together.  The reception was located under a large tent and B & M Clambakes provided a wonderful meal, as they always do! Everyone enjoyed their time on the dance floor and taking many photos in the photo booth.  Congratulations to Bethany and Phil.

Tim and Steve-Glen Manor House

I enjoyed every minute of working with Tim and Steve.  I believe that Tim would be a great planner! He was very detailed in what he wanted for his special day and it showed in all that he did. Family and friends was very important to this couple, and the love resonated from their wedding party to their families. They chose to have their ceremony and reception at The Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, and had a close friend officiate the wedding with the scenic setting of the ocean behind them.  Since they had almost of all their pictures completed before the ceremony, they had to time to enjoy cocktail hour with their guests. After a wonderful meal from West Bay Gourmet, guests and the couple spent the entire night on the dance floor.


All photos by Matt Ferrara

Liz and Ben-Fry Farm

I have known Liz for many years, back to when she was in high school, so I was honored when she asked me to be her planner. She knew exactly what she wanted and that was for everyone to be relaxed and have a great time! Liz and her family are dairy farmers so it only made sense to have the wedding on the farm. Their ceremony was at the First Baptist Church of East Greenwich and after the ceremony, the bridal party headed out in antique cars for photos. Once at the farm, guests dined on a clambake provided by B & M Catering. Dessert was cake, cupcakes and delicious Allie's donuts. Everyone had a great time on the dance floor and ended the night with a bonfire. Congrats Ben and Liz!