#108 - Wedding Planner Debrief

We are at the tail end of our busiest season, and we need to talk about it! We haven’t had time to just shoot the shit lately on the podcast, so that’s what we’re doing on this one. Except with some jotted down notes and a basic outline in mind. Because we love you and we want you to know what’s in our brains! Tips, tricks, pet peeves and a good ‘ol debriefing between your favorite wedding planner BFFs. Enjoy! Big Takeaways Lil tip: If you are doing a card box or bird cage or basket or whatever to hold cards and gifts from guests, put a card in there before the day begins. If you have a guestbook that isn’t totally obviously a guestbook - then have some of your ‘maids sign it first, and then open it to that page. Sometimes guests don’t want to be the first to do something at a wedding. An ‘example’ is a nice indicator that it’s ok and expected! Pet peeve: Signage. We’ve been wedding planners for a long time. We have seen a whole lot of unnecessary signage in our day. Ease up on the signage! If there’s a tower of cupcakes on a table, you don’t have to put a cute frame or chalkboard telling everyone there is a tower of cupcakes there! We can all see it! They look delicious! Lesson Learned: If you have a sweets table out for display before the cake is cut, people may (will) help themselves. Which is fine! Unless you don’t want that. Remember - we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: People at weddings love cake. So if you have cake balls or cupcakes out...they may grab them before dinner starts. Also - if you are doing cake for dessert - order enough for every guest! Don’t doubt us on this one, we’ve seen it get ugly when there isn’t enough cake to go around. If it’s a BYOB bar (you, the client are bringing the booze, not your guests) - better safe than sorry! Over-order so you don’t run out. And make sure your caterer has ordered enough corresponding glassware for the booze you’re bringing. Remember - people drink more than usual at a wedding. We talk a lot about catering and staffing on this one - examples of what NOT to do. Bottom line - the caterer and the wedding planner work very closely. Both parties need to be on board. Hire carefully! And don’t skimp on staffing. Oh! And always go with a double-sided buffet if you can! Quick tip! If a dancefloor is being put outside, make sure you have someone to sweep it off before the wedding starts. This is a big one: if you have a plan for an outside event - no matter what, you need a plan B in case the weather is horrible. No one can control the weather! Having a plan B is crucial. But that’s not the end of it. You need to NOT HATE your plan B. If plan B at the venue sucks, try to find another venue! Don’t forget about our Patreon! It’s the very best way for you to tell us you love us. :) Links we referenced www.modernloveevent.com/bigwedding The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez. Edited by Veronica Gruba Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook. Easy to get in touch with. Email us at [email protected] or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices