Below is a list of questions that our wedding planners and coordinators have come across. Have a question that your don’t see here? Send your question to kristina@epheadquaters.com, one of our professionally educated and experienced planners.
We have lived together for years and have everything we need. Should we still register?
Short answer, yes. Many brides and grooms these days do live together and essentially start their lives before getting married. Not the case when our parents or grandparents got hitched. This puts many people in a bit of a puzzling place when it comes the the wedding registry. You don’t have to run down to your local department store and pick out china patterns, but there are a number of things couples can register for than they don’t have. Wedding photos are a great example. Many photographers now offer a registry where family and friends can make contributions to the couples package or perhaps upgrade that package. Another is a honeymoon registry. Couples can also create their own registry. This could be something like the couple creating a list of things they want to do together…think hot air balloon ride, going to the opera, or sky diving, and then ask friends and family to gift them one of those experiences. The main idea behind a registry is to take the mystery out of buying a wedding gift. Think beyond a toaster and a rice cooker.
When are my final numbers required for rental items?
This varies depending on if you have items that are in stock or if a special order is required. We are more than happy to bring in items in different sizes or colors than what is available on a regular basis. However in order to accommodate the buying process we need to have your final numbers 8 weeks prior to your event. Generally when renting items that are in stock and don’t require a special order, you have until 72 hours prior to your event to change your numbers. As a rule of thumb, we encourage couples and families to book as soon as possible so that they can guarantee the items are available for their event and have more flexibility in confirming numbers closer to the date.
Check out our rental catalog at www.specialeventrentals.com
Why are there no packages available for hiring a wedding planner with your company?
This is a question that we get a lot. At Special Event Rentals and Event Planning Headquarters we don’t have packages available because not everyone’s needs fit into a package. We would rather get to know our clients and their needs in a consultation and then develop a quote that will be accurate for them. Each wedding is different therefore we do not want to limit our clients to any specific packages.
Check out all the services we can provide at www.epheadquarters.com
What are the big trends for 2011?
In 2011 the biggest trend is that anything goes! More than ever couples are adding unique personalized elements into their weddings. Brides are riding down the aisle on bicycles and bridesmaids are not wearing matching dresses. Weddings are taking place in seemingly unconventional spaces like art galleries, roof tops, lofts, and even at the zoo! Branching out and doing your own thing is the new traditional wedding. Fun elements like signature drinks and candy buffets are still popular. But there is no limit to what is considered “normal”. One of our couples chose to incorporate snow globes in their decor. Another had an entire room in the venue designated for pie and ice cream instead of cake. Couples are being bold with color and texture and overall event design. It really is an exciting time to be getting married because there are so many ways to personalize your day!
How can I have a eco friendly wedding?
The environmental impact of a wedding can be overwhelming. There are a few things a couple can do to help. An easy option is to put an email or phone reply on your invitations eliminating paper wasted from response cards. For an outdoor reception opt to rent dinnerware, glassware and cutlery rather than buying plastic or disposable pieces. This will ensure that items can be used again and won’t pile up in a landfill. Choose flowers that are grown locally and in season. Not only will this save you money but it will reduces the emissions from vehicles used to ship your perfect petals. Depending on your venue you may have the option of bringing in your own wine and selecting your food. Again pick things that are local and seasonal. To offset the pollution caused by wedding guests traveling for your big day, you can purchase carbon credits. Give trees and flowers that can be planted for guest favors so guests can green up the world around them.
Click here to view green favors offered at our online Wedding Star store.
Is it less expensive to have a buffet?
People typically think it is less expensive to have a buffet style meal. This is not always the case. Typically if you are having a plated meal there is an additional cost for the number of servers required. However the kitchen is in control of the portion sizes and can more accurately calculate the amount of food required. When having a buffet style meal the kitchen needs to prepare a larger quantity of food because they are not able to anticipate the consumption of the guests. This can result in a higher cost for the meal overall. There can also be additional costs for having a larger selection of food. It is always best to speak to your venue and see what options they have to offer.
Do I pay more for a decorator if I have a small window for set up?
There are a lot of venues that book events back to back with small windows of time in between. This is what prompts many couples to hire a decorator to begin with. However it is a common myth that you end up paying more for services when facing a time restraint. When it comes to decorating you pay only for the amount of labour involved in the tasks you need performed. The amount of work doesn’t change if there are 8 hours or 2 hours to set up and therefore the price should not change either.
Why do I need a wedding planner if I have the internet?
A wedding is typically something a person deals with once in their life. Although there are many resources available online it is difficult to sift through all the information and determine what is relevant, accurate, and useful. A wedding planner can make sense of that information. We spend our days, nights, and weekends knee deep in the industry getting to know the vendors and what makes each of them tick. This helps us better match vendors with clients. We have a knowledge of wedding trends and traditions. We are able to anticipate potential hurdles and avoid them because we deal with a high volume of weddings. When your car is broken…you take it to a mechanic. Same idea, we are experts, here to help.
Is it improper to have a cash bar?
No. A cash bar is a great way to help cuts costs at your wedding and control alcohol consumption if you are getting worried about guests having a bit too much fun. You can also provide guests with a few drink tickets and anything after the tickets can be their responsibility.
If you do want to have an open bar but need to cut costs you can…
Offer a signature cocktail
This will help limit the different types of alcohol you have to purchase.
Close the bar during speeches and announcements
This will help to cut down the amount of time the bar is actually open but also keep people in their seats limiting interruptions during speeches and announcements.
Have a limited bar
This will again help to cut the amount of alcohol you have to purchase by only providing beer and wine to guests. You can also offer champagne during toasts.
How do I get my fiancé involved in wedding planning?
It usually easier to get your fiancé involved if he can be in charge of something that actually interests him. Get him to find the band, talk to djs, or create a personal playlist for your guests. With the growing popularity of microbreweries, get him and his groomsmen to spend an afternoon checking out different beers that can be served at the reception.
Is it okay to have a cocktail party instead of a full dinner?
Absolutely! We have dealt with number of weddings that featured light afternoon lunches and cocktail hours in lieu of a full dinner. Wedding traditions no longer have the rigidity that they use to. These types “receptions” give you and your guests a chance to eat, drink, and socialize without being stuck to a table for the majority of the night.
Contact us for list of vendors that cater to these types of receptions.
Should we tip our wedding vendors?
Tipping isn’t mandatory. A tip is an added reward for service well done. With that said, unless one of your vendors really messed up on something, they’ll probably expect at least a small gratuity.
When do I apply for a wedding license?
It is best to apply for after you have set your date. There is an expiration policy that dictates the length of time your license is valid. This can range anywhere from a few weeks to 6 months. Once you’ve set a date, give your local marriage license bureau a buzz to confirm their guidelines and make your plan for a license to wed.
More questions? Send us an email.
