Wedding planning perfection with Whisked Away Events

 

Hands up if you’re totally confused about wedding planning. And hands up if you have no idea what role a wedding planner plays.

It’s safe to say that if you’re feeling somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of bringing together your big day, you are not alone.

Thankfully, we work with some of the best in the biz when it comes to making wedding dreams come true, and from a wedding planning perspective, we are lucky enough to have Alyce of Whisked Away Events among our ranks.

The task of a wedding planner is all encompassing – and there are probably many tricks and tips you aren’t aware of, that talented teams such as Alyce’s will have up their sleeves.

Settle in for a read about what a wedding planner can offer, how they will help ease your wedding woes, and why Whisked Away Events are the ideal addition to your dream day collective.

 

The world of weddings sure can be confusing, what is the difference between hiring a wedding planner versus a wedding stylist?

It sure can be! And it can be confusing even knowing where to start! A lot of couples have and idea in mind about how they would like their special day to be, but they don’t know how to execute these ideas into reality. This is where a wedding planner comes along! I see a wedding planning service as another layer or element if you like that is completely different from a stylist.

Understandably, most people look at readily available content these days (Instagram, Pinterest, wedding blogs etc.) and save images and content based on the beautiful imagery they’re seeing. Hiring a stylist who can bring this beautiful imagery to life is fantastic and they certainly do an amazing job. However, the difference between a wedding planner and a stylist is that a wedding planner is someone who can oversees the entire process and event – from start to finish, and most generally a lot of background stuff that no one else will see.

 

“Weddings are bought together with more than just the styling elements. It’s all the background work and planning that goes into flawless weddings that can’t always be show in beautiful imagery. Therefore it isn’t always thought about”.

 

 

So, what kind of assistance can we expect from a wedding planner?

TIMELINES

A planner can work with you to establish an overall timeline for your wedding to help you understand what elements are important to focus on 18 or 12 months out from your wedding. For example, locking in the photographer you dream of booking or that special florist – the big players that can often be booked years in advance.

A wedding planner will work closely with you throughout the entire wedding planning journey, and making sure all timelines are met. Though we understand every couple is different and will plan accordingly.

SUPPLIERS

Some couples like to be part of the decision making process, so as a wedding planner we can recommend suppliers that we think would suit a couple’s personality and style and obtain quotes and price guides. Or some couples may have a set budget, but be time poor, so they hire a planner to make decisions on their behalf. A couple may want their planner to oversee planning the entire wedding from sourcing a venue, booking in all of their suppliers (photographer, florist, celebrant, entertainment, caterers, videographers, linen, stylists, cake maker, wedding cars/transport, accommodation, stationary etc.), coordinating the suppliers in the lead up, developing the wedding day run sheet and ensuring that all suppliers are across this and on board to work collaboratively on the wedding day.

ON THE DAY ASSISTANCE

A planner can be hired to purely co-ordinate on the day, which is often a component of wedding planning that can be overlooked. When couples are getting married on private properties, marquees or venues that may not always host weddings, there may not be staff available to work at or run the wedding on the day. A planner is the main go-to person who can step in and do this for you. While some couples may feel a family member or even they can do the little tasks on the day, they sometimes misjudge how long the task may take as well as the added stress.  The lead up to anyone’s wedding should be filled with spending time with loved ones and pampering yourself with as little stress as possible. Why would you want to spend your dream day running around, coordinating suppliers and setting up when a wedding planner can do this for you?

“If a wedding planner has been on the entire journey with you, they can easily pull together the run sheet and know exactly who is who in the zoo”.

 

 

It sounds like a huge role! What other tricks does a planner have up their sleeves?

We will also greet guests as they arrive, ensure they are seated in a timely manner, queue music, ensure the bridal party have a glass of post-ceremony bubbles at the ready, make sure the MC and those doing speeches are ready to go when they need to be, and make sure the wedding couple have their favourite drink to sip on when mingling with guests. We also make sure the wedding certificate and guest cards are safely placed away in a secure place when needed, and so much more!

Really, it is about all of the little touches and processes that no one sees, but ensures that the day is seamless and that we don’t miss a beat. In my role, I want every couple to walk away feeling they have just experienced the most incredible and special day of ever. All because they were given the space to do so.

 

If a bride or groom engage the services of a stylist, do you work closely with them?

We certainly can work alongside stylists. While there may be some tasks that a planner and stylist have crossover in, in essence their roles are quite different. We both work together in the lead up and on the day of the wedding to ensure the best outcome for every couple.

As a wedding planner I ensure that I engage with stylists as soon as they’re booked in. I like to introduce our service and myself, and where possible, arrange to meet in person.

“I feel it’s important to meet with or chat with other suppliers over the phone prior to the wedding day so that we’re not arriving and meeting each other for the first time and introducing ourselves. It gives a sense of cohesion and makes it more personable for the couple.”

 

We can also work alongside stylists to be across the styling elements of the wedding. A wedding planner needs to be the go-to person for everyone involved in a wedding including the styling aspect of how the wedding will look on the day.

 

 

Why do you think wedding planning is so overwhelming for the majority of brides and grooms and why is it worth investing in a planner?

Feedback from couples (and from my our own experience) is that we are so overwhelmed with choice, especially when it comes to the endless options at our fingertips through digital media. For couples and individuals who struggle to make decisions easily and quickly, this can make the whole process overwhelming.

It can also be overwhelming for those that struggle to visualise how everything will come together and it can create chaos when having to decide on who to hire, where to place items, what colours and florals to choose.

Wedding planning comes with a deadline, and with that looming deadline can come stress and uncertainty. There are so many components that need to come together – booking key suppliers, seating charts, wedding invites! The list goes on and on.

“Just as you would invest in a professional photographer to have beautiful photos that you can look back on and remember, hiring a wedding planner can allow a couple to sit back and recall that their day was stress free, uncomplicated and planned and coordinated effortlessly.”

 

If a bride or groom quite like the planning, but want to outsource some aspects of the planning or day, is this something you can accommodate?

We find that there are quite a few couples that like to be part of the planning process themselves, and that is great! We can accommodate or work with anyone on their overall plans. No matter how little or much they’d like to be actively involved. We listen to a couple’s needs, vision and brief then plan accordingly.

Some couples love taking charge of the fun and creative parts of the wedding like booking and meeting with their videographer and florist, sourcing their cake maker and going for a tasting – because let’s face it, who doesn’t love cake?

In saying that, for all the fun of the above, some may not enjoy compiling the spreadsheets and lists of everyone they have booked, their contact details and the role they will play on the day. We can take this on with ease and ensure the nitty gritty is taken care of, while making sure our couples are kept in the loop every step of the way.

 

 

What do you find is the most confusing aspect of wedding planning for a bride and groom? Is it the dreaded seating plan or something else?

This can be very individual. And as with anything in life, couples have strengths in certain areas and should play to the.

Some couples can find it confusing to know how their day is going to run. How are they going to get from their ceremony to photos and to their reception venue in an allocated time, all the while trying to actually enjoy the moment? When it comes down to the nitty gritty and all the little processes we often see people start to glaze over or look fearful, not quite understanding how everything is going to flow and keep on track.

“All elements that form part of the logistics of the day can create great confusion for some couples and we are there simplify and take on this burden for people.”

 

Styling elements can also become confusing. Thinking about colours, textures and how it will come together when there is so much choice! Gone are the days where you just went with whatever the venue presented, which is great, because who doesn’t love creativity and individuality! Therefore it can be helpful for couples to have a professional stylist that we can work alongside to bring these elements together.

 

What kind of contact can a bride or groom expect to have with their wedding planner, are you available to chat whenever they like?

We are definitely available to chat at most times for our couples! Whenever we receive an initial enquiry we always offer to meet with a person/individual face-to-face or via Skype. This initial contact helps us understand what help is really needed as it always varies and we can then provide a price guide.

Once a couple has booked with us (hooray!) we’re then guided by them as to how often contact will be (within reason of course).  We are flexible and just really want to get to know our clients – I’ve had great chats and laughs with couples over Skype or over a cuppa, as well as met with brides and their mothers at their chosen venue. Basically we are on hand and use various methods for contact, be it Skype, in person, text or phone.

 

Aren’t stylists and planners only for the rich and famous? 

Hell no! We pride ourselves on being able to tailor our packages to what our couples need, because we don’t believe in charging or quoting for any type of service that is unnecessary and unneeded.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a planner available to at a minimum coordinate the wedding when it is being held at a venue or location that has little or no other staff available.

Often we find that many of the big players such as photographers, florists, entertainment etc, are the first suppliers (aside from the venue/location) to be booked in. A planner can often be overlooked. Many couples often regret this decision when it is too late and realise just how much work is involved in the lead up to their wedding. Or they’re regretful after their wedding day when they realise just how stressed and overwhelmed they were in having to do all the critical tasks and roles themselves. So no, the service provide by and role of a wedding planner is critical and definitely not for the rich and famous.

 

 

How on earth are you so organised?

Organisation is my middle name! I remember sitting in a hairdresser’s chair while getting my hair done, planning my own wedding and having my iPad on my lap and my notebook on the bench in front of me, when I had a light bulb moment.

I truly enjoy organising and planning and know that not many others share this joy, particularly when it comes to weddings! I really wanted to harness this passion in being able to provide that as a service to prospective couples. So they didn’t have to stress or worry and just enjoy the day.  I keep on top of weddings with checklists that I have available to send out to couples and keep them on track where it’s needed. Excel is our best friend when it comes to planning. We are always forward thinking, stick to time frames and ensure no detail is missed.

 

Finally, can you give us your top three tips when it comes to planning a wedding. 

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Really ensure that you’re communicating with your partner throughout the whole process and lead up to your wedding. Make sure you’re both on the same page, and if you’re not, at least if you’re openly communicating you can work through what each other wants, likes, can’t stand etc.

Money and finances, for example, can have an impact and expectations about what one person is wanting for their wedding day compared to the other. Therefore it is critical that you’re communicating openly and honestly with your partner.

KEEP IT REAL

Couples can easily get swept up with feeling that they ‘have to have’ a large, lavish wedding with all the bells and whistles, however this can quite quickly mean credit card debt, unwanted stress post wedding and is definitely not what a wedding is meant to represent. Our advice is to make sure that your wedding day reflects you both as a couple and is exactly what you want it to be – you don’t want any regrets!

DELEGATE!

Delegate and hire help where you can! Regardless of whether or not I had a vested interested in this advice, I would 100% say to get help. Not everyone can afford it so delegate, delegate and delegate some more. Planning, organising and coordinating a wedding is no small feat that’s for sure!

 

If I can add a fourth very important piece of advice – HAVE FUN!!!!! Enjoy every single part of your wedding journey, beautiful people!

 

 

We are so lucky to have Alyce and her talented business Whisked Away Events as part of the Tribe. To secure their services for your own wedding day, click here.