GO HERE to read it. Quite compelling and easy to navigate. Plus it’s quick, but worth the time to think on some of these points. :D

Just lookin’ out for your best interest, y’all!

xoxo,

A.

So, with our new website and new vision for the future of In The Now, also came a new set of responsibilities as well as new ways to present our services and packages.

Currently, I’ve committed to taking no more than 2 weddings a month, personally. I feel that my time is best spent in undivided attention to the clients who have booked and claimed that time appropriately. Also, my non-wedding time is much deserved by my adoring husband, as we look for balance and sanity in the years to come. Having spent so much time pouring into my company with blood, sweat and tears over the past years has truly had it’s advantages- I’ve gained tons of experience, trained up a stellar team of people who work along side of me and who I can confidently send out to weddings representing the brand we’ve established and the name we have, and it’s also given me the luxury to choose my weddings wisely. Meaning- at this point in time- every single wedding that I take personally has design services attached to the package. My minimum service level is a package that I’ve coined the “essentials” package. It’s basically an all-encompassing package to ensure the needs are fully met on the day of the wedding, plus design services and a bit of pre-planning. It’s perfect for someone looking for a partner in crime to help them plan their day.

That being said, I realize that there are people who are still in a greater, urgent need of just the basics. Although I don’t personally honor this package myself, I thought I’d fill you in on what I like to consider the “emergency” package. It came out of the need for someone to have a “day of” coordinator, and the passion that we have for the industry. Here’s what’s included:

Organizational Services Provided:

• Available via phone and e-mail at any time, to answer any questions or meet any requests you might have from 3 months prior to your wedding date up until the day of the event.

• Two face-to-face meetings with your coordinator geared towards planning/efficiency of wedding execution [typically used for a site walk thru and a timeline meeting].

• Storage of wedding-related items prior to wedding day including but not limited to candles, custom pieces, vases or other floral container, programs or other paper items for up to ONE WEEK [seven days] prior to wedding day. This may also include storage of items after the wedding, which are expected to be picked up within ONE WEEK post-event.

• Customized professional itinerary made for set-up [at site] and distributed to each vendor either at final consultation meeting or via email the week prior to event.

• Customized checklist [for In The Now use] detailing out items to be set up or supervised on the day of the event. This checklist will be created by ITN and approved by client for accuracy in the final weeks prior to event.

• Referral of any last-minute vendor needs via email/phone.

Basic Services Provided:

• Provide an adequate number of assistants [whom client shall meet in advance] for the execution and set-up of the wedding and reception to ensure that In The Now is equipped to meet the needs of the client in every way. No less than two coordinators are assigned to each event [one lead, one assistant] and up to four coordinators may be provided for crowds of 250+ wedding guests. Assistants are assigned to events uniquely based on event circumstances [not only number of guests, but distance between ceremony/reception venues as well as venue restrictions or circumstances themselves].

• Greet vendors and oversee the proper set-up of ceremony and reception, ensuring that your requests have been fulfilled to the fullest extent.

• Coordinate and run the wedding rehearsal including direction of friends, family and wedding party to ensure all people involved understand their roles [as prior arranged with the clients and officiant].

• Full-service coordination of your wedding day or event and reception with no hour limit on In The Now services.

• Wedding day director for all family, vendors, and wedding party to look to for direction.

• Accurately ensure all seating plans and arrangements are executed properly [favors, place cards, table numbers, etc].

• Cue ceremony [including lining up and coordinating the wedding party, seating of parents, ushering, etc], cocktail hour, reception and all other large events, coordinating with church, DJ or live music hired for the events.

• Distribute final payments and gratuities as needed to vendors and other service providers on the event date.

• Keep all activities scheduled per time line [including set-up, ceremony, and reception as best as possible].

• Box-up and deliver all personal items [toasting glasses, gifts, extra cake, serving set, veil, makeup, etc] to their respected places [i.e. hotel room, car, mother's car, etc].

• All services include the quality and integrity that In The Now is known for. All of your needs will be met on the Day-Of your wedding. No request is too minimal to address and the ITN team is committed to the stress-free success of each event we are a part of.

Click here to print Emergency Package Details

A few things that I’m committed to providing for any In The Now client are to ensure that each event is fully staffed [meaning we provide as many team members as we think are required to properly get the job done], and that no client feel “nickel and dimed” by hours on the job. One thing that I’ve learned over the years is that you can never have too many helping hands [and it's why my team is so big and why we're continually working with interns], and that some weddings are just longer than others. Some of our days are 14 hours, some are 8 hours. The situations vary and I feel strongly that each event deserves to be executed to the fullest extent. So does my team. That’s why they’re a part of In The Now. This package is meant to truly be that huge sigh of relief at the end of one’s engagement- that’s why it’s only booked last minute [up to 3 months prior to the wedding date]. But, the cruciality of the package remains. That’s why this is the same level of service that each In The Now client receives on the day of their wedding- no changes. It’s because we always want In The Now to reflect integrity, quality, and love of the event above all else. We can’t cut back from something that we already know is going to be a very important part of our clients stress-free, love-filled, gorgeously perfect wedding experience.

It’s what makes me tick.

If you’re on the fence about finding someone to work solely on your behalf on the wedding day- do it! It’s one thing that I’ve yet to hear someone regret. The emergency package sits at $1150 and just may be the right fit for your pending spring/summer wedding!

Plan well, my dear readers… but more than that, plan smart!

xoxo,

A.

Q: How do you go about recommending vendors to your clients…that you haven’t worked with before?

A: Typically I preface it, if I do this at all. If I know someone that has worked with them, that’s a huge selling point. If I’ve met them and spent time with them in person… even bigger. To me, the wedding industry is all about character. Sometimes you truly CAN tell that by reading a person’s blog/website. Sometimes it’s face to face contact that leaves an impression. It’s always quality of work. I’m fortunate enough to have a large pool of vendors that I’ve worked with in the past to chose from. I have incredibly high standards for myself and co-mingling my name with anyone’s name in ANY capacity can be scary. I also let my clients know up front any known issues with vendors that I still recommend [ie. "she's amazing, but really not so great at email... we'll just have to pick up the phone and call her"]. I believe honesty is key!

Q: Will you be hiring new interns anytime soon?!

A: Hiring is a sticky word!! I do have one current intern- a newbie- who is working with me come May in the office. We’ll need another [or two] to help with the summer season and also in-office once or twice a week with admin stuff. If you’re interested, follow the blog and I’ll post something on there when we’re a bit more sane on the home front!

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be an Event Designer?

A: I think it came gradually and over time. I definitely didn’t know when I got married at 21. About a year later, I took an intern position for a wedding planner that my mother had known many years prior. It just so worked out that she taught me all the ropes [however, she is not a designer]. The design side is something that grew out of my love for the event as a whole. It’s where I’m most skilled. :)

Q: What is your degree in?

A: Although I attended college for one year, I never graduated! I don’t have a degree in anything. A rarity these days, I’m sure. Planning [and event design, especially] just came naturally to me. I always thought I wanted to be a mom and wife above all else. And though I look forward to that very much, I feel blessed beyond words to have found something I’m passionate about as well!

Aaaaand there’s the honest truth for this week!! Hope you find it interesting enough to ask any burning questions that you might have! If you want to read more of my answers about my life, my husband, or my job- visit my Formspring Page and ask away!

Here’s a quick picture of my husband Josh and I over the holidays on a day where he bought me a beanie with flaps to match his!

Always remember to laugh, y’all!!

xoxo,

A.

I was SO pleased tonight when I went over there and saw their BRAND new format for their vendor review pages. TOTALLY love it. Easy to read. Pretty to look at. Thorough and friendly. It makes me 100% happy.

If you aren’t really sure what Project Wedding is, and you’re trying to plan a wedding in southern California… you are missing the boat. They are probably THE most comprehensive vendor review site for So. Cal. vendors and I heart them SO big time. They enable engaged [and married] couples to set up a profile, search through inspiration images and real wedding pictures, chat with other brides and grooms, and of course- read vendor reviews from REAL clients, REAL PW members. They’ve been a huge part in my career and for that I am so grateful!

To stand on my soap box for a bit: it may sound like a broken record, but review your vendors! If you’re engaged right now, you know how overwhelming it can be, when you feel like you’re blindfolded picking these people and trusting them with your money and your most important day. Reviews from REAL clients that are unsolicited [as in NOT on the company website] are so crucial to knowing who you’re doing business with. You can see a ton of vendors that will pay for a booth at a bridal show- but unless you do your research, you won’t really KNOW. So when I say that PW made my career- I mean it. I am eternally in debt to my clients who took the time out of their busy newly-wed lives to spread the word about their experience with me. It’s such an important [and often overlooked] post-wedding element, I beg of you- make it a priority… if not just for me, for ALL of your vendors. Our integrity counts on it!

Alright- enough drama for one day. Now, GO TAKE A LOOK… it’s beautiful over there!

xoxo!

A.

Apparently the fabulous blog “Stylish Events” does a weekly award column for blogs that they find helpful for navigating this crazy industry successfully. Well, not sure how many of you pop on over to the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog on Wednesdays, but that has become MY time to shine and dish on what I know. Last week, I wrote THIS ARTICLE regarding budgeting- the first of a 4 or 5 part series based on what to do after getting the ring.

I was so thrilled when I found out that Stylish Events picked my article as their “best budget friendly idea of the week”.

YAY YAY! It was literally a light to my little, weakend heart. It’s been a long week and it’s still only Monday morning! It’s so amazing to know that I can always depend on my friends and fans to pick me back up, just when I need it.

xoxo!

A.

Just a quick note to let you know that I posted an article today over on the Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog! It’s all about DIY and some of my personal opinions on the subject.

Click HERE to read up!!

xoxo!

A.

So, let me break them down a bit in the way I see fit.

1. The parking situation, most likely, will not be easy. My suggestion is to find a local church or business center that may allow you to rent or use their spaces for your event. If it’s a couple blocks away, offer the guests a trolley. Yes, it may add a tad more expenses than you anticipated originally when you started planning, but the convenience for your guests will be worth it! Plus, this way the driveway of the home you’re at, and right out front of that, looks clean, beautiful, and UN-cluttered with cars for that big grand exit you’re thinking of [...or is that me?]!!

2. For the noise situation, the best thing you can do is speak with the city. I’ll be honest- I’m not quite sure that the city will grant permits to anyone- home or not- for “sound” after 10 or 10:30pm. I believe it’s a general respect thing for the community surrounding you. Which is why this ties so much into the 3rd point, below…

Really and truly- that third one is a biggie. Probably the biggie-est. So, I’ll tell you what I’ve told them: offer the olive branch.

3. The absolute BEST thing you can do for dealing with the neighbors near by is be preemptive about it and TELL THEM, up front, and personally. I’m not saying you need to notify all the neighbors within 2 blocks but definitely the immediate near-bys are important. More than that, say it with more than words. Say it with effort. Say it with food. A few examples:

Fresh Baked Cookies

Fresh Baked Seasonal Bread [Home-made]. Think Banana, pumpkin, or something you grow locally in the community or in your home even!

Fresh Fruit or Produce. Again, bonus points if it’s grown ON the property or IN the community. What a way to truly make an impact!

I think the best way to do it is to put together a small basket with a personal thank you note [preemptive, mind you- "thanks in advance for understanding!"]- maybe even calligraphed [which makes me swoon at the thought] and a nice bottle of wine or champagne accompanied by your home-baked good or straight-from-the-farm produce. Then, along with the homeowners [if possible], you two as a couple go around and ring the doorbell, delivering them and explaining the situation at hand. Do this two weeks or so before the wedding. In most cases people should be delighted at your being up front about things and even more pleased that you’ve made such a kind gesture to them. A good idea as well is to package them similar to your “Out Of Town” baskets/boxes [which is, traditionally, what you give to guests who travel into town to see you get married- typically you leave these at the hotel and the hotel will deliver them to the guests' rooms upon checking in]. It’s a great idea to give them a taste of your wedding and a glimpse of you two as a couple. Talking it out can never be over-estimated!

The idea is that taking care of problem number 3 [the neighbors] will take care, really, of ALL the problems. If you decide to allow guests street parking and one of them covers the neighbor’s driveway- they may be MUCH slower to get angry about it as they’re enjoying their gift of fresh baked cookies. Say they typically go to bed around 9:30pm and your event rages on until 11pm…. perhaps, since you’ve prepped them, they WON’T complain to the police which means you won’t get shut down, regardless of a “noise permit”! Also, giving them a head’s up to the situation allows them ample time to book a trip and be out of town should they choose to “not deal with” the mayhem that evening.

I also just suggested to one couple, who is using a parent’s friend’s estate for their event, to offer purchasing a local hotel getaway for the evening of their wedding and gifting it to the home’s occupants. A kind way to say “feel free to get out of here” without making them pick up the tab.

I’ll say it in conclusion. Gifts work wonders. And I bet, at the end of your day, you’ll be happy you did it. Because, really, NOT having a problem is so, so much better than having one that needs to be worked out! Hope that helps!! xoxo!

Yep, you’re right. Anyone who is anyone in the internet wedding world has come across [at one point or another] the fabulousness that IS the Southern Weddings Blog. The blog is packed full of eye candy. Daily they feature weddings from around the country [around the globe, really], inspirations, great ideas, and did I mention gorgeous eye candy?? It’s a planner, designer, bride, client, friend of a friend who may get married one day’s dream! If you haven’t added them to your Google Reader yet, then you’re in for a floodgate of treats.

But this is not the point. The point is that the empire that the ladies of said blog have built up has now cometh to fruition! Yes, the print magazine is OUT… TODAY! Everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s looking at it. Everyone’s excited about it. I just had to let you all in on it, too!!

You can visit the blog for locations of where the already-infamous mag will be released [Target and Barnes and Noble, to name some], but more importantly- you can order a copy ONLINE right through their site! So, stay up to date!! I’ll bet you’ll find that a lot of the vendors I sing praises of on a somewhat weekly [or monthly, or bi-monthly] basis will be plastered all over the pages! And more than that… who doesn’t want a little southern comfort in their big day??

Bottom line: if you get, you will not regret!

xoxo,

A-town!

CLICK HERE TO READ the Sparkliatti lesson entitled “Feed Me aka We Can Only Drink So Much Coffee”.

Hope this helps give perspective and understanding! xoxo!