I am SO excited to introduce a new Summer Blog Series today on #weddingwednesday: Coffee Chat Q&A’s!
Each Wednesday, you will hear the answers to some of the most popular questions wedding vendors get, from the vendor themself! Normally, we’d have these chats at a coffee shop BUT given current events, we decided to bring our coffee chats to the blog. We hope you enjoy these chats as much as we have enjoyed catching up with some of our favorite vendors. AND we hope you find a new coffee shop or drink to try from our vendors’ recommendations!
Coffee Chat Q&A: Ask A Planner!
What better way to kick off this series than with our favorite part of weddings: being a PLANNER! This is a combination of an #introduction from yours truly, so you can see the face behind the business, and some FAQ’s we have gotten over the years. My perspective comes from both planning weddings as a Planner AND as a Bride, as you might have noticed from the not so typical headshot we’re sharing today! Comment or message us with any questions, and I hope you enjoy the FIRST Coffee Chat Q&A!
First, a little about me & the biz!
I have loved weddings as long as I can remember. My first internship in high school exposed me to the Hospitality world and by far my favorite event was weddings! I opened Laurel Wedding Co in the Fall of 2017 with the encouragement of my then boyfriend, now husband!, and it has been the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding adventure I could have imagined!
I love to serve others AND I love weddings – this gives me the opportunity to do both!
My husband says I might be the only person who comes home at midnight from a 14-hour wedding day still jazzed and full of energy. He’s not wrong! No matter how much work or running around it takes, I love wedding planning, organizing, and bringing everything, and everyone, together for a beautiful wedding day!
Olivia Rae Photography
Popular question from Brides: WHY do I need a planner? I have friends and aunts who have offered to help me both plan and coordinate on my wedding day!
We believe you AND your guests should be fully present on your wedding day.
We love when friends, family, and anyone you want comes along on wedding planning appointments! Being able to include them will make them, and YOU, feel so special. We can offer assistance during the wedding planning season not just from our experience, but our connections and vendor referrals! We have gotten to know some AMAZING vendors in this industry and we would love to introduce you to them so you can meet and experience their high quality of service as well!
On your actual wedding day, we not only want you to be fully present – but your guests as well! We love being able to include your mom, aunts, friends, anyone you want in the details! In fact, we often send out a summarized, VIP version of our timeline so they are in-the-know!
We know they are important to you, so they are important to us.
We love including your VIP’s on detail shots helping you get ready, special portrait opportunities – anything to make sure they and you feel valued and honored on your wedding day. BUT, we believe there is NO reason for your Mom or Aunts to be with us doing your venue set-up, 4 hours before your actual wedding ceremony (sometimes earlier!). Allow us to take care of the nitty gritty details: setup, event management behind the scenes, and especially breakdown.
We are here so that you can actually spend time and be present with your family, friends, and guests on your wedding day!
If you had to pick, what is your FAVORITE moment during the wedding day?
This is a fun one, and a tough one! There are SO many favorite moments of a wedding day – helping you with your first look, bringing you drinks during cocktail hour, witnessing your vows and your first dance – but probably our FAVORITE moment, if we have to pick is a tie:
Being the last to send you down the aisle to get married with that final dress fluff!
AND, being the first to congratulate you after you are married walking back down the aisle!
It always gives me chills and happy tears to see the JOY in my couples’ faces. The rest is history and nothing short of happily ever after, no matter what happens-rain or shine!
Love Me Do Photography
What does wedding planning & the process actually look like?
I am SO excited to share about this because I think I cannot express enough there is SO much more than just showing up and coordinating your wedding!
The process starts with a consult. We love to hear more about you, your fiance, your wedding, your vision – everything! Little details make my heart pitter patter. Plus, this gives us the chance to connect and make sure we are a good fit!
From there, we will explore our packages and choose the right one for you:
Just need some help bringing everything together, and taking the load off on your wedding day? Our Event Management/Day-Of Coordination is the perfect package (and our most popular!) option!
Looking for more help finding vendors or creating some event design/theme? Our Partial Coordination Package is the best of both worlds! You might already have your venue, but not be sure how you want to style it. You might have half of your vendors, but still need to choose your Cake/Dessert or Flowers! That’s where we come in. (this is also a great option for you out-of-town brides!)
Lastly, want help along every step of the way?
Our Full Coordination Package is what you’re looking for! From the moment you’re engaged to the moment you say I Do, even after because we always stay to breakdown ;), this package is for you! We only take TWO Full Coordination Weddings a year so we can give you our utmost attention and priority!
Once we choose a package, let the planning begin! No matter what package you choose you will always have full access to me, the Owner & Lead Planner, to answer any questions you have during regular business hours. If I’m not in a meeting or coordinating a wedding you can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours! All packages also come with a Custom Checklist, Master Timeline, and the Laurel Wedding Co Team to coordinate your special day!
Lastly, what is your coffee drink of choice AND favorite coffee shop?
One of my favorite things about moving to Mechanicsburg has been exploring new coffee shops around the area! I have to say my favorites are the Cornerstone Coffeehouse or The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop if you haven’t tried those – and my treat from a coffee shop is a Lavender Vanilla Latte!
I am always open to trying a new coffee shop & YOUR drink of choice so bride, vendor, creative – let’s connect! I can’t wait to hear from you!
