Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Wedding planning tip

One thing I've noticed consistently in my brides over the years is this: a bride always has a better, more joyful time at her own wedding when she has a Wedding Coordinator.  Always.

I say this not because I want you to hire some coordinator that I know -- I'm not even going to recommend anyone in particular.  It's just that I've seen it so frequently: when I see a bride can sit and smile and laugh with her bridesmaids and relatives before the wedding, and happily greet guests during the reception, I know she has a professional coordinator.

Think about it -- you don't want to be the hostess of your wedding, you want to be the princess at your wedding.  No matter what your budget is, you are spending a good deal of money (and time!) planning your wedding day.  So there's no reason that you should be worrying about what time the florist gets there, if the staffing is right for the catering, if your groom's friends will stop cutting up and get in their tuxes, and a thousand other details that someone needs to handle.

Let a planner worry about it.

"Sounds good, John, but how much does it cost?"

Price ranges are wide, as are the amount of time and services provided to you.  What I'd like to suggest is that the minimum service of a coordinator will get you a happy relaxing wedding day -- this is often called a "day of" package.  Meaning instead of working with you doing all the advance planning and work choosing vendors, themes, decorating, and so on, the Planner is just there for your wedding day.  This sometimes includes the Planner running the Rehearsal the night before.  A package like this can be had for $500 -- $600 in many cases.

"Yeah, but can't I have my Mom, or sister, or friend from college do it?"

Yes, you can.  And for a back yard wedding, or when there is just no money available, that is the route you will take.  The upside is that this choice is free.  Free is good.  The downside is that, however much this volunteer coordinator loves you, they are "doing you a favor."  You won't feel permission to be as specific and, if necessary, demanding of what you want.  Even though your relative or friend may have been a part of numerous weddings, they don't have the same knowledge, contacts, systems, and confidence that a professional planner does.

I'm not saying you can't have an enjoyable wedding if you don't have a Coordinator.  But I am saying to use one if at all possible.

blessings,
John

Monday, August 29, 2011

My first wedding blog

Hi, I'm John Connor (yes, like in the Terminator movies :), and this blog is about weddings, and how the minister and ceremony fit into your day.  And some other stuff, probably.  I enjoy humor, so you'll find that in my posts, too.
 A bit about me and weddings: I'm married to another minister, Rev. Bonnie Connor, and we share the www.ReverendConnor.com site.  Both of us are full-time hospice chaplains, and we both minister at weddings.
It has been 10 years that I have been officiating at weddings, and I stopped counting at over 200 ceremonies performed.  So, I'm pretty experienced.  I can be a good resource not only for questions about ceremonies, but I have officiated at many wedding facilities around the Austin area, and would be happy to comment on some of them.
Today I'll tell you about one:  Vintage Villas.  This lovely facility for an outdoor wedding overlooking Lake Travis (but that also has elegant indoor facilities in case of rain) is the location of one of my first weddings.  The location, amenities, and great staff of wedding coordinators is top notch.
blessings,
John
Rev. John Connor
John@ReverendConnor.com