Let’s Plan the Best Day Ever! Hi, I’m Dylan and I am a Certified Wedding Planner and Owner of Wild Rose Weddings and Events. If you’re here, chances are you are recently engaged… so, congratulations! You are about to begin a really exciting, intense, fun, sometimes stressful, yet amazing journey that leads you down the aisle to your person. Getting engaged is SO exciting, but when those butterflies wear off, it can be really overwhelming. Let’s get down into the nitty gritty of choosing your vendors and the big looming question….

Where do I even start?

YOUR WEDDING PLANNER.

This one is controversial. The DIY trend has been strong for years, but let’s be honest… planning a wedding is NOT a simple task, no matter what way you choose to do it. Even the smallest elopements can have so many moving parts and spot-on coordination is key. It’s 2022 and we know there are all kinds of apps and downloadable checklists to give you a starting point in wedding planning, but at the end of the day, hiring a wedding planner means that YOU are investing in your wedding in an invaluable way. Your wedding planner has experience, certifications, proven processes, industry partners, connections, and inside knowledge that comes with the territory and having that in your corner is crucial. Why hire a wedding planner? It’s simple. Let’s take away the stress, let a professional shoulder that burden and watch them make your dreams come alive. After all, that period of engagement usually only lasts 6 months – 1 year… enjoy it.

Wedding planners book up very quickly- because couples know they are one of the first and most important vendors you will contract! If you have a planner that you are set on working with, it might even be worth confirming their availability for your date before you finalize your wedding date.

YOUR VENUE.

Finding the right venue means so much more than just picking a spot to get married. For many couples, the venue location holds special meaning. For others, it is really about finding a venue that fits the vibe they want to portray for their wedding. It can often be difficult to find a venue that fits your design ideas, while also having enough room for all of your guests, AND fits in the budget. Some of my couples have even come to me with their venue booked already, because they didn’t want to waste any time and possibly miss out on their chosen wedding date. Depending on where you live, or where you want to get married, this can narrow your choices even more. Barn venues are very popular in some places, while mansion-style venues are very popular in others, etc. Remember, it is ALWAYS a good idea to have your wedding planner review your venue contract if you’ve booked that before booking your planner.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER.

Your photographer is arguably one of the most important pieces of your wedding. Many photographers are a part of your story through your entire relationship, and that is so special! Photographing you as a senior, for couples photos, engagement photos, wedding photos, and maybe even your first child. Choosing a photographer is about more than just choosing the style of photos you want– its about choosing a person that you want to take alongside your journey with you. Your photographer will capture all of the intimate moments and document this special time- photos that you will look back on for the rest of your life. Photos that your children will show their children– I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to inquire and book with that special photographer early.

YOUR FLORIST.

Let’s talk about florals. Why is the florist on the list of top five? Florals are easily one of the biggest statements that you can make at your wedding. Even if a ton of florals aren’t your decor style and not the biggest budget priority, your bridal bouquet and your arch florals are the most photographed florals of the entire day, anyways. I learned this from my wonderful friend, and Boho Flower Queen, Kasara with The Teal Door. Making sure that you find a florist that resonates with your design and your style is so important! Florists are creatives– they are artists! Each of them has their own style of artistry. Choosing a florist is a top priority. If you are eloping and don’t need full floral installations, you have the wiggle room to wait a little bit longer, as many florists can often put together a bridal bouquet and boutonniere any day of the week.

YOUR ENTERTAINMENT (DJ, Band, String Quartet, Harp, Pianist, etc).

Wedding entertainment drives the party. Do you want your wedding to be the best party you’ve ever attended? Make sure that you pick a DJ that is going to bring the heat, or hire a band that is going to keep the party rocking all evening long. Some couples choose to have a string quartet, a harp, a piano or another type of instrumental option for the ceremony music and finding these groups can be tricky. As with any piece of your wedding, if you want something speciality, you need to book it early on. Many DJ companies also provide uplighting and other types of theatrics, but not all. If you want these theatrics included in your wedding– make sure you are booking that specific DJ early on.

YOUR CATERER.

Everyone will talk about the food at your wedding. Hey, do you remember Sarah and Tommy’s wedding last summer? MAN, their food was SO good! Those short ribs were top notch. You know how it goes, and maybe you’ve been the one fan-girling over the catering at a wedding you’ve attended. Weddings are a blast, but it is such a nice treat when the food is delicious too. The food and catering staff can make or break a reception. Keeping your guests fed keeps them happy, and making sure that you have a caterer who brings a professional team along to make it all happen is vital. No one wants an unprofessional caterer with sub-par food and lack of organization, purely because you waited too long to book.

You can research until your fingers turn blue and book all of these things yourself…. OR you can hire a wedding planner to help you make your wedding dreams come true. Remember, your wedding planner has already done the research and has already made the connections. This makes picking and booking your top vendors a breeze. You can always contact us to see if hiring a wedding planner is the right move for you! (Hint… it probably is!)

With love,

Dylan