Ask a Planner... "Myth Busting Initiative - Venue Coordinator vs. Wedding Planner"

Hello Lovelies,

This week’s post is about setting the record straight on a common wedding industry misconception.  There seems to be quite a bit of confusion around the difference between the job of a venue appointed wedding coordinator and that of a professional wedding planner or wedding day coordinator and the tasks and responsibilities that are generally performed by each.

All too often I hear from brides that the reason they did not hire a wedding planner or coordinator was because their venue came with one.  Yikes!!  I must admit that this inaccurate belief concerns me because the two professions ARE NOT one in the same at all.  It is true that some of the tasks and services performed by each may overlap, but overall they are completely different jobs and therefore offer a different type of service. 

Now, I am by no means trying to downplay the importance of a venue’s wedding coordinator as they can be a wonderful part of the wedding plan and can enhance a couple’s overall wedding experience.  And in such circumstance where a couple cannot afford, or perhaps doesn’t want to have a professional planner or coordinator involved, can be a cherished and valued substitute.  I actually held a similar position for six years with one of Vancouver`s busiest wedding venues the Brock House Restaurant prior to starting DreamGroup in 2004 and so have first hand knowledge on the tasks and responsibilities carried out by each role. 

The role of a venue appointed coordinator is first and foremost to ensure that the client has a successful reception experience (and sometimes ceremony if held on site) and will work in varying capacities (pending the venue and person in the position) to take care of a bride and groom and help them enjoy a fun reception.  The role of a professional planner or coordinator is to ensure the overall success and enjoyment of the wedding day as a whole (from hair and make-up activities in the morning through to bouquet and garter toss celebrations at the end of the night) and will put in place the proper pre-event planning practices and incorporate the right on-day tools to make that happen.

I feel it is important to differentiate between the two as many couples are led to believe by the venue that the service they are offering should be used in lieu of hiring a professional planner or coordinator when in fact the client may be expecting something more hands on and complex in scope.  I wanted to provide a clear and definitive way to articulate the differences between the two jobs and decided a cross comparison analysis was the way to go so here it is…

Venue Appointed Coordinator 

1. Advise on Venue’s House Offerings, Rules, and Associated Costs

2. Offer Vendor Referrals.

3. Offer advice on various wedding related matters upon request.

4. Assist with solidifying the Food and Drink plan.

5. Provide basic Reception Timing guidance. i.e. food service, cake cutting, first dance, etc.

6. On-Day Wedding Venue Management and Troubleshooting.

7. Placement of personal wedding belongings from favors, to overlays, to sometimes even place cards if the venue offers this level service.

Professional Wedding Day Coordinator

1. Pre-Wedding Meeting to discuss priorities and wedding day plan and to collect all relevant Vendor and On-Day set up requirements.

2. Offer reminders and a finalized checklist to ensure the bride and groom have not forgotten any planning details.

3. Create a realistic wedding day timeline and therefore accurate schedule outlining all vendor start and end times, all ground movements including confirmed addresses and contact information, key celebratory elements, speech timing , etc.

4. Oversee or Conduct the Rehearsal.

5. Pick up Wedding Day Bits and Pieces to be set up at the Venue. i.e. place cards, favors, cake topper, dessert flags, Polaroid cameras, guestbook.

6. On Day Execution: Available by phone and on site as needed throughout the day to ensure a smooth wedding day flow and to troubleshoot any on day occurrences so the couple and their family can focus on enjoying themselves and being present in every moment the day brings.

Professional Wedding Planner

1. Meet regularly to discuss and manage ongoing needs and vision for the wedding.

2. Shortlist Vendors that meet the client’s budget, date, and style expectations.

3. Allocate your Budget to maximize its purchasing power and allow the client to see what their vision will cost them so any adjustments can be made before it’s too late. 

4. Provide ongoing Inspiration and Ideas to help personalize a client’s wedding.

5. Create a wedding plan of action from date of hire to W-Day outlining tasks and responsibilities that need to be addressed.

6. Offer important reminders to help client stay on track and motivated. Procrastination is a huge Wedding Planning Pitfall that will be avoided with the help of a planner.

7. Support the client through any family issues or tricky dynamics that need to be overcome.

8. Provide Honest Insight and Advice throughout the Planning stages to help the client maximize their vision, priorities, and/or budget.

9. Facilitate and confirm communications and contracts between vendors and the client to help ensure that the end service is the one provided on the day.

10. Finalize balances due and facilitate payments as needed.

11. Take on the responsibility for the overall success of your wedding day.

12. On Day Orchestration: See Professional Wedding Day Coordinator point #6.


Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week… keep those questions coming in!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca 

Cheerio,
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

Monday's Montage: Fun Bridal Party Poses

Classic bridal party portraits are necessary, but after what feels like hours of standing perfectly composed, smiling just enough, we think you deserve some fun. Throw in a few of these creative wild cards to add variety to your photo album. Please no hand on the shoulder boring poses, BE YOU!

 

Getting married doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the silly, childhood pleasures in life. Enjoy them!!

 

 When you first showed your friends your engagement ring, they likely started shrieking and hugging you immediately. Behold, the married man's version.

A fun throwback to those photos you used to take back in school.

 

 

 How much does he trust his groomsmen? This high-flying shot is the real test!

 

The umbrella effect. Props help your bridal party relax and loosen up for photos, forced smiles begone! Dainty parasols make every photo look prettier, no storm clouds necessary.

 The leap of faith! Enjoy these poses, show your photographer ahead of time what you would like to create so that they can orchestrate it with your group. After all, you are with everyone that you love and should be the happiest day of your life. Be yourself and have fun together.

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup since 2010 and has made her way from our Star Wedding Coordinator to a Dedicated Associate Planner. Jayleen is upbeat, good natured, and always smiling. She is attentive and with her passion for everything weddings she is key in carrying out a fluid and enjoyable wedding day experience. Clients adore her sweet disposition and her desire to make their wedding a memory they will never forget.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Friday's Fabulous Find brings something for the Guys!

DreamGroup offers a quick read for the guys this week!

And if you're a lady, you will want to read this also, as it's a great idea on how to make your man feel special and spoil him!...3 letters:

                                                                                              Barbershop

  
Jd's Barber Shop is located at 235 Abbot Street in Gastown.  I send a lot of my Grooms and Groomsmen to Jd's before the wedding, to get all "pretty'd up"...yup I said it!  All the Grooms and Groomsmen that go all love it!  I mean why wouldn't they, it's like a spa but for men!  It's a great place for the guys to go and bond over a hot shave and a glass of scotch.  They have wedding party specials where it's a hot shave and a scotch for only $50.  

The guys at JD's Barbershop are very chill and keep the environment pretty casual, yet they are amazing at what they do.

So whether your man or someone you know needs a bit of TLC before their wedding or event, have them make a visit to the shop.  They will come out looking B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

By Sandy Pandher, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

With her "hands on" energetic approach to planning, Sandy offers a perfect balance between assertiveness and calmness -- two qualities instrumental in qualifying oneself as a great planner. This smart, savvy and dedicated planner's passion is in building relationships and connecting with each of her clients so that their wedding day can truly reflect who they are as a couple and what their love story symbolizes. Sandy is best suited to the busy Urban couple looking for a knowledgeable and intuitive planner to help bring their wedding vision to life.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Ask a Planner... "What the Pros want you to know about DANCE LESSONS"

Hello Lovelies...  I am a huge advocate for dance lessons in any capacity where a first dance is concerned as the “high school shuffle” is rarely fun for guests to watch (at times even painful) or for the couple to dance for that matter as it isn’t until you get up in front of 100+ guests that you realize how long 4 minutes actually is!  So it is for this reason that this week I bring you…

What the Pros want you to know about…  Dance Lessons.

Wedding dance lessons are often the last and generally most feared item on a Bride and Groom’s to-do list.

Here are 10 essential things you should know about planning the perfect 1^st dance:

1.    A “perfect” wedding dance doesn’t necessarily mean getting a “10” from the judges of ‘Dancing with the Stars’.  This should be a fun and enjoyable part of the wedding.

2.    1^st Dances can take place either at the start of the Reception when the bride and groom are introduced into the room or after dinner to start off the night’s dancing festivities!

3.    Private Dance Lessons are the best option for maximizing your success!  Going to a group class that is offered to the general public, and is not specific to Wedding Dance can be a waste of time and money.  The best way to prepare for your first dance is to learn steps that suit your chosen song at the pace that’s perfect for you.

4.    Couples should choose a dance teacher based on the type of dance they would like to do.  If they want to do a “Baby Got Back” routine, work with a Hip Hop Teacher.  If you want to copy So You Think You Can Dance, find a Contemporary or Jazz dance teacher.  If you want to have a romantic dance as a couple hire a Ballroom, Latin or Swing teacher.

5.    Not all dance teachers are equal.  There is a wide range of dance teachers out there.  Some teach dance part-time after they come home from their day job.  Others were recruited by a franchise and took a 2-month course to become ‘qualified’.  Only a small few are true Professionals who teach full-time and have years of experience as dancers as well as teachers.  Hire a professional for maximum results!

6.    If your goal is to simply become comfortable together on the dance floor and not make a fool of yourself a good teacher can accomplish this within 1-2 lessons. This won’t prepare you to enter any dance competitions, but will at least help you look good doing the basic “high school shuffle”.

7.    If your goal is to have guests say, “Hey, I didn’t know they could dance!” a good teacher can accomplish this within 4-7 lessons.  This is usually the most popular goal for many couples… they want to look coordinated and elegant on the dance floor.

8.    If your goal is to knock the socks off your guests and give them a show they will never forget you should be prepared to start working with a private dance instructor 3-4 months before the wedding.  Depending on how ‘crazy’ you want to get and how quickly you learn the number of lessons can range from 10-15 lessons.

9.    You’d be surprised at how many different types of music work well as first dance songs.  Couples have had great success dancing to timeless classics from Frank Sinatra and Etta James all the way to contemporary Lenny Kravitz and Jason Mraz songs.  Ideally a couple will choose a song that has meaning or at the very least one they both genuinely like listening to. Whatever the choice of song, in the end, it’s the dance teacher’s job to make it easy for the couple to dance to.

10. To keep things easy and fun to learn and dance, ideally your wedding dance will incorporate several different types of dance steps from various popular genres including the Waltz, Foxtrot, Jive, Swing, Salsa, Nightclub 2 Step, and a few other partner-based dances.  The goal is to create a dance that is authentic and fun and a true refection of your style and personality.

Bonus Tip:  If you are not totally sure if you want to explore dance lessons find a teacher that will offer you an initial free consultation to discuss options.  Keep in mind that the good ones are generally busy teaching all day (and night), but they’ll always be able to find 15 minutes to meet with you to help you decide the best option for you.

This week’s featured Pros are: Joel and Clara who founded JC Dance Co in 2006 after becoming the highest ranked ballroom dancers to come out of Western Canada in the past 40 years.  After traveling the world representing Canada at the highest level they decided to settle back down in their hometown of Vancouver and pass on their knowledge, experience and passion for ballroom dancing to dancers of all ages and all levels in Vancouver.  They teach their private lessons at the beautiful Broadway Ballroom, located on West Broadway and Oak Street.  Contact them to arrange a consultation or book your private lessons today! http://jcdanceco.com/weddings/index.html


Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week… keep those questions coming in!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca 

Cheerio,
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

September's Giveaway Winner Announced

Congrats to Kim Cameron (@wanderlustkim), our September Giveaway winner! 


  Kim wins a Dinner for Two courtesy of Yew Restaurant + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel!!

Monday's Montage: More Mason Jars!

Mason Jar Love! Mason jars have a very classic appeal, combine that with the fact that they are so versatile and it is no wonder they are loved everywhere. But these DIY mason jars have come a long way from just holding jam. Here are 10 ways to make the most out of your mason jars.

 

1. Mason Jar Chandelier, how dramatic!

 

2.Go for the gold- or silver mason jar. A little paint can go a long way. Painted mason jars make for very pretty vases for every room in the house.

 

3. Perfect for a DIY Backdrop, hanging mason jar candles and ribbon. How pretty would this be for an outdoor party?

 

4. Not much is cuter than food served in a mason jar. Makes for the perfect presentation and gift.

 

 

5. Drink to this- Mason jar wine glasses, also known as redneck wine glasses are easy to make and very fun.

 

 

6. Light it up- backyard lights made from mason jars.

 

 

7. Wrap it with Twine. You can decorate mason jars in endless ways but these twine ones make stunning centerpieces.

 

 

8. Smile for the Camera- mason jar frames. Cut your photos so they fit and display them in mason jars. So unique and charming.

 

 

9. Drink it up! Pre-made and ready to go mixed cocktails in mason jars. Love this idea for any kind of backyard bash.

 

 

10. Soap it up- the soap dispenser mason jar. Practical and amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup since 2010 and has made her way from our Star Wedding Coordinator to a Dedicated Associate Planner. Jayleen is upbeat, good natured, and always smiling. She is attentive and with her passion for everything weddings she is key in carrying out a fluid and enjoyable wedding day experience. Clients adore her sweet disposition and her desire to make their wedding a memory they will never forget.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!