wedding planning help

[bspears88]

Ok, so I have booked our wedding and just have a couple questions about the whole process with the wedding planner and what not.

Our wedding date is May 23, 2013. How much contact should I have with my wedding planner?

After the contract was accepted she sent me a planning kit and all that good stuff, her assistant sent me some info as well, but other than that I have had no contact with her. Is there any reason I should? I have booked some outside vendors already so I didn't need her help with that.

My biggest concern is that I just don't want to get "behind" on anything. I am planning on filling out the planning kit form she sent, whenever I am 100% sure of our planning session date.

Here is a list of what we have done:
-put deposit down
-booked photographer
-bought my dress
-just ordered save the dates
-I am currently looking for officiant have not booked one yet-

So with 9 months left till wedding, does it look like I am on the right track? or do I need to speed this process up? Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[dm1996]

You are right on track, but go ahead and get the officiant booked. There really is no need to talk with your planner (until the 6 month point) unless you just feel like you need some questions answered. Disney takes care of everything, it really takes the stress out of it, but also creates some stress because you feel like you should be doing something. You can always email them or set up a phone session if you're feeling like you're behind.

 

[mb187143]

Ok, so I have booked our wedding and just have a couple questions about the whole process with the wedding planner and what not.

Our wedding date is May 23, 2013. How much contact should I have with my wedding planner?

After the contract was accepted she sent me a planning kit and all that good stuff, her assistant sent me some info as well, but other than that I have had no contact with her. Is there any reason I should? I have booked some outside vendors already so I didn't need her help with that.

My biggest concern is that I just don't want to get "behind" on anything. I am planning on filling out the planning kit form she sent, whenever I am 100% sure of our planning session date.

Here is a list of what we have done:
-put deposit down
-booked photographer
-bought my dress
-just ordered save the dates
-I am currently looking for officiant have not booked one yet-

So with 9 months left till wedding, does it look like I am on the right track? or do I need to speed this process up? Any info would be greatly appreciated

I agree with the PP, you're right where you should be. Up to the 6 month mark, contact with DFTW will be minimal, and most questions can be answered by your planner's assistant. Once you get to your planning session, you'll meet with the planner, florist (if you're using Disney), and if you're going in person, you can also do a menu tasting. After that, your planner will probably take the lead on contacting you (as opposed to the assistant), and will walk you through the BEO and payments, etc, and finalizing your events.

Our wedding is 11/2, and we signed our contract at the 1 year mark. After our planner sent us the planning kit, her assistant sent us the menus and all of that stuff. When we were ready to set up our planning session and tasting, the assistant set that up for us. During the 6 months between signing our contract and the planning session, we looked at menus and cakes and tried to piece together what we wanted to serve, how we wanted the room to look, etc. We also booked our officiant early, about 10 months out.

About 2 weeks before the planning session, we turned in the planning kit, tasting checklist, and the floral checklist that they sent us (about a week before the items were needed for the planning session). Once we got to the planning session, we spent about 3 hours with our planner going through the day from top to bottom, and discussing options. Then we spent an hour with the florist, going over everything the floral department can provide, and selecting what we (thought) we wanted.

It takes about 4-6 weeks to get the full budget after your planning session - they won't give you prices for everything at your planning session, just so you know. You'll get a budget from floral for anything you're getting through them, and then an overall budget from your planner. The floral price will be included in your overall budget.

After you get those, you can set up phone meetings with the florist and the planner to revise them until you're satisfied. That's the part where we are now, just about 3 months out. We've revised our overall and floral budgets a few times, and we're about to make the minimum payment. Ever since the planning session, all of my contact has been with our planner or florist, with the exception of asking one of the assistants to set up an appointment.

I hope that helps to reassure you - it will pick up significantly once you get closer!

 

[Katiebugg14]

I was married about a year ago so if anyone needs help let me know! I have a ton of vendor reviews

 

[Evi]

I was married about a year ago so if anyone needs help let me know! I have a ton of vendor reviews

Post those reviews =) I haven't been married yet but would love to hear other brides reviews and vendor recomendations.

 

[Katiebugg14]

For photo: David and Vicki Arndt, are amazing! Can't say enough great things about them! I would reccomend them 110%!


For DJ: Charles Miles was fantastic, he kept the energy flowing and people dancing the entire time

Videography: Tim T. From silver bells. He was great also. Our video is pretty awesome!

Let me know if your looking for more specific reviews!

 

[Tifa]

You remind me of me! I was always chomping at the bit ready to do something or be in contact with the planner.

Like the other brides have said you are definitely in good standing at this time.

My suggestion would be to start looking through Bridal books, pinterest, google, and start collecting inspiration photos. I made a scrapbook for my planner to keep and reference back to. It contained my color palate, floral choices, reception ideas, ceremony ideas, and whatever else I could think of to drive our idea of our perfect day home with them. It made the planning session go by so much smoother because all I had to do was point to what I liked and since they were able to keep it could return back to the photo to get it exactly how we want it.

Have you also started looking into the menus? I know it took a while for us to decide on what we wanted because we customized ours. Since they don't send you a list of their vegetable, protein, side options, I had to go through each and every menu and categorize them myself. After that we went through each category and decided how many and what of each we wanted. Once you decide on your menu you can send it to your planner and they can price it for you. Ours came out to about $92 pp for a buffet dinner that included 3 protein options. Once that is done you will need to decide which 8 menu options you want to try at the planning session.

Also check the cake options. By default your planner will have marble, yellow, chocolate, and almond cake for you to try with a couple of different filling options. If you want to try red velvet, carrot, orange, etc and other fillings you will have to specifically ask your planner to add it to your selection.

I hope that helps! Have fun planning! It's the best!