​You are engaged, let the planning begin! In our experience, most people have a great support system when it comes to planning their wedding. Friends and family give you advice, send you recommendations and even offer to help. Others might have no clue where to start! We are here to say that's ok, whether you fall in either group or somewhere in between, most wedding planners have packages geared toward the level of help and support you might need.  We broke it down by various couple categories and matched with a typical planning package you'll need according to your level of involvement in the process. 

You are designing, planning and creating a lot of elements yourself. You've already booked most of your vendors, but now you are wondering who is going to direct everyone and make sure my vision comes to life?

Recommendation - Day of /Month of Wedding Coordinator
Why? Because who else is going to take a final expert look at all your rental orders, vendors, and set up your perfect big day? Day of Coordinators typically run your rehearsal, help with timeline creation and set/break down of all the decor. Let yourself, your friends and family enjoy the day by not worrying about wedding day logistics! Hire someone who has the experience to bring it all together. Not only will you enjoy your day ten times more but if any issues arise an experienced planner is prepared to handle without you or your guests evening noticing! 

You've got the venue, some of your vendors and a general idea of how you want your big day to unfold. BUT, you need someone to help tie it all together. Take your vision and run with it, give you recommendations, negotiate and book your remaining vendors. 

Recommendation - Partial planner or three-month planning service 
All planners have different ways they work the partial or three-month service plan. We found bookending the three-month time frame by six-week increments worked best for our clients.  At initial booking we work the first six weeks to secure your remaining vendors, answer any of your questions, concerns and help map out your big day. Then we come back in the six weeks before to finalize all your details.

​You have NO idea where to start or have NO interest/time in planning a wedding. You need someone to walk you through the process from start to finish. You want someone to create a design and overall look and feel for your big day. 

Recommendation - Full planning consultation 
The planner is with you from day one. They help you find a venue, or if you have already chosen one, they will help with everything else. For example, they'll guide you on overall design, vendor selection, logistics, timeline and everything in between. They are there every step of the way.

​One of the first things we do here at Tin and Twine is to schedule a call or in-person meeting. We ask you A LOT of questions from do you have a date and venue to what is the look and feel you want for your big day. Getting a sense for your style and wedding day needs helps us make a recommendation on what wedding package works best for you. Making sure you feel supported and guided through the process is our number one goal. It's a big year with lots of moving parts which can be overwhelming to most. Wedding planners can ease that stress and make your wedding experience more enjoyable. 

Let us know if you have any questions or additional tips! 

Until next time lovelies. 

xoxo,
Tin & Twine 

​Choosing your venue can be a daunting task, it’s typically one of the higher priced items you'll book for your big day and also sets the tone for the rest of your wedding planning. Once you choose a venue, you now have a wedding date, yippee! You can start your vendor research and lock down the rest of the details. We put together our top 5 things to think about when choosing your wedding venue. 

​First and foremost set a budget and know what the max amount you can spend on your wedding. It’s important to know your max number, so you will be able to carve out certain portions of the budget to various vendors. Keep in mind each venue is different. You might choose a place that includes rentals and catering, or they may require you to secure all your vendors. 

We find that many of our couples have a hard time deciding where to narrow their venue search. Some want their wedding to be a destination for all their guests, while others wish to have theirs locally. Don’t be afraid to have multiple locations in mind, and we recommend going on a few venue tours to see what area you like best. For example, we recently had a bride and groom looking for venues near both their hometowns for the convenience of their parents as well as checking out places locally near them. Ultimately they found a perfect fit locally which has made it easy for consultations, walkthroughs etc. 

​Are you dreaming of having a sparkler send off or to throw confetti in the air? Check with your venue about their limitations. Some event spaces don't allow outside vendors, open flame, sparklers, loud music passed 10:00 pm, hard alcohol etc. If you want an open bar but the venue only allows beer & wine that might be hard no for you and your sweetie. Ask the venue manager for a list of their restrictions or a copy of their contract; this will help you decide which venue is right for you. 

​We know your big day should be all about you and don’t worry it really will be! But, thinking about your guest count and the types of guests you are going to invite can make a significant impact on what venue you hold your big day. Think logistics through like is there handicap or wheelchair access for your older guests. Will people have to do a lot of walking or walking on uneven ground? Being aware of your guest experience is an essential aspect of choosing your venue. How do you want your guests to feel or remember your wedding?

​When visiting the venue look at the surrounding area. Are there hotels located within a short distance? Are there activities for your guest to do? Do you feel comfortable having your closest friends and family stay in the surrounding area? Are there restaurants and shops nearby for quick pickups? 

Our biggest advice is to sit down with your significant other and possibly your parents (who might be helping pay for the big day), put together a list of must-have items for a venue. What’s most important and then you’ll be able to make a better decision on your site.

Let us know if you have any questions or found anything helpful when doing your venue search! 

Until next time lovelies! 

XOXO, 
​
Tin & Twine