Being a wedding planner means not only being there to support the couple, but the bridal party as well. Creating an emergency kit ahead of time is a great way to head off any incidents that could derail an otherwise perfect event.
Most wedding planners of some sort of kit that goes along with them to events, but for Joyce Barbour of Be Our Guest Event Services, an emergency kit is simply “invaluable.”
“When I took my course to become a wedding planner in one of our lessons it mentioned a good planner is always prepared with an emergency kit,” said Barbour. “I don’t think that we have had an event where at least one or more items in our kit have been needed.”
So what should you include when assembling a kit of your own? Here are a few suggestions:
To create an emergency kit of your own, assemble products in a clearly labeled, waterproof container and here’s an extra tip from Barbour: “Remember to always replace the items before your next event.”
Ready to create your own kit? Download this eye-catching guide here:
Special thanks to Joyce Barbour of Be Our Guest Event Services for providing her valuable insight. You can learn more about Joyce and her planning services at www.beourguesteventservices.com
By Kylie Carlson, International School of Wedding & Event Planning
In the ever changing world of events, continuing to learn and fine tune your craft through education is crucial. It is vital to your development as an entrepreneur and to the growth of your business. Client needs and expectations will continue to change and evolve and you’ll want to make sure you are on top of what’s current to stay ahead of the game.
So, why do you need to make time in your busy schedule to pursue education, and how do you do it? I’ve got some tips below that may help:
Make a Date with Yourself
We are all busy and have the problem of not enough hours in the day. The best way to make time for education is to make a standing date with yourself. For me, I put together a schedule that takes into account any traveling, speaking and actual office work that needs to be achieved, then book time with myself to work on the business. I tend to block out 3-4 hours, but everyone’s schedules are different. That time is for me to read blogs, watch webinars, indulge in some video training and anything else that I feel will allow me to learn and move my business forward. It has made a huge impact on helping me stay up to date with what is going on in the industry.
Use Online Resources
Education now isn’t always about taking a week out of the office to travel to a conference, or a couple of days to go to a workshop or retreat. The amount of online education available now is staggering and it is just as powerful, just as motivating and just as informative as anything face-to-face. Plus, it has the added benefit of usually being downloadable so you can watch it again and again until it sinks in. It also has the benefit of being substantially less expensive.
Keep it Casual
Never under-estimate the power of informal education too. Being around others who share your interests and passions can be educational. Conversations are powerful and help us to open our minds. Consider forming a coffee group or a regular luncheon with people you respect and can learn from in a more fun and relaxed setting.
Getting Inspired
One of the biggest reasons to keep up with education is that it can feed your inspiration. Constantly coming up with new ideas and innovating can take its toll, and being inspired by other people, both those in the weddings and those in other industries, allows your mind to look at things from a different perspective. This in turn can let you take an idea and put your own spin on it, with the ultimate goal being to move your business forward.
Your education isn’t something that stops when you graduate or start making money. It is the fuel for the flame that burns within you spurring you on towards a better understanding of what you know, new ways to do it, and embarking on new adventures you haven’t even imagined yet.
Kylie Carlson is the owner of the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning and the newly launched the Certified Wedding Professionals Program. With six locations globally, the academy boasts an internationally recognized accreditation program that brings professional training to wedding planners,designers and stylists.
Creating a public relations plan for your business can seem like a daunting task to some, and is often put on the back burner as something that can be done later down the road (aka never). But, guess what? PR is often what will get you the results you’ve been looking for all along- press features, an elevated reputation in the industry, and the clients you’ve always wanted.
So, why not go ahead and get started on your PR plan right now? We’ve got your first five steps below:
As planners, we are consulted about every aspect of a wedding, from colors to budget, guest-list to transportation. When it comes to the focal point of a wedding, the ceremony, not all couples know exactly what they want to do. Here are some guidelines you can give them:
Typical Wedding Ceremony
• Processional
• Welcome (officiant)
• Readings (one or two)
• Officiant’s Address
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Recessional
Personalize Your Ceremony
A wedding ceremony is filled with important and beautiful tradition. However, it should also reflect you as a couple. Here are some creative ways to make it your own.
Photo by Elle Jae Photography
PROCESSIONAL
Traditionally the groom and groomsmen are waiting at the altar. The bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle, followed by the bride escorted by her father.
• Alternatively, the bride can be accompanied down the aisle by both parents -one on either side- as a tribute to them both. The bride may also choose to be escorted by other close family/friends:grandparents, siblings etc.
• The groom can also walk down the aisle before the bride and/or bridesmaids. If desired, he can be escorted by his mother, both parents, grandmothers or other close family/friends of choice. Some couples prefer this as it symbolizes the coming together of two parties, vs. the bride being “given away.”
• Parents can walk down the aisle separately from the bride and groom if desired. A variation is to have them walk from separate entrances and meet in the middle to symbolize the coming together of two families.
• Dance! We’ve all watched the fun YouTube videos. You could be next!
• Pets, children and anyone else important to you can be involved. Work with your officiant and your planner to choreograph an entrance that works for you and your venue.
YOUR STORY
Photo by Adm Golub/Alison Yin Photography
• Discuss with your officiant how to incorporate your story into his/her welcome and/or address. This can be anything from how you met to details of your relationship guests might love to hear about.
• Consider asking a close friend or relative to be your officiant. Couples have said that it makes the celebration more personal, especially if this friend has witnessed their relationship from the beginning.
• You may kindly ask your officiant to speak on a specific theme or topic if you desire. Please note that not all officiants will accept your request. Express Yourself The readings you choose should reflect and celebrate who you are, and your relationship. Otherwise, it may feel like a space filler.
• In addition to religious texts, favorite poems, excerpts from beloved books, inspirational readings or even song lyrics are acceptable.
• If you are having a multicultural wedding, consider two readings – one from each culture.
• Consider including the reading text in your programs (if you are printing any) so your guests can follow along.
TRADITIONS
Photo by Elle Jae Photography
• Incorporate religious, cultural or personal traditions in your ceremony like breaking a glass, signing the Ketubah, pouring tea, jumping the broom or lighting a unity candle. It’s important for your officiant to explain the tradition, or print an explanation in your program so guests appreciate the meaning.
• Involve family as appropriate through these traditions. For example, for the unity candle tradition one of our couples had each mother light a separate candle. The bride and groom then took these candles and lit their unity candle. • Couples with children can also consider a gesture that involves bringing their new family together, such as family vows or pouring sand into a single vessel.
• If you would like to acknowledge loved ones who have passed, consider lighting a candle in their honor or placing a flower on a chair reserved for them. Ask your officiant to say a few words about the deceased so your guests understand the significance. A quieter approach would be to write a few words of remembrance in your program.
INVOLVE YOUR GUESTS
If you invite your guests to participate, you will establish a sense of family and community. Here are a few ways to involve them:
• After you exchange vows, ask your officiant to invite your guests to promise you both support in your marriage. Your guests can stand and respond “we will.”
• If you are having an intimate ceremony, invite your guests to make a circle around you and join hands as you exchange vows and rings.
• Ask your guests to “bless” your wedding rings as they enter the venue, and ask your officiant to say a few words of acknowledgement during the ceremony.
And there you go! A perfect handout to send along to any of your clients 🙂 Happy Planning!
