Expert Advice: Vicki Graffton
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
We are excited to introduce to you the amazing Vicki Grafton of My Simple Details! We have had the opportunity to work with her on numerous events and cant say enough good things about her. Enjoy!
What is the best advice for a couple when it comes to planning their big day?
Many brides and even grooms think there are particular rules to a weddings, such as the bride can not see groom before she walks down the aisle, the couple must cut a wedding cake, the bride must toss the bouquet, the groom needs to take off and throw the bride’s garter, or even the that the guests shouldn’t see them as a couple until the grand entrance or official introductions. I however, believe there should only be one rule at a wedding and that is for the couple to do what makes them happy. Weddings should be about the couple, their personalities, and their love. If you want to enjoy cocktail hour with your guests, why not, if you don’t like cake, but love pie or other desserts, why not share a piece of grandma’s apple pie, or feed each other a yummy French macaroon. I would advise couples to plan their wedding based on their love and interests and what will make them happy on their big day.
How do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration in my client’s interests and passions, and I try to find beauty in everyday items. I love merging my client’s interests into unique concepts and special touches for their big day. I recommend that couples look around their houses to see what they surround themselves with, colors they love, objects they’re instinctively drawn too, and start their event inspiration there. The little details that go into a wedding don’t need to be newly purchased items with ribbon and bows specifically designed for weddings. For example, if you need something to hold your programs look to see if you already have a bucket or pail or any container or vessel that can be used to hold a few programs. If you have a flower girl throwing petals, and you’re having a modern wedding, why not use a modern bowl? Rings can be tied to anything, not just a silk and lace pillows, try a set of books, or an old key, or potted plant. Think outside the box and use items that you love and can cherish in your new home on a daily basis.
What are the benefits of having an event planner?
One of the main benefits of hiring an event planner is that your engagement and the months leading up to your wedding will be infinitely more relaxed, stress-free and even enjoyable. It is just as important to enjoy your engagement, as it is to enjoy the wedding day and by hiring a planner you can rest assured that nothing has been over looked and that you’ll have an experienced planner to turn to when your faced with any unanticipated challenges.
Event planers know the industry, know what works best, and how to use your budget to get the most bang for your buck. An experienced planner can get to know you, your style and budget, recommend vendors who will be a good match in availability, style and pricing and even have most the details ironed out before you even have a chance to worry about them. There are so many options and vendors out there and a planner can steer you in the right direction and save lots of your time. Planners also have the knowledge and experience to give advice on wedding timing, etiquette, budget, and traditions, so that you don’t have to spend significant amounts of time researching all that information and can spend it with you fiancé enjoying your engagement.
What tips can you give a bride on a budget?
A lot of venues and vendors create packages that include items that you may or may not want, so its always a good idea to try to customize the package to include what you really want and remove items that you don’t. For example, it is not worth paying for a champagne toast, if you know most of your guests and yourself are not big fans of the bubbly, it would be better to use that money to pay for something you really want for your big day, such as an upgraded bar or a great dessert bar, a late night food truck, or retro ice cream cart.
Another thing that can help a bride on a budget is to book a venue that really fits her style. By booking a venue that mirrors the style, feel, and colors that you love, you will be able to spend less on décor and creating the feel you want. Having both the ceremony and reception at the same location, can save on costs such as transportation, chairs, and the ceremony pieces and personal floral can easily do double duty as centerpieces for the reception tables.
The most important cost saving tip, is keeping the guests list as small as possible. Since food and beverage is the majority of the costs at a wedding, the guest count can really do a number on your budget. When you’re finalizing your guest list, take a hard look at everyone on that list and make sure each and every person is someone you really want to share your special day with. If it’s a friend of a friend’s girlfriend that you’ve never met, or aunt Susan’s neighbor, that you met a few times growing up, you may want to consider limiting it to close family and friends. Sometimes this is hard to do, but if you’re on a limited budget, you need to make sure your spending it on things you personally love and the people you really want to share your big day with.
Visit Vicki’s Blog { The Simple Blog } to view more of the fabulous events she has planned!
Photo Credits: 1. Mary Kate McKenna Photography 2. The Photo Factory 3. Mary Kate McKenna Photography 4. Julie Lim Photography 5. The Photo Factory
Category Expert Advice, Weddings | Tags: Tags: My Simple Details, Vicki Grafton,
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