Kelly McLeskey-Dolata
A Savvy Event, Sonoma
ASavvyEvent.com
What are your favorite wedding trends right now?
People are having black tie and semiformal weddings again. During the economic downturn, weddings were much more casual, and I love the trend of a formal affair. Most people only throw this large or expensive party once in their lives, so it’s nice to see a more elegant style of wedding. I’m also seeing that couples are planning an entire weekend of events for their guests, involving scavenger hunts, wine tours, picnics and much more! Couples want to show their guests the area they’re getting married in, and they want to spend more time with them too.
What’s the best reason to hire a planner?
Most people are not familiar with planning a big event, let alone a wedding. You want someone who is going to be your eyes and ears, and really guide you through the planning process and help you make the right decisions. Planners have a vast knowledge of venues, vendors and logistics. Your planner will help you manage the pros, their setup and breakdown, and help create a very thorough timeline so everyone knows how to execute your wedding day flawlessly. They’re there to focus on all those details so you can focus on the fun planning parts, and most importantly, so you and your fiancé can enjoy your wedding day.
What are some of the biggest mistakes to-be-weds make when planning, and how can they fix them?
They try to do everything themselves without asking a professional, like a wedding planner. We have clients that hire us halfway through the planning process when they realize how difficult it can be, then we end up spending a lot of our time cleaning up the mistakes. Hiring a wedding planner at the very beginning can save you a lot of time and money. Another mistake I see is that clients don’t follow their heart or gut. They listen to what other people think they should do and then start planning a wedding for someone else—not themselves! We really try to listen to our client’s vision and what they want for their day.
What should couples keep in mind when choosing a venue?
Couples should first go see the venue. A lot of times, there’s the perfect venue where you can see yourself saying “I do,” while other times venues look very different than the photos on a website. We also recommend that clients look at venues that fit within their budgets, and take into consideration what’s included in the venue’s cost and site fees. Some venues include a lot of things—tables, chairs, china, flatware and glassware—but if those items don’t fit your vision for the day, then you have to rent everything anyway. That venue could be comparable to one that doesn’t include anything at all, and this is where a wedding planner can come in to help.
What’s your best tip for planning a wedding in six months?
Be organized and have both a plan and vision for what you want. You’ll need to make decisions quickly, so if you know what you want, you’ll be able to make those choices fast. If you’ve hired a wedding planner, my best advice is to trust them. Your planner is there to guide you, has your best interest in mind and wants your wedding day to be beautiful and perfect.
What are the biggest pieces of advice you find yourself giving throughout the whole process?
Make sure the wedding reflects you as a couple, and remember what the day is all about. It’s so easy to get carried away with all the details and to stress, but it always comes together in the end. Your planner is there to ensure all those details are executed with perfection, so you can slow down during the wedding day and take it all in.
What are your tips for couples that want a fabulous wedding but must stick to a budget?
A lot of couples will choose their wedding venue and spend a majority of their budget, then not have enough money for everything else. When we meet with a client, we look at the overall budget and we determine what are the most important things. Then, we create a budget that reflects their own style, look and feel. Budget planning should be the first thing you do when starting to plan the wedding to come up with something that’s realistic.
