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Jess and Nick The most valuable thing you hire when planning your wedding isn't talent. It's trust. Flowers can be beautiful. Photography can be breathtaking. Music can keep a dance floor full. But none of those things matter if you spend your engagement wondering whether your vendors are listening, communicating honestly, or putting your interests first. Trust begins with the first contact, with a feeling, with a conversation that says in your mind "I trust this

The florist created food centered arrangements for my chef bride Tipping is one of the most uncomfortable conversations in wedding planning. Some couples assume every vendor should receive a gratuity. Others believe that because a vendor charges a professional fee, no additional thank you is necessary. Here's how I look at it. A wedding isn't created by one person. It's created by a team. The servers who quietly refill glasses and clears tables all evening. The bart

Paige and Michael at Waterworks The most important thing you will sign during your wedding planning isn't your venue contract. It's every contract that follows. Over the past few weeks, I've spoken with couples who have found themselves in heartbreaking situations. A florist who refused to create the vision the couple had carefully planned. A planner who insisted they could only hire vendors from a preferred list because those were the only people they wanted to work

White Elegance in a Rustic Setting Getting married in a barn or on a beach doesn't have to be mason jars or seashells. There are barn venues that are very elegant, with vintage vibes and perfectly manicured grounds. A wonderfully appointed farmhouse with a beautifully restored barn, such as Farmhouse by Landmark or Inn at Fox Briar Farm. Immerse yourself in country peace and quiet, while still enjoying the elegance of a ballroom atmosphere. Soft Pink and White in a Bea

I love creating vision boards for clients. It allows me to use the creative process in helping to bring a vision to life. And, the variety of venues, styles, colors and themes is endless. The elegance of Elkins Estate The Elkins Estate in the Philadelphia area is a glorious example of the Gilded Age. From the sprawling gardens to the stunning balconies, inside and out, it boasts an elegance of times gone by. When guests arrive, they are greeted by the long driveway up

Yesterday, I spoke with a September bride who is considering firing her florist and her planner. This made me think that maybe when failure happens, a couple really doesn't know how to go about this. So, let's talk about it. First, let me explain some of the things you need to watch for when reading a contract. If you read something you don't understand- ASK. Don't just sign a contract for a venue that forces you to use their vendors. Don't sign a contract with a planner

Photo Credit: Emily Wren Photography I've spent more than twenty-three years planning weddings. Why? The answer has never been because it’s fun or glamrous or because I like pretty parties. I do this because I know what it feels like when life becomes overwhelming. I know what it feels like to carry responsibilities that seem too heavy. I know what it feels like to need someone beside you who simply says, "I've got you." Every couple deserves that feeling. Long b

The value of hiring a team of professionals for your wedding isn’t that they have done hundreds of weddings. The value is in the fact that they have made thousands of decisions- good decisions, have handled hundreds of glitches, have worked with dozens and dozens of couples, have honed skills that prepare them for whatever happens. Arriving on a Horse in Philadelphia Anyone can say they have a skill, any couple can decide to make their own centerpieces, create a playlist

Parque Most wedding guides begin by telling you to choose a date. Or make a guest list. Or set a budget. I'm going to ask you to do something completely different. I'm going to ask you to stop. Take a breath. And think. For more than twenty-three years, I have sat across the table from or on a Zoom call with hundreds of engaged couples. I've watched them arrive excited, overwhelmed, hopeful, confused, terrified, and sometimes convinced that planning a wedding had alr

Photo Credit: Emily Palm The first questions I ask every couple in our initial consultation are, How did you meet? What do you like to do together? What do you worry most about your wedding? What is the vision? Then, I want to know, "When your wedding is over and your guests are driving home, what do you hope they say about your day?" And, “ When you wake up the morning after your wedding, what do you want to remember most?” Because that answer changes everything

A Simple, But Elegant Tablescape When you say the word “luxury” what comes to mind? Opulent centerpieces, 4 course seated dinners, designer linens? They are all luxury items and I have worked with many couples who have had these kinds of weddings. But, to me, luxury is about more than that. And, when I say that word, what I think of is peace of mind and joy. Luxury isn't measured by the size of the centerpieces. It isn't designer linens or a champagne tower. Those t

Photo Credit: Suhana R Photography In the last few months I have been thinking about the changes in the industry and the ways I can evolve to meet the current challenges, while still upholding my philosophy and my value. My talents, my creativity, my dedication to the core of what I do and why I do it has not changed. But, the way couples plan weddings and the things they look for have changed. When I began my business 23 years ago, I made a conscious decision to be d

What Is Your Dream? If my daughter were planning her wedding today, I wouldn't tell her to spend more money, I'd tell her to spend it more intentionally. I'd tell her to choose a venue she loves before she falls in love with décor. I'd tell her to hire people she trusts, not just people with beautiful social media. I'd remind her that guests won't remember the charger plates or the signature cocktail. They'll remember how the day felt. Most of all, I'd tell her to protect

Yesterday, I was interacting with a bride with a very specific vision, in New York City and with a large guest count. Her budget is well within the parameters of what she is looking for. And, that is the first thing I ask when seeking a venue for a couple. She, like so many couples, is focused on the view, the ballroom, the photographs, and the guest experience. But I was thinking about different questions, anticipating things that couples don’t usually consider. Choosi

Magical Photo Ops at Parque Couples planning a wedding have so many decisions to make. And, it is interesting to me that they rely on social media for answers and often get stuck with the results. So, lets break down some of the things that trap couples into making mistakes in planning. Before you sign a contract with a venue, ask the questions- what is included- tables, chairs staff, etc, is there a gratuity included in the per person price, is the catering exclusive or c

Perfectly Styled Sweetheart Table Part of a planner’s job is to manage emergencies so the couple never has to. It could be a simple glitch on the day of, or the total derailment of a wedding in the weeks before. Being a planner requires thinking on your feet, having a creative and “outside the box” mindset and keeping any unforeseen disaster from ever getting as far as the couple. This is what I do. Over the years, I've learned that the difference between a stressful w

Quietly Enjoying Their Moment One of the most expensive wedding mistakes couples make isn't choosing the wrong flowers, venue, or color palette. It's hiring the wrong vendor. Every week I see stories about vendors who don't show up, don't respond, don't deliver what was promised, or disappear entirely after taking a deposit. The truth is that a beautiful Instagram feed is not the same thing as experience. Before hiring any wedding professional, ask yourself: How long ha

A successful DIY table set up by my team One of the most common assumptions I hear from engaged couples is that DIY wedding décor will save money. Sometimes it can. But after more than two decades in the wedding industry, I can tell you that DIY projects often cost more than couples expect—not because of the supplies themselves, but because of everything that comes with them. The Real Cost of DIY When couples compare DIY projects to professional services, they often compare

Most engaged couples believe that a wedding budget is simply a matter of adding up the cost of a venue, caterer, photographer, florist, and entertainment. If only it were that simple. After more than two decades in the wedding industry, I can tell you that the biggest budget surprises are often not the major expenses couples anticipate. They are the hidden costs, overlooked details, and expensive assumptions that can quietly consume thousands of dollars. The Venue Isn't Alw

One of the biggest misconceptions about wedding planning is that a planner's job is to make things pretty. The truth? My job is to protect your wedding when things don't go according to plan. Here is one time when my job required dealing with an unexpected situation- the weather and a torn Achilles and getting married on one foot. Jin and Matt at 620 Loft St Patrick's Cathedral from the terrace at 620 Loft Jin and Matt hired me for their wedding at the beautiful 620 Loft a