A Book is Born! "Wedding Planning Unmasked!"

Introducing "Wedding Planning Unmasked!"

The Story of Why I Wrote a Book on Wedding Planning

Why would I do that when there are already zillions of books on wedding planning?

I wrote "Wedding Planning Unmasked!" because I noticed that there was a knowledge gap between couples planning a wedding and them knowing what wedding vendors could or should do for them. People don't plan a wedding every day. Couples might know someone who has planned a wedding, but it's unlikely that they know 16 professional wedding vendors hired for an average wedding. Even if they did, they couldn't just get their keys, open their offices and do their job. It's not their fault, but not much is out there to guide couples for consulting with each type of vendor.

It helps couples to know what kind of services vendors provide, how they can save them money, and what questions you need to ask each vendor. Friends might give advice but it does not come from the point of planning your wedding. Every couple deserves productive and comfortable consultations to make sure they get what they envision or understand why something might not fit their budget. There is something awkward (but perfectly normal) about a consultation that begins with "What's your budget?" and "How much do you charge?" Information is powerful. Coming from a base of knowledge also gains respect from and for everyone involved.

"Wedding Planning Unmasked!" was written from interviewing many wedding vendors from many types of services. They were kept anonymous so that they could reveal the good, the bad and the ugly that they felt was important for couples planning a wedding to know. It was not written with checklists that pretty much leave you on your own, put you into a box, or make you do things you don't even need to do. There are very useful lists of questions in the book and some pretend conversations to help get through wedding planning to eliminate as much stress as possible.

Take a look here at "Wedding Planning Unmasked!" on Amazon.

Here's to unmasked wedding planning! Get ready to explore the art, science, logistics, and psychology of planning a wedding.

P.S. if you read the book, please leave a review or see even more ways that Greatest of Days can help couples plan a wedding. We will do live workshops, webinars, coaching calls and of course, full planning! 

What Happens When You Hire a Wedding Coordinator? Part 4.

Okay, you've got the dress and the venue and you should continue from there with bridesmaids dresses and bring in the guys so you can determine what style and colors of tuxedos or suits and so forth will go well with what the bridesmaids are wearing, etc.

Not every wedding is going to be planned in the same way as no two weddings are alike.  Okay, I have to inject my biased, and possibly unpopular opinion.  I personally hate checklists just for the sake of having a checklist.  I find it overwhelming to see 500 things to do.  I think they are useless until I have really gotten into my client's head.  I feel that a wedding should be planned only to the degree you need it to be.  Sometimes those checklists make you spend more money because they will give you a sense that "have" to do this or that!  I would say, let's make your own schedule, not a checklist.  Checklists do not a wedding make!  There are so many styles of planning that can be used.  You have to use what works for you!  Those checklists would lead you to think that you can't even plan a wedding in less than a year!  Give me three months and I will more than likely be able to have a wedding planned.  Not suggesting that I want to plan all of the summer's weddings in just the three months prior!  That's is scary!  My point is that I can surely shorten your engagement time by months!

From here on out it is the time for the "make it your day" fun stuff but it's also serious stuff!  Everything from "this day forward" is pretty much going to have your name written all over it and will make your day most memorable.  It's where you get to show your style as well as your love and respect for your guests.  This is when you are able to tell your story through words, pictures, music and objects.

At this point in time, I would say a Wedding Coordinator really pays off for you financially and for your peace of mind!  Your Coordinator is willing to go with you to all of your vendor appointments after searching for a variety that will match your budget, personality and style.  Your Coordinator by now has spent hours listening to what you want and you benefit from their thousands of hours of networking, marketing and education that they have invested in trying to learn as much as possible about each and every type of vendor you might be looking for.  This is something that other vendors for your wedding do not have to do to the same extent.  They will place their concentration on their own particular field and trends.  We have to know as much as possible about each type of vendor!  It's impossible to know everything, but we will match your vision with the right person for you!

Save the Dates and invitations are really your guests first clue as to what your wedding is going to be like.  I suggest that you incorporate your wedding colors into your invitations because often your guests will take that as guideline of what color of clothing they will want to wear to your wedding.  If you are planning on having an outdoor wedding be sure you include something that clues them in and helps them prepare for the elements.  If you are registered somewhere for gifts, do not include those cards in your invitations.  There are more subtle and discreet ways of giving them this information.  It's much more palatable in writing.

Whether its the photography style you like, the food and beverage that you think you and your guests will like, you are beginning to make your own unique wedding.  You can say it with flowers, music, favors, programs, your colors, your theme, decorations, guest book (not always a book), your cake (or other dessert), down to your mode of transportation to and from your wedding.  There are hundreds of choices to be made.  If you are guided through them gently with a Wedding Coordinator, it won't be nearly as overwhelming or costly!  Yes through getting you in touch with quality vendors who have good prices or offer discounts unavailable except through a planner, you will save a lot of money!

In summary, you're setting the tone for your wedding and beginning to plan your wedding in a way that feels most comfortable for you!

Wishing you the greatest of days!

Janis Flagg

Greatest of Days

Event and Wedding Planning and Design

27111 167th Pl. SE, Suite 105-242

Covington, WA   98042

206-604-1908

http://greatestofdays.com/

www.greatestofdaysweddingsandevents.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkKIjSu9dbA

Featured in: Not My Mother's Wedding, blog for Mothers of the Bride

Founder of South King County Event and Wedding Vendors

The 7th largest Wedding Vendors networking group in the world through Meetup.com.