Most larger venues – banquet halls, hotels, etc – have an employee whose job it is to work with bridal couples. They are there to help you make choices associated with the venue, and then make sure all runs well at the venue on the wedding day. Often, this person sports a title like, ‘On-Site Coordinator,’ or ‘Event Manager.’ These titles are misleading, however, to bridal couples who assume that by booking that venue, they now have a Wedding Planner.

This simply isn’t true: the venue’s employee works for the venue, and their first priority will be to make sure everything the venue is responsible for happens smoothly. When you have questions in the months leading up to your wedding, it isn’t their responsibility to come up with answers. If on your wedding day your dress tears, you forget the toasting glasses, or the floral arrangements arrive all wrong, the venue’s coordinator may not be able to help. Not that they won’t care – and many, if time permits, will do their best to be of assistance in these emergencies. But, ultimately, those things just aren’t their problem. They will be busy making sure the room is set right, the bars are stocked properly, and the kitchen is on schedule. So, don’t assume that you’ll be able to lean on your venue’s staff for extra help. No matter how much they might want to, often, they simply can’t: it’s just not in their job description.

(And, to those who say, “but, I’m paying a lot of money for this venue – they are working for me!” True, to a point – your event’s fees will cover a portion of the on-site Coordinator’s salary this week. But, they will still be there next week, another event will be in that room, and their paycheck will still have the venue’s name on it. Their final loyalty and responsibility must lie with their employer.)

So, if you want someone to be there on your wedding day who will be focused on you and making everything run smooth-as-silk – hire a Wedding Planner.

Cheers,
Heather, The Events Conciergetm

I love Chinese lanterns. They come in so many beautiful colors and sizes, and can really perk-up a reception space without spending a bundle. An accessory that used to be limited to Asian-themed décor, the Chinese lantern can be found adding pops of color at many weddings today.

However, because they are most often lined-up along the roofline of a tent interior or hung from tree branches, the look has lost a bit of its impact and flair. I still think they are fun, though, and just need a little more creativity in their use.

Here are five ideas to use lanterns in unexpected ways:

1.       Ceremony Backdrop: This is a simple installation, but with great impact. Choose white or a soft color for a subtle effect, or one bright shade for real pizzazz. Watch that the lanterns don’t outshine the real stars of the day, though!

2.       “Aisle”-Lined: This would be perfect for a ceremony under a tent. Use the largest diameter lanterns you can find, and hang them in pairs above your aisle. Go monochromatic, or embrace the ombré effect by using colors that shade from dark to light.

3.       Pom-Pom Tent Fringe: Instead of scattering the lanterns throughout your tent, concentrate them around the perimeter, creating a fun fringe of ‘pom-poms’. A mix of sizes and colors (within your wedding palette, of course) would create a whimsical effect.

4.       Head Table Highlight: Group your lantern display above the head table, adding color and glow to you and your honor party. This look could work equally well with mixed colors and sizes as something more ‘regular.’

5.       Cake Table Chihuly: If you are at all familiar with the work of famous glass artist Dale Chihuly, you’ll immediately see where I’m going here. A densely-grouped reverse pyramid of lanterns installed directly above your cake will truly make a statement. While a variety of sizes would help this work best, you can decide if you want the statement to be bold or less-so through your color choices.

However you choose to use them, make sure to have enough. Part of what makes all these ideas work is the sheer quantity of lanterns in the design. Don’t skimp, and the impact will be sublime!

Cheers,
Heather, The Events Conciergetm