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Wedding Resources

*If you have questions about wedding planning, listen to our podcasts below, read our latest blog post or give us a call. Let us use our 15+ years of wedding planning experience and problem-solving expertise to ease your mind, lead you through the next steps, and show you all the ways our award-winning team has got your back.

 

Our Top 10 Favorite Planning Tips

The Dress
Bustles often break, so ask for a French “under” bustle vs. an American “over” bustle if you like to dance and want to avoid carrying your dress over your arm all night.

Invitations
Before mailing, assign a number to each response card that corresponds with an actual guest…then write that number on the back of each response card – people sometimes send blank RSVP’s and these numbers prevent “mystery” guests.

Flowers
Ask your florist to label your “personal flowers” (bouquets, corsages & boutonnieres) with actual names of recipients to avoid confusion before the ceremony when they are distributed.

The Ceremony
The night before your ceremony, tell family members if you have seating reserved for them – this prevents empty front seats in your ceremony photos.

The Reception
Have servers circulate with trays of wine and signature drinks to avoid long lines at the bar during cocktail hour.

Photography
Appoint a photo “wrangler” who can recognize family members and round up “wandering” relatives so group photos are more efficient and you can get back to having fun.

Hair/Make-up
Schedule your hair and make-up trials for the day of your engagement photo shoot to take full advantage of how great you look.

Cake
Before you freeze your top layer to enjoy on your first anniversary, remove the piece of cardboard from the bottom to guarantee a better tasting cake.

Video
Make sure your videographer uses 2 cameras for the ceremony so the grand entrance captures both the bride and the groom’s facial expressions.

Music
To guarantee a packed dance floor, invite your guests to list 3 favorite dance songs on response cards and create a “must play” list of these selections for your band or DJ to play during the reception.

FAQs

The number one reason people hire wedding planners in Cincinnati is because they don’t want to be in charge of the bridal party, vendor team or guests on the wedding day. For those who are unfamiliar with what goes on behind the scenes at a wedding, we offer this list of frequently asked questions.

Who makes sure everything is set up the way I want?

We use our timeline, room diagrams and written notes to make sure everything is set up according to your exact specifications. From double-checking chair counts to making sure your dance floor is the correct size, we know what you need and ensure you get it.

Who makes sure I haven’t forgotten anything?

As expert Cincinnati wedding planners, checklists rule our world. We use them to ensure nothing is forgotten. If we discover something is missing on the wedding day, we often replace it before anyone notices it was needed.

Who creates my wedding day timeline and confirms my vendors?

Fun fact: our wedding day timelines are so good that they were used to create a timeline software product for wedding planners! We are experts at “wedding day flow” – when everything happens on time as it should. When we confirm your vendors, we also send your timeline to be sure every vendor is on the same page. We let them know when they can set up, answer any questions and help them exceed your expectations.

Who will run my ceremony rehearsal?

While some couples have ordained clergy, many are choosing to be married by family members or friends with little or no experience officiating weddings. In both cases, it is our job to take charge of the bridal party and assist the officiant. Depending on your officiant’s level of experience, we either run the entire rehearsal, coordinate the prelude and procession or something in between.

Who makes sure the bridal party arrives at the ceremony on time?

It’s very easy to lose track of time while enjoying wedding day beverages with your family and friends. Our job is to watch the clock for you – making sure there is enough time for food, hair, makeup, getting dressed and photos before the ceremony.

Who makes sure the limo/party bus/guest shuttle driver knows where we are going?

Transportation companies require detailed itineraries of all destinations and stops in between. We create those itineraries after talking with the photographer/videographer and you to make sure everyone is where they need to be at the right time. We also call drivers directly to make sure they are aware of any traffic issues/itinerary changes, and we distribute their tips.

Who will fix the little (and big) problems that come up throughout the day?

Our emergency kit is filled with solutions to a wide range of wedding day challenges – from wardrobe malfunctions to splitting headaches, we’ve got you covered. We also know how to prevent problems, but when the unexpected happens – we are experts at fixing things behind the scenes without drama or fanfare and only tell you about it after the wedding.

Who distributes the personal flowers and pins them on the right people?

Your florist typically delivers the flowers to the ceremony site and then leaves to decorate the reception. It’s our job to make sure the personal flowers are given to the right people during the prelude before your ceremony starts.

Who makes sure my ceremony items are where they need to be?

We give your programs and guest book to your greeters when they arrive, set up any religious items (unity candle, glass for breaking, flower garlands etc…) and provide extra copies of readings to your readers. We also make sure your officiant takes care of your marriage license, and then we collect all items after the ceremony.

Who tells the bridal party what to do and when to walk?

At the rehearsal and ceremony, we coach your ushers on where to seat family and guests, make sure the appropriate person has the rings, tell the bridal party where to go/when to walk and serve as the “go-to” problem solver. We also assist late-arriving guests so they don’t disrupt your ceremony and help organize post-ceremony family/bridal party photos so you get to the reception sooner.

Who tells the ceremony musicians when to start playing?

It’s our job to check in with your ceremony musicians to make sure they have the information they need. We’ll make sure they are ready to play the selections in your program as well as give them their payment. We then line up the grandparents, parents and bridal party before we cue your musicians to start playing.

Who makes sure my reception items are where they need to be?

We set up your escort cards, place cards, seating charts, family photos, cake knife, toasting flutes, guest book etc…

Who organizes the bridal party before being introduced at the reception?

Bridal parties can be difficult to wrangle – especially when they have joined the cocktail hour and need to be found before the grand entrance. We keep your bridal party informed so they know where and when to meet ahead of time. We line them up, make sure they know where they are going and give them their seating assignments before being introduced.

Who tells my band/DJ when to announce the toasts, dances etc…?

In addition to the timeline we send to your MC, we stand nearby to cue all the formal events as you want them to happen. We make sure the photographer and videographer are in the room on standby before cueing any events. We also give a standard 5-minute warning to anyone speaking, dancing, cutting a cake or anything else so they are ready to go at the right time.

Who tells the band/DJ to adjust the volume at the reception?

Sometimes the music is too loud and sometimes it is not loud enough. We work with your band/DJ to make everyone happy with the volume at the reception.

Who tells the photographer to hurry up because I want to get to the party?

Organizing family photos after a ceremony is a lot like herding cats. It can also be awkward to tell your photographer to speed things up. Our Cincinnati wedding planners work with your photo team to be as efficient as possible so the large group post-ceremony photos don’t take longer than necessary.

Who creates and executes the overall design plan for my wedding?

Our design team collaborates with you to create a color scheme and overall theme that mirrors your personality and event décor budget. They then present a comprehensive design plan including mood boards and style guides so you can visualize all elements. After listening to your feedback, they schedule a table-scape mock up so you can see the design concept in your venue space.

Who sets up my chairs, tables, linens, chargers, china etc…?

If we create your design plan, our design team will supervise set up and tear down. If your venue creates your design, the venue or rental company will handle set up and tear down.

Who helps me find the best vendors for my personality, style, and budget?

We match our clients with the best vendors in town every day. After getting to know your personal preferences, we suggest vendors who are team players. Our vendors are fun to work with and understand your style and budget.

Who makes sure all of my vendors get paid?

We let you know when vendor balances are due before the wedding, and we distribute payments on the wedding day if necessary.

Who makes sure my reception items/gifts are collected at the reception?

Most venues are unable to store your personal items after the wedding, so we can collect the reception items and gifts at the end of the night and help load them into the designated cars or we can help you assign this job to a trusted friend or family member.

 

Our Planning Advice PODCASTS

WED-talks Episode 1

Can My Wedding Feel Authentic?

http://www.i-do-weddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wed-Talks-Episode-1.mp3

Weddings can sometimes feel like a show. This is especially true when the guests of honor don’t enjoy the spotlight. In this episode of Wed-talks, we offer tips on how to make your wedding feel more like an authentic celebration of your love and less like a cookie cutter, mass-produced “wedding industrial complex” nightmare.

WED-talks Episode 2

Do I Have To Invite You?

http://www.i-do-weddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wed-Talks-Episode-2.mp3

It would be great if every guest at your wedding could be someone you currently care about and routinely enjoy spending time with – but that is probably unrealistic for many. In this episode of Wed-talks we explore ways to downsize the guest list without completely sacrificing your mental health.

WED-talks Episode 3

Who Is Going To Pay For This?

http://www.i-do-weddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wed-Talks-Episode-3.mp3

Like most things in life, an ounce of clear communication about the budget in the beginning prevents a pound of stress later on when it feels too late and too awkward to say anything. In this episode of Wed-talks we discuss ways to maintain the budget without jeopardizing relationships with future in-laws.

For Better or Worse Podcast – iDo Weddings & Events – Brigid Horne-Nestor on Planning During a Pandemic

Contact us for expert guidance, creative design ideas, and wedding day peace of mind.
Contact Us so our award-winning Cincinnati wedding planners can bring your vision to life!
Contact Us to have this much "laugh out loud" fun on your wedding day!
Contact Us to instantly feel better about your wedding!
i-do Weddings & Events • 4030 Smith Rd, Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45209 • (513) 762-5550
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