Répondez, s'il vous plaît....maybe we should be writing this in English instead? Is that where everything falls apart?
There has not been a single wedding or event that I have thrown where I haven't had to chase down invited guests to find out if they planned to attend or not. And, if they were attending, were they flying solo or bringing a guest? Oh, and what are they eating? It always amazed me at the amount of people I would have to call, email, or text to find out what their plans were.
My clients, especially my brides, are planning huge events that require a lot of time and energy. There are frequent tough decisions that need to be made and in that last 6-8 weeks leading up to the big day, there can be some major stress that they have to deal with. The absolute last thing my clients need is to be finding out what the final headcount is. Hence, I do it for them.
However, I had to write a blog about this, because I wanted there to be an understanding about R.S.V.P'ing. When an event is planned, the caterer or the venue needs a final headcount typically between 10-20 days prior to the date of the event. This typically means headcount along with what everyone will be eating. A phone call to a bride 72 hours before the event to RSVP just doesn't fly. Especially when the bride has ordered linens which are based on the table size which is based on the headcount which was needed 2 months ago.
Then there are the hotel blocks and the transportation needs. For a wedding, there are typically a block of rooms set aside for guests. The hotel holds these rooms until a specific date (which was probably included in the invitation or on the wedding website) and after that, the rooms go away. I cannot tell you the number of phone calls I receive from my brides 1-2 weeks before their wedding because Aunt Millie called them to say "the hotel is out of rooms, what am I supposed to do?" Should've thought about that sooner, right?
Of course, typically my clients go another step to think even more about their guests and provide shuttles and transportation. The transportation companies sometimes request that these shuttles are booked months in advance. This means that you cannot suddenly decided on the day of the wedding that you're going to hop on board. If there is no room, sitting on someone's lap isn't cool either. Yes, I have seen it almost happen.
I guess this blog is a desperate plea. Please, if you receive an invitation to any kind of event, but especially a wedding, RSVP right away. Like, while the invitation is in your hand. Just walk on over to the calendar (I still have one hanging on my fridge) and see if you can make it. Then either pick up the phone and RSVP or send in the RSVP card (do what the invitation asks...because sending a text to say that you are coming when you are supposed to mail back the card that they paid to have put together is not acceptable). Then, boom! You're done! You have RSVP'd, it's on the calendar and you have made my clients very happy. Oh, and me too. I know we probably won't even meet until the day of the event, and maybe not even then, but trust me that I'm thankful.
Please do not make my clients or me chase after you. There really is no reason for it. It's awkward. Like walking in on someone using the bathroom and that someone is your ex's new significant other, awkward.
RSVP. Please.
...and thank you.
-Danielle
YES! New Jersey finally made it legal for our gay friends to get married! We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate this than to launch a contest and giveaway an all-inclusive wedding to one lucky same-sex couple in New Jersey! Rothweiler Event Design has partnered with the amazing Wilshire Grand in West Orange, New Jersey, and along with very talented vendors, will be providing a dream wedding to a couple in 2014! This wedding will include everything from catering to decor to music to photography and more than you can imagine! You can nominate yourself and your special someone, or you can nominate a special couple that you feel deserves this amazing prize! Don't wait! Share this everywhere you can because the contest ends on December 13, 2013! Below are the rules and how to enter! Good luck!
Full Contest Rules:
1. Contest is open to all same sex (man and
man, or woman and woman) couples that reside in The State of New Jersey
and are engaged to be married. Couple must not already be married in New Jersey.
2. Couples must each be 21 years of age or older as of the launch of the contest (November 11, 2013).
3.
Couples must write an essay of approximately 500 words in length as to
why they deserve an all expense paid wedding package. Pictures of the
couple are also required and should not exceed 3 total. Video submissions are encouraged and can be submitted via YouTube. Essays and
photographs must be emailed directly to info@rothweilereventdesign.org
on or before December 13, 2013 by midnight. Any entries received after
this time will not be opened.
4. Couples agree to allow their
essays and photographs to be published on the Facebook page of all of
the vendors that are giving away their services. These pages include,
but are not limited to, Rothweiler Event Design and The Wilshire Grand. Couple agrees to allow all of their video submissions to be shared.
5.
Couples are encouraged to direct their friends and family to "like"
their stories on the Facebook pages of the vendors involved. A complete
vendor list with their facebook pages will be available at www.facebook.com/rothweilereventdesign.
6.
Finalists will be contacted on or before December 17, 2013. If, for
some reason, any finalist is unreachable, or unable to be contacted by
noon on December 19, 2013, they will forfeit their spot and another couple will
be selected.
7. All contestants must follow Rothweiler Event
Design (@RothweilerEvent) and The Wilshire Grand (@WilshireCaterer) on
Twitter. Each contestant must mention both Rothweiler Event Design and
The Wilshire Grand on twitter after submitting their entry by using the
hashtag #samesexweddinggiveaway.
8. Each contestant agrees to be
present for the announcement of the winner on January 9th at 7pm at The
Wilshire Grand in West Orange, New Jersey. The couple must be present
at this cocktail party to win the grand prize. If the winning couple is not present at the cocktail party, a runner up will be selected.
9. The winning couple will be selected by the participating vendors. All decisions are final and may not be questioned.
10.
The winning couple agrees to work with each individual vendor that is
giving away their services for their wedding day. This includes, but is
not limited to: music, photography, decor, catering, officiant, etc. No
outside vendors will be allowed to participate in the wedding planning
or wedding itself.
11.The winning couples agrees to allow their wedding to be photographed and published in multiple media outlets.
12.The winning couple agrees to allow their wedding to be recorded for future media and television use.
13.
The winning couple agrees to hold their wedding on a date already
selected in 2014. This date is non-negotiable. Should
the winning couple not agree to this date, they will forfeit the prize,
and another couple will be selected.
14. The wedding guest count will not exceed 70 guests, which will include the couple as well.
15.
The winning couple agrees to be interviewed for the media and multiple
publications regarding their wedding planning, their relationship, etc.
16.
The winning couple will be awarded various prizes that will total a
complete wedding package. The prizes given from each individual vendor
are already decided and are non-negotiable.
Full planning, partial planning and the mysterious "day of" coordination. What does it all mean? What do we offer? How do you decide what you really need and want?
Let us help you out!
Many couples decide that want to bring on a wedding coordinator for the entire deal. This means, full planning, and translates to, we will get everything for you....venue to flowers, officiant to photographer, honeymoon to cigar bar, soup to nuts....
Partial planning is for the couple that has the venue set up, and a few vendors already booked, but needs the rest put together.
Day of Coordination is included in every single package, and also stands by itself. This package alone is perfect for the couple that did all of the planning and just wants someone there to direct the final package in the 8 weeks leading up to the wedding (i.e. the most stressful) and on both the rehearsal and the wedding day.
But your venue comes with a wedding coordinator?! No, they actually don't. What your venue comes with is a "venue coordinator". This is not the same as a wedding coordinator. We coordinate the entire wedding, while they coordinate just the venue. Which means that if your limo doesn't show up, or gets lost, they aren't calling your "venue coordinator" (that came with the venue free of charge...big deal) they are calling you, your groom, your parents, your maid of honor, or anyone just to figure out how to get you to your wedding on time. Sound like a good time? We didn't think so.
Not only do we make sure that not a single vendor is bothering you, your family or any of your guests on the wedding day, but they will be leaving you alone in the two months leading up to your big day. This means no nagging phone calls about your song list, no life or death questions about a flower change, no random "where do I deliver the linens" voicemails...all of that, goes to us. So go ahead and have that bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette party, spa day(s), whatever you want!
Rothweiler Event Design will step in 2 months before your wedding day and coordinate with all of your vendors and your venue. Here are a list of things you also get with your "Day Of" Coordination package with us:
1. Unlimited text, phone calls and emails that will all be answered within 12-24 hours, if not sooner. Try getting that from anyone else....
2. Assistance at your final dress fitting so that we can bustle your dress on the big day.
3. Assistance at your final walk through at the venue to go over the entire layout and where you want everything from your escort table to the DJ to the seating chart.
4. Pick up and delivery of every single item that you will need to be set up at the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception site...and after party if you're having one.
5. Final payment reminders for all of your vendors.
6. RSVP follow up to those guests that just can't seem to remember to call and let you know if they are coming to the big event.
7. Timeline set up for you, your partner, the bridal party, and anyone else involved.
8. Rehearsal dinner set up, reservations and maintenance.
9. Scouting for locations to take pictures on the big day, and securing any and all permits necessary to take pictures in those picturesque locations.
10. Confirmation conversations with all of your vendors to finalize each detail from deliveries to timing of such and everything in between.
11. Timeline set up for everyone from the stylists to the transportation to the photographer and straight through the entire reception.
12. Two coordinators with you for both your rehearsal and your wedding day.
13. Pack up at the end of the night everything from envelopes to top cake tier, and delivery to where ever you need it to be.
14. Day after check in and pick up of your wedding gown to bring it to be preserved...and we'll take care of your flowers too.
That's just a few of the things that come with your "Day Of" Coordination package. We're there with you every step of the way, and no venue coordinator can replace that. It's also important to us that your guests, family members and bridal party have a good time and don't have to work on the wedding day. Let us take care of it for you, you have planned enough by now!
Interested? Want to know more? Thinking, "OMG I didn't even know this existed and I totally need Rothweiler Event Design to be there with me!!!"? Awesome. We want to hear from you too!
Email us to set up a complimentary consultation at info@rothweilereventdesign.org. We've seen and fixed it all. Don't feel that you need to worry about anything...we will handle everything.
Danielle Rothweiler
Rothweiler Event Design
We know you have choices for all of your wedding vendors, and that includes your wedding planner. Frequently we're asked "why is a wedding planner/photographer/DJ....etc so expensive?" Well, while we cannot justify the rates of other vendors, we'd like to take a moment to discuss wedding planning in general.
Wedding planning is a full time job, and we take our job very seriously. You absolutely could hire a "planner" for Day Of Coordination for $500. And you would be wasting your money.
Day Of Coordination with us (and many other planners) begins weeks before the actual day. We spend 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding day consulting with your vendors, setting up timelines, scouting photography locations, and so much more. In fact, the 6-8 weeks before your wedding is the time your planner will work the hardest and have the most to do. We also attend your rehearsal with two coordinators and your wedding day with two coordinators. Oh, and we don't do that "10 hour day" thing. We're there, all day, sun up to way past sundown.
$500 for Day Of, equates to $62.50 a week. That's $8.93 a day. Not an hour, a day. So, if you're paying a planner $500 for their Day Of services, that means you are paying them $8.93 for your actual wedding day. What kind of service do you expect for less than $10 a day?
We pride ourselves on our experience, ratings, references and services. There are many planners to choose from, and while not all will suit your style, we recommend choosing one that does, even if that means going with one that charges a higher rate.
After all....hiring a cheap "planner" is like consulting Web MD instead of going to your doctor. The answer is always the same: cancer.
This past weekend we celebrated with Lisa and Ted at a beautiful venue in Lambertville, New Jersey. The bride and groom were vintage perfection, and they got married in a beautiful garden. Following the ceremony was an outdoor cocktail hour and a tented reception.
The decor was absolutely perfect and truly reflected the interests of the bride and groom. Vintage and antique fanatics, their tables were adorned with burlaped mason jars, wildflowers and antique cake toppers. Even their table numbers were held by bent forks that just completed the look!
Opting to go with a very popular trend, the reception held all long tables with white linens and a burlap runner. They focused on yellow and gray, and used a pop of yellow for their napkins and on their menus. Everything pulled together beautifully.
If you are looking to do something different, we offer floral design such as what you see pictured in this blog. We'll work directly with you on your decor and put together your arrangements for your tables. Longer tables can hold a variety of centerpieces, so wildflowers, peonies, sunflowers, and even roses will stand out and look stunning.
Congratulations to this fabulous couple! We were so happy to work with you on your special day!
Danielle
Rothweiler Event Design
www.rothweilereventdesign.com
info@rothweilereventdesign.org
Wow! This summer went by in a blink, and we're so excited for the fall. From the warm colors, to the firepits and s'mores, it's no wonder this season is full of parties, celebrations, and of course, weddings. The humidity disappears, the temperatures cool off and the smell of the leaves changing fills the air.
We are so inspired by this season. One of the favorite things we like to do is to incorporate fruits with warmer colors into centerpieces. As seen in this picture, we used oranges (some halved) along with deep purple grapes to add something a little different for this fall wedding. Fruits and vegetables to be considered? Artichoke hearts, grapes, pomegranates and yes, even blood oranges. Work with your florist to pull these items together with the flowers you want to use.
Think back to those campfires with friends...remember how cozy the firepit was? Think about having one at your reception, complete with hot cocoa and s'mores. Let your guests put the marshmallows onto sticks and roast them over a warm fire before placing them between chocolate and graham crackers. Want to skip the mess, or don't have room for a firepit? Consider giving away pre-packaged s'mores as your favor for guests to enjoy later in the season.
What about the fall inspires you? How will you incorporate the season into your big day? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Danielle Rothweiler
Rothweiler Event Design
We are, obviously, major advocates of hiring a party planner for your next big event. From weddings to Mitzvahs, it's great to have someone by your side handling every last detail. One of the best things about hiring a planner is using their expertise and working with vendors that they recommend. There is an endless supply of "photographers", "DJs", "bands", "caterers", etc....but a solid planner will be able to hire talented vendors and the best people for your party. So, step one: hire a planner and not a "planner"; because, oh, did we mention...everyone is a "planner" now.
It seems that once someone plans their party, or especially, their wedding, without hiring a planner, they suddenly feel qualified to become a planner. They don't work for anyone else, they just start their own company, charge ridiculously low prices and ruin what otherwise would be an amazing event. They start their instagram pages with inspiration pictures from pinterest, and come to facebook groups asking basic questions that experienced planners would already know. They charge their clients almost nothing, and frankly, that is more than they are worth.
Recently, a "planner" asked in an open forum for venue recommendations. She didn't mention that she was a planner and many people assumed she was a bride. I, and plenty of other experienced professionals, handed over to her multiple suggestions before she had to admit that she was the planner. She also mentioned that "cost isn't an issue" for the bride. Let's look at this from the bride's point of view: she is paying a "planner" for her advice and experience, yet this planner cannot even offer a venue recommendation without coming to facebook for assistance. This "planner" then takes all of these suggestions (that came from experienced professionals) and brought them back to her bride, and the bride assumes that this "planner" did actual research. How happy would this bride be to find out that her "planner" also said that cost "isn't an issue"? It doesn't matter the budget or lack thereof, you want to find the best option for your client. But this "planner" doesn't know that because she has no experience.
I have also stumbled across a "planner's" website that states her "years" of experience but she has no portfolio to show for it. In fact, all of the pictures on her instagram account are pulled straight from pinterest. Years of experience and yet not one picture to prove it? That's very strange.
The bottom line is this: you get what you pay for and not all planners are created equal. When shopping for a planner, you want to make sure they have a solid portfolio, references, reviews and can back up their work. While a planner won't give up their ideas during a consultation, they should be able to give you enough information to prove that they know what they are doing. No matter if they meet you in their office or Starbucks, they should always be able to prove that they have a solid background. Why pay for someone that goes to facebook for venue recommendations? It just doesn't make any sense. A planner should be responsible for all of the decisions you are hiring them for, and if they are seeking advice elsewhere, how is that going to be possible?
I really didn't want to have to write this blog. I am not seeking to tear down people that want to become planners either. There are a good amount of talented planners out there, you just have to make sure that you're hiring one of them. Ask for the portfolio and the references/reviews. You have every right to know whom you are hiring.
Do you have a bad experience with a planner? Did someone ever lie to you about their resume and you found out? We'd love to hear your story! Please feel free to leave your comments here or email us at info@rothweilereventdesign.com
We'd also like to thank the real planners out there. The ones that work hard to put together the best event for their clients and have the experience to back it up. You know who you are, and we do too. Cheers to you all and best wishes for the future!
Danielle Rothweiler
Rothweiler Event Design
www.rothweilereventdesign.com
info@rothweilereventdesign.com
