Jessica Van der Marel Photography

Upon Booking

• Access to an exclusive vendor list (and vendor suggestions based on budget and style)

• Answers to the big looming questions and direction on what to do next

• Wedding Planning Guide

• Budget Spreadsheet Template

• RSVP/Guest List Tracking & Seating Chart Spreadsheet 

• Monthly Check-Ins

 

Pre-Planning - Starting 5 weeks prior to wedding day

• Initial Consultation to discuss the details and specifics of your wedding 

• Unlimited phone calls and texts during normal business hours and unlimited emails from four weeks out through the day of your wedding

• Creation of To Do Lists and helping on the items that we can

• Creation of wedding document and timeline for the wedding day to be communicated to all vendors

• Contact all vendors prior to event for introductions and to confirm details

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Rehearsal

• Work with wedding officiant to choreograph wedding ceremony, processional and recessional

• Oversee the smooth preparation of the rehearsal making sure everyone knows what is expected of them, such as their place in the processional / recessional

• Remind wedding party of where they need to be the following day and at what time

• Go over any last minute details

• Give tips and tricks on etiquette for the ceremony (how to hold bouquets, hands, etc)

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Ceremony  

•  Facilitate on-time arrival of hair and make-up stylists and instruct them as to where to set up their equipment

•  Coordinate any pre-wedding meal deliveries and clean up

•  Ensure all flowers arrive on time and distribute to wedding party

•  Confirm photographer and videographer arrive on time, and are aware of the day’s timeline

•  Coordinate with transportation vendor so the wedding party departs for the ceremony as scheduled

•  Communicate any last minute details to the wedding party

•  Set up programs, unity ceremony, decor, reserved signs or any other personal items

•  Ensure ceremony musicians have arrived and direct them as to where to set up

•  Ensure Ushers/Groomsmen arrive on time and are ready to escort guests

•  Ensure designated attendants arrive on time and are ready to pass out programs 

•  Alert Ushers/Groomsmen as to when to begin escorting guests to their seats

•  Coordinate with the ceremony officiator and musicians to determine signals or cues that will begin the ceremony

•  Handle any emergencies that may arise

•  Line up wedding party and family members for the processional

•  Cue ceremony musicians when wedding party is ready to begin processional

•  Transport items from the ceremony location to the reception venue and store any items not needed at the reception

• Coordinate family members and bridal parties for photographs

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Cocktail Hour/Reception 

•  Greet all vendors and instruct them as to where to set up

•  Make sure Cocktail Hour and Reception décor is set up according to plan

•  Make sure all flowers are set up according to floral order

•  Confirm timing and logistics with band, DJ or designated emcee and ensure they can correctly pronounce the wedding party’s names

•  Meet with catering and venue staff to confirm food timing and the overall flow of the evening

•  Arrange escort cards

•  Place chargers, menu cards and favors at individual settings

•  Set up table numbers, guest book, card box, cake cutting utensils and champagne flutes

•  Ensure any other miscellaneous décor is set up according to plan 

•  Assist catering and/or venue staff with remaining setup needs

•  Examine guest tables and head/sweetheart table to confirm they are set up properly and have the correct number of chairs at each

•  Review final set up before guest arrival

•  Ensure proper flow of Cocktail Hour food and drinks

•  Help guests locate their escort cards and dining tables, and encourage them to take their seats at the appropriate time

•  Locate wedding party and line them up for their introductions

•  Cue band, DJ or designated emcee when the majority of guests have found their tables and the couple are ready to be introduced

•  Know the catering service’s schedule, and help ensure that guests are served at the appointed time

•  Cue band/DJ, photographer, videographer and immediate family members when important events take place (i.e. first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, and toasts)

•  Cue Father of the Bride, Best Man and Maid of Honor when they are about to be announced for toasts

•  Distribute final payments and gratuities to vendors at the end of the night

•  Prevent and fix any problems that may arise during the event

•  Remain easily accessible through the entire event in case there are any details the Bride & Groom would like attended to

•  Collect gifts and personal décor items, and ensure they reach the designated family member, room and/or vehicle at the end of the night

•  Coordinate reception departure transportation and/or formal send-off