Who Really Needs a Planner- Robin & Tommy

Robin & Tommy were married at St. Ann's in Cleveland and then had a wonderful reception at the Club at Key Center.  The one thing that struck me about their wedding was that everyone there was so happy for them and so excited to be a part of their big day.  They truly glowed with their love for each other and each person that they talked to or that gave a toast, glowed with the same love and happiness for the couple.  Tommy even surprised Robin with a special toast before their first dance. It was so exciting to  be a part of all the love they shared and the beautiful wedding they put together.
On a side note, Club at Key Center did a spectacular job on the event and I am lucky enough to have several weddings this year at the site.  I look forward to working with them and my September & October weddings.  


Robin & Tommy brought their wedding photographer up from Cincinnatti and I must say that Nathan (of Nathan Peel Photography) was a great professional, easy to work with and got me their wedding photos within a week!  That's almost unheard of!  Here are a a few photos of his work and of Tommy & Robin's big day!  

Here is what Robin had to say about working with All Events Planned on her big day!



Q: What made you decide to hire a wedding planner?  
A: Right after I got engaged, a friend of mine had one big recommendation - get a wedding planner, especially to help out on the big day! I am typically pretty organized myself but I knew that it would be such a relief to have someone there on the wedding day to help execute all of the plans. 

Q: What types of things attracted you to each planner that you interviewed?
A: When interviewing a planner, I started with online recommendations from the A: Knot.com and from vendors that I had already booked. I wanted someone who seemed organized, fun and hard working. 

Q: What was something that made you NOT want to hire a particular planner and on the same note what was something you found that made you WANT to hire a certain planner?  
A: One planner that I interviewed did not seem very excited or interested in helping me plan my wedding. She also never followed up with me after our interview, which I thought was very unprofessional. The main thing that made me want to hire Brandi was that she was very organized and prepared for all of our meetings and she was very happy to discuss all of the details of my wedding. Brandi was so much fun to meet with and really helped me feel prepared and organized with all of the wedding planning. 

Q: What was the best thing your wedding planner did for you? 
A: The best thing that Brandi did for me was to help me cover every tiny detail of the wedding ceremony and reception. She thought of aspects of the day that I would have overlooked and I was so glad to have someone help me to make sure that I had everything accounted and planned for. 

Q: What was something your planner did that you would never have thought of doing?  
A: I was so surprised and happy that Brandi sent confirmations and schedules to all on my vendors for the wedding day. It was nice to know that everyone was on the same page and that they knew they could turn to Brandi with any questions on that day. 

Q: Did you feel that your wedding planner was worth the cost?  
A: Very much worth the cost!! I think this was one of the best decisions/purchases that we made for the wedding. It is difficult to put a price on peace of mind on your wedding day! 

Q: Was there anything you would have changed about your experience with your wedding planner?  
A: Nothing, it was wonderful working with Brandi and I could not be happier with the way everything turned out!

Q: What was something you wish you would have known before hiring your planner OR what was something you wish you would have hired your wedding planner to do?  
A: I wish that I would have hired my planner to help with the wedding shower too. I think that it would have made the event run more smoothly and would have been less stressful for my mom and myself. 

Q: Is there any situation where you could see why a bride would NOT want a wedding planner?  
A: Not really... even though I had time to work on the planning before the wedding, I was so glad that neither myself or family/friends had to be burdened with small details and issues that arose on the wedding day. While I could see cost being an issue, I think this was by far some of the best money that we spent for our big day!

I think that seeing her say that this was some of the best money she spent on their big day, is easily one of the best compliments you can receive as a planner!  


Here are some more photos from their day.  

www.alleventsplanned.com
Happy Planning!

Cookie Delivery!

Better Bit of Butter is a bakery that makes some of the most beautiful and delicious cookies I've ever tasted.  You can visit their site and find out all about their treats here www.betterbitofbutter.com  I was lucky enough to win a box of these delectable treats recently and wanted to take you along for the exciting moment that I received them, as it was definitely an exciting moment.  These cookies may be the very first cookies that taste JUST as good as they look.  Don't believe me?  Order some and try them, you will not be disappointed.

Here is the box they came in-

Here is the box, opened!

Here is what was in the box!!

BEAUTIFUL!  AND, of course, delicious!

Thank you to Better Bit of Butter for making this a wonderful day!!

www.betterbitofbutter.com 

Who Really Needs a Planner- Margaret & Todd

As we approach their one year anniversary, I have their interview to post on the blog.  Margaret & Todd did the full planning package with All Events Planned and we enjoyed every minute of working with them.  Here is the feedback from the bride & groom (husband & wife) and, as you can see from the feedback, they are a wonderful, detailed and thorough couple, which is the greatest kind of couple to work with when you are a planner!


First a few photos courtesy of Julie Hahn of Sugar Bush Design- 

Here is what Margaret & Todd Boyland had to say- 



Q: What made you decide to hire a wedding planner?
A: We recognized that we were getting married and having our reception at two reputable places that independently would be able to service all of our needs.  Our wedding ceremony location was University Circle’s Cleveland Botanical Gardens, (CBG), and our reception was at Signature of Solon both employ event planning professionals.  While we had confidence in their abilities we were concerned about the “transfer” between the two venues.  
Our number one priority while planning the wedding was to ensure the day of went smoothly and was an enjoyable memory for all.  As soon as the wedding festivities began and guest started arriving in town, we wanted to be able to enjoy their presence and not worry about a single detail, make any more decisions, or handle any unexpected problems.  
Having All Events Planned apart of our team ensured our wedding weekend would be a success.


Q: What types of things attracted you to each planner that you interviewed?
A: Brandi is honest and sincere with every aspect of her actions and words.  It was apparent how genuinely invested she became into all the details of our day.  Brandi might have asked a simple question, but heard the history and background that lead to the complete answer.  
Brandi was easily distinguishable among the other planners we interviewed.
She did not charge the outrageous $10,000 retainer fee that truly exists in the Cleveland market.
It should also be clear, All Event’s Planned does NOT make a percentage of each vendor’s cost.
Her price was set before ever meeting with us and hearing about the ‘level’ of our wedding.  
Have you ever had a big party at your home?  During that time did you spend much quality time with your significant other?  Were you committed to see that the food was served on time and warm.  For that matter were you the one in the kitchen coordinating the timing of dishes – and not apart of the actual party – but rather worked the whole time.  


Q: What was something that made you NOT want to hire a particular planner and on the same note what was something you found that made you WANT to hire a certain planner?
A: Meeting with the wedding coordinators, we didn’t know what to expect.  We were not prepared with a list of questions or concerns.  Our objective was simple: We want to plan our own wedding, we know we would need professional guidance along the way.  After all the planning work was done, our ‘job’ was to enjoy the wedding weekend.
• Starting my search for a planner nearly a year out – I found several were book for our July 24th date.
• One wedding planner clearly had a full time 9-5 job.  Her availability was immediately questionable and I  did not pursue a formal meeting.
• A highly regarded Cleveland wedding planner made clear that his $10,000 retainer needed to be paid after the initial meeting to continue any type of service.  


My experience with All Event Planned was different from our first contact.
• Brandi is a Full Time Planner who is available days or evenings.
• Brandi responded to immediate timely and were well thought out and well written responses.
• Brandi had excellent follow up after our meeting
• During our interview, Brandi laid out her abilities and asked about our expectation.  Brandi included every person in the conversation and did not focus too much attention on just one person.
The strongest tie breaker in the decision process was a personal – gut feeling.
Brandi and I possess many of the same character traits.
Brandi understood my expectations so clearly she was able to act as a ‘second me’ the day of the wedding.  


Q: What was the best thing your wedding planner did for you?  
A: Since Brandi was so involved with how decisions came to their resolution, she gave me confidence to stick to those decision when other vendors started to re-create new ideas.  The ideas and possibilities are ENDLESS – a florist will re-inspire and re-create a look that might influence the cake… all the while impacting the linens.  Collaborative efforts are a wonderful, but Brandi’s encouragement to continue to move forward once a big decision was made saved everyone from going back to the idea board.


Q: What was something your planner did that you would never have thought of doing?
A: Brandi allowed me to work a wedding with her as her assist.  This was incredible to see Brandi in action.  Every wedding is bound to have a ‘behind the scenes funny tale.’  This one involves handling unexpected wedding guest behavior.  During the dinner hour, the bar closed.  The bride and groom were paying for the wedding themselves and found this to be a cost saving measure.  One wedding guest was so appalled that she wasn’t able to drink a glass of wine during dinner, she decided to take the entire bottle of wine back to her table.  As expected this was displeasing to the bar tender who had explicated wishes of the bride and groom to follow.  Without a moments hesitation Brandi was able to quietly intervene and defuse the escalating situation.  Moments later Brandi was again challenged at the bar when a guest brought his own bottle of liquor and wanted to do shot- needing the help of the bar tender for shot glasses.  Again, Brandi’s professionalism and ease in these uncomfortable situations was reassuring how vested Brandi was in executing the bride and groom’s wishes. 
You can’t control the actions of others – and you never know what guests might do… Having someone else to professionally handle the unexpected gave me unbelievable confidence in Brandi’s abilities.


Q: Did you feel that your wedding planner was worth the cost?
A: WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINITY – YES!
The wedding industry as a whole capitalizes on “once in a lifetime memories” that often tip the pricing scale just a bit.  Brandi’s price is beyond ‘Fair’ when I consider all of her time.
Brandi was agreeable to meet at various locations for appointments with vendors.
She was the first to arrive to every appointment – and the last to leave.
Emails and phone calls were immediately responded – and were very thorough.
All Events Planned is a full service professional company with the values that only an owner/operator can possess.
It never crossed my mind that Brandi had other clients or personal obligations.  She was available and ready … Brandi often said “You are my client and I will arrange my schedule to meet your needs.”  She meant this with fullest sincerity.


Q: Was there anything you would have changed about your experience with your wedding planner?
A: I’ve only appreciated the services we received more and more with each wedding we attend as a “guest.”  Once you been through the planning, your eye will magnify all the tiny details.  When you see your friends and family struggle to make their day a success, it is sad.  The bride and groom should love every moment of their day.  When they have people to pay, problems to handle – anything but perfection and bliss is unfortunate.  This is reassuring that we selected a true professional wedding planner in Brandi Hamerstone to handle all concerns on our behalf.


Q: What was something you wish you would have known before hiring your planner OR what was something you wish you would have hired your wedding planner to do?
A: I might consider those with large families or bridal parties to include Brandi on the bridal shower or other pre-wedding festivities.  While Brandi could handle planning this event as a supplemental service, it allows Brandi to see the family dynamics and get to know important family members.  The inter-personal relationships among any family are important facts a good wedding planner will ask – and plan accordingly.


Q: Is there any situation where you could see why a bride would NOT want a wedding planner?
A: My parents were the ones who strongly encouraged having the help of a wedding planner.  At first I took this as a personal insult that I would fall short of pull off a great party.  Stepping back, I could see that I had one shot at making it great.  I needed to tap into all resources – just like any good business person.   Surround yourself with the best professionals and knowledge and you will succeed.  


Wonderful clients, with wonderful feedback.  Thank you both!
Here are some more spectacular photos from their incredible wedding!

www.alleventsplanned.com 

Who Really Needs a Planner- Erika & Aron

I am so glad to get started on these again.  I LOVE hearing back from my clients and getting their feedback.  I try to ask questions so they can give me insight on what they were thinking when they hired me and how they felt about the planning process.  It seems like every planner can get the "My Planner was the best, we loved her, she's amazing" feedback, but I like a little more than that.  

Erika and Aron contacted me to work as their planner, months before their wedding.  They own a local business Time for Results Personal Training (in Solon, Ohio).  They were an incredibly busy couple as most of our meetings were held before or immediately after a training session that they had with a client.  They had little time for planning but, just like everyone else, they wanted a beautiful and special wedding. Here are just a few photos from their special day at Crystal Brook Farms.  

Q: What made you decide to hire a wedding planner?

A: We hired a planner because we had a limited budget and no time to work on the details.  We knew a professional would help us stick to our budget, while taking care of the details we didn't have the time to tend to.

Q: What types of things attracted you to each planner that you interviewed?

A: We were looking for a planner on the east side who knew the local vendors and who could meet with us without spending a lot of time travelling.

Q: What was something that made you NOT want to hire a particular planner and on the same note what was something you found that made you WANT to hire a certain planner?

A: We didn't want a planner that also had another job.  We didn't feel that she could dedicate herself fully to us if her hours and interests were being spent elsewhere.  What helped us decide on Brandi was her professionalism, her attention to detail, her accessibility, and her ability to meet us where we work.  She also offered ideas on how to save money so that was an added bonus.

Q: What was the best thing your wedding planner did for you? 

A: Too many things to count!  Her fast follow up on ideas helped me make decisions quickly.  Her knowledge of local and web based vendors was also a huge timesaver.  The day of the wedding wouldn't have gone so smoothly if Brandi wasn't there taking care of absolutely everything. 

Q: What was something your planner did that you would never have thought of doing? 

A: The sand ceremony to mark the blending of our two families.  Bringing us our meals during dinner b/c we were too busy to think of eating.

Q: Did you feel that your wedding planner was worth the cost?

A: YES!

Q: Was there anything you would have changed about your experience with your wedding planner?

A: NO

  

Q: Is there any situation where you could see why a bride would NOT want a wedding planner?

A: Maybe because they think they want to control every aspect of their wedding without realizing all of the time and work involved.

Q: Any other input you have on your process with your wedding planner (me) any advice, ideas or feedback?

A: Our Wedding Planner (you) was amazing, and we will always have fond memories of our wedding day in large part b/c of her help!!!

They were a great couple to work with and if you are looking for personal training in the area

You can contact them through their site Time for Results Personal Training.

Here are some more photos from their wedding

All photos are credited to Open Image Studio