Lavender on the Lake insight into wedding planning
Hi. It’s me. I’m the Venue Owner; it’s me. Note that I did not say, I am the Wedding Planner, because it is NOT me. There is quite a difference in roles as the venue staff versus wedding planning staff, and I am going to share with you what I have learned in my very short, whirlwind of learning all-things wedding industry. Who am I kidding- I have not learned ALL things- but goodness, I am a quick learner and let me tell you something that is not obvious to all. There is a HUGE difference in the roles of the venue staff vs the wedding planning team AND there are differences in wedding planning, day of coordinating, etc. AND your friend may be a wedding planner, but unless they are planning to work the entire wedding which means they are not sitting to eat nor are they joining in the dance party, your friend can not be YOUR wedding planner. Bear with me as I bare all of the important reasons for why a wedding planner is crucial while spotlighting some of the planners whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know.
Here at Lavender on the Lake we require our couples to hire-at minimum!- a Day of Wedding Coordinator. Our recommendation is for you to work with a wedding planning team/coordinator who meets with you at least 60 days out to help you to tie up loose ends, such as gathering vendor contracts for our venue, organizing the timeline with arrivals for set up and tear down, setting a timeline for the flow of the wedding day, etc. Having a “day of” coordinator does not always guarantee that all of the details will come together in a nice beautiful bow on your wedding. Therefore we do recommend that you work with someone further out so that your wedding day goes as smoothly as possible which means- less stress for ALL, but especially so that your wedding day is all that you have dreamed it to be.
As we were giving a tour and explaining the requirement for having a wedding planner/coordinator recently, we were asked this question: “Since you require us to have a wedding coordinator, we are wondering what is it that YOU will be doing?” I immediately imagined myself sipping a pina colada with a cute, little umbrella in it while floating in a sparkly, hot pink inner tube off the shore of Bimini….wait, what? Oh. Back to reality. I was just asked a question and as a teacher I was told to say, “There are no bad questions except the ones that you choose not to ask for fear that it is a wrong question.” So, I deflated my fantasy inner tube and tossed my drink into the depths of the ocean and said, “That’s a really good question!” I said simply, “We are here working to continue to grow our farm, to maintain the grounds and property, as well as to be sure that the facilities-including the restrooms- are clean, that the tables and chairs get moved into the places according to planned layout, etc. We are also connecting with booked and future couples, managing tours and contracts and writing blogs and marketing and working social media…and! The list is an ever growing and never fully completed checklist of duties. Jason and I are a family owned farm and events space; one of us- if not both of us- will be here during every event to be sure that all is going smoothly. We are not in charge of the timeline or flow of things; that is where your qualified and professional wedding planner efficiently and effectively ensures that all of the thoughtfully planned details come together.
There are SO many wonderful planners here in Orlando, and as a wedding photographer, Jason has worked with numerous talented planners. For this blog, I decided to write about those who I have had interactions with whether it be someone who has done a wedding here, or someone who has just stopped in and has become a friend whom I cannot wait to work with.
The first planner who I would like to spotlight is Jennifer Abrahamson with Southern Touch Weddings and Events. Jennifer came out to meet with us early on and is local to Saint Cloud- which we LOVE. Supporting locally owned small businesses has always been something that Jason and I do, however, now that we are a family owned, small business we have an even greater appreciation for the work and devotion that goes into being an entrepreneur. Jennifer truly has been a lifesaver to me and we have only been open since June 1st. When I asked Jennifer to give me a few key reasons why having a wedding coordinator is important she wrote PARAGRAPHS! So I am going to summarize her reasons: expert planning and organization, stress reduction, problem solving, vendor management, timeline management, personalized touches, and guest management. She said, “A wedding coordinator brings peace of mind, ensuring that the details of your wedding day are handled professionally, allowing you to focus on celebrating your special day!” I have been more than impressed with her organization and ability to create beauty in moments when I may not have been as reassured. She is patient and works calmly, and I am so lucky to have her so close. Please take a look at Southern Touch Weddings to learn more about her!
The next planner who I would like to spotlight another planner who is local to Saint Cloud named Amanda Ferreira-Borrero with For the Love of Events. I met her originally when she came out to our property when we had just put up drywall. We were in the early process of building our baby and so was this little momma who was carrying her first baby in utero. Amanda and I connected on so many levels and as we showed her the space, she was genuinely excited for our space. Later, we saw her at a networking event and got to chat about how her baby boy was wonderfully here and how our “baby” Lavender on the Lake was wonderfully here. Amanda is the kind of person who you feel you have known forever; she is comfortable, smart, and kind and I not only love our developing friendship, but I am also really looking forward to working with her.
The final spotlight is SMS Event & Design whom we have now done several wedding with. Jason and I are a part of a networking and incredible community that Wedding Venue Map has created here in Orlando. Last year at the holiday party, I looked over at this adorable group of ladies wearing pink, puffy vests and my first thought was- “Ok, I need one of those vests!” But then I noticed that a group of them were joining the dancing line, and one of them grouped them up and then maneuvered off in a different direction not partaking in the dancing line. SO, me being me, I hustled on over to her and guided her by the shoulders in the line with her crew and joined the dancing line myself. Later we all got to talking and I discovered that Michelle- the one who was trying to get out of dancing until I scooted along- is the owner of the “pink vest girls” aka SMS Event and Design. Needless to say, it was love at first sight and they have done a fantastic job here at Lavender on the Lake.
All in all, I hope that our couples realize that the requirement for a wedding planner is solely for the benefit for a successful and wonderful wedding. Jason and I believe so strongly that every moment matters and the memories that are made during your wedding day are ones that you will cherish forever. Jennifer from Southern Touch Weddings summed it up best by saying, “A coordinator can help ensure that all the special touches you’ve planned are executed as you envisioned, making your wedding uniquely yours.”
Thank you truly for popping over to my blog! I am having such fun returning to my writing roots and sharing information and thoughts here with you. Please feel free to leave me some feedback or ideas for futures blogs. In addition, if you have been following me, you will see that I feature local wedding venues from across the country in support of small businesses. We believe that family run, small businesses provide a one of a kind, unique service and we love to support of venue owner friends.
XO
Shelley
