How a Wedding Planner Can Help You

After getting engaged, and all the excitement has sunk in, you want to get started planning for your Big Day! You have butterflies in your stomach, your hands are shaking, you are going through all the bridal magazines, and then you think “Where do I start first?”



Well hiring a wedding planner can take away all the stress that goes into planning. A planner will sit down with you to discuss what you vision your big day to look like. They will help director you through all the little details, give advice, and answers all of your questions.


Planners will help you every step of the way, from booking appointments and to talking with vendors, to help shop for your wedding dress. We will work with you in creating an organized plan.

A wedding planner will work with you and make sure that you budget is met. For instance, he or she has developed a valuable relationship with multiple vendors so you will receive a great deal on the flowers, photography, and linens that you have always wanted.


An experience wedding planner with save you time, money and energy. By helping you through all of you scheduled appointments and making all of the phone calls for you.


It is our job to make sure that everything is running smoothly throughout the planning process. After all, the planning process is supposed to be fun, right? We want you to enjoy planning for your big day. Let the planners handle all the details.

Erin Beard
Wedding Coordinator
erin@greenlilyweddings.com

Finding a Fabulous Photographer!

Finding the perfect photographer for your wedding is extremely important, after all, there are no second chances- it’s once and for all. Here are a few tips to get you started as you start your journey for the right wedding photographer that will fit YOU:

1. Map out what’s important to you and exactly which shoots you desire. Do you want an engagement session, bridal session and complete coverage the day of the wedding? Are albums important to you? What about a slideshow? Deciding what is important to you will help you find which photographers excel in the areas you need.

2. Review your budget and decide what you can afford. Being realistic with what you can spend will help you rule out which photographers you honestly cannot afford.

3. Let the search begin. Do you have any recommendations from former brides? Does your wedding planner have any preferred photographers in mind? Try to research personal references first then you can venture off to wedding sites, such as theknot.com. Always remember to investigate every recommendation.

4. Narrow down your findings based on initial pricing and style. Which photographers stand out to you? Who has great recommendations from previous brides or praises on their website?

5. Request meetings with each photographer to discuss details. Request a portfolio. Make sure your needs align with his/her strengths. Talk about details, such as pricing, contracts, experience and processes. It would be a good idea to bring your wedding planner with you, as he/she may have insight that you may not have thought about.

These are just a few tips to get you started on your way to finding the perfect photographer for your wedding. We recently worked with a phenomenal photographer, Akil with Akil Bennett Photography. Akil has a strong passion for wedding photography. Whether it’s the full wedding collection, an engagement session or you need a photographer to travel to your destination wedding- Akil Bennett is equipped to meet your every need. You can contact Akil Bennett Photography at www.akilbennet.com or 713-858-7634.

Good luck!

Shani Carter
Wedding Coordinator
Green Lily Weddings

Lights, Camera, Action! Capture your wedding in a video!

Shortly after your wedding day you will find yourself vividly thinking about the details of your special day- your beautiful dress, the flowers, the cake. The reality is that as the years pass there will be many other big events, such purchasing your first home and starting your family, that will overshadow the day you said “I Do” and the intimate details of your wedding will slowly start to fade. That’s why it is a must to hire a videographer.

Now we all know that once you tally up the costs of your dream wedding that you may be forced to think about ways to cut corners, but putting trust in a family member or friend just because they have a camcorder is not going to get you a quality video.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; well starting at just under a thousand bucks you can be certain that you are getting a quality video from a company that has over 12 years of specializing in videography that "blends traditional and cinematic styles with a touch of romance and family values" from Cimo Productions http://www.cimoproductions.com/.


Don’t leave your wedding memories bound to photos in an album- capture in a video!

Shani Carter
Wedding Coordinator
Green Lily Weddings

Creative Ways to Bid Adieu!

Are you looking for a way to make your exit fun and memorable? Are you tired of the same old rose petals, bubbles, and confetti? I have some really unique ideas you'll love!

 Glow sticks are a fun alternative and, if your reception ends when the moon is out, the glow will really light up the walkway as you and your new hubby make your way to the car. Also, they come in so many colors, you're sure to find one that matches your wedding colors. It's the perfect option for the party-goer couple and is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Nothing represents your new union better than a monogram. For those of you considering a monogram motif throughout your wedding, don't forget to pull that through all the way to your reception exit. I found these cute flags that can be customized with your monogram (or any other theme/motif) and guests can wave them in the air as the two of you depart.

Since I'm all about getting gorgeous pictures, I love the idea of ribbons in your wedding colors tied to skewers. It's a twist on the flag idea, but the flowiness of the ribbons adds a more romantic, or even ethereal feel to the last moments you'll spend with your guests.

I saved my favorite for last: maracas! They're perfect for a Mexican-themed wedding in your home town, or a destination wedding in Mexico, and will really add bursts of color to your get-away pictures. Guests are sure to love these, as they can also double as favors.

Tara Dohrmann

Wedding Planner

Green Lily Weddings

tara@greenlilyweddings.com

Lighting Your Reception

 

If you're wondering how you can get that "Wow!" factor, then look no further than your lighting vendor.  Lighting can make the biggest impact on your reception, but it's usually the one detail that gets cut or overlooked. I would recommend cutting back on flowers before touching your lighting budget because at the end of the day, guests will remember the breath-taking lighting effects over what type of flowers you had in the centerpieces.  The special lighting you design with your vendor will also make every picture that much more "you."

From washes, to pin spots, to gobos, the possibilities to customize your event and transform the space are incredible and should be at the top of your priority list. You can customize a monogram and project it onto the dance floor. If you want to highlight your wedding date (9.10.11 or 11.11.11, for example), you could project it over the cake. Using pin spots in the bottom of tall vases will really draw guests eyes to the gorgeous flowers on top. My favorite lighting option is to use gobos to contiue the theme or motif of your wedding onto the ceiling.

Tara Dohrmann

Wedding Planner

Green Lily Weddings

tara@greenlilyweddings.com

Destination Wedding Tips

When you imagine your wedding day, where do you picture yourself? Are you on a tropical island with the sand between your toes, are you at a cozy lodge in the mountains or are you somewhere closer to home? Options for your wedding local can be endless if you expand your venue search outside of your hometown,

These days, destination weddings have become an increasingly popular choice for couples. Destination weddings can often be more cost effective and intimate than weddings at home. This is due in part to their smaller guest lists. Not only does this allow you to spend more one on one time with your guests, but it allows you create a more unique and personal experience for you and your guests to enjoy.

Here are some tips to help you get started planning your destination wedding:

1)      Check With Close Family And Friends: Make sure that those most important to you will be able to come. If a close family member won’t be able to make the journey you may want to reconsider having a destination wedding.

2)      Plan Ahead: Destination weddings require a lot of planning. You’ll want to have the venue, room blocks and major vendors booked before you invite your guests. At least one planning trip to check out the venue and meet local vendors is also a good idea. A certified wedding planner with destination wedding experience can be you best ally when securing vendors and working with your venue.

3)      Give Guests Plenty Of Notice: Guests will need time to make travel arrangements like flights, rental cars and hotel rooms. It is courteous to give them at least six months notice. If you are planning on getting married out of the country this is especially important because your guest will need to have all of their travel documents like passports and visas up to date.

4)      Know The Facts About Getting Married At Your Destination:  The embassy or tourist information bureau of the country in which you wish to get married is a great source for this information. Each country has different requirements; some require blood test and a myriad of other documents in order to get married there. Be knowledgeable and have all of your documents in order before you arrive for your wedding.

5)      Have A Back-Up Plan: Make sure you plan for that unexpected hurricane or natural disaster which can affect travel for you and your guests. Travel or wedding insurance is a great idea for destination weddings. It can cover everything from a postponed event due to weather, damaged property, and even lost luggage.

The world is filled with exotic destinations, but the perfect location for your destination wedding may be closer than you think. If you live in Houston, there are beautiful resorts and boutique hotels in the Texas Hill Country and gorgeous historic properties in New Orleans that are just a few hours drive away but will give you and your guests the same feeling of escape and relaxation as a tropical resort. 

Bon Voyage!

Megan Hardy
Wedding Planner
Green Lily Weddings

Chic Fall Color Inspiration

 

 

Are you considering a fall wedding, but worry that your wedding decor will be limited to pumpkins, fall leaves and earthy colors? Well, have no fear! Fall is the perfect time to play with color. Bridging the bright, sunny colors of summer and the darker tones of winter, there is a huge spectrum of colors that will make your fall wedding pop.

 

 Pantone's Fashion Report Fall 2010 is a great tool for finding the perfect palette for your wedding. It showcases this season’s hottest colors for fall, chosen by fashion and design experts. I love the combination of Oyster Grey and Endive with touches of Golden Glow for pop and pairing Chocolate Truffle with Living Coral is just plain fabulous.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with color! It is an easy way to showcase your personality and make your wedding unique. Be sure to check out The Knot's Wedding Color Guide for even more color inspiration.

Megan Hardy

Wedding Planner

Green Lily Weddings