Ask a Charleston Wedding Planner! FAQ Style: Part 2
I started a series last year called Ask a Charleston Wedding Planner and made it FAQ style. I enjoyed writing in this style so much. Here’s the follow up to part 1!
Q: What planning tools do you utilize?
A: I use a planning software called Aisle Planner. It’s like a virtual wedding planning binder. It’s super user friendly and allows us to collaborate easily on your wedding. It has the following features that help make planning a breeze:
Checklist - with due dates (i.e. due 6-8 months before your wedding)
Calendar
Timeline - one of my favorites!
Design Studio - although I like to create a design board through canva, but this is still a great place to store inspiration images if you find Pinterest overwhelming
Guest Manager - Keep track of RSVPs, guest addresses, plus ones and more!
Layout and Seating - You can assign your guests to tables and even seats easily and we can create your layout together with this tool
Contacts - aka your vendor manager, keep all of your contracts, notes, and documents in here and off your desktop
Budget - Another one of my favorites to help us keep track of upcoming payments and easily see where we are allocating the budget
Notes - I have dozens of guides to help making the planning process easier and I upload them directly into the notes section of your account
Website - You can create your wedding website through Aisle Planner if you would like
Q: How will we communicate?
A: I also use HoneyBook as our communication, invoicing and contract platform to keep everything organized and handy when we need it. It keeps me out of my inbox and able to focus on your wedding when it’s time to focus on you and your wedding!
Q: Can you walk us through the vendor selection process?
A: I don’t operate off of a “standard vendor referral list”. I create custom vendor recommendations for each of my couples based on three things: budget, personality, and style. I find basing my vendor recommendations based on these things instead of solely on who I like working with, actually shortens the vendor search and booking process. We eliminate vendors who aren’t going to be a fit based on the three major things we’re looking for in your vendor team.
For full-service clients, I will assist with the booking process and retrieve quotes for you for all of your vendors based on who you like best based on first impressions. I’ll come back to you with the quotes based on your needs and you’ll make a decision then or schedule a time to interview the vendor in order to make a decision. (PS I have guides for interview questions for each of your vendors in order to help you make the best decision - I can upload these directly into your Aisle Planner Notes sections as I mentioned before).
For partial-planning clients, I will assist with booking and get quotes from two design-related vendors - usually, these end up being rentals and your florist. You’ll be responsible for vetting and getting quotes for the rest of your vendor team.
Q: Are you willing to step in as our advocate, to convey our vision and desires to our vendor team when we can’t?
A: Of course, being your advocate is one of my main responsibilities as your planner. Sometimes it’s hard for a couple to describe what they’re looking for. That’s where I come in with the wedding industry lingo to save the day! I’ll be there to advocate for you in cases of vendor disputes and miscommunications as well.
Q: Will you handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing? What about RSVP tracking?
A: Yes, I handle as much as you would like me to with the invitations. I’ve found some people prefer to handle this themselves. I look at wedding planning as a very collaborative process - if there is something you want to do because you think you would enjoy it or just prefer to take care of it yourself then I am 100% open to that! I can assist with wording, ordering, stuffing, mailing, and tracking your RSVPs for you in the guest section of Aisle Planner.
I love planning weddings and I’m constantly working on improving my process. I try to tailor each of my planning processes to each couple I am working with. If you think we’d be a good fit for planning your Charleston wedding click the box below to inquire!