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A recent bride's email with loads of common questions

----- Original Message -----

 

To: gayle@gayleweddings.com

Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 7:32 AM

 

 

To Whom It May Concern,

 

My name is Angela C*****.  I am an American living in Japan.  I am planning to get married on Oahu this September and have some questions regarding your services.

 

1. Are you an independent wedding consultant or an all-in-one wedding company?

I'm not sure what you are trying to ask here.  The answer is yes, I'm an independent wedding consultant.  All-in-one meaning?  I do everything as far as hiring vendors, plan the whole event, etc.. yes.  If you mean I create and make the floral arrangements, do the photography, videography, etc... no.  I hire the best that fits your budget.  The bonus is that if a vendor offers a discounted price since I'm referring you and pass the savings right on to you.  By reassuring you that I do this, I ask that all my couples pay the vendors directly once we have decided on who we want to work with. 

 

2. How long have you been a consultant?

I have been doing this since the 80's, but open to the public and not only by word of mouth for the last three years. 

 

3. How many weddings have you planned in the past?

I'm sorry I have never counted this.  On average I try to only do 2 or 3 weddings a month personally.  I have associates that work within my company that average 1 or 2 month. 

 

4. Are you certified? If yes, by which organization?

No, I'm not certified.  There really is no company in the State of Hawaii that does this that is worth doing.  There are many associations one may join but the requirements to join doesn't mean that you are a competent, trustworthy, professional wedding planner; therefore, I've chosen not to waste my time with these organizations.  I'm waiting for one to impress me and mean something.  Like the Honolulu Board of Realtors, or the Law Association.  My standards are high. 

 

5. Exactly how do you work your fees?  Do you charge per hour, a percentage of the wedding budget, or a set price?

Please see my web page... I believe under each type of service I offer I discuss this. 

 

6. How will you incorporate my tastes into the wedding?  How much say will I have in the wedding planning? How often will you ask for my approval during the different planning stages?

You will be involved throughout the whole process.  However, if you want nothing to do with the planning, I will take what you say throughout the process and weave it into the theme of the wedding. 

 

7. Will you provide regular written updates?

As often as you want.  I will often cc my couples on all communication between vendors if they choose to have this occur.  This way they are aware of all that is going on.  However, I do ask them to refrain from contacting the vendor directly if they want something changed unless the include me in on the email via cc or bcc.  This way, I'm also in the loop of any changes occurring. 

 

8. What kind of budgets can you work with?

I've worked with the very small budgets and very large...

 

9. What is your relationship with the vendors you find for me? Do you accept finder's fees or commissions from the bridal merchants you recommend me to?

The vendors that I recommend are usually vendors that I've worked with in the past that have great reputations.  On occasion, I have to suggest or work with new vendors and this is not a problem.  I look forward to finding more vendors to work with.  No, I do not accept finder's fees or commissions.  If there is savings to be had, I accept it on behalf of my couple and ask the vendor to discount it on the invoice for the couple. 

 

10. Exactly how do you get paid?  What is your incentive for introducing me to good vendors?

I get paid by the couple.  My incentive is that on the Day of Your Wedding,  I know that I'm working with professionals that will have the "can do" attitude for the couple getting married.  No Prima Dona's or "No, I'm sorry can't do that" from those I choose to work with.  Of course, the request must me legal and not life threatening. 

 

11. Do you have five vendor referrals of vendors you normally work with?

Depends on the category. 

 

12. Where can I find references from past clients of yours?

Check out Weddingsolutions.com or my web page.

 

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

Angela C. 

What are your fees?

My fees are $35.00 an hour for work completed prior to your wedding day; however, Wedding Day charges vary depending on the type of wedding that is planned.  For example, if your wedding ceremony and reception was set at a hotel, using a banquet room the fee would be much less then a Lawn or Estate Wedding out in the middle of the country or a wedding that has two locations involved, such as a church for the ceremony and hotel for the reception.  Day Of services start usually at $400.00 and depending on the logistics  increase from there. 

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How long have you been a consultant ?

I began in 1996.  It all started with helping one friend plan her wedding.  She really didn't want to deal with all the details of planning although she new what she wanted.  I became her "go to" girl when she needed to find a vendor or plan a different aspect of her wedding.  I'd interview them and then bring her only the best and most reasonable.  From there it seemed that I was the person to go to when someone was getting married or they were planning an event.  I decided in 2000 to do this full time and to open my doors to more then friends, friend of friends, and family. 

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If I want to plan my own wedding but would like some assistance are you willing to help?

Most definitely!!!  Everyone is capable of planning their own wedding, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do so.  BUT, it is not for everyone, thank goodness.. .  However, while planning it may sometimes become overwhelming when facing difficult situations and it is reassuring to be able to consult with an expert.  I've created a package of eight hours to be used however you choose for $250.00.  This allows you to call or e-mail whenever and/or we can set up meetings to discuss your plans.  I've had a few brides choose this option so that they could enjoy the benefit of having a consultant available during their planning process but remain within their set budgets. 

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I have one question for you - How do you approach choosing vendors and how will that work on Kauai?

The first thing I do is determine what you are looking for. 

For example, there are many different styles of photography, traditional, photo journalistic, documentary, a combination of the mix, etc.  Once that is done,  I will recommend two or three vendors that are within your price range and are reliable and great fun to work with.  I will then have their work forwarded to you or have you and your fiancée check out their website... once you decide whose work you like the best, interviewed the photographer to determine if you like them and your personalities match, we will make arrangements for deposits and payment.  Some brides don't want to be a part of this process.  If that is the case then I make the decision based on the information provided by her.  This is rare and I will normally encourage them to be an active part in choosing this vendor.  I believe that you need to really like your photographer and visa versa for the best photos to captured. Little nuances are picked up in pictures and if you don't like each other it will show. For all other wedding services, you could be as active in choosing the rest of the vendors or not. 

As far as the wedding being on Kauai.  It really doesn't matter.  I will choose vendors that are the best to work with.  Sometimes, we even choose to fly in vendors from other islands... it really depends on what we are looking for and if it is available.

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What has been the most difficult situation you found yourself in and how did you handle it?

I'd say the most difficult situation was dealing with a mother and daughter who had totally different ideas of what should occur and how on the wedding day.  The way in which I handled it was to listen to both mother and daughter and then find a compromise that both were happy with.  In the end, they both enjoyed the wedding day and felt that it was a success.   

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How do you bill?

I bill by the hour or by the event.  However, I do not bill in increments.  For example, if we discuss something on the phone that only takes me six minutes I do not automatically bill you for fifteen minutes.  I call it real time billing.  Only the amount of real time I spend on your wedding or event is calculated into the bill. 

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Do you require a deposit?

Yes, I do.  Based upon the services that are being requested I will often require at least 50% of the estimated total to be submitted to reserve the date.  I'd love to return 100% of the deposit should a cancellation be requested however it is difficult to do so since I'm booked one to two years out from an event.  Therefore, I have decided that if the cancellation occurs six months out from the date of booking 25% of the deposit will be returned.  I hope this works for you. 

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How far out do we need to save the date?

I'd recommend as soon as possible, especially if you are planning your wedding during the popular wedding months. 

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How do I obtain a marriage license in the State of Hawaii? 

The following information was taken from the State of Hawaii Website and may be found at http://www.state.hi.us/doh/records/vr_marri.html. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE

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Revised: 01/17/08.