Hello, June Brides!

June is almost HERE. Wedding season is in full swing and we are dusting off our emergency kits and clipboards in preparation for our summer couples! In May, we challenged our brides to complete a few tasks for us. Let’s do a quick check in – how did those tasks go? Were you able to schedule your hair and make-up trials? And how did that date night go with your hunny writing your vows and selecting your music? And of course, did you set your beauty regimen for the next couple weeks?

These little tasks were all suggested to help you stay on track and tackle a few tasks, to ensure that you stay according to schedule and stay calm throughout the final weeks of planning. Many of our couples are June, July, and August brides, so as you read our next wedding “to-do” reflect on what you’ve done or what you can refine. So, snag a piece of paper or reach for your calendar and let’s tackle a few more wedding items during the month of June! 

Week 1: 

It is time to review your budget with your fiance and/or wedding planner. As your wedding day approaches, it is important to keep a detailed track of your wedding finances. This week, if your budget is not up to date, spend some time ensuring that receipts have been imputed and you determine final payments. About one month before, your vendors will have final payments due. Reach out to those vendors or coordinate how you will make those final payments. Ensure that your budget is up to date and that there are no outstanding balances. 

Week 2: 

Now is the perfect time to pre-order your thank you cards! If you haven’t checked out our blog on thank you cards, and the etiquette of thank you cards, we highly suggest you do. Many couples say, well we are going to order thank you postcards. We urge you to select a meaningful thank you card that can be personalized for each guest. You can always pre-order thank you cards and then print off a wedding photo to add in the envelope. 

Week 3: 

At this time, you should have received all RSVP’s for your wedding. If you haven’t, ask for your wedding party’s support in reaching out to guests that haven’t responded. Sit down with your wedding coordinator or planner and begin to arrange your guests into their final seating arrangements. We suggest getting a poster board and drawing your table arrangements on the board. Cut or use small post-its to arrange your guests around your table. Keep in mind a few tips when arranging your guests – do not over pack your tables. You want your guests to be comfortable and not overcrowded during the reception. Be thoughtful about where you place your guests. Think about individuals that may spark conversations with one another or may encourage others to get out of their shells. Most importantly, plan the seating chart together. You want to make sure that you both approach the seating arrangement before it is finalized. 

Week 4: 

This is the perfect time to organize all of your wedding related things! We highly suggest that when you pack your items for the ceremony and reception that things are grouped together and labeled. For example, if you have specific items for the altar space, pack these in a clearly labeled box together. Or, if you have specific items for the sweetheart table, pack these away in a box together clearly labeled. Whether your wedding and event team is setting up, or your loved ones are pitching in, having organized and clearly labeled boxes is KEY. You want your supporters to know where everything should go, have access to a labeled layout, and be able to knock out tasks in a timely manner. Most importantly this will decrease your stress on your wedding day and allow you to focus on getting ready. So, spend time this month organizing your wedding and reception items. Everything should be purchased by this time and if it’s not, we highly recommend gathering your final items to pack up. 

We will be honest, these last few weeks prior to your wedding day can often feel like a whirlwind. But, we definitely want your whirlwind to be in your control and cause the least amount of stress. So, print off this to-do list for June and knock these items out. If you’re able to tackle a little bit each week, your wedding day will run smoothly and be a success. 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Building Your Dream Team: How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Vendors

Choosing the people who will help make your wedding day the best day of your life is incredibly important. From the floral arrangements to the photographs that will capture your memories forever, to the food and drinks that will delight your guests, the right vendors can turn your dream into reality. With so many options available in today’s vibrant wedding scene, making decisions can feel overwhelming. But don't worry! Here are some fun and friendly tips to help you navigate the process and turn vendor selection into an enjoyable part of your wedding planning journey.

Start with What You Love

Think back to weddings you’ve attended. Did you fall in love with the flowers at your best friend’s ceremony? Were you blown away by the delicious food at your cousin’s reception? Take note of the vendors who made these events special and add them to your list of potential choices. Having personal experience with a vendor’s work is invaluable. Just remember, don’t make any hasty decisions. These vendors should be on your preferred list, ready for further exploration.

Begin Your Research Early

The early bird gets the worm, and in wedding planning, the early bride gets the best vendors! Start your research as soon as possible. Dive into their websites, blogs, and social media profiles. Look at galleries of their previous work and read testimonials from other couples. Keep an eye out for vendors who’ve worked at weddings you’ve attended and loved. Often, personal recommendations from friends and family are gold mines. Don’t dismiss these suggestions; they might just lead you to your dream team.

Inspect Their Work Up Close

Seeing is believing. If you haven't experienced a vendor's work firsthand, find a way to do so. Attend events where they’re working, if possible. For example, if a caterer is handling a friend’s event, see if you can sample their food. Observe how photographers interact with couples and guests, and how they position themselves during key moments of the ceremony and reception. It’s not just about high-quality work; you should also feel a connection and have good communication with them. This chemistry is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Schedule a Trial Run

After narrowing down your list to your top 2 or 3 choices, schedule a trial run. Set up tastings for cakes and food, or arrange for a sample bouquet to be made. These trial runs give you a taste of what to expect and help you see if the vendor aligns with your vision and taste. This step is essential in confirming that they’re the perfect fit for your special day.

Keep Your Budget in Mind

While it’s easy to get carried away, always keep your budget at the forefront of your planning. Once you’ve identified what you love, compare the costs. If you have two florists you adore, choose the one that fits best within your budget. It’s possible to have high-quality services without breaking the bank. Balancing cost and quality ensures that you get the best value for your money.

Stay Calm and Enjoy the Process

Selecting vendors can seem daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to define your wedding style and bring your vision to life. By following these steps, you’ll not only reduce stress but also enjoy the planning process. Remember, this is your chance to create a magical day, and the right vendors will make it truly unforgettable.

So, gear up, stay positive, and plan on, soldiers! With a clear vision and a solid plan, you’ll assemble a vendor dream team that will help you create memories to last a lifetime. Happy wedding planning!

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Steps After you say I Do

You’ve made it down the aisle. You can finally take a deep breath. You’re HERE and the wedding is beautiful. You and your partner say your vows and you seal your ceremony with a kiss. We always tell our couples the part that matters is making it down the aisle and saying “I do.” But, there are some very important details that you have to do after your ceremony. So, let’s break apart all of the tasks you’ll need to accomplish after the ceremony wraps. 

Don’t Forget to Sign on the Dotted Line 

As you work to create your day of timeline, create a moment, it can be between 10 - 20 minutes, where you can sit down with your officiant, pastor etc., and your witnesses to sign your marriage license. We highly suggest that this is done directly after your ceremony. Out of everything on your wedding day, this is the most important part – so be intentional with planning it out!. There are two different copies. One copy is yours to keep. This is the fancy copy that can be for your records. The most important copy is the official document for the state. Fill all the important information out prior, or ask your pastor or officiant to. You don’t want to miss any information or forget to fill out portions. Create a plan and stick to it and ensure that the people who need to be a part of the signing know ahead of time. The last thing you want to do is scramble to find all of these important people! 

Who Sends it in? 

This is another detail that needs to be planned out. Most likely, your officiant or pastor will handle sending in your marriage license. Prior to saying “I do”, determine who will handle mailing your marriage license. Be sure you have the envelope on the wedding day and that a responsible person is in charge of it! Check with your person and ensure that it is sent off in a timely manner. If you get married on a Saturday, plan on sending it off on a Monday. Get it off your hands as soon as you can! 

Check it, once or twice! 

We HIGHLY suggest your check with the office or courthouse if your marriage license made it there. In all of our years, we’ve had one couple that never mailed it off, and one that mailed it off but it was lost in the mail. They spent years unmarried because their license was lost and never filed. Do not let this happen to you! Call the courthouse after a few weeks and check on the status. Stay diligent and check back if they haven’t received it. 

Set a Time to Open Gifts

Don’t feel like you have to open your wedding guests the next day. It is okay to take a day to decompress and enjoy your loved ones. Once your wedding guests have returned home and your life has settled and is calm, open your gifts and cards. You will need to keep track of senders and gifts and get those thank you cards out within 6-8 weeks. Don’t skimp on the thank you cards and don’t send cards that aren’t personalized. We suggest your take time to thank your guests personally, including a personalized thank you card or poster. Stay clear of mass facebook thank yous, or generic thank you cards. The last thing you want your guests to feel is a lack of graciousness. 

Return all Rentals 

Even though your wedding day is over, there is still a need to wrap up all loose ends. One of the biggests tasks is returning all of your rentals! Now, if you have a wedding coordinator, some of these tasks may be assigned to their team. But, if you’ve rented table decor, speciality linens etc., return them on the next business day. You definitely do not want any of the rentals damaged, or have an unexpected accident occur. It’s best to get these off your hands as soon as you can. If you assigned this task to a friend or family member, ask them to let you know once it’s been returned. You’ll want to manage all of the rental returns to ensure there are no additional fees incurred. 

Often our couples say after they walk down the aisle, all of the stressors of wedding planning fades away. This is one of the biggest events, or most meaningful events, couples plan in their lifetime. Even though the doors close on the night of your wedding, there are still important tasks to complete when it’s all said and done. Don’t forget to sign and send in your marriage license, and keep checking on that document once it’s been sent in! Plan on returning any rentals the next business day and sending out those thank you cards. But, most importantly enjoy this new adventure with your partner and tackle these tasks TOGETHER! 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.