Why Hiring a Wedding Planner is a Game Changer

February 15, 2024 Lori Losee

We’ve heard all sorts of reasons why couples choose not to hire a wedding planner. From “my Aunt loves DIY projects” to, “I’ve got my Pinterest board” we’ve heard hundreds of reasons why couples don’t book a wedding planner. But, did you know that hiring a wedding planner is a TRUE game changer. Ask any of our brides or grooms and they will tell you the impact our team has made on their planning process and wedding day. A wedding planner is there to help you as little as you need, to as much as you need. We are in it for our couples and our couples only! So, let’s settle this once and for all - here is why you NEED to hire a wedding planner.

#01: From big to small, we do it ALL

We’re not exaggerating. We literally do it all. From small requests, details, or projects to large coordinations of events we do it all. We’ve planned and coordinated elopements for just the bride and groom to a wedding ceremony and reception at max capacity – and we’re talking about 500 guests! Wedding planners are not afraid of the unknown. From meeting and booking vendors, to helping with design or color palettes, wedding planners truly make your Pinterest boards come to life.

#02: You’ve got a question, we will find the answer!

We keep our communication strong with our clients. Yes, of course we set healthy boundaries – we won’t be taking non-stop calls at 2AM, but communicate with our brides and grooms on a regular basis to ensure that all details are progressing up until the wedding day. A lot of our clients need support with finding vendors or learning more about the wedding planning process. Wedding planners have an extensive knowledge of the wedding industry and have a network of wedding professionals to lean on. At Elegant Affairs, we’ve worked with vendors for over a decade. We’re familiar with costs, understand what vendors offer and can help keep that line of communication open with them.

#03: Keeping your budget REAL

Oh, the dreaded budget! With a wedding planner, staying on budget is actually easier than you think! Many couples think that hiring a wedding planner will burst the budget, but in fact – we help you stay on track! During our consultations, we meet with couples and explore what their budget is. We will be 100% real and upfront with you about your wedding vision and its alignment to the budget. We will support you by keeping you on budget, hiring vendors that suit your needs, and make sure that payments are handled on time. There’s no hidden agenda and we work to make sure that you are comfortable and knowledgeable about what you are sitting. We even offer budget creation!

#04: Keeping your wedding day smooth sailing

Wedding planners are usually never alone. We have a team of assistants and interns that make each and every wedding happen. Our team is carefully selected and trained to ensure that each and every wedding is a success. Wedding planners facilitate your day from start to finish. The list of things that we actually do at weddings is so extensive.. In our time we’ve:

Sewn a bride in her dress
Carried 200 chairs from a ceremony space to the reception
Put flowers in the cake
Made bouquets
Filled in as DJ
Created chalkboards and custom artwork
Set up tablescapes and escort cards
Carried umbrellas for our couples as it poured
Ensured guests were well fed and happy
Took and developed 500 photos for a bride and groom’s parting gift
Burnt our fingers on way too many sparklers

… and we could keep going. There are so many things that we do in the background of each wedding. We are there to make sure the wedding is smooth, but also to support the couple. Our focus is you and making sure that your wedding day is better than you could have ever imagined.

#05: You’ve got a friend in US

Cue the Toy Story song.. At the end of the day you’ve got a friend in us. We have stayed in this business for our couples. Yes, we love event planning, the florals, and of course a bite of cake, but we love seeing our couples walk down the aisle and start their new adventure together. We’ve cried with our couples (happy and sad), walked with them through some dark times, cheered with them in the bright times, seen them expand their families, and grow. Hiring a wedding planner is more than hiring someone for just a period of time. You lean on this person during one of the biggest and most important times in your life. We become a part of each other's lives and truly become someone special to one another.

So, we can truly say if you’re hesitating, or wondering if the money is worth it– we’re here to tell you it is. Wedding planners are more than just a business. We are a group of professionals that make an impact on one of the most pivotal moments in your life. We are there to help you with planning, hiring, budgeting, easy and tough decisions. We are there for everything in between, too. It’s never too late in the wedding planning process to sit down and chat with a wedding planner. And if you haven’t we highly recommend that you do. You never know what unexpected events or details might happen and honestly - it’s great to know that a friend has your back. If you think you’re ready to take the plunge and hire someone great – we know a few people – AHEM. Our team at Elegant Affairs can’t wait to meet you and support you on your wedding day.

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.

The Biggest Wedding Regrets and How to Avoid Them

February 8, 2024 Lori Losee

Let’s face it – things happen. Life happens and some of these things are out of your control. And life doesn’t take a break, even for your wedding day. There are always going to be bumps along the wedding planning road, and even on your big day. But, there are ways you can recover and avoid these regrets entirely. Ensuring that you’ve planned every detail and double checked your timeline of events will help you avoid any major bumps, but there are still some hiccups that may happen. So, we’re talking about the biggest wedding regrets and what you can do to avoid them.

Don’t Forget what is Truly Important

We’ve all seen or heard of that show - Brideszilla. Sometimes, brides – even grooms can get a little out of control. Sometimes venting can turn into complaining and just may spiral out of control. Your wedding party is there to support you and you must remember that they are some of the most important people to you and your fiance. It is okay to vent, but don’t let your wedding party or loved ones become your wedding complaint box and work to remember what is truly important. Ask yourself your “why” and remember at the end of your wedding day, all that matters is that you are married and can embark on this new journey together as one.

Don’t Forget about the Vendors

Your vendors are at the heart of your wedding. They are the individuals that make your wedding day run smoothly. Yes, we may know some cool people that have talents, but at the end of the day they are not wedding professionals (unless they seriously work in the industry..) No matter what your budget is, you can find wedding vendors that can fit your needs and budget. You may have to get creative or rethink your experience, but they are the ones that drive your wedding day.

Keep it Simple

It is ONE day. There are only 24 hours in one day and you want to ensure that things aren’t getting complicated or planned out to the minute. Yes, you’ll want a general timeline for the day complete with all the details, but you don’t want to overcomplicate things. Be realistic about what you can achieve during the wedding day, don’t make huge expectations for yourself or your wedding party.

It’s Okay to set Boundaries

Boundaries are hard, let alone setting boundaries with family. But, at the end of the day, this is the union between two people and two people alone. You need to set boundaries for advice and opinions throughout the wedding planning process. You don’t have to have all of your wedding parties and future mothers-in-law rate your wedding dresses from one to ten. You make the rules. You decide who attends vendor meetings with you; you decide you get to go to your cake or caterer tasting; you get to pick your wedding dress. If you’d prefer to do it alone, or just with your finances, then do it! Set the boundaries that work for you and keep your mind sound.

Remember your Wedding License

We cannot stress this enough – you are not legally married until you sign and send your wedding license off. We’ve heard so many stories and witnessed couples who have forgotten to go to the courthouse in time or even forgot to mail their wedding license to the courthouse. Set out to get your wedding license a few days before, it’s best to call your local courthouse to learn about the timeline to visit. Sign your marriage license after your ceremony and be sure it gets mailed! Your officiant said they will mail it? Be sure to follow up the next week and ensure that it was sent. However, you chose to send it off – make sure it hits the post. One of the biggest regrets we’ve heard is learning that a couple found out they were not legally married for YEARS because the certificate never made it to the courthouse.

Say Yes to Compromise

Compromise is a pillar of a healthy and happy marriage. This also includes compromise during the wedding planning process. There are two individuals involved in a marriage, therefore there are two individuals that should be at the forefront of planning. Be sure to include your partner in any and all decisions and compromise to make the day an affair that reflects both of you. There are so many ways to incorporate each others’ tastes and we can even help elevate your fiance’s favorite football team. But, your wedding day is a celebration of your love and union, so compromise, be kind to each other and work as a team to plan your wedding day.

Don’t Book without a Budget

Repeat after me – I will not book a vendor or plan any details without setting a budget first. The BIGGEST mistake we’ve seen clients make is saying no to the budget or forgetting to make a budget all together. Your budget drives your wedding planning. Without it, not decisions should be made. Your budget needs to be set first as your begin the process. No decision should be made without consulting your budget and ensuring that you are able to make payments happen and select all of the other details. Your budget is your best friend and we don’t want to see any of our clients in debt, or stretched too thin, due to their lack of budgeting.

We could go on for days about various regrets and how to avoid them - but we’d need a podcast for that. Although it may sound scary, regrets and unexpected things do occur. Not often, but they happen and we never want to see our couples experience these regrets throughout the planning process. As you begin planning, start with your budget first, set healthy and manageable boundaries with your loved ones, keep things simple and don’t overcomplicate the planning process, be real about your expectations and don’t forget to RELAX.

Waterfront Wedding | Lacey + Colton | Tacoma, WA.

February 7, 2024 Lori Losee

We started our 2023 Wedding Season off in February, with a beautiful celebration joining a family of three together as one. Tiphany was thrilled to work on this wedding with them and immediately connected with their family from the first meeting. It was always a family affair with this couple, and she loved the meetings where they all joined in and gave their input.

Lacey and Colton have a 5 year old son, Peter, who was truly a joy to be around from day one. He was just over the moon for his parents, and couldn’t wait to be involved in the festivities. Some may feel differently about this, but Tiphany personally loves a wedding in which kids attend and are a part of it. It can really kick the celebration up a notch!

Lacey and Colton chose a perfect waterfront venue as their backdrop for the day, and we loved getting to work there and create for the first time! West of the Waterway in Tacoma will be up there as one of our favorite venues from here on out. The space is perfect for an intimate event, and with Gallucci’s Catering at the helm, we knew it would be a night to remember. Lacey and Colton and their family chose the perfect classic, but understated décor to let their florals shine. The florals of this day were a showstopper and had to have their moment with a walkway of greenery and babies’ breath down the aisle to the handmade (for this day!) arch by Dreyer House Floral. We love an arch that can go from ceremony to reception, and that’s just what this one did, without even having to move it! We set the head table directly under the arch, and built the tables and dance floor around it to create a spotlight on the couple and their wedding party.

Lacey and Colton chose to have a fun interactive evening, joining their guests in their whole celebration from the wedding games, hosted by DJ Tony Schwartz, to a family toast that is done at every wedding of the groom’s family. The evening really picked up as the dance floor opened up with Peter leading the way. The little guy stole the dance floor, showing off all his signature moves! The night concluded with a Light Wand Exit outside in front of the waterfront with Lacey and Colton stepping into a vintage car from British Motor Coach to make their getaway.

We love getting to see families come together, and this wedding was no exception. Congratulations Lacey, Colton, and Peter!