(Photo Credit: ENV Photography)

Company:  Aisle Plan Your Day Wedding Coordination & Event Planning

Location:  Edmonton & Area;  International Destination Weddings

Website:  www.aisleplanyourday.com

Blog :  http://aisleplanyourday.blogspot.com

What made you get started in wedding planning?
Over the years, I was always the one to look after planning events, anniversary parties and Birthdays among my friends and family. It wasn’t until I started planning for my own wedding that I realized this was something I would love to do as a career. I have such a “passion for planning” and I knew that I wanted to do something in my life that made me truly happy. I am now enjoying every day of my career as a wedding planner. In addition to wedding planning, I am also an instructor for the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada [www.wpic.ca] and am thrilled to teach and certify new and upcoming wedding planners in the industry.

What type of weddings do you specialize in?
I do all types of weddings and offer several different services to my clients. I offer hourly consultations for clients who are planning their own wedding, but require some assistance with one or more wedding concerns. I offer full wedding planning packages where I am there to help the couple from the beginning; right to their wedding day. I also offer Day-Of Wedding Coordination which is designed for couples who have planned their entire wedding, but want to ensure they can enjoy their wedding day and have a certified professional to look after finalizing all of the details. In addition to the above services, I am also a Certified Destination Wedding Coordinator and offer destination wedding planning & coordination internationally.

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
My favorite part of the wedding day is the bride & grooms 1st dance. Usually by this point, the bride & grooms nerves are calm and they have announced their vows in front of friends/family and are finally ready to enjoy the excitement of the wedding reception. This is their opportunity to talk alone, stare deep into each other’s eyes and celebrate their first dance as husband and wife. 

 What are a few of your favorite blogs?
Wedding Planners Institute of Canada
Preston Bailey
Style Me Pretty
What are some of your hobbies?
I LOVE to travel. I spend a lot of time travelling in search of the perfect destination wedding locations for my clients. In the past year, I have travelled to Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands & Las Vegas & Mexico. In addition to travelling, I love photography and will often spend my afternoons all over the city taking photographs of things that interest me.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
On your wedding day, step back for a moment and take everything in… its so easy to forget about all of the little details that took months of planning… and with the hustle & bustle of the wedding day, a lot of couples forget to just take a minute to themselves.

As wedding planners we love to save you time, so why don’t you start saving some time by filling out the form below and we will send you a customized list of planners who are available on your wedding date within 72 hours.

Photo Credit: Shandro Photo

Company: Awespiring Weddings and Design

Location: Edmonton and area

Website: www.awespiringweddings.com

Blog: www.awespiringweddings.com/blog

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I started out planning events at my then daytime job, then for non-profit groups.  After nine years of doing that, I had to plan my own wedding.  This is when I realized, having a creative side (I’m a graphic designer),  that weddings were so much more fun to plan!  I went on to get certified by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) with my sister, and partner.

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
We do it all.  Working with my sister helps us shine as we create a balance of organization, creativity and motivation.

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
Seeing the groom’s expression when he first sees his bride.

What are some of your hobbies?
I love to be creative; I’m always designing something – be it a wedding monogram or cards for a friend.  My best times are spent with my husband and puppy.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Never lose sight of what’s the most important thing… bottom line, you are marrying the man you love.

Photo Credit: Shandro Photo

Company: A Modern Proposal Event Planning

Location: Edmonton and area

Website: www.amodernproposal.com

Blog: http://edmontonweddingplanner.amodernproposal.com

What made you get started in wedding planning?
When at a job as an administrative assistant I started out planning little events such as meetings, annual general meetings, and then larger events such as charity functions, award shows and golf tournaments. I then had to plan my own wedding. I had a good friend of mine tell me it was my calling. And should couldn’t have been more correct. I started by taking an Events Management Course and then later my Certification through WPIC.

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
All, I limit the amount of each type of wedding (i.e only 5 full coordination weddings a year)

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
Being the last person to see the bride before she walks down the aisle.

What are a few of your favorite blogs?
Oh, I love blogs! The local photographers in Edmonton sure have some beautiful photos so I sit on those for a good amount of time.
Ruffled
Hostess with the Mostess
Ritzy Bee

What are some of your hobbies?
Well I like to bike ride with my hubby in the summer and I love scrapbooking and DIY crafts and home improvements!

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Figure out what is most important to you and go for it. It’s only one day.

(source)

If your groom is hesitant on spending the money on a wedding coordinator, have them take a look at this groom’s perspective, it just might change their mind! You’ll have to read the original article for the full scoop but below are some key points.

Link to Original Article

“On your wedding day, you have two goals: 1) to actually (and legally) get married, 2) to enjoy your guests. In order to accomplish those two things, you need to be able to focus solely on them, which I guarantee you won’t accomplish if you also are coordinating everything on your wedding day.”

“Even if you are the most penny-pinching miser, hiring a day-of-coordinator is a no-brainer and a bottom-line value, mostly because you are actually making the most of a big investment (your wedding) by having them there helping. If money is time, then if you are spending time coordinating your wedding day, you are losing loads of money by not being able to enjoy yourself and your guests. So for just a small investment, you ensure that you will make the most of your big day.”

(source)

Written by: Julianne Cragg, A Modern Proposal Event Planning

“Why do I need a coordinator my venue will do everything, they come with a coordinator” – This is one of the largest misconceptions when it comes to Venue Coordinator (the one that is at/comes with your venue) vs. an Event/Wedding Coordinator.

We are two very different kinds. Very simply put a wedding coordinator’s client is you; a venue coordinator’s client is their manager. A wedding planner’s interests lye with the client (YOU) while a venue coordinator’s interest lye with the venue.

A venue coordinator may assist with putting out linens or perhaps a room layout or even give you a list of the vendors that have been to those facilities before. However, most venues come with a coordinator. Most venues also have high turnover and multiple weddings in a day, which means you aren’t their only concern that day and you will potentially be working with a few ‘coordinators’. With multiple weddings, they aren’t in your room the whole time ensuring that guests aren’t raiding the sweet buffet before dinner! Once food is served they usually disappear. This doesn’t offer much support later on when you can’t find your toss bouquet or the Emcee goes missing.

A venue coordinator is there to coordinate anything that relates to the venue; where as a wedding planner is there to coordinate anything that relates to your wedding.

Both a wedding coordinator and venue coordinator are very important, but they also play very different roles, which may overlap in a few places concerning the reception décor or set up. But that’s usually where the similarities end.
Venue Coordinator will:
- create a floor plan
- create a menu, and attending the tasting
- set out décor items you brought the night before
- ensure a grand entrance into the reception room

Wedding Coordinator will*:
- assemble a master timeline and ensure it is carried out
- reviews contracts, ensure contracts are carried out
- have contracts on hand and previous emails to back up what vendors have said they will do for you
- ensure vendors/VIPs arrive and know what to do
- direct & assist guests at the ceremony and reception
- ensure that your best man has the rings that the marriage certificate is in place
- work with you to set up your rehearsal, direct if necessary
- create a seamless wedding by being the liaison between family/cake/dj/photographer/other vendors
- line up and cue the bridal party & musicians
- attend to any needs of the bride & bridal party
- set out any personal items (guestbook, flowers, escort cards, etc.) at the reception & ceremony and then collect any personal items

*(sample list, not even remotely complete)