Why to hire a Wedding Planner?

1) Why do I need to hire a wedding planner?

A wedding planner was once thought to only be a luxury but over the course of this past decade wedding planners have gained popularity. A planner will bring expertise in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, they will save valuable time and money. A planner can offer discounts from their preferred vendors that are reliable to making a successful event.

2) When should I book a wedding planner?

Now that you are engaged and have shared the fabulous news with your family begin to set a date and start immediately interviewing planners. A planner is best to have from the start because they can guide you with what to expect through the planning process as well as help design your wedding concept and recommend vendors. In addition, they will help you set a budget and allocate the proper amounts to each line item.

3) How long does it take to plan a wedding?

It was quoted that it takes 250 hours to plan a wedding. Typically weddings are planned within one year of your big day. If you have your mind set on specific venue they can book up pretty far in advance. Also, certain photographers, bands and caterers require 8-10 months to be available for your date.

4) What can I expect from a wedding planner?

Wedding planners are not their to make the decisions for your big day but instead provide options and suggestions based on their experience and knowledge. With today's hectic lifestyles they are there to relive much of the stress that comes along with planning a wedding. A planner who will be working with you for the entire wedding will be sure to keep you on track with your budget and come up with creative ideas to get you the most for your money. A full time planner will also serve in areas that are least expected, such as, a mediator with opinionated family members, problem slover to a brides best friend. When working with a bride for an entire year it is only logically that you will form a close relationship.

5) What is the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator?

A wedding planner is hired for full or partial planning and assists the couple with all tasks that need to be completed from start to finish. A wedding coordinator is a less expensive option to a planner. It is best for the bride who has done the majority of the planning and just needs a coordinator to help tie up the loose ends during the final month before the wedding.

6) What is the typical pricing for a wedding planner and wedding coordinator?

A wedding planner typically cost 10% - 15% of the overall budget based on amount of wedding (location and size of the wedding would impact the cost)

Hiring a coordinator for day of services is a flat rate between $1000 -$2,000. This will normally include coordination starting the final month of your wedding.

There are also planners who charge hourly for al la carte services. This could be, venue scouting, favor assembly, welcome bag delivery, RSVP management, etc. These services can range any where from $50 to $200 per hour.

7) How do I choose the right planner?

Personally, I believe this is all about compatibility. During the first meeting you essentially know if you will work well together. In addition to this check the planners background, credentials and past referrals. A planner should show you their past work and give you specific examples on how they contributed to the wedding. Lastly, does the planners proposal reflect what your are looking for and how did they follow up with you.

Hope this was a helpful article. Please feel free to contact me for more details

Milestone Events by Kristy

646-248-2102

milestoneevents@verizon.net

Happy Holidays

Milestone Events hopes that everyone had a very happy and healthy holiday and we are wishing much success and happiness for the new year.

During this time we are all looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. What New Years Resolution's did you make?

Some of the resolutions that we think are important and most achievable this year are:

1) Spend more time with family and loved ones - We are all busy during our day to day routines that we sometimes we forget to call family for a quick hello and to make plans to visit one another (Myself included). During this upcoming year we should make a conscious effort to spend more time together because as you know our philosophy at Milestone Events by Kristy, life is short and we never know what tomorrow brings!

2) Enjoy life more - Given the hectic, stressful lives we live, especially us New Yorkers this new years resolution has become popping up on more people's list. We are always wanting bigger and better that we don't look around us and appreciate the things we have. We should all stop wishing for a different life and instead live the life we were given.

3) Get out of Debit - Want to know what causes the most stress in our lives? MONEY and DEBT. Most Americans are still climbing their way out of the debt that they have racked up these past years. As I can attest having this debt is like carrying the weight of a building on your back every day. This new year see a financial planner, or even go online and find a strategy to tackle your debt and set a budget. I plan to try out www.mint.com to start my own plan and set goals

4) Help Others - There is nothing like helping someone in need to make your feel good. A popular New Years resolution can be many forms of volunteerism. Whether you choose to spend time mentoring a child, working in your local library, helping cook in food bank or something as simple as checking in on elderly neighbors during inclement weather

5) Get Organized! - Lastly start the new year off right and organize your life, from schedules, to expenses and receipts. Go through your old mail and start shredding things that are not important. Create new files for 2011. Buy a safe for important documents. Go through your family estate and make sure the proper things are set such life insurance and a will.

Hope these tips and resolutions can bring everyone much joy! Remember, Don't wait to celebrate as life can be short and we should cherish all the milestones we have in life... Contact us today for an upcoming wedding, birthday party, school or corporate event. Milestone Events by Kristy is here to design and plan a most memorable event for you.

646-248-2102

milestoneevents@verizon.net

Working with Davi Weddings and Crown Jewel Events

This past May I got to work with James Tramondo of Davi weddings. This was a triple threat wedding as there were three event planners at the wedding! For vendors one is usually more then enough...LOL We performed day of coordination for a fellow planner and friend, Carmella Dellaporte of Crown Jewel Events. Over this past year she has worked to plan a multi heritage wedding to incorporate both Italian and Scottish traditions Carmella was so precise on every last detail of the planning and design. Carmella even worked with her florist brought in from Chicago on all the centerpieces. All of the little details such as table names from there favorite NY neighborhoods to favors and programs made this wedding perfect. I felt the it had beautiful fashion. I thought the kilted armor from groomsmen was so eclectic and looked fabulous for pictures. The ladies were just as fashionable color coordinating with the of the groomsmen.

The ceremony was beautiful and I got to learn more about Scottish traditions. One in particular that I really took note of was the ceremonial draping of the wedding sash. This is a sash made from the family's specific tartan and is draped over the bride signifying the acceptance from the family and the desire of the bride to be part of the clan.

Another interesting part of the ceremony was the "Throwing of the Coins" It is a Celtic tradition for the bride and groom to throw coins to wedding guests as they exit the ceremony site so that the couple can be blessed with good luck and prosperity.

The day was filled with fun and entertainment. The family was one of the best I have worked with. It was really great to be able help a fellow planner on her big day.

Best to Carmella and Scott!

A unique idea

While planning a wedding this summer I came across a great vendor offering many different stationary ideas.
The company is Janellas invitations www.janellasinvitations.com located in NY. The owner of a company is Jessica Bubb and is a great person to work with. She is very professional and provides quick turn around time. I should know since my last bride was on a time crunch and I ordered only 1 week before the wedding.


My favorite has to be the wedding program fan. Not only does it showcase your ceremony but it serves a purpose for your guests. For brides getting married in summer or spring this will be especially useful. I can bet it will be a huge success with your guests.


All her products are great quality and very competitive pricing in comparison to the market.

Feel free to contact me at milestoneevents@verizon.net if you are looking for more information.

Jennifer & Rick's Wedding - August 15th, 2009

A beautiful bride, a joyful groom and a gorgeous sunny day made it a perfect wedding for our couple who got married at Central Park, Conservatory Garden. It was the perfect location to offer their guests a "Midsummer Nights Dream in NYC". The bride really loved the whimsical look of a Midsummer Nights Dream, by Shakespeare but also wanted to give her out of town guests the feel of NYC. There is a fine line with having a NYC themed wedding without going overboard.

The ceremony was beautiful as we added personal touches to it. We had family members who were involved the marriage of the bride & groom. The sister of the Bride played violin for the Bridal Processional March, a friend of the couple played the guitar for the Bridal Party and we had a beautiful unity candle lighting with the Matron of Honor who sang Soprano. The couple was married by the Groom's father, a Preacher. To add to our Midsummer Nights Dream we had two flower girls that looked like floral fairies. Since this wedding was in the middle of a NY summer I had made unique program fans for the guests to keep them cool.

The reception was in a NYC restaurant, Il Companellos which is an Italian and Argentina fusion. In order to bring in the NY feel to the wedding I had pictures printed that represented some of the best places in NYC (as well as places that were meaningful to the couple). These were used in place of traditional table numbers. Tasty caramel apples were bought from the famous Williams in Coney Island to give the guests a delicious treat to take home with them as their favor. We had a special cake designed add to the NY decor that was an amazing tiered cake with a skyline backdrop around it. Candles surrounded the room to set the mood and beautiful orchid centerpieces were made by me.

This wedding was filled with family, friends and love. The guests dances the night away to the spinning of DJ Gatsby which offered a great mix of dance, hip hop and R&B. The amazing pictures you see here are by photographer, Ananda Lima. I truly had an amazing experience planning this wedding. I worked with great vendors who made this possible as well as a calm and collective bride. After a month of planning, coordinating and running around I am thrilled to see the outcome of this wedding. It will be one I will never forget.

Opportunity Knocks

It wasn't until last year when the financial markets almost went bust that I realized I want to wake up everyday and be truly passionate about what I am doing. It was September of 2008 and I just given birth to my little girl Jordin and while being home on maternity leave I saw my company going under before my very eyes. Well at that moment it actually opened my eyes that my future was uncertain. After applying for multiple jobs and getting no where and truly knowing that I would be taking a step backwards in my career; I decided to focus my energy in event planning. I sent emails, resumes and made phone calls to well know event planners throughout the city hoping I would get the chance to even speak with one them. Then at last, opportunity knocks, I received a phone call from James Tramondo himself. He is the high energy, Italian, New York wedding planner from Style Network, "Who's Wedding is Anyway". I could not believe my ears. He told me he always promised himself he would help out someone that is trying get into this business. He offered me the opportunity to shadow him on an upcoming wedding he was planning. I took full advantage of his offer worked apart his coordinating team for a wedding on eastern Long Island. Since then he has kept me abreast of parties he working on, asked for my assistance with research and soon will have the opportunity to take the lead on an upcoming wedding. Not only is James a great mentor and sounding board for me but I hope that we become great friends.
This is the perfect example for everyone that if you really want something then you should go after it as best you can. There is no one besides yourself who can help you achieve your dreams.