The wedding galleries that you see on this site are all real weddings. They’re real couples with their real friends & family at their real wedding celebrations.

I wish I could tell you that we wedding vendors are given ALL day at your venue to set up and style your wedding. That we have the time to tweak every fork, knife, spoon, napkin fold, menu insert, chair orientation, candle placement, sign orientation, family grouping, picture taken, and on and on. But, that’s not true. More often than not, we’re working with only a few hours before the start of the ceremony to get all of your spaces & details guest ready.

That’s why it’s critical to the overall success of your wedding day that you hire the real reals. Professionals who are tried & true in this industry, in their businesses, in their craft(s), and in REAL TIME execution of details. It should go without saying that the BEST way to get connected to reputable, reliable vendors is to hire an experienced wedding planner! Your wedding and your ability to sit back & enjoy the celebration shouldn’t be left to someone who just “makes things pretty.”

here are some notes to help you align with the true pros who Can combine “making things pretty” with Kick ass execution in the moment!

Price.

Experienced wedding vendors will NOT be the least expensive option. We’ve been in the industry long enough to value what we bring to the table. And we know what that value is worth to our ideal couples. If a vendor is touting years of experience yet isn’t even half the cost of other vendors in the same category, I highly recommend asking them why. There are unicorn newbies out there where you will get far more than you pay for. However, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind; years of experience, professionalism, and overall price will go hand-in-hand.

Portfolio.

I’ve partnered with almost 200 couples to design, plan, and coordinate their weddings. If I put every single one of those couples’ wedding galleries on my website to prove how experienced I am, it would be impossible for a potential couple to really click with me and the Pink Champagne Events’ aesthetic. Which is why I showcase only a handful of weddings at a time. Similarly, most trustworthy pros have a plethora of REAL client galleries not included on their website. Simply asking a potential vendor to see more of their full galleries will quickly separate those just getting into the business by showcasing styled or editorial shoots from those of us who have built a career making real magic happen in the moments we’re given on the wedding day.

Reviews.

As you can imagine, after syncing up with as many couples as I have, there are bound to be reviews in a multitude of locations! ie. Google, Yelp, WeddingWire, The Knot, etc…It’s important that you read as many of these vendor reviews as possible because: 1) the longer back the reviews date the more experience and knowledge a vendor has gained and 2) it shows you if/when a vendor may have faced adversity with a client or colleague, how they handled it (professionally, immaturely, acknowledged it all), and 3) it demonstrates the level of consistency you can expect with their product(s) and service(s) over an extended time.

Communication.

Like almost everyone I know, I text back & forth with my friends and family more than I actually talk to them. In person or on the phone! However, text is not the avenue of communication you want for your big day. The number of minute details, timing, logistics, and idea sharing back & forth is too important to trust to broken sentences and snippet updates here & there. Reputable vendors who offer a text option as a form of communication will only do so for the first couple of interactions. However, once you get past the initial back & forth you should expect the communication to move to more professional and reliable & recallable sources.

Boundaries.

During peak wedding season, it’s not uncommon for us to be away from our families, friends, and fur babies most weekends and several days throughout a normal work week. Knowing this time is dedicated to our couples and their celebrations, a wedding world vet will institute firm boundaries on our accessibility & availability, communication preferences, and the number of weddings & events we commit to. That allows us to stay in peak creation, problem solving, execution, and customer service mode without resentment for our couples or our craft.

Are you a tried & true wedding vendor that wants to add something else to this list? Comment below and share your thoughts!

Until next time,

Cheers!

Selecting a venue for your big day is one of the first steps to planning your wedding. There are many different aspects that play a pivotal role when choosing the perfect host for your soiree. From budgeting to parking to vendor selection, you want to know what to look for. The following eight tips are some of the most important aspects to consider when assessing your options.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch by Jessica Christie Photography

1. Availability

This is a BIG one. Are they available on your desired date? Venues book fast (up to two years in advance), so when you find THE ONE, you want to secure the spot as soon as possible. If your preferred venue isn't available on the date you set, is your date flexible? If it is, you can have the venue of your dreams just on a different day. If it's not, time to keep shopping!

2. Price

Does your preferred venue fit within the budget you've set? On average, venues that do not provide food and beverage on site can cost up to thirty-five percent of your total budget. On the opposite end, venues that do provide in-house f&b options, such as hotels, resorts, and country clubs, can run up to sixty percent of your budget or more.

3. Capacity

You want to ask the on site contact what the maximum occupancy is for your desired service style (ie cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, etc.) Having this information can guide you in creating your guest list. You don’t want guests to be crowded, but you also don’t want a venue that will make your party feel sparse. A good rule of thumb is to never invite more people than the maximum capacity allows.

4. Parking

Experiences in Colorado have taught us that there are several venues that don't have ample on-site parking (ahem, mountain top locales). Therefore, couples are forced to provide transportation for their guests to and from the venue. If you procure a venue that does not provide an adequate parking solution for your guests, this will have a significant impact on your budget.

Dunton Hot Springs by Laura Murray Photography

5. Preferred vs. Exclusive Vendors

It is important to know what vendors are recommended or even allowed at your chosen venue. Many places have a preferred list of professional vendors with whom they have worked and built relationships with. Some of those vendors are exclusive to the venue (you are required to use that vendor). A venue's preferred/exclusive vendor list is generally well vetted but you need to make sure those companies listed also fit within your budget.

6. Plan B

Very important! It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have a backup plan for your special day - especially in Colorado. When you are touring different venues, make sure their backup plan can accommodate ALL of your guests for unforeseen circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions. Whether it means setting up a tent for an outdoor ceremony or moving the ceremony inside to the reception room, it is vital to have worst-case scenario plans in place. You don’t want your festivities to be ruined due to poor planning.

7. Cancellation/Postponement Policy

You may not think to ask your venue about their cancellation policy, but you can never be too sure! Knowing what the cancellation policy is for your venue and your vendors is essential. If the wedding has to be canceled/postponed due to force majeure events (like a pandemic or act of God) or personal circumstances, you want and need to be well informed of the venue’s policies.

8. Special Provisions

Most Colorado venues have special provisions listed in their contracts regarding the dos and don'ts of your celebration. These can range from requiring a professional wedding day management coordinator, to private event and vendor insurance, to flameless candles. Some venues even restrict flower petals down the aisle and the throwing of confetti or rice at the ceremony or grand exit. It's important to ask about any special provisions, for each specific venue, during your initial site visit.

While the above tips are great to reference when selecting a venue you can never ask too many questions or be too thorough. Each wedding and couple is unique and it's important that your selected venue is the perfect fit for your celebration.

Until next time,

Cheers!