5 Questions You Want to Know…

1. What do I do FIRST?  – The guide has an incredibly detailed timeline of what to do and when to do it. So while you wait for you guide to arrive in the mail, you can start a guest list to help determine a general number to go “shopping” with at venues. Booking your venue determines the date and then everything else can fall into place. At first, they will want to know an estimated guest count, a day of week/date/month/season you wish to wed, and probably budget.

2. What do I do next?  – Do you have your guide yet? It’ll tell you what’s next.

3. Where can I find vendors?– Some of the best search engines for finding wedding vendors include The Knot, Wedding Wire, Eventective, and good ‘ole Google.

4. What do I ask the Venue? The Caterer? The photographer? The DJ/Band?  – I’ve laid out a specific sets of questions for each vendor that will help you plan like a pro. Literally. Each section even has a notes section so you can jot anything down during tours, calls or meetings. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the information, our Venue Comparison download can help you organize your vendors so you can decide whom to hire.

5. Where is the best place for inspiration? – Customize your Wedding with Etsy. Head over to Pinterest for Wedding Porn.

 

What 5 Things Do Couples Regret The Most

1. Not Hiring a Videographer – The biggest regret. You will watch your video more frequently than you find yourself looking at your photographs. Photos are great but they don’t allow you hear the voices of those that may be gone. Videos allow you to see what you missed because you were elsewhere.

2. Not Hiring a Wedding Planner – Having someone help you is crucial. Planning is stressful and there are a lot of moving parts. Something may get missed without a planner. At the very least, you should have a planner on your Big Day. Pass on the worry to a planner to make sure that everything goes according to plan.

3. Quality Photographer – These memories will last a lifetime and you want to capture your special day in a special way. They can manipulate lighting and have an artists eye for posing. A Professional Photographer can guide you, your family and friends to have the photos look the best. View the portfolios that find a photographer that will match your aesthetic.

4. Big Money on Favors – Favors are great but to a point. You don’t have to blow the budget to have takeaways. A lot of the time, they are left or forgotten.

5. Spending Excessive Money on the Cake – Cakes are expensive and detail adds up. If you have a multiple-tier cake in mind, chances are you are spending over $500 and it often goes uneaten. An easy way to save some money is to have a miniature cake for the cake cutting ceremony and have a cake in the back to cut and serve.

 

Why THIS Guide?

1. You can plan your wedding entirely – start to finish! Day-of assistance highly recommended.

2. Planning made FUN – plan like a professional to reduce stress while saving time, money and frustration.

3. Beyond Detailed. I tried to be extremely thorough so that I could help you as much as possible. But I’ll let you be the judge after you thumb through the guide.

4. Religious? No problem – we have ceremony information and traditions for several major faiths. Includes illustrations of order of procession and recession, how to stand, and many different complimentary templates for invitations, programs, and organizational tools like an excel for your guest list and itineraries.

5. The incredible workbook. Log every detail to stay organized. The On-The-Go guide’s workbook section will allow you to never forget vendor contact information, times, payments made, appointment times, and plan everything with incredible detail. 

 

How Ours Went…

Yours truly got married October 29th, 2023 at Mint Springs Farm in Nolensville, TN. Thank you to all of our vendors! We had the Wedding [Weekend] of our dreams and will cherish those memories forever.

A BIG THANKS to:

Photographer: Greg & Jess Photography

Venue: Mint Springs Farm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caterer: G Catering via Mint Springs Farm

 

Found this adorable banner that I provided to them prior to our Wedding Weekend.

Cake: Baked in Nashville via Mint Springs Farm (Double Chef’s Kiss worthy!!)

Entertainment/Photobooth: Snyder Entertainment via Mint Springs Farm

Florals:  The Bloom House via Mint Springs Farm

 

 

 

Placecards were another personal DIY project – Calligraphy name, sticker indicating meal selection with table number inside.

 

We took family photos in front of the staircase with garland on the railings. Obsessed with how it came out!

Rentals: Please Be Seated via Mint Springs Farm and EventWorks for Chargers

Videography: Up & Up Weddings

Transportation: Signature Transportation

Officiant: Rabbi Michael Shulman

Dress: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection

Alterations: Stori

Custom Necklace: Honey Willow | Bath, England

 

Hairpiece: AllureWeddingJewelry on Etsy

Earrings: DevineJewelryStudio on Etsy

Cocktail Ring: Francesca’s Collection

Pearl Bracelet: Kendra Scott

Garter: Kimsically on Etsy

Hair & Makeup: one10 Beauty

Invitations: KimKimDesigns on Etsy

Initial Ring Dish: happylittlehomeshop on Etsy

Invitation Belly Band: Personal DIY Project (Belly Band photo taken by me.)

^ Leaves (SkeletonLeafJTL on Etsy), Custom Initial Stamp (StampWorking on Etsy), and Ribbon (Amazon)

Welcome Sign: TimelessAccessoryInc on Etsy

Cocktail Napkins: YippeeDaisy on Etsy

Custom Cups: EdingerPress on Etsy

(Cancer took our dog, Cali, two weeks after we got home from our honeymoon.. These cups will forever be cherished.)

Ketubah: Adriana Willsie Saipe, Artist + Owner via Ink with Intent

Dad’s Gift: Custom Initial Links – PersonalCufflinks on Etsy

Memorial Sign: BlessedBirdyBoutique on Etsy

Miniature Favor Painting: Sujeefineart on Etsy

Favor Matches: WhiteConfettiBox on Etsy

Wood Thank You Note: Personal DIY Project (photos preparing favors with all the different paintings and painting of wood heart photos were taken by me)

Out of Town Guest (Reusable Tote) Bags: canvaseventco on Etsy

Guestbook: Arcoalbum on Etsy

Bouquet Ribbon, Toss Bouquet, & Boutonnierre Ribbon Wrap: (Personal DIY Project) silkfabric on Etsy

(Note: Ribbon had frayed edges, which is the look I wanted, but it shedded like crazy. I had to use Oritz Fray Check glue to seal the edges. The glue did show on the rust colored ribbon, so I changed it to ivory that didn’t show.)

Cake Topper: MintToBeUs on Etsy

Chair Signs for Sweetheart Table: PottsUpscaledDesigns on Etsy

Last Name Sign:302WoodWorks on Etsy

Embroidered Jean Jacket: dearlythreaded on Etsy

Engagement Photos: Laura Perez Photography

Place Setting Wood Names: NewWeddingSigns on Etsy

Amazon (for Random Things Needed): Photo Frames, Candle Votives, Bouquet Ribbon Edge Fray Check Glue, Place Card Food Selection Stickers, Table Runners, Gold Bowl for Kippot & Clips, Invitation Wax Seal Glue Sticks, Sweetheart Table Chair Covers, Vow Books & Wood Stain (Personal DIY Project), Ring Box, Cake Knife & Server, and Clear Card Box/Memory Box.

Thank You Banner: EverGreyCraftingCo on Etsy

Planner:  (Me) Grace Wilson, CMP – Wedding Survival Guide: The Ultimate Workbook

Other Favorite Photos from Greg & Jess Photography