Archive for the ‘International Planners’ Category

International Planners - Kerri Butler of Touch Of Bliss Events

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Continuing our series of posts introducing international planners please welcome Kerri Butler of www.touchofblissevents.com from Colorado.

e3227868-682x10241

How does a typical wedding day run?

Weddings in Colorado usually begin with a few spa appointments for the ladies (maybe a yoga class!) and golf or a hike for the guys. Then off to prep for the wedding, get dressed, grab a bite to eat and off to the ceremony site! Bride and Groom are down the aisle, then off to pictures for the wedding party, and cocktail hour for the guests. Then dinner and dancing of course!

What type of location do most wedding ceremonies themselves take place?

In Colorado, about half of our weddings take place in a  religious building – a synagogue, church, etc. The other half take place in the great outdoors – under beautiful trees, at the top of a mountain – there are so many beautiful options in our state!

What type of location do most wedding receptions take place?

Colorado is well known for our diverse landscape, and the wedding receptions follow suit! We have urban locations in historic hotels, rustic lodges across the mountains, and tented receptions in fields of flowers!

How many guests are usual to such a wedding?

Most of the weddings we plan have a guest count between 75 and 200 guests.

What customs/traditions are most common in your weddings?

Involving guests in the ceremony and traditions, interactive stations at the reception such as photo booths and food stations, and memorable gift baskets for out of town guests are very popular in Colorado.

What does a typical wedding cost?

The average Colorado reception is just below $30,000, but most of the wedding that we plan at A Touch of Bliss are in the $50,000-$150,000 range.

How important are independent wedding planners in your country?

Independent planners are very important in Colorado because we are a destination wedding location, and our local area expertise ensures that a bride and groom are pampered during their wedding planning process. We can make sure that the bride and groom’s vision of their wedding is consistent across all of their creative vendors, and their family and friends are taken care of during the wedding weekend.

image-91

Any anecdotes/comments/tips on planning a wedding in your country

-Always have an EMT on site at mountain weddings in case of altitude sickness

-Be sure to gently remind your guests to enjoy alcohol gently, it affects them greatly at these heights!

- Pamper your guests with local items from the area of your wedding. In Colorado, tea, lotion, sunscreen, and water are all things that are made here and your guests need during their visit!

Many thanks to Kerri from us all at the UKAWP - we don’t get backdrops like that in our neck of the woods.

 

Posted in International Planners | 1 Comment »

Posts We Love

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

I thought I’d share with you a couple of posts which we Directors of the UKAWP founds ourselves nodding at behind computer screens and humming with ‘how trues’?. It’s of course comforting/daunting (depending on your mood) to know that our peers in the USA, a much bigger, sophisticated and well established wedding planning market, encounter the same issues, difficulties, activities and frustrations that we do. 

We often refer to Think Splendid but this post in particular struck a cord entitled “You Didn’t Invent Weddings”. Let’s take our hats off to those in the wedding business who have gone before.

http://www.thinksplendid.com/2010/03/you-didnt-invent-weddings.html

And on a different note entirely, take a read of ‘Sell the Sizzle’. It’s affirming to know that “downbeat venue sales person” goes on the world over, not that it’s right in anyway. And we also had a giggle about “venue torturing planners”; nice to know we’re in the good company of Marcy Blum with that too!

http://adventuresofwedhead.com/2010/04/08/569/

Enjoy the sunshine!

Tags:
Posted in Becoming a Planner, International Planners, Life as a Planner | No Comments »

International planners: Aleit in South Africa

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Continuing our series on international wedding planners we are delighted to introduce Aleit from South Africa who create the most stunning and visual weddings.

Aleit Wedding Planners

Aleit Wedding Planners

 What type of location do most wedding ceremonies themselves take place?

Couples usually prefer ceremonies to take place outside during our lovely summer season - beach ceremonies or a mountain or wine lands backdrop are the favourites.  Most of the wine estates in Cape Town and Stellenbosch have lovely gardens with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.  During winter a chapel or historic stone church near the reception area is preferred.

What type of location do most wedding receptions take place?

In the Cape wine lands, wine estates are extremely popular.  Most wine estates have lovely venues and often a clear span marquee is the best option to make the best of the summer weather, warm nights and lovely scenery of the area.

How many guests are usual to such a wedding?

Most of the weddings we co-ordinate are attended by 60 to 250 guests.  Intimate weddings for 30 people, or even only 5 guests, are also popular.

What customs/traditions are most common in your weddings?

In South Africa we follow the British trends, such as throwing of confetti after the ceremony, cutting of the wedding cake, opening of the dance floor and throwing of the garter and bouquet.  We also co-ordinate Indian, Muslim, Greek and Jewish weddings, where even the modern couples mostly stick to their respective wedding traditions, even if their beliefs aren’t orthodox.

However, we try to convince couples, to be different when it comes to wedding traditions, to think out of the box and dare to do something different.  Give a new spin on an old tradition, nothing is set in stone and you are allowed to change the “rules” to suit your own style and personality!

What does a typical wedding cost?

Our weddings never amount to less than R2,500.00 - R5,000.00 per person.  This includes the following services:  Venue Hire; Food, Wine & Beverages; Professional Waitrons; Service Charge on Food & Beverages; The Wedding Cake; Flowers, Decor and Enhancing Lighting; Professional Sound Engineers;  Musicians (for during Pre-Ceremony Drinks, Pre-dinner Drinks, the Reception and the After Party); The Officiating Officer/Minister; Gazebo for Garden Ceremony;  Freeform Tent (if applicable);  White Flooring for the Dance Floor and Other Areas (if applicable); Hiring of Chairs, Cutlery and Crockery; Stationery; Hair Stylist & Make-up Artist for the Bride and Additional Guests; The Photographer; Transport and a Videographer. 

How important are independent wedding planners in your country?

We have many wedding co-ordinators in South Africa because our country is such a popular wedding destination.  Only a handful sticks to a good level of service excellence.  More and more couples are considering the services of a wedding co-ordinator, especially if they live abroad.  In the past, wedding co-ordinators was seen as a luxury, but nowadays the young, professional couples understand the need of having a service professional by their side to help plan their dream day.

Any anecdotes/comments/tips on planning a wedding in your country

Check references of all service providers.  There are many, but only a few delivers a good service and an excellent, personal experience.  Make sure you have a signed contract and that you have  everything discussed regarding your wedding day in writing.

Create a timetable for the day to ensure that everyone involved knows exactly when and where they must be.

Do consider hiring the services of a wedding co-ordinator if you are planning your wedding from abroad.  They know the industry and will lead you to the service professionals that suits your style and budget.

Check the weather forecast in advance and be prepared with a plan B to protect your guests from extreme weather conditions (wind, heat or rain).  Your own and your guests’ comfort is very important.

Instead of following traditions, create your own!  Be unique and give your guests a different experience that reflects your style and personality.

To contact Aleit for you wedding visit their website

Tags:
Posted in International Planners | 1 Comment »

INTERNATIONAL PLANNERS

Friday, January 15th, 2010

 Today we continue our series on wedding planners across the globe. I was fortunate to meet with Kiri Munetoshi and Yutaka Maeda of Can-D-Tuft wedding planners late last year in London and it was fascinating to discuss weddings and wedding planning in Japan. Here is just a taste as they answer our questions. 

 

Kiri - owner of Can-D-Tuft

Kiri - owner of Can-D-Tuft

Yutaka - assistant and interpreter

Yutaka - assistant and interpreter

 

How does a typical wedding day run in your country?

There are 5 different styles of weddings in Japan. 1.Western style wedding, 2.a wedding ceremony held at a Shinto shrine, 3.civil wedding, 4.a Buddhist wedding, 5.a wedding ceremony held at a house. The most popular wedding is a Western style of wedding and it accounts for 70 percent of all weddings in Japan.   

 It was common to have a wedding ceremony held at a Shinto shrine 20 years ago, but presently, the majority of Japanese wedding ceremonies held are as a western style.

 

A typical timetable of the day.

To start the ceremony, a bride comes into the venue  2 hours before a wedding ceremony is held to get ready and do  make up and hair. A groom comes into a venue an hour later than the bride does. 

 We have a rehearsal of the wedding ceremony half an hour before starting the actual wedding. A wedding ceremony takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and then, we have group photographs taken after the wedding.

A break of half an hour is taken between a wedding ceremony and a reception, meanwhile guests are invited to a welcome drink, and during the break, a bride changes her wedding dress to a party dress and her hair style. Some grooms change their suit in the same way as the bride. 

 A wedding reception lasts for 2hours and a half. It is held always after one hour later than the wedding ceremony. This is the formal wedding ceremony and a reception, but usually, people have a private party afterwards for two hours at a different venue. A bride and a groom change their formal clothes to ordinary clothes for a private party.     

 

What type of location do most wedding ceremonies themselves take place?

There is a chapel at a Hotel, a wedding hall and a guest house. These chapels are used only for weddings, it may sound strange, but no religious activities are on the go.

 We also use a chapel for a civil wedding. In this case, the cross is kept out of sight or covered and the ceremony is conducted without a religious overtone. There are also fictitious shrines at hotels, wedding halls and guest houses. We used to have a wedding ceremony at a Shinto shrine, but there is no reception hall, and it can be inconvenient for guests, for that reason people have a wedding ceremony at a fictitious shrine at a hotel, a wedding hall and guest house at present. 

 A Buddhist wedding takes place at a temple but it happens on rare occasions.

 

What type of location do most wedding receptions take place?

We usually hold a wedding reception in a hotel or a wedding hall or guest house or restaurant.

＊ Guest house is like a manor house in Europe or some resort mansion which is built only for a wedding ceremony and a reception.

 

 How many guests are usual to such a wedding?

A national average is 76 people.

 

What customs/traditions are most common in your weddings?

Cake cutting, first bite, candle service, a bride’s (and groom’s) change of dress during a wedding reception, a bride reads a letter to her parents and gives a bunch of flowers as a thank you for bringing her up at the reception, gifts for guests at a wedding reception to take home and so on.     

 

What does a typical wedding cost?

3,000,000yen~4,000,000yen (3,000,000yen is just over £20,000)

 

How important are independent wedding planners in your country?

An independent wedding planner is absolutely not respected in Japan but has a degree of recognition.

 

Any anecdotes/comments/tips on planning a wedding in your country

A wedding in Japan is very westernized and it’s still a very popular style of wedding, but recently, Japanese styles of wedding also have become popular for the young generation and you may see a bride wearing a Kimono during a reception.     

Recently, every bride and groom tries to have “an original wedding” which is a very unique way such as having a wedding at a beach but still most of the weddings are held uniformly in Japan.

 There are many wedding magazines which give many hints to creating “an original wedding” to brides and grooms. I think we can as wedding planners in Japan discover business opportunities from this trend of customizing.    

 

 

Tags: ,
Posted in International Planners, Life as a Planner | No Comments »

INTERNATIONAL PLANNERS

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Continuing our series on international weddings, we welcome Sonia Yeung of Bliss Creations.  Based in Hong Kong, the company specialises in destination weddings in exotic locations around Asia Pacific (China, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines as well as many other wonderful destinations). Sonia has answered here on more traditional “local” wedding ideas from China but “western style” weddings are their forte and incredibly popular in these parts of the world for both locals and those travelling to these destinations to marry!

sonya1

How does a typical wedding day run in your country? A typical timetable of the day.  

You can have any style of wedding you would like in HK but a traditional HK wedding usually runs the whole day. It usually starts with the groom and groomsmen going to pick up the bride where there are games and challenges played followed by a tea ceremony with the families. Depending on what time this takes place (an auspicious time is usually allocated to the couple) there may be time for lunch or all will go directly into a ceremony followed by a reception dinner.
Traditionally the ceremony is less important so some will have a ceremony at the reception dinner if there is nothing formal ahead of time.

What type of location do most wedding ceremonies themselves take place? 

 You can get married anywhere in HK so more and more couples are requesting outdoor ceremonies in parks or gardens, beaches and even on boats but many couples also choose to do the ceremony during the dinner reception.

What type of location do most wedding receptions take place? 

  Receptions are usually held in hotel ballrooms or restaurants depending on size of the event.

How many guests are usual to such a wedding?

 No of guests can range from 100 pax up to 600 people. In HK the reception is a banquet and really a chance for the parents to show off and show pride in having their child marry.

What customs/traditions are most common in your weddings?

 Picking up of the bride is something that is very common with Chinese weddings.  This is a fun part of the day where the bridesmaids come up with challenges/games in which the groomsmen and groom must “prove” themselves in order to win over the bride. The bride does not take part in these activities and is kept hidden from all until the groom succeeds in his challenges.
The tea ceremony is also an important part of the day where the couple must serve tea to family and relatives of both sides. In return they receive gifts and “lai see” packets (containing money) and well wishes.

What does a typical wedding cost? 

 Varies tremendously based on the size of the event but starts at probably $800 HKD per person for a 10-12 course banquet dinner.

How important are independent wedding planners in your country?

Depends on the work schedules of the couples usually and whether they want to have the wedding in HK or elsewhere. If there is only the banquet dinner, usually the venue can take care of this.  Couples sometimes enlist the assistance of a “dai kum tze” who helps to ensure all the traditional rituals are followed on the wedding day.

Any anecdotes/comments/tips on planning a wedding in your country.

HK has certain limitations due to the size and limited space but there are some fantastic venues that offer great views of the city as well as quintessential experiences which can be incorporated into your wedding to ensure that it is unique and memorable for all. Should western couples choose to marry in HK the procedure is simple and straightforward and there are many options to choose from.

Tags:
Posted in International Planners, Life as a Planner | No Comments »

INTERNATIONAL PLANNERS

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

In a new series on international wedding planners we welcome Deborah from Just Get Married who is based in Australia and plans weddings for local couples and international clients. Here she gives us an insight into her life as a wedding planner in Australia.

Just Get Married - Australia

Just Get Married - Australia

How does a typical wedding day run in your country?

In Australia weddings follow a very similar schedule of the day as in the UK.

  • A pre-wedding face to face meeting is held a couple of days before the wedding to reconfirm all details of the day and to get to know personally your wedding coordinator and celebrant
  • It starts with the bride getting ready, with hairdresser and makeup artist at her hotel.
  • It is followed by a pre-wedding photo & video shoot of both groom and bride in separate venues.
  • The guests and groom then leave for the ceremony location where our coordinator/photographer/videographer/celebrant are waiting, followed by the bride and bridal party.
  • The coordinator assists guests and groom with the seating. She then greets the bride on arrival and the ceremony starts.
  • Ceremony lasts approx 20 minutes depending on your personal choices, and can be enriched with any wording/vows/ prayers as the couples wishes.
  • During the readings, a candle ceremony takes place with the couple lighting together a personalized candle with 2 separate candles, symbolizing their union. It is a very touching ceremony for the couple and the participants!
  • At the end of the ceremony, the registrar is signed and the couple is officially declared husband and wife by the Australian Marriage Law (valid worldwide).
  • The ceremony may be followed by a butterfly release, champagne cocktail and canapés, Sydney Harbour Mini Cruise, together with after ceremony photography/video coverage.
  • The guests and bridal party then leave with our pre-arranged minibuses, limousines and CLK wedding cars to the chosen reception venue.

What type of location do most wedding ceremonies themselves take place?

In Australia you can literally get married anywhere!  On a beach, in any of Sydney’s picturesque gardens, a luxury yacht/cruiser on the harbour, or even inside the Opera House or on a Sydney private romantic Island! The most requested wedding locations in Sydney are Gardens with a backdrop of the Opera House and Harbour views, followed by intimate beach ceremonies and Island weddings.

What type of location do most wedding receptions take place?

As specializing in Destination Weddings, the Harbour receptions are the  most popular! They offer amazing views, the finest food and wines. Sydney reception venues can accommodate small groups of as little as 5-6 guests to 200-300 guests.

Just Get Married - Australia

Just Get Married - Australia

How many guests are usual to such a wedding?

Depending on nationalities, most of the time it is only the bride and groom with few friends and guests. If either the bride or groom are from Australia, then it can be either around 60 guests both local and from overseas or even 200 guests!

What customs/traditions are most common in your weddings?

Bride and Groom keep a piece of the wedding fruit cake and freeze it until the first wedding anniversary, then eat it as good luck for the years to come. Kitchen tea party is also a big thing in Australia, where bride and all girlfriends get together. The girlfriends bring kitchenware gifts and ’surprise’ the bride with jokes, games and most of the time a male stripper turns up dressed as  a pizza delivery guy!

What does a typical wedding cost?

Weddings in Australia can be very cheap if you know how to budget it. Our packages for examples, start from as little as AUS$ 2000 including wedding location hire, celebrant, all planning and legal costs, bridal car, flowers, ceremony aisles items etc. Big weddings 38-40,000 (AU$)

How important are independent wedding planners in your country?

Very important! An independent wedding planner works independently on a no-commission basis. Therefore she/he will source venues/suppliers/locations based on your own wedding ideas and styles.  A Local wedding planner has the right local knowledge and wedding expertise to assist you with the right choices keeping it within your budget!

Any anecdotes/comments/tips on planning a wedding in your country.

If you are thinking of a big wedding overseas, hire a local wedding planner from start to end, not only for a few bits and bobs. When overseas, you cannot have control over the planning and knowing how things work there. A local wedding expert has all the right tools and knowledge to deliver the wedding of your dreams in Australia, stress-free hassle-free with 100% satisfaction on the outcome!

Elope to Australia and organize a wedding reception in UK on your return, where photos and videos are shown to the guests. This is perfect for 2 reasons: family and friends don’t feel left out with the great bonus to wear that gorgeous wedding dress again!

Tags: ,
Posted in International Planners, Life as a Planner | No Comments »