Planner - Pam Donaldson
- Business: Celebrations Event Planning
- Location: Parker, Colorado CO
- Experience: 15 Years
- Profile: Celebrations Event Planning
- Website: www.planningcelebrations.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
I have always loved the design elements of weddings and events. In my early years, I would often have friends and family reach out to me to help them with design their holiday parties, corporates events and family celebrations. After many years of creating these beautiful gatherings, I went back to school and became a certified wedding planner and started my business.
2. What's your experience as a wedding planner? How many weddings have you planned?
I have now been in business over 15 years and have planned hundreds of weddings throughout Austin, Texas and Denver, Colorado. I am very "hands on" with all my clients and I am meticulous with all the details. I like to get the majority of the planning done at the very beginning (venue, vendors, etc) which allows my clients to relax and really enjoy the wedding planning process.
3. What sorts of services do you offer (month-of coordination, full-service planning, or à la carte planning)?
I offer several packages for my clients. I have an "essentials" package which is perfect for my clients that have the time to research and book venues and vendors on their own. It is more "hands on" than the typical "day of" package, however, I feel that the extra details in the package ensure a perfect wedding day. I also offer a "full service" package where I do all the research, bookings and planning for my clients. Most of my professional clients like the full service package because they just don't have the time in their busy schedules to do all the research. I do offer "additional services" that clients can add to any of my packages to create a custom package that meets all their needs.
4. How do payments work (a percentage of the wedding budget, a flat fee etc.)? What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
My packages start at a base price. Those prices may vary as we add any additional services or create a custom package to fit my clients specific needs.
5. Who else is in your team and how many people on your staff will be at the wedding?
My business partner Angela, also a certified wedding planner, has worked with me for 15 years. In addition to having her own floral business, she works with me at all of our events. I also have several other assistants who have worked with me for many years and who are always on staff to help create flawless weddings.
6. What happens if you're sick or otherwise unable to be there on the day of the wedding?
In the event that I am sick or unable to attend the wedding day, Angela is there on site to make sure the day runs smoothly. I have assistants in both Texas and Colorado who have worked with me for years, they know my style and how I run my weddings. They are always there to step in alongside Angela to make sure the wedding day is perfect.
7. How many meetings will you have with the couple and how will they be involved?
I will have several meetings with my clients. We always begin with an initial meeting to get to know each other and create a bond for our working relationship. After that meeting, we will meet at the venue so we can discuss style and layout for the wedding day. Typically we will have a meeting at the rental company to look over color selections on linens, etc. Finally, we will have a meeting around 30 days prior to the wedding day to go over all the final details.
8. Will you handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing? What about guest list coordination and RSVPs?
Typically, my clients take care of their invitations and managing RSVPs. However, I do offer that service in my "additional services" if my clients need to add that to their package.
9. Do you handle rentals? Will you coordinate delivery, arrival and set up times with the photographer, the florist, the musicians and the caterer/banquet manager?
I oversee all vendors and manage delivery and load in times for everyone on the wedding day. I coordinate their set up so that everyone is ready to go at least one hour prior to start time.
10. Can you create a timeline that tells everyone involved in the planning process (other pros, members of the wedding party, to-be-weds and families) what to do and when to do it? How will you make sure everyone sticks to the schedule?
Once a client books with me, we set a time to have a site visit at the venue. At that visit, I sit down with them and create a wedding day timeline. I go over all the details they would like to have on their wedding day and how they would like the day to flow. Once I create that timeline, I share it with all the vendors, as well as my clients and any other wedding party members.
Between Angela and myself, we stay on top of the timing for all the wedding day events. I always add a little "wiggle" room in my timeline, so that if something does run a bit long, there is time built in so we can adjust for that and stay on track the rest of the day.
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