Planner - Justin Belot
- Business: Unforgettable Events Milwaukee
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin WI
- Experience: 10 Years
- Profile: Unforgettable Events Milwaukee
- Website: eventsinmilwaukee.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hello! My name is Justin Belot, founder and owner of Unforgettable Events Milwaukee. I am a high school English teacher who also enjoys planning weddings and events. Throughout my fifteen plus years as an educator, I have, in some capacity, been involved in planning, coordaining, and executing our school's formal dances and events. I am my school's go-to person for all of our school's events. In fact, our formal principal (who recently retired) is the reason I started my business. She kept telling me that I was "born to do this!" So I decided to follow this passion and open Unforgettable Events Milwaukee. Despite starting my business just a year before the COVID-19 global pandemic, I do not regret doing so. I have enjoyed working with clients and couples to help make their wedding and events truly memorable.
2. What's your experience as a wedding planner? How many weddings have you planned?
I have planned a handful of formal weddings. Although my experience to-date hasn't been heavy on weddings, I have planned a lot of school events ( such as award ceremonies, graduations, Homecoming events and dance, Proms, etc.) and other business and personal events. However, this shouldn't scare off any couples. The same skillset needed for large school and corporate events (some with over 600 attendees) are the ones needed for weddings. My ability to multi-task and plan and execute events is one that I have been commended for multiple times.
3. What sorts of services do you offer (month-of coordination, full-service planning, or à la carte planning)?
We offer a multitude of services. We offer full-service wedding and event planning, as well as a la carte planning service options. We also offer day of event management/coordination services, as well as photo booth rental service. We are also open to creating custom packages to fit our clients' 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?
Both our packages and a la carte services have set prices (with a couple services requiring a custom rate that will be disclosed before hiring). We also offer photo booth rental service, and all of our packages come with a discount on photo booth rentals.
Our Teal package, which is our most popular package, is an almost-all-inclusive package. This package allows couples to share their vision but let us do all the work. Rehearsal dinner and day-of coordination services are included, along with full RSVP tracking, unlimited vendor quotes, and design assistance with invitations, save the dates, programs, and centerpieces. This package costs $1,750.
Our Purple package is designed for couples who have a vision and ideas but just need a little extra help putting it all together. We will review your budget and timeline and advise on other aspects like rehearsal, venue layout, and design. Day-of coordination service through the end of dinner is included. This package costs $1,000.
Our White package provides guidance on timeline, vendor selections, decorations, centerpieces, rehearsal, and venue layout. Day-of coordination service is offered at a discounted rate. This package costs $400 and it aimed at couples who just need a little support planning their special day.
Our day-of coordination service costs $150 for the first hour and $125 for each additional hour.
5. Who else is in your team and how many people on your staff will be at the wedding?
We are truly a small business. Besides myself, I have a few other staff on standby. There will usually always be two staff members at a wedding. However, if a particular wedding requires more, we can definitely make those accommodations.
6. What happens if you're sick or otherwise unable to be there on the day of the wedding?
Although rare, if something tragic were to happen to me, there is always at least one other person who is very familiar with the wedding details who would take charge. Additional stand-by staff would be called in to assist that new person in charge.
7. How many meetings will you have with the couple and how will they be involved?
We first want to fully understand a couple's vision and desires for their special day. We want to know what aspects are must have and which aspects are a definite no-go. We work closely with couples to provide them with options and different quotes from vendors to ensure that they are as involved as they want to be. Depending on the package, up to four in-person and/or virtual meetings are offered. However, we provided unlimited email and phone communication, regardless of package selection.
8. Will you handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing? What about guest list coordination and RSVPs?
We can definitely handle all of this if couples desire. Invitation design assistance--at different capacities- are included in our packages. Full RSVP tracking is also included in our top Teal Package. And invitation mailing is an available add-on service.
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?
Yes, we handle rentals. It is an included amenity in our Teal package and can be added on to any our other packages or services. We will definitely coordinate services from all vendors to ensure a smooth wedding day.
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?
Yes, we will create a timeline for all involved in the process. We want to first sit down and listen to the couples' desires and, if asked, those of their families. We will work with each vendor to ensure that they are on-board with the set timeline. Se check-ins will be set to make sure that the schedule and timeline is being followed. If any adjustments are needed along the way, we will work to accommodate them and communicate new expectations to all involved.
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