The Ultimate Haven Wedding Planner Guide

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and time-consuming affair. Haven wedding planners can help you organise your special day, from the full planning to day-of coordination, and everything in between. Haven wedding planners can help you with everything from finding a florist to deciding on a menu, and even provide portable restrooms for your guests. They can also help you plan a wedding that reflects your unique style and personality, whether you're looking for something traditional or modern. So if you're feeling overwhelmed by the wedding planning process, consider reaching out to a haven wedding planner to help make your special day unforgettable.

Wedding Day Management

Initial Planning:

• Begin 10-12 weeks before the wedding: Start with a comprehensive planning session, utilizing a wedding planning portal that offers step-by-step guidance and best practices. This early preparation is essential for a stress-free experience.
• Vendor Recommendations: A good wedding planner will provide suggestions for reliable vendors, including caterers, photographers, florists, and entertainment. They will also assist in reviewing vendor contracts to ensure you get the best value.
• Timeline Creation: Work with your planner to create a detailed timeline for the big day, considering everything from the ceremony processional to the reception. This timeline will be shared with all vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Final Preparations:

• 3-6 Weeks Before: Conduct a final walkthrough of the venue to finalize any last-minute changes or updates to the timeline, floor plan, or decor. This is also the time to confirm all details with the vendors via phone or email.
• 1 Week Before: Provide the final timeline and floor plan to all vendors, ensuring everyone is aligned. This includes coordinating the rehearsal to make sure the wedding party knows their cues and movements.

Wedding Day Execution:

• On the day, your wedding planner will be on-site to oversee the setup, ensuring it aligns with your specifications. They will also manage the timeline, cueing vendors, the wedding party, and the couple to keep everything running smoothly.
• Distribution of Flowers and Final Payments: Your planner will ensure that personal flowers are distributed and pinned, and they will also handle the distribution of final payments and gratuities to vendors.
• Breakdown and Clean Up: After the celebration, your planner will oversee the breakdown and clean-up process, including loading gifts and personal items into designated vehicles.
• Troubleshooting: Throughout the day, your wedding planner will be on the lookout for any potential issues, troubleshooting and resolving them discreetly so you can focus on enjoying your special day.

Planning Process

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process, but it doesn't have to be! Wedding planners are there to help you create your dream wedding, ensuring that the process is as seamless and stress-free as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to the planning process offered by wedding planners in New Haven, Connecticut:

Initial Consultation

The first step is an initial consultation, where the wedding planner gets to know the couple, their vision, and their expectations for the big day. This is also an opportunity for the couple to ask any questions they may have and to ensure that they feel comfortable with the planner.

Budget Planning

Budget planning is a crucial aspect of the process. The planner will work with the couple to determine a realistic budget and create a payment schedule to ensure that financial goals are met. This step also involves discussing the guest list, as the number of guests will impact the overall budget.

Design and Styling

The design and styling phase is where the magic happens. The planner will collaborate with the couple to bring their vision to life, creating a unique and personalized event that reflects their style and personalities. This includes everything from the colour scheme to the small decorative details.

Vendor Selection

With so many options available, selecting the right vendors can be overwhelming. Wedding planners have established relationships with reputable vendors and will work with the couple to choose the best vendors for their needs, including caterers, photographers, florists, and entertainment.

Timeline and Logistics

Creating a detailed timeline is essential to ensure that the wedding day runs smoothly. The planner will manage all the logistics, from the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony and reception, ensuring that everything stays on track. They will also handle any last-minute changes or emergencies that may arise.

On-the-Day Coordination

On the wedding day, the planner will be on-site to oversee every aspect of the event. They will coordinate with vendors, manage the timeline, and handle any unforeseen issues, allowing the couple to relax and enjoy their special day.

Post-Wedding

Even after the wedding, the planner's work is not quite done. They will be there to ensure a smooth cleanup and to collect any rented items or decorations. They will also be available for a final review and to tie up any loose ends, leaving the couple to embark on their honeymoon, stress-free.

Wedding Set-up and Décor

Creative Concepts by Lisa

Creative Concepts by Lisa is a comprehensive wedding planning company that offers a fresh and innovative approach to event planning. They aim to create weddings that showcase their clients' unique styles, whether traditional and romantic or modern and unconventional. Creative Concepts by Lisa can assist with all aspects of wedding set-up and décor, including floor plan creation, altar floral design, and photography.

Betrothed Weddings & Events

Betrothed Weddings & Events is a planning company that believes the process of planning your wedding should be just as important as the day itself. They offer a collaborative and carefully tailored planning experience, ensuring that every step of the process is seamless and beautiful. Betrothed Weddings & Events can help with wedding day management, planning processes, delivery details, timelines, and final payments.

Unfailing Moments Event Design

Unfailing Moments Event Design is a wedding planning company that aims to infuse style and elegance into every client's experience. They prioritise sophistication, excitement, and the creation of indelible memories. The team at Unfailing Moments offers personalised services, ensuring your unique vision comes to life. They can assist with destination weddings, vendor management, delivery details, timelines, and wedding day management.

Pamela Ventura Events

Pamela Ventura Events is a full wedding and event planning company that specialises in day-of wedding coordination and social events. They serve couples in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, offering a range of packages to suit your needs. Pamela Ventura Events can help with all aspects of wedding set-up and décor, ensuring your day runs smoothly.

Elite Events and Flowers

Elite Events and Flowers is one of the oldest and most experienced decorators and planners in the Haven area. They take the time to ensure your complete satisfaction, curating and styling weddings according to your unique vision.

E.V. Events & Rentals

E.V. Events & Rentals is a one-stop wedding service, specialising in event planning, decorating, and rentals. Their creative staff can guide you in deciding on the big and little details of your wedding set-up and décor, ensuring your day runs smoothly and efficiently.

Wedding Photography

Preparation

The key to successful wedding photography is preparation. Visit the venue(s) in advance to familiarise yourself with the surroundings and lighting conditions. Create a shot list, including specific requests from the couple and important details like rings, table settings, and family photos. Have a backup plan for unexpected weather, and ensure your equipment is charged and ready, with plenty of memory cards and spare batteries.

Communication

Effective communication with the couple is essential. Send them a detailed questionnaire to understand their expectations and the day's timeline. Meet with them ahead of time to review the timeline, ask any final questions, and ease pre-wedding jitters.

Contracts and Workflow

Protect yourself and the couple by having a signed contract and paid retainer. Streamline your workflow with studio management software to automate messages, questionnaires, and contracts.

The Big Day

Arrive early on the day to set up your equipment and scout the location for the best lighting and backdrops. Be bold and confident in capturing the moments, but avoid being obtrusive. Move discreetly, coordinating your movements with songs or readings. For the formal shots, take charge and communicate your vision to the couple and their party.

Gear

Bring two camera bodies and a range of lenses to capture different types of shots. A wide-angle lens is great for group shots and interiors, while a longer focal length is better for candid and portrait photos. Bring at least one flash with a diffuser, and consider renting additional gear if needed.

Composition

Pay attention to your composition, ensuring no distractions in the shot. Use existing frames, like windows or archways, to balance the image and add symmetry. Capture candid moments by anticipating reactions and using guests as a foreground framing device.

Settings

Experiment with varying shutter speeds and apertures to capture the magic of the day. A fast shutter speed (1/200 or faster) will help freeze active moments. For grand ballrooms, use a higher aperture (f/8 or f/16) to keep everything in focus. For portraits, use lower apertures (f/1.8 to f/2.8) to blur the background and bring in more light.

Post-Processing

After the shoot, make backups of all images, and cull the good from the bad. Use presets to speed up the editing process and apply bulk settings. Upload sneak peeks to social media within 24-48 hours to build excitement.

Assistant

Consider hiring an assistant to help carry and guard your gear, set up equipment, and manage any emergencies.

Final Thoughts

Remember to embrace the chaos and have fun! Smile, and your subjects will smile with you, making for more relaxed and joyful photographs.

Wedding Flowers

Choosing Your Flowers:

• Consider your wedding theme and colour palette: Select flowers that complement your wedding colours and theme. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, sunflowers and baby's breath might be a perfect choice. For a more elegant affair, consider roses, lilies, or orchids.
• Seasonal availability: Opt for flowers that are in season for your wedding date. This can help ensure the best quality and availability, as well as support sustainability.
• Personal preference: Choose flowers that you and your partner love! This is your day, so select flowers that hold a special meaning or simply bring you joy.

Types of Wedding Flowers:

• Bridal Bouquet: This is the star of your wedding florals. Your bouquet can be a statement piece, reflecting your personality and style. It can be a lush, free-form bouquet or a structured, round bouquet. Consider flowers like roses, peonies, dahlias, or ranunculus.
• Bridesmaid Bouquets: These bouquets complement the bridal bouquet and add cohesion to your bridal party's look. They can be smaller versions of the bridal bouquet or feature complementary flowers in the same colour palette.
• Boutonnieres: These are small floral arrangements typically worn by the groom, groomsmen, and fathers of the bride and groom. They can be designed to match the bridal bouquet or feature a single statement flower.
• Centrepieces: Floral centrepieces are a beautiful way to decorate your reception tables. They can be designed in various styles, such as low and lush, tall and dramatic, or hanging installations.
• Arch Flowers: Floral arches create a breathtaking backdrop for your ceremony or reception. They can be designed with a variety of flowers and greenery to match your theme.
• Aisle Decor: Line your wedding aisle with flowers to create a romantic and elegant walkway. This can include pew flowers, aisle markers, or flower petals.

Flower Alternatives and Sustainability:

If you're looking for a more sustainable or cost-effective option, consider incorporating silk flowers or renting your wedding flowers. Companies like Ling's Moment and Something Borrowed Blooms offer pre-made silk flower arrangements and rental services, respectively. This can be a great way to have the look of fresh flowers without the hassle or environmental impact.

Frequently asked questions