Holiday Greetings to All Our Clients

Sara & her son, Finn (2)

Hello! Season’s Greetings!

It’s that time of year…the Holidays are upon us. We wanted to send out a little hello, and give some updates. Some of you we are in the throes of planning with and have been connecting with quite frequently, while a few of you, we got most of your planning done in 2019 and we have been patiently waiting for your new date in 2022 (thanks Covid!)

What’s new with us? We have been busy! 2022 is going to be our busiest season yet. In fact, we are not accepting any new clients through late September 2022. Christina & Sara are both expecting baby #2! Sara is due around March 1st and Christina around April 7th. Christina’s daughter Sophia just turned 3 and we cannot believe how fast our toddlers are growing! Other than that, we are enjoying life as much as we can during these continually tough times.

Christina & her daughter Sophia (3), Ashley & her daughter Lennon (2.5)

A Note on Holiday Hours and General Availability: Starting 12/24, we will be on Holiday vacation with our families, basically through 1/3/22. During this time, we will be spending a lot of time with our families & friends, including some mini trips out of town for each of us. Ashley will be checking emails on 12/27 & 12/28, and Christina will be checking emails on 12/30 for anything urgent. Please put URGENT in the subject line if you need a reply during this time. Other than that, we are also hoping/expecting you to enjoy some R&R during this time as well.

Mercer and her husband Nick and baby Shay (6months)

General Availability Side Note: We know a lot of our couples email us on the weekend, because that is when they are free (not working) - although we sometimes work on weekends as planners, the weekends we do not have events (like right now, through most of winter) we are NOT typically working on the weekends. Our kids are home and we are busy enjoying life. Please expect a few extra day response time for any emails sent on Fridays or over the weekend.

That’s it for now…we wish you the most wonderful season, and here is to a Happy 2022 to all of us…lot’s of amazing weddings coming up and we are so excited for you!

CHEERS!

Team IYDE

Ashley, Christina, Sara & Mercer

What I’ve Learned from Planning My Own Wedding

Hi there! My name is Marin and I am recently engaged. I am also a new intern wedding planner! Woo hoo! I, like many soon-to-be brides, am ecstatic to plan my wedding. I jumped in with both feet as soon as my ring hit my finger. Even though I’m still in the early stages of wedding planning, I’ve learned some things the hard way that may be helpful for other overly-excited brides.

Don’t involve everyone. I was stoked  to share the news of my recent engagement. I was practically shouting “I’m engaged!” in the streets. Of course, share your news with everyone you love. But when it came to actually planning my wedding, I shared the details with the same intensity as my engagement. I thought that would bring even more excitement and joy into the process. Boy, I was wrong. I learned quickly that in planning a wedding, you don’t need to share all of your details to every aunt, uncle, or long-lost friend in your life. Sharing details only brings others unwanted opinions and lots of “Are you sure?” You know what you want in your day and should be supported in those decisions. Keep your wedding decisions to yourself and your planning team (again, keep it small!). 

Select vendors that you actually like. Someone told me that when you meet with vendors, you are interviewing them. That is 100% true. You may work with this florist, caterer, photographer, etc. for over a year. You want to like them as a person and look forward to working with them. If a vendor rubs you the wrong way, you shouldn’t hire them! 

Wedding dress shopping might suck. I was someone who had to try on, like, 60 dresses before finding The One. There are so many expectations for buying a dress from shows like Say Yes To The Dress and the constant feed of beautiful dresses on social media. I made the mistake of bringing a lot of people to my dress appointments (I had not yet learned the first lesson) which made it difficult to focus on what I liked and disliked. There were a lot of appointments where I just didn’t feel very good about myself (which is totally normal) so I inevitably didn't feel good in the dresses. Take your time to find something that feels like you. The process may suck, but it’s worth it!

Pick and choose your traditions. Just because something (like a garter toss) has been a part of weddings for decades, doesn’t mean you have to include it. I didn’t want to include anything in my wedding that didn’t feel like my partner and I. If that means not including some traditions, that’s ok with me!

It’s your day, but it’s also important to your family. I was set on having a small-ish wedding. Until I talked with my parents. They wanted to invite everyone and have a huge, blow-out wedding. I fought with them for weeks defending my vision for my big day, trying to cut the guest list at every turn. At one point, I finally understood that this is a big day for them too, and they want to celebrate the expansion of their family with all of their friends & family. This day is about you, but it’s also one of the most important days for your parents and family. 

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Have fun planning your big day!

Marin Sasaki

Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Wedding Photographer

So, you’re getting married…how awesome is that?! Now, you need to book all your vendors! Aside from the venue and a planner, one of the first vendors we suggest booking is your photographer. Why book them first? Because photos and video are all you have left after the wedding is over, so you want to make sure you get your top pick!

Once you have a consult set up, you might be wondering what to ask them during the meeting. Here is a list of suggested possible questions to ask to get the discussion going:

• How many pictures will you take?

• When will my proofs be ready?

• Do you have a 2nd shooter?

• Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?

• How many weddings have you shot?

• Have you done many that were similar to mine in size and style?

• Do you have an additional portfolio I can review?

• Are all of the images yours, and is the work recent?

• How would you describe your photography style (e.g. traditional, photojournalistic, creative)?

• What do you like about being a wedding photographer?

• Will the photos be retouched and color balanced? Is that done before I see the proofs?

• Have you ever shot at my venue(s) before?

• Do you have backup photographers who will shoot the wedding if you're sick?

• What are the restrictions for sharing photos online or for publication?

• Do you own the copyright to the photos?

• What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

• What is the deposit and total fee (is tax included or additional)?

• What happens if we ask you to stay overtime day-of?

• Additionally, you will want to of course discuss the details of the day and what is all included in the photography package you have in mind (prints, albums, hours including, etc.)

Hope this helps! Get out there and find an amazing photographer! If you need suggestions in the Seattle area, and/or if you need an amazing Wedding Planner - give us a shout!

Until next time - Cheers!

Ashley

Principal Wedding Planner and Co-Owner of It’s Your Day Events

Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

10 Unique Wedding Dessert Ideas that aren't Cake!

Photo by Logan Westom

Wedding cakes have their roots in Ancient Rome, when marriage ceremonies ended with a scone-like wheat or barley cake broken over the bride's head for luck and fertility. The modern wedding cake as we know it now would originate at the 1882 wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany; his wedding cake was the first to actually be completely edible.

But just because it’s a long-standing tradition, does that mean you have to have a wedding cake? No, of course not! More and more couples these days have chosen to go off the beaten path and get a little more creative when it comes to their choice for sugaring up their guests.

Here are 10 wedding cake alternatives from a wedding planner perspective, that we find to be just as sweet!

1. Donuts

Donuts are so yummy! There are so many different flavors, and different way to display them. Donut walls have been a big trend the last few years, but you could also tier them up like a cake as well. We have even had a client hire a mini-donut food truck, that comes complete with toppings!

2. Ice Cream or Gelato

Another delicious option. Perfect for a warm summer wedding. So many fun flavors and colors to choose from. There are also some companies that have unique service opportunities, such as from a bicycle or mini-truck!

3. Macarons

Ooh la la, how we love macarons! These tiny cookies are not just for the French. The flavors, the color, the texture! They make a wonderful mini dessert as well a perfect favor for on the go.

4. Pie

Photo by Char Beck

Whether it’s a whole pie to slice up and share or a mini-pie for one, this is always a surprisingly big cake alternative hit. Serve it alongside a scoop of icecream and you are sure to please the crowd!

5. Cookies

Come and get me some of that yum yum chocolate chip, honey dipped…whether it’s a cookie bar with tons of options, or served individually with a milk shooter or a fancily monogrammed sugar cookie, these tasty little morsels are another big hit.

6. Churros

Looking for something a little more unique? Churros are a great option, especially if you may be having a Mexican themed dinner, or even just something to surprise your guests. They can be served up so many ways; with toppings in fun containers, or in cute bags, the options are endless.

7. Bubble Waffles

Continuing on with some of the more unique dessert options…Bubble Waffles are another great choice - this yummy twist on a breakfast original allows guests the opportunity to have fun with choosing toppings. The topping options are endless; s’mores topped, ice cream and fruit topped, even savory options are sure to be a hit.

8. Snow Cones or Popsicles

Another great option if you are having a summer wedding, especially if it is outdoors! Snow Cones & Popsicles are often so colorful - and we of course all know the fun of choosing your flavors on a snow cone!

9. S’mores

You’re killin me Smalls! S’mores bars are often a great option for an outdoor event, the guests can even make their own over an open fire (caution advised for heavily boozed events on this one), or a safer option is the little catering heaters. This one is a classic, but can be done with all sorts of twists - different chocolates, peanut butter, etc.

10. Assorted mini goods & pastries buffet

If you love ALL the desserts and just can’t make up your mind - an assorted buffet of delicious desserty goods is a great option. This will also lend something to everyone, and please many palates.

Cheers,

Ashley

Principal Wedding Planner and Co-Owner of It’s Your Day Events

Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

Bridal Party Gifts

Hi! In this post I want to discuss bridal party gifts both ahead of the wedding and for the day of from the perspective of wedding planners. First and foremost bridal party gifts are an extra and are in no way a requirement for the couple to give! They can be something fun and add to the day and pictures but they are completely optional so do not feel like this is something you need to spend a lot of you budget on!

Why Bridal Party Gifts?

Day of gifts for the bridal parties can be something fun for everyone and for pictures. Some brides really like the bridal party to have matching robes or PJs for getting ready, if so it is a nice touch to give these to the bridesmaids day of or the night before. It’s a fun way to get everyone in the partying and prepping mood for the big day! Also matching robes/PJs also make cute pictures! Another way to give day of gifts is if you would like everyone in the bridal party to have something matching. For my groomsmen we gave them matching socks and ties in their day of gift boxes so that I knew everyone would be matching! It is also nice, if you have the option, to give these important people in your life something special as a way to show your appreciation for them being there for your big day! This can include more than bridesmaids/groomsmen; mothers, fathers, grandparents, ring bearers, flower girls, etc are all people would you could get a little something special for!

Ideas for Gifts

There are always some classic options like I already said above; robes, PJs, ties, socks, flasks, etc. But it can also be fun to get certain gifts that represent each person’s hobbies or something you all have in common. Are all the groomsmen into golfing? Get them some engraved tees! Are the girls all going something sunny for the bachelorette party? Get them some fun sun hats or fun neon fanny packs! There are so many different ideas that can make the whole experience fun and gifts that they can use again! One tip I would say it try to make sure that some of the gifts/items just have their names or a saying that is not wedding specific so they can wear them/use them again!

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If you are interesting in ordering some bridal party gifts one website you could check out is here. Best Day Ever Wedding Decor & Gifts is a local company that makes custom wedding party gifts at reasonable rates!

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Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

Pro Wedding Planner Tips: Little Wedding Trade Offs

5 EQUAL IMPACT DETAILS, ONE JUST HAS A SMALLER PRICE TAG 

Detail #1: PROGRAMS

Unless you are planning to have a program that doubles as a fan for those sweltering + sunny wedding days, you can 100% skip them. Most of your guests will glance at them before the ceremony, and leave them at their seats right after. 

Instead: 

Try making a single timeline or program sheet. You can make one with a themed border to maybe pair up with the look of your invitations? Add a little flare to compliment your wedding colors? Have cute little embellishments to showcase the day? Set a large framed program near your guest book and gift table, or by the entrance to the ceremony. Your guests will see the flow of the day, and you’ve only spent a fraction of what you would’ve spent to print hundreds of programs. Way to go you! 

Detail #2: BOUQUETS + ARBOR FLOWERS

Not over the moon about flowers? Just luke warm? Worried your bouquet might outshine your dress and block half of it for photos? You understand the floral impact, they are beautiful, but man they add up quick and can bust into your budget. Yet, you don’t want to go the route of fake flowers, and let’s face it, you aren’t particularly a strong enough green thumb to handle growing your own wedding flowers. 

Instead:

Now, before you chance it with ordering in bulk and hoping that you and your squad can put your centerpieces and bouquets together after the rehearsal dinner (caution!) - consider doubling up your impact, and just trimming things down a bit! Most florists make a bridal bouquet, and a bridesmaid bouquet. They are visibly different in size and wildly different in cost. If it's just the same to you, see if your florist can make just a slightly larger bridesmaid bouquet for you instead of quite a bit larger bridal bouquet. Also, talk with your florist about making your arbor flowers easy to remove. That way your wedding coordinator can easily take those flowers, and pop them right over to your sweetheart or head table. Bam! One display, two functions. There are a ton of little tips and tricks you can do with flowers, but for now we are keeping the rest in the wedding planner tip vault! 

Detail #3: FAVORS

Like programs, these tend to be things that we are very often cleaning up a lot of at the end of the night. People get excited and hit the dance floor, are all lined up for your big send off, and leave their favors at the table. 

Instead: 

If you are thinking that you should have favors to say a thank you to your guests that have travelled into town for your wedding, consider having a little local token for them at hotel check in. If you are expecting a large number of out of town guests, it’s likely that you’ve blocked some rooms at a local hotel. Guests will be excited to have a special welcome item when they arrive, and it will feel well thought out. Also, since they will have their favor already at the hotel, they will be less likely to forget it. AND- if you just do a little thing for your out of town guests, you are spending a fraction of what it would be for your entire guest list. If you want to have something a little more all encompassing, make a donation to a charity that is near and dear to your hearts. Post a small sign or framed note that says something to the effect of: In lieu of favors the Bride and Groom have made a donation to _____ Charity. A cause that is important to them because _____. Whoop! High impact + less dollars! 

DETAIL #4: OFFICIANT

Think about the weddings you’ve been to. Is there something that’s blown you away in the ceremony? Was it the officiant that was managing things? Or more of the content of the ceremony? While it is 100% necessary to have an experienced speaker perform your marriage ceremony, it’s not 100% necessary to tap into your wedding budget for it. 

Instead: 

Think about the people in your life. Is there someone you know that has officiated a wedding before? Someone that you think is a great speaker and isn’t afraid to manage a crowd? A person that is confident enough and might be willing to make it official? I’d bet money that you’ve got someone that fits this description. We are always telling our couples that if they are thinking they want to save a few dollars AND have a more personalized ceremony, ask someone that knows you to be your officiant! 

DETAIL #5: BAR SELECTION

This one is a little prickly, just because I know most people feel passionately about the wedding bar selection in one way or another. All I ask is for you to think about your guest list a bit. Do you have mostly family coming? Are they big drinkers? Is it going to be a lot of friends that like to dance the night away? Will there be a good number of kids running around? While I can see the motivation for having a full bar, I am not fully convinced that you need it. Alcohol at a wedding can end up being one of your biggest expenses- don’t let it catch you off guard! 

Instead: 

Offer a limited hosted bar- meaning pick a couple beer options, one red wine, one white wine, a cider or rosé maybe and if your venue allows it, make one type of hard alcohol available (pick a classic like vodka or whiskey) along with standard non-alcoholic options. Your guests will be happy that there is still a variety, without pining over the loss of all the costly top shelf liquor. The bonus here is that you can write out your bar menu to make it seem ultra customized by adding in a little blurb on there. Something simple like - “Brides choice: Rosé  & Grooms Choice: Whiskey + Coke”, is easy for guests to understand what options they have at the bar, but still makes it circle back to it being a day celebrating you! Gosh this is making me thirsty! 

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An extra tidbit? We’ve just tested out a little wine experience that I think could be so fun to apply to weddings. This company brought several wine samples to our office, and was able to direct us through them. We took our time with each, and felt like it would be such a great experience for our couples. The best part was that the company can help pair wines with what you’ve got picked for your dinner menu at a competitive cost + boom, you’ve got a hand selected wine menu for your wedding! Like cake tasting but for wine!? Yes Please! Email us if you want more details! 

Think you’ll give one of these wedding trade-offs a go for your big day? Comment below and let us know what you think! 

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Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!