Tips for Knowing if a Wedding Vendor is Trustworthy

May 18, 2022

Grace A

Events

Choosing a vendor for your upcoming big day is a huge decision. You don’t want to leave anything to chance, and you want to be sure that who you choose is reliable and going to follow through. Of course, mishaps and misunderstandings can happen, but there are steps you can take to try to find the best vendors that you can. Here are some of our best tips for finding vendors who will help you pull off your big day seamlessly:

Check reviews: Look for positive, thorough reviews for them on Yelp, Google, and Facebook. Ask friends if they’ve heard of the business/brand/service, and what they’ve heard. Do your research into whether their past brides and grooms have been happy and were satisfied with their services. Remember that sometimes, disgruntled customers leave unfair or unhelpful reviews, so look for the business’ response to these sorts of reviews for clarification.
Meet them in person: If you are able to, meeting a vendor in person is always wise. You want to gauge their personality, their efficiency, and their knowledge before the day rolls around. Many vendors will offer a phone call or in-person consultation for free or a service fee. Think about factors like: did they communicate with you well? Did they show up on time? Did they value your time and budget? These are all important questions.
Have they been around for awhile? If not, do they are have prior experience? If they are brand new and have no experience, it doesn’t mean they can’t produce amazing work. Everyone has to start somewhere. But, be sure to ask questions like: Have you been trained or licensed? Have you shadowed or been mentored by someone in the field? Have you worked at other weddings in the past?
Do you mesh well with them? Surprisingly, personalities do matter on the big day. Of course you want the best of the best for your wedding, but you also want to enjoy the people who are around you on the day of. Be sure that when you speak to the vendors or the representatives, that you feel listened to and cared about. It will make a huge difference on the day of your wedding that you have positive and efficient energy around you and your loved ones!

January 18, 2022

Grace A

Inspiration, Events

Ways Today’s Brides Now Thrive While Wedding Planning

January 18, 2022

Grace A

Inspiration, Events

Have you seen those little Facebook memes going around? They show a “before and after” photo, separated by ten years. I was reflecting recently on the last decade, and realizing how much things have changed for the amazing brides planning their wedding days. Here’s some of the (positive) ways that things are different these days than just a decade ago:

-Brides are a bit more focused on close relationships. Studies show that brides are having smaller ceremonies, and focusing on having the people who mean the most to them present at their big day. Because of this, many brides are splurging on more lavish ceremonies, but with less guests. This is actually so smart, because you can have the day you’ve dreamed of, and the people there who mean the most to you! Years ago, it was about having massive ceremonies, and often that meant skipping out on some amenities you dreamed of…not anymore!

-Brides know who they are: Many brides are focused (now more than ever) on showing off their personalities in their florals, or their wedding party outfits. Whether it’s non-traditional wedding dress colors (like a pretty blush hue or even a dark navy!), or choosing things like succulents or butterflies in your bouquet, today’s bride knows it’s less about trends, and more about what makes THEM happy!

-Brides value their mental health: With the rise in mental health support and resources, many brides have realized that their mental health really does matter! Instead of the old “bridezilla” stereotype, today’s brides-to-be are better at setting boundaries, speaking up, and making their wedding planning a joy, instead of a burden. Many have also opted to hire planners and designers (like me!) to keep their sanity intact.

I love seeing how trends and ideas have changed over the past decade, and love working with all my amazing brides. I’d love to work with you, if you are planning your big day, and help bring your vision to life!

February 22, 2016

Grace A

Weddings

Sparkle and Shine | Featured on Ruffled | Weddings

February 22, 2016

Grace A

Weddings

A romantic field tucked in the heart of the Applegate Valley, made for the perfect backdrop for this sparkle-filled styled shoot. I styled this gorgeous, gold-hued shoot with Rebecca Masters Photography recently (scroll down for full list of vendors). The bridal model wore a stunning, sequined Badgley Mischka gown, and layered a delicate tulle skirt over it from BHLDN, that gave her the versatility of two gorgeous looks with just two pieces. The vineyard shoot featured touches of the woodland outdoors (like the moss tucked in around the cake), with rustic pieces like the table and chairs. Then, I added subtle hints of gold to accentuate her shimmering gown, and to elevate the wood pieces. The overall look was elegant but grounded.