Congratulations, Allison & Chad!

Recently I had the honor of coordinating Allison & Chad's big day! I thoroughly enjoyed working with these two. They were such a joy to work with and together they truly captured the essence of love. As the days drew closer and closer to their big day, I had the distinct pleasure of becoming more than just a coordinator for the happy couple, but rather a friend. Srinu and Amy with Regeti’s Photography were there to capture every aspect of the day and a pleasure to work with. Here are my favorite photos of the newlyweds (more can be found on Regeti's Blog):

Allison and Chad took time before the ceremony to snap some outdoor pictures. The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful.
All of the bouquets and boutonnieres were designed by Christopher Vazquez of Amaryllis, Inc. and they were simply stunning.


This Virginia couple chose to get married right around the corner from their apartment at the beautiful Westin Arlington Gateway. Here is a picture of the reception room all ready to go.

One of the beautiful centerpieces from Amaryllis:
Congratulations again, you two! It was a pleasure working with you through the planning process and also spending time with you on your wedding day. I hope you had a great honeymoon in Argentina!

Additional vendors I’d like to thank include Martin Andrews with Blue Sky Films, Jeff Holt and his team at Atmosphere, and NYX Entertainment.

The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Event Planning: It's more than a job...

It didn’t take even one day of work before I learned that event planning was not a glamorous job; Linda and Jaime told me at my interview. A job in the event planning industry, and especially at Gala, meant a lot of hard work, weekends, long hours, and straight business. As daunting as this may have seemed, however, event planning has provided me with opportunities and challenges that have benefited me in ways that I could never have imagined.

In my three years at Gala, I have had many experiences. I have traveled to Jamaica for a destination wedding, I have worked on a runway fashion show for St. John Knits, and I have organized two fundraising auctions for the Herb Gordon Foundation for Gastrointestinal Cancers. I have designed a contemporary club lounge rooftop event, a Mardi Gras client appreciation gala, and even a modern Toyko-inspired Bat Mitzvah, complete with low plank tables and pillow seating. But, the most significant experience I have had at Gala has been the professional skills that I have acquired as an event planner.

I have learned the importance of time management, organization, and planning ahead. I have learned the essence of team work and delegation as a means of getting things done in the most efficient and effective manner. I have learned to make decisions under pressure and how to be flexible and poised when last minute changes inevitably occur. I have learned how to deal with difficult clients, changing minds, and different tastes. I have learned to negotiate contracts with vendors and venues, and how to provide the biggest bang for the client’s buck. I have learned to stand up for my company, my client, and most importantly, myself.

Event planning is an extremely tough job. Like most work, it requires extreme attention to detail, vast creativity, thorough communication, intense follow through, and always a back up plan (or two). But what many people fail to realize, though, is that event planning is an extremely physical job. It’s emotional. You have to work with brides to plan the wedding of their dreams, with mothers to plan their son or daughter’s religious rite of passage, and with corporate committees to plan their highly anticipated company holiday parties and office retreats. You have to have a tough skin. The ideas and concepts that took you hours to create may not be in line with the vision or budget of your client, and the new ideas and concepts that you come up with may not be either. They may not even be after the third or fourth revision. It’s demanding. Events take hours to set up on the day of, not to mention break down, and a good event planner sits in every chair, tweaks every centerpiece on the table, and stays until the end of the event to ensure that everything flows smoothly.

But, what keeps us working at Gala, and keeps people wanting to take on the challenges of event planning, is the reward and fulfillment that it provides at the end of the day. The kiss of the happy bride and groom, the smile on the face of Bar or Bat Mitzvah child up in the chair, and the repeat business of corporate clients makes the job worth doing. Event planning provides many important job and life skills, and event planners are more than just “event planners.” We are proposal writers, décor designers, coordinators, managers, negotiators, teachers, and even therapists at times, and there is never a dull moment, a day spent behind a desk, or an event that can’t be made more exciting with a unique spin. Ultimately, being an event planner has helped to shape the professional and the individual that I am today, and I am so lucky for all of the challenges that it has helped me to take on and overcome.

The author of this blog is Claudia Frank, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Wine Tasting Auction at the Cambodian Embassy

Wine Tasting Auction at the Cambodian Embassy for demining Efforts in Cambodia.

On May 9^th, 2008, Gala Events worked in collaboration with Rotary International to design a wine tasting fundraiser at the Cambodian Embassy. Rotary International is a non-profit organization that promotes development, community awareness, and fellowship, and in an effort to raise money and awareness, this event aimed to support the Halo Trust Foundation Coalition’s petition to remove landmines along the K-5 mine belt.

Handmade silk tablecloths, beautiful artwork, and luxurious silk scarves were some of the featured auction items, and overall, the event raised over $ 20,000.00. Throughout the event, guests were served traditional Cambodian delicacies and entertained by classic Cambodian dancers. Gala enhanced the elegant, Cambodian-inspired atmosphere, dressing tables in rich ivory linens topped with beautiful florals, and custom commemorative wine glasses provided the finishing touch for each of the guests.

Ultimately, I would like to thank Brendan Adams, President of Rotaract for allowing us the opportunity to work on such a significant fundraiser, as well as Ambassador Ek for a wonderful, and more importantly, successful event.

The author of this blog is Rosie Goulette, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Our Couture Wedding Showcase

On Sunday, April 13, 2008, Gala inc. opened our showroom doors to the trade and public for our first Wedding Showcase. Presenting Aimee Lauren, a local couture wedding gown designer, Bloomingdale’s registry items, Fancy Cakes by Leslie, hair and makeup artists from Oxygen Salon in Rockville, handmade wedding accessories by Helene Batoff, custom invitations and calligraphy by Mickey Brodey, strings and DJ entertainment by Washington Talent, and photography by Jack Hartzman, the showcase featured an array of current trends and unique ideas in all important planning areas. Models, as well as some other daring women, visited each station dressed in Aimee’s beautiful gowns, complete with full hair and makeup by the wonderful women from Oxygen Salon.

The designers at Gala set up five different tables to whet the appetites of brides with different visions and styles. Plants Etc. created beautiful centerpieces and bridal bouquets to accent the feel of each table, and the couples flocked to the tables that appealed to their own personal tastes. A traditional table, dressed in an embroidered orchid taffeta linen, featured a gold glass urn filled with a lush arrangement of soft ivory roses. Another table was dressed in a rich chocolate brown linen adorned with velvet leaves to create an autumn feel. A gold candelabra cascading with ivory flowers completed the rich look of this table. A warm, spring feel was created on a table topped with celadon linen and a tall glass cylinder filled with brightly colored orange and fuchsia flowers. Sleek white chargers and glassware brought a cool, finishing touch. Lastly, brides and grooms tables were created to demonstrate the juxtaposition of simple elegance with modern contemporary. The bride’s table was topped with a delicate white floral sheer overlay and white box overflowing with hydrangea, roses, orchids, and beautiful flowers in hues of white. The grooms table provided an interesting contrast in all black with a black chinchilla textured linen topped with a tight pave of black magic roses. A fabulous black shimmer charger and solid black glassware enhanced the sleek look. Of all of the tables, though all were extraordinarily creative and simply beautiful, the groom’s table seemed to create the most buzz. One bride exclaimed that she had never seen such a “luscious and unique linen” that she not only wanted to “drape herself in,” but more importantly, wanted to use to surprise her fiancée in her upcoming wedding.

Overall, the showcase was a success. All of the vendors, along with the team at Gala, came together for a one-stop shopping experience and showed the many ways that we can work to create a wedding that reflects a couple’s own personal style. We look forward to our next showcase and hope for an even bigger turnout, as we at Gala are always looking to show our clients on what’s fresh and new in weddings and special events.

The author of this blog is Jaime Greenwald, President of Gala Events, inc.

Ready, Steady, Photo Shoot

Visuals are important. They enliven content, put a face to a name, and help sell your company and products. They can help explain your brand, make it come alive. This is why Gala inc. was so excited when the Westin Tysons Corner asked us to design a table scape that would create the ultimate "wow" factor for their new events brochure.

We captured the look by creating a table design to showcase three unique, vibrant linens and a breath-taking centerpiece reflecting the colors of the linen. The centerpiece was an unique architectural feature with multiple satellite arrangements and ornate votives.

We stepped outside of the box by utilizing chopsticks in place of typical flatware and decorative bowls. This created a fusion between Middle Eastern and Asian cultures for a trendy look that has never been seen.

The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

A "Heavenly" Bridal Booth

Gala inc. was honored when the brand new Westin National Harbor approached us to help design their trade booth for the Washington Bridal Showcase - the area's largest spring bridal show - at the Patriot Center on April 27, 2008. We delivered a design that featured the "heavenly" experience for which Westin is known. Our design painted the perfect picture while prominently showcasing the company's name and logo. This ensured branding / corporate identity and helped prospective clients to become more familiar with the Westin image. The booth design did not only focus on branding, but on the hotel's products, services, and support as well.



Stunning, simple, eye-catching, and sleek. These are all words that should describe the look of the trade booth. We showcased Gala's White Tufted Bar with light-up top, white occassional chairs, floral and table scape. Gala Events made sure not to forget the fact that the trade booth design needed to woo brides in less than three seconds.

The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Wedding Trends: Go Bold, Go Green

As the warm weather rolls in, it seems only natural that the hottest color of the season is bright yellow. Whether you choose to incorporate it in your flowers, your linens, your bridesmaid’s dresses, or even sashed across your own wedding dress, yellow screams summer, energy, and freshness. Bold colors are very in, with jewel tones ranging from shocking pink to vibrant green. Many wedding couples are now focusing on green, not in the sense of the color itself, but rather for the natural, organic connotation it suggests.

It seems that many often brides confuse the idea of a “green” wedding with something too informal, too nontraditional, and maybe even “too hippie” for them, but in fact, there are many ways to interpret the concept of “green” weddings. Most obviously, choosing a natural setting will help set the tone; however, as with many of the organic ideas that I will discuss in this blog, making “green” choices often means spending more “green.” Unlike hotels, country clubs, or restaurants, outdoor venues often require you to outsource all tables, chairs, linens, stemware, plates and glasses, flooring and draping for tents, and most significantly, heating or air conditioning units and power generators, which are anything but conservatory. Thus, in making the decision to use an outdoor venue, it is hugely important to emphasize to your vendors that they minimize their use of energy and waste so that you maximize your green concept and make any extra expenditures worth your dollar.

Continue to “go-green” by choosing organic food and wine, and stay in tune with the trends by serving miniature portions. Offer organic vegetables, artisan cheeses, and soup shooters for hors d’oeuvres, and choose a sustainable fish, such as halibut, for your main course. Start your guests off with an amuse bouche of hummus, olives, and olive oil served in a three-compartment plate, and follow this with an intermezzo of refreshing and colorful sorbet. Fusion cuisine is also very in, so provide your guests with small portions of exotic tastes presented on square plates, and expose them to three fabulous new trends at once!

Be inspired by the bold colors that are so in style, and add energy to your event by transitioning from color to color throughout the wedding. Move from one color to another from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception. Realize that you do not have to travel to an exotic destination or serve a traditional five course meal on formal china to have a fabulous, successful wedding. What will really get your guests excited in 2008 is being bold with color and concept, creating energy without wasting it, and most importantly, allowing your personality to shine brightly through all of the items that you select for your special day.

The author of this blog is Jaime Greenwald, President of Gala Events, Inc.

Wedding & Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcase at Bolger Center

Gala Events and Washington Talent teamed up on May 4, 2008, along with several other vendors, to showcase the Bolger Center as an up and coming event venue. The guests were inundated with wedding and Bar/Bat Mitzvah options, from music to entertainment to décor, and Gala Events was there to provide information on how to maximize the event space with regard to budget and overall look.

Gala displayed a wide variety of specialty linens, artwork, themed, and floral centerpieces, and custom signage. The biggest buzz was centered around our custom in-house tables. From wood plank tables washed in white for a shabby chic look or painted brown for a more natural feel, to white vinyl club tables, to chocolate brown leather tables, to brushed aluminum high tops, guests simply loved the idea of a table without linen. They could see that our tables are not only décor elements in and of themselves, but they also create a sleek look very much in tune with the summer trends.

Another big trend in special events is a less formal look and feel. As such, it is very important to offer unique, out-of-the box concepts with regard to décor. In addition to the tables that I mentioned above, Gala showed the ways in which our custom bars can be utilized for purposes other than the traditional beverage service. For example, we used our lighted martini bar as a contemporary hors d’oeuvres station, our glass block bar to serve fruit smoothies, flavored waters, and designer teas, and our 50’s diner bar to display root beer floats, popcorn, and other fun foods. Our fabulous mahogany bar would make the perfect set up to service a late night hot cocoa station, complete with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, cherries, and of course kahlua!

Exotic fusion foods are also very much in style, and as such, we showcased a Moroccan, Indian, and Asian inspired table dressed in a combination of vibrant orange, yellow and turquoise linens. A gold candelabra was placed in the center, topped with a cascade of brightly colored flowers and surrounded by jeweled votive holders and colored champagne flutes and wine glasses. Oversized pillows were offered in place of reception chairs, and colored glass plates were topped with large, ornate Pho noodle soup bowls for an absolutely over the top look.

Ultimately, bold colors are in for the summer, and with that, so are bold looks. This event was filled not only with bold colors and bold looks, but more importantly, it was filled with tons of energy! With Gala’s décor and Washington Talent’s entertainment, the Bolger Center showcased it’s reception space in style with bold, overflowing energy, and décor to set the trends.

The author of this blog is Nancy Radin, Senior Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Running Bridezillas Galore!

On the morning of April 4th, Claudia, Meredith and I went to the “Running of the Brides” at the brand new Filene’s Basement store in Tysons Corner, Virginia. I'm sure you have seen it on television before or at least heard about it - hundreds of women rushing to dozens of racks full of designer wedding gowns and trying them on in the aisles. In fact, it was even referenced on a "Friends" episode back when Monica was planning her wedding to Chandler. Remember?

News reports often compare this one-day-only bridal event to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, which is why the event is officially called the “Running of the Brides.” All of the brides running around grabbing dresses off the racks. It’s truly an experience. After standing in line all morning, hundreds of brides with close friends and family race to find the perfect dress. It takes a matter of seconds for the racks to be stripped bare. Women, and even men, just grab and run. And who wouldn’t when you can find the perfect designer gown for a steal?

Call us crazy but we thought this sounded like too much fun to miss. So, we got up bright and early to join the line, handing out baby blue garters to all of the brides-to-be, their “something new, something blue.”

When we arrived at 7:00am, hundreds of women were already lined up outside of the main entrance to the Filene's store. The line wrapped around three sides of the building. Most of the teams we asked said they started arriving at 6:00am, but a few women started camping out the day before. In fact, the first team in line – decked out in pink antenna headbands and matching shirts – arrived at 8:30pm the night before after casing the store, scoping out mirror locations and getting a sneak preview of some of the dresses! They said, “if we were going to do this, we were going to do it right.”



At 7:55am chaos broke out. What was once a line became a mass of women, pushing to be the first through the doors. We watched from slits in the window as store employees held onto the racks for dear life in preparation for the bulls, I mean brides.

As soon as those doors opened, the girls were off and running. We watched as nearly 2,000 dresses flew off the racks in less than a minute. After the wedding gown frenzy slowed down, the damage was assessed. It appeared that all were safe and only the main doors were broken, and maintenance was already busy trying to fix them.

We then decided to venture inside, gaining a first row seat to the madness. Women were carrying around as many gowns as they could hold. Some women wore sports bras and shorts, while others wore the lingerie they planned to wear on the big day. I even saw one woman wearing a bikini – a great idea. To help with locating “the” dress, teammates carried signs that indicated what sizes they were looking for - another good idea!

So, how great of a deal is this? Basement buyers accumulate gowns from a variety of sources including manufacturer's samples, overstocks, canceled orders, excess merchandise, etc. Originally priced anywhere from $900 to $9,000 or more, the dresses are drastically marked down and the new prices are set at $249, $499 or $699. The gowns are not returnable, so it isn’t uncommon to hear of a bride buying two.

As if the groups of anxious women aren’t enough, there were also news camera crews. I watched a news report a couple hours into the event and was very excited to see two of the brides I had spoken to earlier that morning showing off their newly purchased gowns.

Tips for Success
Since this may be something new to you and for those of you planning on heading to Towson’s or DC’s event this summer, the following are some tips for success:

1. Get there early or get there late. There may be a better selection first thing in the morning, but only a fraction of the dresses are actually purchased. It’s true, according to a Filene’s Exec. So, if you go later, you avoid the frenzy and still have a great shot of finding the perfect dress.
   
2. Bring help! Some tips advise you to leave men at home. We saw plenty of guys in line ready to take down anyone who dare steal a dress. Think about it, it’s the perfect “dress guard.”


3. Identify your team. The Filene's Web site suggests you and your "team" wear matching colors, hats, etc. to help you find each other in a crowd. Have fun, be creative.


4. Ready to wear. Be-Cool Come prepared to strip down in the middle of the store. Leotard or sports bra and bike shorts are a great way to slip the dresses on quickly.


5. Leave your handbags at home. Carry your belongings in a fanny pack or, better yet, have a friend carry them.
   
6. Think creatively. Since these dresses are so inexpensive, it may be worth the cost of alterations if the gown you love doesn't fit perfectly.


7. Be open-minded. Certain dresses look best on certain bodies. Don't pass up a dress just because it isn't what you had in mind - it may look awesome on you!


8. Be courteous. This is just common sense. Everyone is there for the same thing - to find the perfect dress. If you are nice and help someone out, they will be nice and help you - hopefully!
   
9. Be fair. Again, everyone is there for the same thing. So give up your dresses as quickly as possible so that other brides have a chance to try them on.


10. Have fun! Hopefully you will find the dress of your dreams but if not, you will cherish the memories and have a great story to tell your friends.

The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Hello and Welcome

Hello and welcome to Gala inc’s blog, an interactive spot where the team at Gala and I will keep you updated with the latest happenings and newest trends in the event world.

2008 marked the grand opening of Gala Events’ Design Center, a New York style loft created to inspire both the party planner and the party giver. Hosting a full inventory of exclusive decor items, to include specialty linens, chairs, and tableware, custom invitations and accessories, and with convenient next-door access to our floral and production division, our design center is a true one-stop shop for all of your event needs!

This January we launched our first informational seminar to provide both our future and existing clientele with expert advice on how to create a Gala Event. This Bar and Bat Mitzvah Symposium was a huge success and allowed our guests to experience our new space and get inspired by all that Gala has to offer! Guests walked away with informational packets that shared timelines, check lists and our special “Tricks of the Trade”!!!

I would like to personally invite you to join us on Sunday, April 13th from 11AM to 3 PM for our Bridal Open House. We will feature Aimee Lauren, a hot, new designer in couture wedding gowns. Hair and make up artists, custom cake designers, fabulous new trends in music, and of course, Gala’s own unique custom tablescapes and designs will also be featured. We will offer a 20% discount for invitations, save the dates, programs and accessories. So be sure to mark your calendars, and join us for this sensational event.

I truly hope that this blog serves not only as another educational tool to keep you informed and up-to-date, but also functions as a forum for open communication. The team and I will post comments and opinions on our most recent events, and we will be sure to keep you informed of all upcoming symposium topics and future dates. We hope that you too will share your thoughts on the topics that we cover. Please don’t be shy; we’d love to hear from you and post on what you’re interested in learning more about!

Jaime Greenwald
President

Honoring the Earth with your Eco-Chic Wedding

Personalizing your wedding is very important to making your wedding a special celebration that reflects you and your Groom. Hosting a “Green” Wedding is a great way to make the celebration unique and meaningful. Here are some tips for an Eco-Chic Wedding:

Location, location, location
The location of your wedding sets the tone for the event – and can account for a big chunk of your budget.

• When selecting a venue, consider choosing a setting that’s convenient for most of the guests, minimizing travel impacts. The less your guests have to travel, the less oil consumed. Also consider having the ceremony and reception at the same place.
• An outdoor setting will infuse the whole event with a natural sensibility – and require less decorating too! I chose to have my wedding on a beach. There was a good deal of luck involved weather-wise; but I can't think of a much more beautiful setting than one provided by nature.
• If you decide to hold the event indoors, try and select a venue that makes the best use of natural light. Or pick a unique local spot that supports a cause you believe in – like an art gallery, nonprofit space, organic restaurant or farm, green hotel, botanical garden, or green-roofed building.

Save the date and a tree
Your invitation is the first impression guests will get of your eco-friendly wedding.

• Use recycled paper wherever possible; most companies offer this option now. You may also want to consider treeless paper made from bamboo, hemp or kenaf.
• Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic. Try to have your invitations printed with vegetable- or soy-based inks.
• Jump at the opportunity to go paperless. Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. Instead of multi-enveloped notes, I sent a postcard for my save-the-date. This was both cost-effective and cut down on paper. My wedding website was constructed to keep guests informed of wedding-related parties such as the rehearsal dinner. We eliminated the R.S.V.P. card and encouraged guests to reply online.

Be sure to let guests know about the eco-friendly hotel and transportation options in your area, from hybrid rental cars, to directions to the ceremony using public transportation. And don't forget to pick up some extra green paper products for your guest book, place cards, and thank-you notes.

From décor to flowers and beyond
Add beauty and style to your wedding décor, naturally.

• Flowers used at weddings and receptions have a tendency to be out of season and as a result are imported. Transportation and care of these flowers requires extra resources. Try to use locally sourced flowers. Think organic.
• Think outside of the box and have your bridesmaid showcase something other than flowers. For instance, I had my bridesmaids carry bamboo fans and matching purses instead of cut flowers.
• Reuse, hire or borrow room décor. A great way to help the planet, choose vendors who are committed to recycling, such as Gala Inc. Forego the traditional centerpiece and instead decorate with branches, potted plants or candles. Use beeswax or soy-based candles over its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles.
• Use leaves or other natural objects as place cards. At my wedding, I chose sand dollars as escort cards. Guests loved them and even took them home as keepsakes.
• If you must have fresh cut flowers, consider recycling them. For instance, alter arrangements at the ceremony can double as a centerpiece. Or, donate the flowers to a hospital or rest home at the end of the day.

'Tis better to give...

Give away favors that give back...to the earth!

• Show your guests that you care about the plant’s species, habitat and humanity – give Endangered Species Chocolate. These chocolates support charitable organizations.
• Go green! Give your guests a small plant, personalized eco-friendly wildflower seed packets, or tuck bulbs in an attractively burlap bag.
• Dress up your basic mason jar and fill it with organic jams, jellies or honey from the local farmer’s market. Handmade, natural soaps or candles are a nice touch as well.
• Reusable cloth tote bags are a great idea.
• Brighten your guests’ home with a compact fluorescent light bulb.
• Use place cards made of seeded paper that can be planted at home. Better yet, give guests a small plant to take home.
• Or, my favorite, give a charitable donation to a cause that is special to you.

A special touch, consider planting a tree at the end of your ceremony instead of releasing butterflies, which can disrupt wild butterflies’ migration and spread disease or parasites.


Going green doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your big day, though. By taking a look at the bigger picture, you can move beyond the usual decadence and consumption to create a truly personal, moving, and sustainable celebration that people will remember for years. You may even open a few eyes in the process.

The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.

Do you need a Wedding Planner?

It's engagement season! Congratulations to all of those newly engaged couples. One of the very first steps in the wedding planning process is to decide if you need a wedding planner.

This is a question that often comes up. There tends to be a misconception that a bride thinks she can handle everything on her own or with the help of family. And, maybe she can. Tons of weddings take place everyday without a planner.

Ask yourself some questions.
Do you have a lot of wedding details that need full attention?
Do you want to enjoy your day and truly feel like the guest-of-honor at your own party?
Will you be able to enjoy yourself while managing vendors, wondering if the cake has arrived, does the photographer have the correct timeline, does your DJ have your first dance song ready to go, and does your caterer have a special plate prepared for you and the Groom?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then maybe you need to consider hiring a wedding planner.

I want to be able to enjoy planning the wedding of my dreams.
Many brides are afraid that they won’t get to finally plan the wedding of their dreams if they let a planner take control. There are a lot of details leading up to your wedding day that need attention, so maybe wedding consultation and a "day of" package are what you need?

The biggest reason why you need a wedding planner – whether it is “day of coordinating” or “full planning” – is to be able to just let go of the worries of getting things done and trust that a professional has "your back" and is your advocate. You simply cannot be worrying about the reception layout while you are getting ready for the biggest day of your future.

My girlfriend is going to handle the planning on my wedding day.
In theory, this may be a great idea and you may even think that this is going to save you a lot of money. But, there is one thing to consider: your girlfriend may have never planned a wedding before in her life. Plus, she also wants to have fun at your wedding too.

Hiring a wedding planning is going to cost too much.
This is a very common myth that needs to be addressed. In fact, it’s not expensive, it's priceless. This is a day in your life that only happens once! You want it to be perfect, trust the professionals that specialize in perfect. Furthermore, the professionals should be able to help you with your budget and give you insider tips on where to save.

The most important thing for you to remember: allow yourself to fully enjoy your wedding. Consider giving up some responsibility on your wedding weekend to the professionals that you trust will allow you to fully enjoy yourself, your Groom and your wedding!

The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.