Why do you need an event planner?

First and foremost, you deserve to truly enjoy your special day.   If you’re running around trying to make sure that the decorator, caterer, florist, music talent, photographer and videographer, hosts and their VIPs transportation, MCs and your event facility are all on time doing what they’re supposed to be doing…frankly you’ll be so frazzled that you won’t get to enjoy the event until the last half hour.  What’s worse is that because it’s your unique event, chances are that you don’t know who the best quality sources are for the money, which will lead to overpaying for some services…and potentially not getting the services you think you contracted for…all of which leads to some very serious stress before, during and even after the event!  So WHY SET YOUR SELF UP?

Hiring an experience event planner saves you time and money.  Hiring Enchanted Crossing event planners provides you with professional experts that listen to your needs.  We’ll work with you to develop a one-of-a-kind celebration, locate the appropriate vendors to serve your vision, and coordinate a team timeline that enables us to provide you with the day of your dreams.  And because you have entrusted the myriad of details to seasoned professionals, YOU get the peace of mind, time and opportunity to truly share the happy occasion with your family and friends!

Don’t you deserve to relax, enjoy and drink in each memorable moment of your celebration?  Call us; we’ll help you achieve your dream.

How soon before my event should I hire an event planner?

As soon as you know you have a special occasion (particularly if you want something that’s more unique than the potluck dinner) that you want to enjoy, it’s time to locate your event planner.  However, it’s not unusual for brides and other party hosts to think that they can implement their vision with benefit of a planner…only to find that a month or two before their date, the details have become overwhelming and their stress level has turned them into a monster.  It’s okay, Enchanted Crossing event planners have been known to come in as late as a week before the event and turn distress into bliss.

When is it too late to hire an event planner?

 Three days before your intended event.  We can pull rabbits out of hats, but we need to know where the hats are.

My DJ says he will handle the wedding planning in his fee, so why do I need another event planner?

Simply put, the best DJ’s will put together a timeline for your reception and act as a master of ceremonies; most view this as “event planning”.  If that’s all you feel you need from an event planner…then you’re set.  However, when it comes to throwing a memorable celebration, there’s simply more issues to consider, and we haven’t yet met a DJ that truly intended to cover all your details with all your vendors to pull off the event you intended.

If my wedding and reception facility already has an event planner in their fee why do I need any one else to do the planning?

Facility event planners are wonderful people.  They will tell you what they think you should do based on what they are accustomed to doing at their facility.  However, if you want something more reflective of you and your needs than a simple change of linens, you’ll need a professional event planner with the ability to design the total experience.  Facility event planners often times are not experienced in working with details that are outside of the facility management, such as providing invitation design and sourcing, officiant searches, photographic/video graphic consultations, transportation, out of town guest accommodation, etc.

Can you plan ethnic events?

Of course and we are delighted to do so!  Whether culturally or religiously diverse we have experience and a full resource guide to ensure that the appropriate respects are given to your traditions.

Does Enchanted Crossing plan “destination” events?

Destination events are a serious challenge for most event planners, since most heavily rely on a select group of vendors in their home city to get the job done.  Very few have the experience of Enchanted Crossing event planners who have planned destination events throughout the US and internationally.  Destination events require very specific organization and negotiating skills in order to truly ensure that all the details are taken care of and, that in spite of the distance and potential language issues, that everyone has the same understanding for your event.

How soon should my Save the Date notices go out before my wedding?

Typically six months in advance of your event, especially if you are anticipating out-of-town guests.

How do I address my invitations to keep people from bringing random “guests”?

We suggest that you address the invitation to the specific parties that you are inviting.  If you have single family and friends that are dating, the rule of thumb is if the relationship is a year old, or if you have other cause for believing that they consider each other the “significant other”; the invitation should be addressed to both by name.  If you refrain from use of the term “and guest” for those invitees that are not seriously involved with someone, you can strongly curtail the “random guest”.

How much time should I allow for replies (RSVP’s) to my invitation?

The invitations should go out ten weeks in advance of your date, which then allows for an appropriate four weeks for invitees to respond with their reply cards, thereby giving you and your event planner time to ensure an accurate count for vendors two weeks in advance of your celebration.

My fiancée and I both have established homes and very particular tastes, how can we let our guests know that we would prefer financial gifts as opposed to the usual wedding gift registry items?

While this has become a more serious issue with people waiting longer to enter into marriage, etiquette experts all agree…there is no way to publicly inform your guests of your wishes.  It is, in a word, tacky to ask for monetary gifts directly.  However, it is generally accepted that the bridal and grooms parties and family can “spread the word” when invitees inquire as to the bride and grooms gift wishes.

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