Ways to Enhance Your Guests' Experience for Your Wedding Weekend

Planning a wedding is like orchestrating a grand event where you’re the main act and your guests are the audience. And just like a concert, you want everyone leaving with a smile, a ton of fun memories, and maybe even a tiny favor (more on that later). So, let’s talk about some of the best ways to make sure your guests are raving about your wedding weekend long after the cake has been eaten and the last confetti popper has burst.

Photo by Ashton Jean-Pierre

1. Hotel Accommodations & Suggestions: Where Sweet Dreams Begin

You know that moment at the end of a long day when you flop onto a hotel bed, and it feels like pure heaven? That’s the experience you want for your guests. Choose hotels that fit different budgets but still provide that “ahhh” factor. Bonus points if they have breakfast buffets where your guests can reminisce over last night’s dance moves while scarfing down waffles. Offering suggestions or booking blocks can ensure everyone stays close and cozy—and possibly close to a bar for pre-wedding cocktails.

2. Transportation: More Than Just a Joy Ride

Photo by Sarah Coleman Photography

Sure, Aunt Susan could attempt to navigate the winding roads with her outdated GPS, but let’s spare her the stress. Providing transportation between key locations (hotels, ceremony, reception) is not just thoughtful, it’s a stress-buster. Think fun options like vintage trolleys, party buses, or even something quirky like a horse-drawn carriage (for the extra fairytale feel). Extra style points if there are snacks and a killer playlist to set the vibe.

3. Keeping Everyone in Touch: No One Left Behind

With a full weekend of events, it's easy for someone to miss the memo about brunch or forget where cocktail hour is. Keep everyone on the same page by setting up a wedding website or a group chat that your wedding party can moderate. Better yet, get techy with a wedding app! From sending out reminders to sharing the weekend itinerary, this makes sure no one shows up to the wrong venue at the wrong time. And yes, it's a lifesaver when someone loses their way after that second glass of champagne. I love working with this company! Guests can even share photos they have taken over the weekend.

4. Suggested Activities or Places to See: Entertain Your Entourage

Your wedding guests didn’t just come for the party—they want to explore, too! (OK, maybe mostly for the party, but let’s give them options). Compile a list of must-see attractions, cute coffee shops, local boutiques, or mouth-watering restaurants. Give them a true taste of your wedding destination. After all, the only thing better than your wedding cake might be the local bakery’s signature donuts.

5. Seating Charts: Where the Fun Begins

Seating charts can make or break the vibe. Imagine the satisfaction of sitting two foodies next to each other or reuniting college roommates. Now, imagine seating your wild cousin next to your partner’s super conservative boss—yeah, no thanks. Make it thoughtful, make it fun, and don’t be afraid to add a personal touch like naming tables after your favorite songs or destinations. For beautifully created place card and escort boards we love to work with Minted!

6. Interactive Favor Elements: Make ‘Em Work for It!

Why hand out boring favors when you can make them interactive? Think photo booths where guests can snap pics and take them home, custom Fragrance bars where they can create their own scent at the reception. The key here is to let your guests play a little—they’ll appreciate the memento much more if it’s something they actually enjoyed engaging with.We have even have clients who wanted unforgettable experience of riding a bull. If you can dream it, we can make it happen!

7. Shoe and Coat Valets: Because Comfort is King (or Queen)

Let’s be honest, those sparkly stilettos look amazing for about 30 minutes before your feet start screaming. Same goes for the dapper jacket that looks sharp but gets tossed after the second dance. Set up a comfortable station where guests can swap heels for cozy slippers or safely store their coats while they boogie down. It’s a simple but thoughtful way to ensure no one is limping their way home  and you are omitting trip hazards of shoes laying around the base of your reception tables and guests shivering when they should be sipping champagne.

By thinking through these elements, you’re not just throwing a wedding—you’re hosting an unforgettable experience. Your guests will not only feel appreciated, but they’ll leave your celebration feeling like they just attended the event of the year. So, cheers to making your wedding weekend a blast for everyone involved!

Photo by Kati Rosado

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

Your wedding photographer isn't just another vendor—they're the gatekeepers of your memories. They're capturing all those little details you've been dreaming about and planning for over the past year. These photos are how you'll remember your big day, how you'll show your kids, grandkids, nieces, and even new friends the magic that was your wedding.

Once you've fallen in love with an editing style, it's time to dive into the interview process. Here's your game plan:

Photo by Taylor Nations Photography 

First Contact

• Response Time: How quickly do they respond to your inquiry? Speedy replies indicate professionalism and reliability.

• Pricing Transparency: Are they upfront about their pricing? Clear and honest pricing can save you from unexpected surprises later on.

These initial interactions can tell you a lot about what to expect down the road.

Photo by Aislinn Kate Photography 

Set Up a Consultation

Always, always, always set up a consultation—preferably in person, but video calls work too. Your photographer (and their team) will be shadowing your every move on one of the biggest days of your life. You want to ensure their personality gels with yours and your fiancé's, and that you feel 100% comfortable around them.

Photo by Aislinn Kate Photography 

Key Questions to Ask

During your consultation, make sure to cover these bases:

• Creative Process: What's their approach to capturing your day?

• Flexibility: How do they handle changes in the day-of timeline?

• Typical Wedding Day: What does a typical wedding day look like for them?

• Dress Code: What will they wear on the day of your wedding?

• Proximity During Ceremony: How close do they get during the ceremony?

• Posing Guidance: Do they help with posing to ensure you look your best?

• Sneak Peeks: Do they offer sneak peeks, and how soon after the wedding?

• Turnaround Time: How long will it take to get your photos back?

• Shot Lists: Can you provide them with a family photo list or specific shot list?

• Planning Meeting: Will you have a planning meeting prior to discuss and formalize logistics?

Photo by Tiny House Photo

Post-Consultation

After your chat, pay attention to how quickly they send you a quote and contract. This can be another indicator of their professionalism and efficiency.

Photo by Jusine and Wayne Photo

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, you want to ensure you love their personality and professionalism. These photos will be cherished not just for the day of but for the rest of your life. So take your time, ask the right questions, and choose a photographer who feels like a trusted friend capturing your love story.

Designing Your Dream Wedding: Our Unique Approach

Photo by Hara Gabrielle Venue: Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, Florida

Congratulations on your engagement! As you embark on this exciting journey, we’re here to help you design a wedding that reflects your love story and creates an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Here’s a glimpse into how we approach the wedding design process, ensuring every detail is meticulously planned and perfectly executed.

Step 1: Establishing Your Budget

The first step in our design process is understanding and allocating your budget based on your preferences. This provides us with a clear framework to create a luxurious, yet feasible, wedding plan that aligns with your vision and financial parameters.

Step 2: Deep Dive into Your Vision

We dive deep into understanding your dream wedding. This involves exploring:

• Colors and Fonts: What shades and styles resonate with you?

• Vibes and Scents: What overall atmosphere and sensory experiences do you envision?

• Shapes and Stories: What shapes and elements reflect your aesthetic and love story?

We encourage you to imagine your big day in detail—from the moment your guests receive their invitation, to their arrival at the venue, and their experience throughout the ceremony and reception.

Step 3: Crafting a Personalized Luxury Experience

Our goal is to create a luxurious and unique experience tailored to you. With your preferences in mind, we let our creative process begin, starting with a scaled floor plan. This plan is designed to ensure a seamless flow and that the space is conducive to the ambiance you desire.

• Event Flow: Do you envision a strolling cocktail party with mingling and dancing, or a formal dinner followed by an epic dance party?

• Table and Rental Selection: We carefully select table sizes, lounge furniture, bars, and shelving to create an exciting and visually appealing layout. Combining rectangular banquets with various sizes of round tables can add a dynamic look to the space.

Step 4: Layering the Design Elements

Photo by PV Cobia Venue: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Once the floor plan is set, we begin layering design elements to bring your vision to life:

• Chairs and Linens: Based on your preferences, we select chairs and linens that complement the overall theme.

• Centerpieces and Floral Arrangements: Collaborating with top florists, we suggest types of arrangements—whether tall, short, candelabras with florals, or gold compotes—to create stunning centerpieces.

• Table Details: The final touches on the tables include table numbers, menus, napkin folds, chargers, and place cards, adding a layer of sophistication and personalization.

Step 5: Enhancing Room Elements

Photo by PV Cobia Venue: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabmama

With the main design elements in place, we focus on enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic:

• Drawing the Eye Up: Adding draping, shelving, and ceiling installations can draw attention upward and add dimension to the space.

• Bars and Stages: Ensuring these elements are cohesive yet unique, we design bars and stages that stand out and fit seamlessly into the overall design.

Step 6: Lighting the Mood

Photo by Hara Gabrielle Venue: Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, Florida

Lighting is a crucial aspect that can transform an entire space. We use a variety of lighting techniques to set the desired mood:

• Pin Spots and Uplights: Highlight specific areas and add depth.

• Bistro Lighting, Chandeliers, and Lamps: Create a warm, inviting ambiance.

• Dimmers: Adjust the lighting as the night progresses to maintain the perfect atmosphere.

Step 7: Adding Personal Touches

Photo by: Aislinn Kate Wedding, Venue: The Henderson Beach Resort, Destin, Florida

Finally, we add personal details that reflect your unique personality and story. This could include custom bar signage, personalized books, college memorabilia, custom cocktail napkins, photos, and more. These elements ensure your wedding is not only beautiful but also deeply personal and meaningful.

Final Thoughts

Photo by: Aislinn Kate Wedding, Venue: The Henderson Beach Resort, Destin, Florida

Designing your wedding is a journey of creativity and collaboration. Our approach ensures every detail is thoughtfully planned and beautifully executed, creating a day that is truly unforgettable. We look forward to working with you to bring your dream wedding to life!

How to plan the perfect proposal

Perla Martinez Photography

With the holidays among us, cheer fills the space around us. Families are more likely to be spending intentional time together celebrating; so why not add a cherry to the top and ask the love of your life the ultimate question?

It’s a simple yes or no question – 4 word question—so what’s the big deal ?!

I laugh to myself as I picture trying to down play that simple question…. It’s a really big deal and carries about 10-12 XL suitcases with it, yall!

I love grand and intimate gestures, so here are some helpful suggestions that will almost always guarantee you a yes.

Step one, make sure to order the ring in advance… typically you cannot always walk into the store and out with a ring.  Did you know you can also work with the jeweler to create a piece unique to your fiance-- selecting the size and cut of the diamond to the thickness and mineral composition of the band.

Next focus on the location – things to consider-

·         Weather- what if it rains?

·         How busy or popular is the space?

·         How loud or quite is the space?

·         Could you bring in music?

·         Can a photographer hide at a distance inconspicuously ?

·         Is it a spot that stunning visually ?

·         Is it a spot that holds sentimental value to your relationship ?

Perla Martinez Photography

Next you need to enlist a little bit of help. I would go ahead and find a great photographer and/ or videographer and clue them on your plan, so they can capture this incredible moment. Depending on how elaborate you want to make this event, to be look into hiring some live musicians and special lighting to enhance the space.

This incredibly romantic moment will be talked about for the rest of your lives and shared with kids and grand children so it is so worth it to make it extra!

So how will this all go down-- this is very important. How will you get your soon to be fiancé to the desired location—will you take her—will she meet you there—will a friend bring her? Make sure to have a back up plan in place if for some reason you are met with stubborn/ questioning antics.

When you get down on one knee (still comes highly recommended) keep it short, simple and to the point…. Typically most soon to be brides can’t remember anything you say because this is a moment they have dreamed about their entire lives and it feel like an out of body experience.

Pull the ring out and if she says “yes” you place the ring on her left hand’s ring finger and you win!!

You can elevate and make this experience absolutely more magical and surprising  if you can pull off a small engagement party of her closest friends and family members. I like to suggest a nice 5-10 minute walk away from where the proposal took place. This allows time for you to celebrate together and bask in the excitement. Keep this engagement party light and refreshing like a cocktail hour that promotes mingling versus a sit down dinner.

Lucy Steiner Photography

One of the first things a newly engaged couple wants to do is share the joyful news with their closest friends and family – so why not have them all waiting to tell them all at the same time.

I found more brides prefer to be in a more intimate private location when proposed to, but really enjoy being surrounded by an adoring crowd afterwards.

 In conclusion take some time to really think out the logistics, try to incorporate all five senses, really play up on the element of surprise and don’t forget to ask for help—its so much easier with some help.

You know your partner better than anyone and what they love. Creating this special moment for them…knowing that how much time and effort you put forward will speak volumes to your character and love for them. Just one little four word question “will you marry me” and you will be sure to get a yes!

Lucy Steiner Photography

Welcoming the Fall with Some Luxury Events

We had a wonderful October to say the very least! It was filled with some very beautiful events!

We assisted with Social Icon Marketing Agency to help put on a lavish private jet center hangar party. No detail went untouched. Over 3000 Square feet of industrial hangar transformed into a high-end luxe space.

We even had Maddie participate in full character as a  flight attendant.

Our Very Own Maddie in Full Character

The Aero Charters Jet center is located in Pensacola, Florida and is bringing affordability to flying private. There is nothing like driving 50ft up to the plane 5 minutes before your departure, no need for long security lines or wasted time in the airport.  The owners Joel and Wendy Smith are the absolute nicest people you will ever meet and their hospitality transcends into every aspect of their company. Thinking about taking a private charter? Get a quick quote right here.

Every detail was intentional. From the cotton candy scent sprayed to evoke feelings childhood on the Disney plane, custom pillows to match the company’s branding, to projection mapping on each jet to emulate artistic elements of surprise and intrigue.

We love assisting event  with Social Icon Marketing Agency. Briana Snellgrove is a force to be reckoned with and we make and unstoppable pair.

We teamed with 20 local vendors and 10 hired staff to execute this event and perfection was achieved. Calculating load in times and timing installations helped us create a beautiful space layered with luxury and artistic elements.

George’s Bistro

Jeremy Cook Photography

Surprise Costs with Weddings and How a Planner Can Save You Money

 Weddings are an investment and can come with a pretty hefty price tag depending on your style and location of choice. I want to make sure you are prepared on what to expect when it comes to budgeting and how you can use those precious dollars the most effective way possible. As a Pensacola Wedding Planner and Month of coordinator we get to see it all. We review all contracts and invoices, so we know all the ins, outs and in-betweens of our client’s events. Over the last four years we have spotted a few areas that almost sound hidden and our clients were surprised when they went back over their invoices.

Labor fees: Typically, most rental companies, florists, some bar services and some wedding venues will charge a labor fee. Your labor costs will go up if you are having a beach wedding or ceremony, because sand is involved. Beach weddings require more hands-on deck and further carrying distance of the rented items.

Additional Meetings/ Cancelled Meetings: Have you thoroughly read through your contract? In many local wedding venue contracts, you will find fee clauses for extra meetings or meetings that have been canceled last minute. I don’t necessarily think to many vendors follow through with these clauses, but they are not items to ignore.

Vendor Meals: You have finally gotten your final RSVP and now you can relax and get that number to your catering company…. But did you remember the extra meals you promised your vendors… in their contracts? Most wedding vendors ask that they are provided with a meal on the wedding day typically these vendors include the (DJ or Band, Photographer, Videographer, Bartender, Wedding Planner, Photobooth and any assistants they might have) This could be adding an additional 5-15 meals depending on your vendors. A way to save money would be to ask your catering company if they specifically offer a vendor meal option; most of the time they do, and they are at lower rate than a typical guest.

Taxes and Gratuities: In the state of Florida, specifically Escambia county there is currently only a sales tax on tangible items like rentals or flowers or printed photo etc. Services are exempt from taxes which is why it is great to double check all of your invoices. For example, your DJ will not charge you tax on their service of playing at your wedding, but if you rented their up lighting package you would be charged for the rental of the lights; which are tangible.

   Another area that can surprise my clients might be when I mention that their catering bill or bar bill contains a gratuity. Most of the time you will find this with wedding venues who provide catering or bar service and it is to help compensate their servers or cover the venue manager’s salary. On average we have seen this number range from (18-25 %). This should be a major factor to review before you book your venue, because the food and beverage is one of the highest line items for weddings. If your adding an additional 25% to your total food bill… that affordable $1000.00 venue just got a lot pricier.

These are just a few areas we see overlooked on the final line items in the wedding budget. We want to make sure our clients fully understand the contracts they are signing and are aware of all the charges and fees listed in the clauses. As a Pensacola Wedding Planner and Month of Coordinator we strive to educate our couples and give them the most enjoyable wedding planning experience. Our services go beyond just planning a wedding, we create relationships, remove the stress of the unknown by educating on today’s wedding industry, and empower our clients to fully embrace their wedding to the fullest.

3-hour reception vs. 4-hour reception to 5-hours…. What’s the big deal?

Baliey Allision Photography

 So you have decided on a ceremony location and now you are sitting down with your perfect wedding venue and they ask you “how long will your reception be?”

At that current moment the Bride will ask well what’s the big deal???

An average wedding ceremony is about 22 minutes, add in some travel time and then your reception begins:

Cocktail hour is 60 minutes of Hors D’ouerves and mingling guests and signature cocktails. Followed by your newly married self- grand entrance into the reception which will kick off the festivities. Formal dances- 15 minutes- followed by dinner-45 minutes and cake and people saying nice things about you-15 minutes, lead to the epic dance party where your guests will have the time of their lives shaking it to Ed Sheeran- 1.5. But how long does that take?? 3 hours and 45 minutes and 15 minutes for a grand exit.

If you are doing a heavy hors D’ouerves more cocktail style reception a 3-hour party will be perfect!

Events do inherit more cost the longer they run. Specific items like the bar and entertainment can rack up quickly. There is a chance you might have to sober your guests with a satisfying late-night snack adding to original catering quote.

Personally, I feel that that 4 hours is the perfect amount of time for a reception… if you are not having a plated 3 plus course meal. It leaves just the right amount of time for guests to enjoy dinner and become lively on the dance floor. I have seen it time and time again where the bride and groom go ahead and decide to add on the extra hour- the 5th hour- and the only one left on the dance floor are the over tired living off cake icing children whose bedtime was 3 hours ago.

I recommend to my clients to let your event leave on high note, making them want just a little bit more.

Circling back around, I just want to educate my clients in all their options and what each one of those options will look like when it comes to their budgets and to their guests.

Bailey Allison Photography

Things to Consider:

• Type of dinner that will be served

• The amount budgeted for the bar

• The hours you have your entertainment booked

• Is this a Sunday wedding? Do your guests have work the day?

• Is there a noise ordnance in place?

• Does the venue charge per the extra hour