Preparing The Honeymoon Suite

This is a major detail that is not discuss, at all- Preparing the Honeymoon Suite. The Wedding Day is filled with so much excitement and adrenaline, that the couple can experience the “crash” that many couples feel after the festivities have come to a close. This post will address the “Wedding Night” and the smallest details that help make this night comfortable and relaxing. Of course, you will not be able to prep the suite, so ask family and/or friends (who are not participating in the wedding party) to assist in this task.

Consider the following questions and apply the suggestions to the experience you want your wedding night to present:

What Will Help Us Relax? Depending on your personality, the idea of relaxation varies. For some, it may be drinking a glass of wine and for others it could be watching a movie. To relieve a day’s worth of stress, consider scheduling an in-room couple’s massage. If your hotel does not offer this amenity after hours, I’m sure concierge can point you in that direction. If you can’t make the professional massage happen, give each other a nice rub-down or foot massage!

What’s The Ambience? What if you want to listen to a favorite CD, or what if you have packed your iPod and some speakers (will you need a charger)? Also, Soothing scents can enhance nearly every experience, so consider bringing some scented candles or room fragrance. Soothing scents such as lavender or vanilla will help your post-wedding transition. As far as lighting, candlelight can be most flattering. There’s a chance that the suite you are staying in has adjustable lighting (which means less work for you), so be sure to ask. Please Note: if you are going to bring candles, make sure that you bring candle holders or some type to candle the melted wax- you don’t want to have to pay any room damage fees. As a precaution, make sure that there is a fire extinguisher nearby for any unforeseeable emergencies.

What Will We Eat? With all the rush and attention, you probably did not feel like or did not get a chance to fully enjoy your dinner at the reception. You will likely feel like consuming something light, without sugar or caffeine. Consider packing light appetizers to have waiting in the suite, or better yet pre-order room service with an ideal meal in mind for you and your sweetie.

What Will We Drink? First and Foremost, drink something hydrating before you drink more alcohol. Whether a cup of tea or a glass of wine, have your favorite beverages and proper essentials (ice, cups/glasses, tea, etc.) waiting for you. If you plan on drinking alcohol, plan ahead and purchase it at a store- if you purchase from your hotel, you can expect at least a 100% mark-up on the price.

Take A Nap. Ok, so let’s be realistic…. Who really has energy for “Wedding Night” festistivies after 10-12 hours of excitement and rush (not to mention, the weeks of stress leading up to the wedding day)??? Before you completely unwind for the evening, set an alarm or schedule a wake-up call, and then take in a nice mid-sized nap. One you awake, you can shower or bathe…. AND THEN begin the festivities!

The Wake-Up Call. Perhaps you have a “Post-Wedding” Brunch with the family and wedding party the next morning, or a flight to catch to your Honeymoon destination. Be sure to call the front desk for a wake-up call, or bring your own alarm to set. You will not want to oversleep if you have plans for the next morning.

Wedding Coordinator, Planner, Designer....What's the Difference?

Wedding Coordinator... Wedding Planner... Event Designer.  These terms are commonly used interchangeably, and understandly their servcies can be confusing.  A coordinator is a not a planner and a planner may or may not be a designer.  So what's the difference?

The Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator is your basic essential to having a happy, stree-free wedding day.  Many coordinators are planners as well, and offer additional packages that include planning assitance.  Coordinators, in essence, are around to tie up loose ends and make sense of all the plans you have put into place.  They typically step in anywhere from a month to a week out from your wedding day- but not more than that, unless specified in your contract.  A "site coordinator" is absolutely different from a hired coordinator.  Do not be misinformed on this:  Almost every venue has an assigned coordinator.  YOUR wedding coordinator will be there from sun up to sun down, should your wedding require it, to ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch.

The Wedding Planner
A wedding planner is a professional that guides you through the process and facilitate the necessary details like vendor selections, budget tracking, and timeline/calendar management.  Their expertise and experience play an imperative role in pairing you with vendors to fit your personality, budget, and needs.  Most wedding planners are coordinators and will be there to oversee and execute your wedding day.  Please note that a planner's purpose is to guide the couple through the engagement period.  You can think of them as a wedding manager- they aren't typically hired to inject their style or ideas or to come up with a wedding's concept, but many planners have the ability to step up to the plate, creatively speaking, if neccessary.  Many fear that a wedding planner will challenge their creative concept.... That's definitely not the case- we are here to foster that creativity and ensure that the vendors you hire are the ones that will compliment the vision.

The Event Designer
Event designers are hired based on their previous work and reviews.  Their design is a concept of your conveyed vision for your wedding, from lighting to linens.  It also works for brides who have a difficult time articulating their own vision, or who simply don't want to be bothered with the details.  Events designers are known for their unique sense of style and their portfolio should reflect just that.  Usually, they take your ideas, pictures, and vision and create something stunningly you! Not all event designers are planners.  They may not want anything to do with planning/coordinating your wedding details.  This is something to be addressed before signing a contract.

Regardless of which you choose (coordinator, planner, or designer), the professional needs to be hired in the beginning of your process.  Most brides concern themselves with details that should be lower on the priority list, like buying a bridal gown before solidfying the venue, example- the venue strongly anchors the type of style you, and the entire wedding party, will be going for....

So, in conclusion, hiring the RIGHT wedding professional will greatly minimize stress and ultimately save you money.

Always remember, you get what you pay for....