How To Get Wedding Insurance

Just as you have insurance for your home, for your car, for your health, and possibly even your cell (if you’re one of those who constantly drops theirs in the water or cracks the screen), it’s not a bad idea to have special event insurance for your wedding or event.

Now That We Know Why Wedding Insurance Is Important, Find Out How To Purchase It And Which Ones We Recommend.

How Do I Get Wedding/Event Insurance?

Purchasing your wedding/event insurance policy is super easy!

There are many different online wedding insurance companies to choose from (I’ll provide them below).  Most allow you to simply fill out your wedding/event details such as date, location, guest count, coverage needed, and policy holder’s name and contact info, venue’s name and info and you can then purchase and print that day.

Below are some of my favorite wedding/event insurance providers with example policies covering just general aggregate liability insurance and then a second example policy showing general aggregate liability insurance with event cancellation.

1. Wedsafe.com

2. Theeventhelper.com

3. www.protectmywedding.com

4. www.markel.com

 We know that with our current climate, many are trying to purchase wedding insurance in light of COVID-19.

Here is a good statement of understanding of wedding insurance and if it will be covered according to Vice President of WedSafe.

Because of the fluid nature of the situation, coronavirus claims must be handled on a case by case basis to properly assess what coverage is applicable to each bride and groom, due to the endless variables and scenarios that can arise. Like most insurance, cancelling for the fear of something potentially happening, including coronavirus concerns, would typically not be a covered reason for cancellation. Also, given the news coverage and official designation as a pandemic, it is considered a known event, which would likely preclude any coverage for policies sold after a certain date in time.

 -Steve Lauro, vice president of Aon's WedSafe program

Interested in learning more about special event insurance for your wedding/event?  You can learn more about special event insurance by visiting any of the insurance websites or by visiting this comprehensive review on wedding insurance companies.

10 Things to Do Now That You're Engaged

Congratulations!  You’re Engaged!!

He popped the question and you said yes!  You’ve made all the phone calls, done all the celebrations and you still can’t stop looking at that gorgeous sparkling ring.  Yes, you are engaged!

And yes- that does mean you now have a wedding to plan! 

But WHERE to start??

Below are 10 key steps to take when you first get engaged!

1.  Hire A Wedding Planner Or Consultant:

   There are a few different ways a wedding planner can help you.  You may just need to hire someone for a few hours who can connect you with recommended vendors and help to make sure you are on the right way.  This would be hiring for Consultation Services.  Or perhaps you have family and friends who can help you determine all the details but you don’t want to burden any of them with the day-of logistics.  This service is perfect for wedding management. Or perhaps it would be better to hire a professional who can literally do all the ground work for you and collaborate with you all along the way. This service would be considered Full Planning.  At the very least, I recommend hiring a wedding manager who can handle all set-up and logistical concerns for you.  This will guarantee a relaxing and enjoying day for you and your loved ones to fully engage in all the wonderful day’s activities. Believe me hiring the right wedding planner is well worth it!

2. Determine Your Budget.

   There are several categories of wedding budgets you could fall into:

   Intimate Wedding Budget: $1000

   Economical Wedding: $1100-$10,000

   Standard Wedding: $11,000-$30,000

   Premium Wedding : $31,000-$95,000

   Luxury Wedding: $96,000-$500,000

   Ultra Luxury Wedding: $500,000

   When you are looking at your budget, now is a good time to chat with your parents, grandparents, and any other common contributors. Often, the cost of your wedding is split. It is also commonly hosted by the couple itself. If you are following with tradition, it is hosted by the bride’s parents.

3. Determine Your Preferred Date/Months:

   If you’re planning on an 18+ month engagement, odds are you’ll be able to get the date of your choosing.  If your engagement is 18 months or shorter, you may have to open your preferences to a particular month or months.  When determining your preferred date or dates, I recommend considering a few things:

   1. The Important People:  Who are the important people in your lives you are willingKayla Adams Photography

      to work your date around?  This could be your fiance’s grandparent’s in another state who would have a hard time traveling during the winter months OR perhaps you have siblings with only certain weeks during the school year they could attend your wedding.

   2. Annual Holidays/ Cultural Events: Are their annual holidays or cultural festivities that could make it hard for guests to attend?  For example, the first two weeks of June are the popular graduation celebrations.  December is plush with annual festive holidays. Do you mind having your wedding on one or near one of those celebrations?

4. Book Your Venue:

   On average, most couples book their venue 18 months to one year out. (Check out this article from Huffington Post)  Crazy, I know.  I spent nearly two years as the wedding coordinator for a local wedding venue and I found those stats to be true.  With that knowledge I definitely recommend getting on top of the venue search fast!  Check out websites like theknot.com, weddingwire.com or wedding.com to help you find venues that fit your budget and your style.

5. Choose Your Bridal & Groomal Party:

   Kayla Adams Photography

   Who are the people in your life who have genuinely been there for you?   Who has supported your relationship together?  Which of your friends can you envision being a #lifer?  Larger wedding parties of 6+ are quite popular nowadays but it is just as fine to have only a best man and maid of honor.  The important decision factors here are choosing those people who genuinely love you and have been and are willing to support you two day of and the rest of your lives.

6. Create Your Guest List:

   A lot of this determines on your pre-determined budget.  What’s your food & beverage budget goal?  Most likely, you will have people from different seasons of life being invited.  Both sets of parents will have guests they’d like to invite and it is very likely that you may have friends from your life and your fiance may have friends from theirs.  Then you will also have friends you know collectively you’ll want to invite.  Many couples consider this one of the hardest parts.  If possible, get together with whomever is financially contributing to the wedding and determine your guest list there.  Also, don’t forget to write your A-List and B-List. 

7. Book Your Vendors!  

   Yep- you guessed it.  Just as your preferred venue and date of choice can book up fast, so can your vendors.  So it’s important to book those shortly after engagement, too.  But who do you need and how do you find them?  You can also visit websites like weddingwire.com, the knot.com, or wedding.com if you’ve got the time and ready to take that task on BUT a good wedding planner will have a whole slew of wedding professionals in her network she can recommend to you.  I love being able to connect some of my favorite industry professionals with my couples. Vendor Must Haves are: Caterer (if not included with the venue), Photographer, Florist, Dessert/Baker, DJ/Emcee, Officiant.  Some other vendors that would come in handy:  Calligraphist/Typographer, Wedding Design, Decor/Rentals, Videographer, Food Truck, Photobooth.

8. Create Your Design:

   Hop on Pinterest!  Your design and theme may change a little from your initial pins but it is SO helpful to create a board labelled Our Wedding, The Best Day Ever, or Wedding Inspiration to help you two start to solidify the color palette and type of decor/feel you both want.  It’s a fun way to build the day that is strictly about you and your love.  Perhaps you have a hobby that you both really enjoy or there’s a certain era you both wish you grew up in, maybe you both love Telenovelas…  Whatever it is that speaks to you both, start pinning those things and you’ll start to see a clear vision of how you want your special day to aesthetically look. Note:  Having a Pinterest board is also super helpful to share with your wedding planner, florist, and any other vendor who is helping with the aesthetic design.

   Once you’ve generated your initial inspiration, we highly recommend pairing down your likes to your top 15-20 and then having your wedding planner design your mood board from those. That way you don’t get overwhelmed with the many many options out there and your wedding can have a cohesive, branded aesthetic and feel.

9. Select Your Attire:

   Brides, the process of getting your gown may take quite a while.  So gather your gals, a bottle of champagne, book some appointments and start trying on bridal gowns!  It’s also a good idea to determine the bridesmaids attire now, too.  It can take a few months for the gowns to be delivered and then alterations. So you want to allow plenty of time to have those ordered.  If you’re lucky-the dress will be the perfect fit.  Don’t forget to order your veil and belt if wearing those, too!

10. Make Honeymoon Plans:

    Traditionally, this is the groom’s responsibility to make sure all the travel arrangements have been met.  Whether you are deciding on the plans together or not, it’s a good idea to make sure your travel documents (like your passport, visa, birth certificate) are up-to-date and ready to go.

There are many more details that go with each one of the items mentioned above and no doubt weddings take a lot of work  but they are also a LOT of fun!  So don’t forget to be present, relish the process, and take time to enjoy the season of being engaged!

Ashley & Joel’s Spring Malibu Wedding At Calamigos Ranch

It was a glorious spring wedding celebration the day Ashley & Joel got married. Every wedding day is a gorgeous glow of love.  Not just the love that beams from the bride and groom but also all the love that is beaming and lauding from their loved ones; their families, their friends, their closest confidants. 

Ashley and Joel met in college and some years later, after graduation, establishing their careers, long distance dating, and battling and beating cancer together, they were finally tying the knot. What a beautiful day and love worth celebrating.  

Ashley’s palette of soft pinks, blues, greenery, and rose gold was complimented extraordinarily by the intimate natural beauty of the Birchwood Room at Calamigos Ranch. This day was full of natural beauty, romantic vibes and a bit of a modern touch! 

An intimate wedding of just over 100 guests, Ashley and Joel’s story was told through their gorgeous entourage of 7 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen, a chips and guacamole appetizer, a yummy dessert bar filled with Ashley and Joel’s favorite candies, donuts, cookies, and a red velvet cake.   Also, a refined dinner meal of grilled flat iron steak and seared striped bass, an electrified dance floor, and a tasty late night snack of Taco Bell as personally requested by the groom.  What a stunning and fun night theirs was!

No wedding is ever complete without a stellar team of wedding professionals.  Our team for Ashley + Joel’s wedding was just that.  

Enjoy some highlights from their beautiful day! I’m thrilled to share them with you!

Photographer: Jaime English Photo

DJ:Kelli with Vox DJ

Cake: Bread Baskethttp://www.breadbasketcake.com

Flowers: Celene Sage

Officiant:Jeremy Kayes

Venue, Caterer: http://www.calamigosranch.com

Transportation:In Style Transportation

Videographers:http://www.ridgeweddings.com

Planning & Design: Marcella Camille Events

5 Things To Do Before Your Engagement Shoot

Excited For Your Engagement Photos? Us Too! To Help You Make The Most Of This Special Step During Your Wedding Planning Journey, Consider Doing These 5 Steps:

#1.  Hire A Photographer!

Credit: Hannah Mellum Photography

And not just any photographer,  but (hopefully) your wedding photographer! Many will offer a discount for engagement photos or even include them in your service agreement from them.  When looking for a photographer, you’ll want to find someone’s whose artistic style matches yours, is in the price point you your looking for AND someone whose personality you enjoy. Why? Well, your photographer is going to be with you practically all day and you want to hire someone you’d enjoy being around on your wedding day. However, if your photographer doesn’t include anything special with their day of services, you can always hire a different photographer to capture your engagement photos.

#2: Find Your Location:

Credit: Hannah Mellum Photography

Are and your boo more of a mountain or beach couple? Do you love beer or wine? Are you a coffee couple? Are you homebodies? What do you enjoy doing and where do you usually spend your time? It’s a fun trend to take your photos in a place that speaks of your relationship.  The who, what, where?  If you’re stuck, ask your photographer who should be able to help come up with a location that fits you.

#3: Create Your Style:

Are you more BohoChic, Indie, Rustic, Romantic? Are you more business professional, relaxed? A little more country? Determine which one fits you two best and then choose an outfit or two for you both.  And hey, if you need to make a special trip to  Anthropologie for that outfit, go right ahead!

#4:  Determine Your Must Have Shotlist:

If you spend anytime on Pinterest, you’ll find a lush amount of inspiration pics there.  Browse through some and compile a list of the ones that are must haves for you.  Hint: Think photos with your fur baby, of your ring, doing your favorite activity, a ‘dip’ picture.

#5: Get Pampered:

After all these steps are completed, consider getting pampered.  That means a trip to your hair salon to touch up those roots. A trip to the barber so your fiancé looking his finest. A trip to the nail salon so your digits are in pristine shape.  And day of, a trip to a blow dry bar so your locks are simply divine.  You can also hire a make up artist or get make up services at your blow dry bar (if they provide it).  Lastly, you may consider a quick trip to your jeweler so they can clean your ring.

Credit: Hannah Mellum Photography

Follow these fun steps and you are sure to have engagement photos you’ll cherish for a lifetime and look back on with love and joy.

Tara And Aaron’s Romantic Lodge At Tahoe Donner Wedding

Tara and Aaron’s wedding took place in the charming town of Truckee, Ca which is in the Tahoe Mountains just north of Lake Tahoe.  The Lodge at Tahoe Donner provided the perfect mountain location for their intimate celebration. 

With snow pouring right before the ceremony was to take place, Tara and Aaron exuded nothing but grace and flexibility with all the changes Mother Nature presented them with on their day.  Moving from the lush greenery to clear tented backdrop for their ceremony site, allowed for guests to stay cozy while still enjoying the snow covered evergreens in the background. One of the sweetest elements of the ceremony were the charmingly named ‘Petal Pushers’; Tara’s aunts who represented the flower girls in the ceremony. 

The cocktail hour took place in the tented reception area and guests could cuddle up under the provided blankets, entertain themselves with the custom curated lawn games designed by the groom, and snack on popcorn, a must for the bride!- as one of the many appetizers provided. 

The tented reception was draped with lush greenery and soft white blooms of garden roses, peonies, dahlias, scabiosa, ferns, silver dollar eucalyptus, and smilax.  Lanteners, Gold plated decor accents, and woodsy elements brought touches of warmth, elegance and mountain romance the couple set out to achieve. 

To keep their romantically elegant celebration relaxed and fun, pictures of the couples were set as part of the centerpieces, figurines of their fur babies adorned their two tiered cake, and glow sticks and neon glasses brought the dance party to another level. 

Guests were treated to red velvet, chocolate, and vanilla cupcakes and a two tiered red velvet and vanilla semi-naked cake. 

It was a perfect celebration indeed!

Vendors:

Photographer: @ksl_wedding

Venue/Caterer: @tahoedonnerassociation

Planner/Designer: @marcellacamilleevents

Florals: @love_and_lupines

Rentals: @eventmastersusa

Brides Dress: @swoonbridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: @swoonbridal

Cake: @laketahoecakes

DJ: @mcclainsmobilemusic

The Myth of Day-of Coordination

Day-of Coordination:

This is still one of the most popular terms going around in the wedding industry.  Did you know this was a term coined by The Knot? And it’s kind of been misleading a lot of couples and causing a lot of stress for those that book a ‘day-of’ coordinator and the company offering day-of coordination?Why? Well day-of coordinators can’t truly offer the service that a couple is looking for when they are working with them on just the ‘day-of’ their wedding.

Engaged couples generally fall into one of two categories when it comes to looking for a planner:

1. Thinking they can handle all the planning of their wedding and just need a ‘day-of’ coordinator.

2. They are busy professionals looking for someone to manage all aspects of their wedding plans so they can enjoy their engagement season and wedding day and still live life respectively stress-free of wedding planning.

Caveat: Let’s be real. Weddings are stressful. Even when you hire a wedding planner, stress unfortunately comes with the territory of such a huge life event. If you’re not stressed about the planning part, chances are you have family or friends that are stressing you out regarding some part of your wedding. Hiring a wedding planner can help significantly lower that stress and that’s one of our main goals for you! We want you to enjoy this process as much as possible!

Think about it, you planning your wedding and then handing off the wedding plans to someone the day-of your wedding is NOT realistic and certainly not a good idea.  And would only lead to stress and tension for the couple and even the planner to make sure all is done properly on the wedding day.

What most couples don’t know (because let’s face it, you don’t know what you don’t know and most have never been through the wedding planning process before), is that the term: day-of coordinator is a myth!  Someone coming to run your wedding and only working with you on the wedding day is not a real thing.

The actual reality is that this service requires the following (and this is just skimming the surface):

1.  At least one meeting and venue walkthrough prior to the wedding date to give adequate (and more relaxed time) for communication to make sure all parties are comfortable with the plans and details.  

2. Time spent liaising with the vendors so plans run smoothly day-of. 

3. Time spent reviewing your vendor contracts so your planner can accurately represent you and ensure the agreements signed with your professionals have been met.

4. Time spent reviewing all your wedding documents so there’s not wasted time day-of making sure they can manage your day and set up properly. 

5. Running your rehearsal so she can meet and know the wedding party and family of the couple (there simply isn’t enough time to learn and know who’s who the day-of the wedding).  

6. Managing the wedding day!  This includes arriving to the venue with enough time to ensure the vendors are there and know where they’re going to set-up, setting up decor (and locating missing items if they were inventoried), disbursing florals, and communicating with and managing all wedding VIPs (anyone who has a role during your wedding and not just a guest). 

7. If hired to do so, this often includes managing the tear down and clean up of your items.  Almost every venue requires all your wedding decor, personal belongings, and leftover dessert to be brought out of the venue night of. 

Like we mentioned, this is just skimming the surface. There is so much more work that goes on behind the scenes that clients will likely never know. So much more work happens than just the ‘day-of’. And we truly believe just looking for a ‘day-of’ coordinator won’t serve future clients well.

So, instead of looking for a day-of coordinator, try searching out Wedding Management for your day. This will still allow you to be very hands on while receiving exceptional service, too.

Have questions? I’d love to chat!