How Long Have You Been in the Wedding Planning Business?

Project 2

Selling Your Services

Loreana Davi

Fall 2015

How long have you been in the wedding planning business?

I have only been in the business for about eight months, and that time has been spent mostly studying wedding planning and building relationships with vendors. I have planned surprise birthday parties and small themed holiday parties for friends and family, which were huge hits. I am also very organized and very creative, and extremely focused on the customer service aspect of party planning, which makes me the perfect planner for your wedding, as I will be sure to meet and exceed your every need!

Are you a certified wedding planner?

I am currently working towards my certification to be a wedding and event planner. I will be certified by December 2015 and will be fully trained on planning every step of a wedding and running my own business.

What is an example of when you had to be a quick thinker and avert a disaster during a wedding or event that you planned?

Again, I haven’t planned a real wedding yet, so nothing can be as nerve-racking as a disaster at a client’s wedding! But I had planned my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary at their house when a guest almost ruined the surprise! I had asked everyone through the Facebook group to park on a side street across from the house so that my parents wouldn’t pull in and see unfamiliar cars and be suspicious. We had added a couple to the guest list at the last moment who hadn’t accepted the group Facebook page, so they weren’t aware of this information. Right after we were told that my parents were coming and would be home any second, the couple’s truck pulled up- right in front of the house! I thought I was going to either die of anxiety or scream at the couple in rage! Both would have been absolutely terrible. So in the heat of the moment I greeted the couple hastily and told them to go right to the backyard, where the rest of the guests were, and I would go ahead and valet the car for them (which I didn’t do for anyone else). They were both happy with my greeting and pleasantly surprised with the service. My parents came a few seconds after I entered the backyard and the surprise was epic! My family always reminisces about my quick thinking on that day to make sure everything went smoothly.

Why do you need Timeless Experiences by Loreana?

The Knot released their 2014 Real Wedding Study statisticswhich included a list of 25 of the most expensive places to marry. The top 3 were all places located within 30 miles of Essex County- Manhattan, Long Island, and North New Jersey at a whopping average of $53,986. The national average, however, only came in at about $31,000. These statistics reflect that there is definitely a need in this area for a cheaper, yet still unique wedding. Every bride wants that perfect day- where all of her decorations are personalized, her wow-factor centerpieces give that dramatic flair and her guests have an amazing experience that is never forgotten. How can one have all of that in the northern New Jersey area?

I can help you get the best vendors for the best price. I promise to keep your wedding right around your budget no matter what. On top of that, I offer some of the best prices among the wedding planners in the area. Most VIP packages among my competitors will run upwards of $3,000 dollars. Our VIP Services Diamond Package only costs $2,400 but still includes that red carpet service that only Timeless Experiences can give. All of my past experiences and my training in event planning taught me that customer service is the most important part of the planning process, as the client just needs to be heard, understood, and accommodated. Timeless Experiences by Loreana strives to exceed those expectations for unprecedented service to every client, no matter what kind of event and what kind of budget.

Whether you are planning a meeting with colleagues, your 4-year old daughter’s princess birthday party, or the wedding of your dreams, you don’t want to remember the search for the cheapest dozen donuts, the simplest way to bake a pink cake, or the picking of the napkin color. You want to remember the promotion you got, the look on your daughter’s face when Cinderella actually came to the party, and the feeling of the first dance. The experience is what makes it memorable. Let us make it timeless.

~Loreana Davi

Packages and Pricing

√The Blue Package- “Day-of” Services ($800-$900)

• One consultation meeting to discuss theme, colors, expectations, etc.
• Coordinator presence at the wedding
• Confirms with vendors the time, location, and products needed. Supervises all vendor deliveries
• Assists floral designer/venue manager with decorations and personalizing the wedding to the couple’s desires
• Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple
• Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible
• Provide emergency kit
• Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments
• Depending on your necessities and the extra fee payment, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements
• Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc.

√The Silver Package- “Mid-way” Services ($1000-$1100)

• For any couple that needs the wedding planner to give her time but doesn’t have the means to go to meetings and help with the wedding themselves; perfect for the long-distance bride!
• Two consultation meetings to discuss theme and basic wedding desires, as well as suggestions for vendors and getting the wedding started
• Sets up contracts with vendors for the bride without bride’s presence at meetings, and keeps the bride up-to-date on all negotiations met and contracts signed
• Assists all vendors with personalizing the wedding to the couple’s desire and confirms with the bride that everything is as she would like it
• Attends the wedding to confirm that all deliveries are set up according to couple’s desires
• Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple
• Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible
• Provide emergency kit
• Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments
• Depending on your necessities, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements
• Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc.

√The Gold Package- “Full-Service” ($1700-$1800)

• For the bride who needs full planning from the very beginning
• An initial consultation to discuss everything that is needed to make the couple’s day perfect, in addition to as many scheduled meetings with the coordinator necessary to make the couple feel satisfied that their vision will be executed
• Attends all the dress fittings and vendor meetings to ensure the day goes according to the couple’s vision
• Ensures the couple is getting the best vendors and best rates, and that they follow the contract according to the couple’s desires
• Attends the wedding to confirm that all deliveries are set up according to couple’s desires
• Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple
• Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible
• Provide emergency kit
• Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments
• Depending on your necessities, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements
• Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc.

√The Diamond Package- “VIP” Services ($2400)

• For the bride who needs everything!
• This package includes planning from the beginning of the wedding, as well as help planning and executing one additional party (such as the bridal shower, bachelorette party, bachelor party, etc)
• An initial consultation meeting to discuss theme, colors, expectations etc, a second one to discuss planning of the party (bridal shower, bachelorette party, bachelor party, etc), in addition to as many scheduled meetings with the coordinator necessary to make the couple feel satisfied that their vision will be executed
• Arrives at the venue for the party to ensure everything is as described during the consultation
• Ensures the couple is getting the best vendors and best rates, and that they follow the contract according to the couple’s desires
• Attends the wedding to confirm that all deliveries are set up according to couple’s desires
• Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple
• Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible
• Provide emergency kit
• Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments
• Depending on your necessities, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements
• Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc.
• Price includes clean-up service

Additional Wedding Information

☆We are proud to offer our clients additional value within their packages by providing free information regarding wedding services in the Essex County/Northern New Jersey area, as well as a free packet full of tools to help you create the perfect day!

☆To prove that we are committed to our clients on their wedding day,our packet includes a profile form that we ask you to fill out to help us in identifying you and your wedding desires. Please see an example of this form on page 9. We also include a bridal party checklist to help you in deciding which members of your party can help you in completing certain tasks (we can help you with that during your consultation!) Please see page 10. You can also find marriage license information for our area (page 12), and many other items you may find useful!

☆Engagement announcements can now be made online! Go to to create your very own wedding, engagement or anniversary announcements and choose your desired publishing date. Basic columns without a photo run as low as $60! You will find this information in your packet as well.

☆Here at Timeless Experiences by Loreana, we have found that it is very hard to find planners who are willing to share their vendors with their clients ahead of time. We believe in absolute transparency, so your packet includes a list of vendors with their contact information so you can do your research. We believe that our vendors are the best, and we want you to see that too. You can also find a sample contract (page 14) from Timeless Experiences by Loreana so that you can discuss whether it is something you would feel comfortable with. We want you to be sure we are right for you!

☆Your packet comes with fun bridal shower, engagement party, bachelorette party, and bachelor party theme ideas! You can choose to add on a bridal shower for just $500 to your package, which the coordinator for your wedding will be assigned to, or you can choose the Diamond Package which comes with an included party! See some of our fun ideas on page 15.

☆If you loved Timeless Experiences and our impeccable service, please find our other services in your packet. We do themed birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and corporate meetings! Tell your friends!

***Our website will be up shortly, where you can see a full list of all of our services and pricing; coming soon!***

Date: ______

Name: ______Date of Event: ______

Location of Event: ______

Do you have a specific theme you wish to achieve for your wedding? (Romantic/shabby chic/beach/outdoors)

______

Do you have specific colors in mind? ______

Do you prefer a sit-down dinner or buffet style? ______

When you imagine your wedding, what is the general feel of the atmosphere you want your guests to experience?

______

If you had to choose one word to describe yourselves as a couple, which one would it be?

1.Traditional 2. Casual3. Modern4. Adventurous5. Fun6. Contemporary

I absolutely need: ______

I absolutely don’t want: ______

What else should Timeless Experiences by Loreana know about your wedding?

______

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Maid of Honor

• Plan the bridal shower and keep record of gifts for thank you cards
• Be the voice of reason at the dress fittings and try-ons!
• Help the bride anywhere needed to alleviate stress (address thank you cards and invitations; assemble the music score, etc.)
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Prepare wedding day speech to couple
• Calm the bride on the big day; assist with makeup, hair, and the dress in any way you can
• Witness the marriage license signing
• Hold the groom's ring
• Be a part of the farewell tunnel and send the couple off

Best Man

• Go with the groom to choose a tuxedo
• Host bachelor party
• Organize any transportation necessities
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Prepare wedding day speech to couple
• Arrange any payments that need to be made with groom (final payments to reception hall, photographer etc., officiant fee)
• Hold bride's ring
• Escort maid-of-honor down the aisle at end of ceremony
• Witness signing of marriage license
• Stand in farewell tunnel and see off couple to honeymoon

Bridesmaids

• Help plan and pay for bridal shower if applicable
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Help pick out and pitch in for bridesmaid dresses as well as bride’s gown
• Run any last minute day-of errands (forgotten items, migraine medicine, snack cravings)
• Encourage guests to dance!
• Provide emotional support to bride

Groomsmen/Ushers

• Plan and pay for bachelor party if applicable
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Escort bridesmaids when ceremony ends
• Emotional support for groom
• Encourage guests to dance!
• Run any last minute day-of errands for groom

Flower Girl

• Attend rehearsal dinner to ease anxiety during the ceremony
• Throw petals or candies etc. down the aisle
• Make guests smile!

Ring Bearer

• Walk down aisle before flower girl
• Decide whether you can bear the responsibility of holding real rings, practice holding fake rings accordingly
• Attend rehearsal dinner to ease anxieties during ceremony
• Make guests smile!

Mother of the Bride

• Potentially help in choosing reception/ceremony sites
• Attend dress fittings/ try-ons
• Choose mother-of-the-bride dress that suits the bride's wants
• Attend bridal shower and rehearsal dinner
• Stand in farewell tunnel and see off couple
• Dance with father-of-the-bride when cued by DJ/band
• Be emotional support for bride
• Chip in when needed to pay for costs, if applicable
• Father of the Bride
• Traditionally pays for majority of costs
• Host/cohost bridal shower/rehearsal dinner
• Send engagement announcements to newspaper, other media outlets
• Assist as liaison between bride and vendors to alleviate stress
• Escort bride down aisle
• Keep an eye on food and drink supplies

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• Be the last to leave reception ensuring all last details are taken

care of, if applicable

Mother of the Groom

• Organize and pay for rehearsal dinner, if applicable
• Assist with costs of flowers for attendants, honeymoon costs, etc.
• Provide emotional support for groom

Father of the Groom

• Assist in planning bachelor party, if applicable
• Assist with costs as much as you can (flowers, honeymoon costs, etc.)
• Provide emotional support for the groom

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Changes to fit your needs:

______

New Jersey Marriage License

Requirements

How much does a marriage license cost in New Jersey?

A marriage license costs $28.00 in New Jersey. The preferred method of payment is cash.

Is there a waiting period for obtaining my marriage license?

There is a mandatory 72 business hour waiting period before your marriage license can be issued to you.

Does my marriage license expire?

Yes. You must use your marriage license 30 days after receiving it, otherwise you will have to apply for a new one.

Is there an age requirement?

You must be 18 years of age to marry in the state of New Jersey without parental consent.

Is there a residency requirement?

No. You do not have to be a resident of New Jersey to have a marriage license that is valid state-wide.

Do we need a blood test?

No. No physical exam/blood samples are required.