CASEY GREEN WEDDINGS

Choosing your wedding invitations can be overwhelming. From selecting the design, composing the phrasing and trying to remember all the different types of wedding stationary you will need – it’s easy to not know where to start.

Bring this list of questions and the invitation item checklist (both of which are linked at the bottom of this post) to your next meeting with your wedding invitation professional so you don’t forget one detail.

 

Design Expertise

1. How long have you been in business and what is your design background?
2. What types of print processes do you use? Would you recommend a particular type of process for my budget?
3. Is your printing done in-house or do you out-source it?
4. Do you offer custom invitations? If so, what fees are associated with this service?
5. Is it possible to order a sample of my invitation design? If so, how much is the sample?
6. If I select a custom design, what are my choices for paper type, color scheme, font, etc.?
7. What is the word limit for my invitation text?
8. Can you offer me guidance regarding the phrasing for my invitations?
9. Can I order my ceremony programs, place cards, escort cards, table numbers, menus, etc. from you as well?
10. Do you offer a discount if I order all of my wedding stationary form you at the same time? (Download the wedding stationary checklist at the bottom of this post.)
11. If I want to include an image or graphic on my save-the-date cards or invitations, can you do this for me? If so, in what format does the image or graphic need to be saved?
12. Do you offer monogram design or other graphic design services? Is so, what is the cost?
13. Can your graphic designer change the color of an image I provide to you? If so, what is the fee?
14. Are there any invitation trends or color styles you would suggest I should consider for my wedding design?
15. Based on the wedding invitation design I have selected, what will my per piece postage cost be to mail my invitations? (Non-standard sized envelopes usually require additional postage.)
16. Do you design custom stamps for your invitations?

 

Ordering & Printing

17. Will I have the opportunity to review/approve a proof of each piece of my wedding stationary order before it is sent to print?
18. After placing my order, how long should I anticipate it will take to receive my order?
19. Is it possible to rush an invitation order? If so, what are the additional costs? (Note: If you are ordering from an online company ask what shipping methods are available to you and what the respective costs will be.)
20. If my wedding invitation is multiple pieces, do you provide an assembly service? If so, what is the additional fee?
21. Do you offer an invitation addressing service? If so, what is the cost? What lettering styles do I have? How long does this service typically take?
22. If my final printed invitations do not make my approved proof invitation, will my invitations be corrected at no additional cost? How much time will it take to re-print my invitations if this occurs?
23. What is your payment plan? How do you accept payment? Do you require a deposit? When is my final payment due?
24. What is your refund policy if I should need to cancel my order?
25. Can you please provide me contact information for 3-4 recent brides’ for whom I may contact for references?

 

Download your wedding stationary guides HERE!

Questions to Ask a When Ordering Your Wedding Invitations Guide

Download Your Questions Checklist

Wedding Stationary Checklist

Download Your Invitation Checklist

 

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC

8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602-448-8133

casey@caseygreenweddings.com

 

Defining your wedding vision is an important step. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked. I highly encourage you to take the time to create your wedding vision with your fiancé to make sure the wedding you create lives up to your expectations.

Let’s get started!

 

What does wedding vision even mean? When I say wedding vision, I mean two things:

1 – Identify what your emotional/experiential goals are for your wedding.

• What do you want to experience?
• How do you want your guests to feel at your wedding?
• Is your wedding a time for your all of friends and family to connect and get to know each other for the first time? Or is your wedding more of an intimate affair, and you only plan to include a small number of close friends and family

2- Identify the wedding details you always dreamed would be a part of your wedding.

For example, for me, having absolutely gorgeous wedding photos is extremely important to me. Therefore, I’m willing to spend more money on my photographer and a large photo album than someone who doesn’t really care about the wedding photographs.

 

So how do you do this? Follow the steps below to determine your wedding values.

 

Identify your Wedding Values Mission Statement:

Step 1 – Write the top 5 emotional experiences you hope to create during your wedding. (Draft this list independently – without involving your partner. Don’t worry, you will compare your lists later.)

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Write our own vows
• Ask your sister to sing your favorite love song during the ceremony
• Ask your mutual best friend to be your officiant
• Dance to “your song” at the wedding reception
• Coordinate pre-wedding activities to allow friends and family the opportunity to intermingle/get-to-know one another. (e.g. golf outing, day at the spa, group hike, visit a local destination)
• Host a post-wedding brunch

Step 2 – Compare your lists. Identify your similar wedding wishes and discuss each of your independent desires of what you want your wedding to be.

Step 3 – Blend it all together. Write a couple sentences (or create a quick bullet list) to capture the overall emotional experience you wish to create for your wedding.

Step 4 – Keep this wedding vision statement in the back of your mind when you make all of your wedding planning decisions. For example, always ask yourself when making a future wedding planning decision this question – “Will this choice help us create the wedding we imagined?”

 

Identify the wedding details that are the most important to you.  

Step 1 – Print two copies of this list. Download your Wedding Details List HERE

Step 2 – You and your partner independently circle the top 5 wedding details that are the most important to you.

Step 3 – Compare your lists and identify which areas you are willing to invest a little more money to create the experience you have always dreamed of having.

 

Congratulations! You now have a better understanding of what you want your overall wedding experience to be! You’ve created an excellent foundation from which you can build all of your other wedding planning decisions.

You’re ready to begin to officially start planning your wedding and bringing your vision to life!

Now that you have crafted your wedding vision, you know your wedding will be a personalized, unique to your love story. This will make the wedding experience extremely special for you and your guests.

 

NEXT STEPS

What elements are most important to you and your wedding? What insights did you learn from completing these exercises? Leave a comment below!

 

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC

8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602-448-8133

hello@caseygreenweddings.com

 

 

Venue selection – your first major wedding planning decision.

Your venue will impact almost all of your other wedding planning decisions. Therefore, it is imperative you choose your venue wisely.

To help you do this, I have compiled guide to walk you through the process of selecting the perfect venue for your wedding.

Consider the following topics before you commit to your wedding venue:

1 – Remember your wedding vision.

Be sure to keep the overall look and feel you hope to create for your wedding in mind when you consider venues. (If you need guidance on defining your vision, check out my guide to creating your wedding vision.)

Some elements might be:

• Location – Do you hope to be married in your hometown or a vacation destination?
• Guest Count – How many people do you hope to invite to your wedding?
• Ceremony & Reception – Are you looking for a space where you can host both the ceremony and reception? Or will these events occur at two separate locations?
• Food & Beverage – Are you hoping to serve your guests a formal catered meal? Or do you envision more of a picnic atmosphere?
• Budget – How much of your overall budget did you allocate to your venue? (Typically couples spend 40%-50% of their overall wedding budget on the venue/reception.)

2 – Traditional vs. Non-Traditional.

There are two main types of wedding venues: traditional and non-traditional. Both have pros and cons. Let’s review the good and bad of both to help you decide which venue type will best suit your wedding.

Traditional Venues: Event spaces designed to host weddings.

Pros:

• Experienced staff who will professionally coordinate and execute your event.
• Generally, includes more than just the space rental. Many traditional venues provide your tables, chairs, linens, dance floor, bathrooms and trash removal as a part of the venue rental fee.
• Meet all legal requirements for the space including: event permits, sound ordinances, food and beverage serving licenses, etc.
• Will have very specific event rules and workflow to guide you through the planning process.

Cons:

• Often require a significant deposit up front to confirm your date. (Can be 50% or more of the total estimated charges.)
• Can restrict the vendors you hire. Many traditional venues have a preferred vendor list and require you to only hire specific wedding professionals from their list.
• Because the wedding planning process is a well-oiled machine with these types of venues, the overall wedding can feel less personalized and unique.

Non-Traditional Venues: Event spaces not designed to host weddings

(Examples: parks, beaches, museums, your parent’s backyard, etc.)

Pros:

• Because most of these spaces are not designed to host events, the space rental fee is usually less expensive than a traditional wedding venue.
• Creative freedom with your event design – let your imagination run wild!
• The space can feel original and unique – to perfectly compliment your wedding vision

Cons:

• Must build the event from scratch
• Usually will require much more planning and coordination on your part.
• You will need to rent all event equipment including: tables, chairs, linens, dance floor, tent, lighting, A/V equipment, etc.
• You will need to investigate if special event permits are required (i.e. sound ordinances, parking rules, insurance requirements, etc.)

One of the main factors you should consider when deciding between a traditional and non-traditional wedding venue is your time. While choosing to host your wedding in a beautiful, non-traditional location might be a wonderful idea in your head, make sure you have the time (or plan to hire a full service wedding planner) to ensure your vision is professionally designed and coordinated.

3 – Venue site-visits.

Now the fun begins! Once you have an idea of what kind of venue you hope to select, it’s time to see it in person. I suggest scheduling site visits for your top 3-5 venue sites.

When visiting your potential venues, I suggest you cover the following topics:

Capacity – What is the maximum guest count you are allowed to host in the space in a dinner reception configuration. (Identifying how you intend to configure the room is important as this will affect the venue’s max guest count.)

Caterer – Is catering included in the space rental? If so, does the venue have a preferred caterer list or is there an in-house caterer? Is it possible for you to hire a non-traditional caterer – like a food truck? Can you bring in your own food? If so, is kitchen space provided?

Alcohol – Can you provide your own alcohol for the event or must you purchase it through the venue? Does the venue require you use a certain bar service? If you must purchase alcohol from the venue, what are the bar options and possible bar packages?

Facility extras – Are any additional services included in the space rental? Do you offer A/V services? Table and chair rentals? Linen rentals? (If rentals are included, be sure you also ask to see the tables, chairs and linens. The included rentals might completely clash with your wedding color scheme – which will mean you will need to separately rent these elements and incur the additional cost.)

Parking and transportation – How easy is it to park at the venue? Is there a cost associated with parking at the venue? Is the venue close to public transit? Does the venue require hiring a valet or parking service? Is it possible for you to provide hired transportation for your guests (i.e. bus coach, trolley, etc.)?

Extra fees – Are there any additional fees to be aware of? Gratuity/service charges? Corking fees? Cake cutting fees? If the event goes long, will you be charged an extra fee?

 

Click here to download my comprehensive Venue Question Checklist. I suggest you bring it with you to each of your site visits.

Download Your Checklist

I also suggest you keep a spreadsheet to organize the details of all the venues you visit. This will help you easily compare the pros and cons for each venue.

I’ve created one to help you get started. Click here to download my venue comparison spreadsheet template.

Download Your Venue Comparison Spreadsheet

4 – Calculate your additional costs. Once you have visited your venues and added the basic details and costs to your venue comparison spreadsheet (see link above), it is now important you calculate any additional expenses you will need to incur with each venue.

Some examples might be:

• You do not like the included house linens, therefore you will need to purchase full length linens for your reception.
• Cake is not included in the rental/catering agreement. Therefore, you will need to purchase your cake from an independent designer and account for the $3.50 per person cake cutting fee. Be sure to add both of these costs to your venue comparison spreadsheet.
• You’re allowed to bring your own alcohol. However, the venue will charge you a corkage fee for serving your family’s favorite wine. Be sure to add the cost of purchasing the wine and the per bottle corkage fee to your spreadsheet.

Once you have accounted for the additional venue costs as well as the pros and cons for each space, you will be armed with the necessary information to make your venue decision.

If you are still stuck, remember it is always a good idea to trust your gut. Sometimes, finding your venue will be as easy as walking into the space and just knowing – “This is it.”

5 – Contracts. Once you have selected your venue, you will then move into the contract phase. To book your space, you will request the venue send a comprehensive contract for your event. This contract should include all of the terms and details you discussed in your site visit and subsequent communications with the venue.

Look for the following items in your venue contract to make sure you are only agreeing to terms you have discussed.

• Read every line slowly and carefully. Contracts often contain legal jargon. Be sure you fully understand each clause before signing. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
• Understand the cancellation terms. Each venue often has unique cancellation policies. It is very important you know what you will be required to pay in the event you need to cancel your wedding.
• Insurance. Be sure to clarify what the venue’s insurance does and does not cover. Also, depending on the financial investment you are making in your wedding, it might be a good idea to consider wedding/event insurance.
• Get special commitments in writing. If you were promised to be able to use the large wooden table you saw on your site visit in your ceremony, ask those details be included in your contract.
• Payments. Clearly identify when payments are due and how they will be collected. Identify how much is required to reserve your date and if this money is refundable. Are you able to pay via credit card or does the venue only accept cash/check payments?
• Signatures. Ensure the financially responsible parties are listed on the contract. If your Mom is paying for the reception, be sure her name is on the contract (not yours).
• Keep your final contract for reference. Once you have agreed to the terms of the contract, request a final copy. Keep it in a safe place. You will probably refer to it more often than you anticipate. Also, if your contract is modified in any way, be sure to get the modification in writing. If you agree to add one hour onto your bar package for the reception, get this commitment in writing (i.e. email) and save this with your original contract.

At the end of the day, make sure you feel comfortable with the terms you are agreeing to by signing the contract. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek additional advice from an outside party (i.e. your personal attorney or wedding planner). It is important to clarify the terms in the beginning so there is no confusion later on in the planning process.

 

Whew! That was a lot to cover. However, each step is critical to ensure you make the right venue selection for your wedding. Choosing your venue isn’t always easy – however, the good news is once this decision is made – all the other wedding planning decisions will fall into place!

Now let’s take some action! Here are your next steps:

Action Steps:

1. Determine your overall wedding vision and if you prefer a traditional or non-traditional venue.

2. Schedule site visits. Print my venue site visit Q&A checklist and bring it with you to all of your meetings. After each visit, document the details and additional costs for each potential venue on my venue comparison spreadsheet.

3. Make your venue selection. Carefully review your venue contract before signing.

 

I hope this guide was helpful. Please let me know what questions you have about selecting your wedding venue in the comments below.

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC

8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602-448-8133

hello@caseygreenweddings.com

If you’re like me, and you have a pet at home (who you love more than life itself), you know he or she is a huge part of your life!

Our pets are a major source of love and comfort. You and your fiancé may have even adopted your little furry family member together. You’re little furry creature isn’t just a pet, she is your baby!  Because of this strong emotional connection to your pet, it is VERY tempting to want to include him or her in your wedding in some way. However, this can easily lead to a disastrous wedding incident you will re-watch in horror as it goes viral on YouTube.

Here are four steps for you to follow if you decide to include your darling pet in your wedding.

1. Make sure your pet is the right temperament to integrate into your wedding. How is your pet in social situations? Is he a lover-bug, who is calm, collected and affectionate at all times with all people? If you can’t answer ‘yes’ to this question, I encourage you to dive a little deeper and really think about the event from your pet’s perspective. How does your pet do in large crowds, new environments, with strange sounds and smells? These stimuli can be a lot for a little furry one to process. It is not uncommon for even the best behaved pets to freak-out a little in these circumstances. Be sure your pet can handle all of hustle-and-bustle of your big day, in style, before you decide to include him or her in your wedding.

Bonus tip: If you are not sure how your pet will react to being included in your wedding day, and you would like to experiment before making your decision, I suggest taking him or her to an outdoor arts and crafts fair. These events are often packed with people, strange noises and unfamiliar smells. How your pet reacts in this situation will give you a good idea how he or she might react at your wedding.

2. Keep it short and sweet. If you do decide your pet can handle the stress of the wedding day, I encourage you to limit the amount of time when your pet is involved. A good idea might be to have your dog walk down the aisle right before or after the flower girl and ring bearer. Or maybe you decide to simply include your puppy in your wedding photographs following the ceremony. However you decide to include your little one, make sure the time is kept to a minimum, so Spot can quickly return to a quiet soft place for a much needed and well deserved nap.

3. Designate a babysitter. It is critical, if you do decide to include your pet in your wedding, to identify a caretaker – other than yourself. You will have enough to think about on your wedding day. You shouldn’t add worrying about your pet to your “things-to-remember” list.  Good candidates for this job are often parents of the bride or groom, other wedding party members and/or anyone else you trust to take care of your pet on this important day. Make sure this person is trustworthy and will take this job seriously – and not flake out mid-way through the cocktail reception. It’s a bonus if this person knows and loves your fur baby AND your fur baby knows and loves this person, too.

4. Think it through. Have a plan. Finally, it is also crucial you have a plan regarding where your pet will go after the ceremony and how he will get there. Usually, the caretaker will take your pet to the designated warm, cozy resting place, for nap-time following the ceremony. I do not suggest this be a hotel room. Hotel rooms are unfamiliar and sometimes scary places for animals. Being left alone in this place could be very upsetting for your pet and result in unwanted stains, chewed hotel furniture and subsequently hefty hotel fines. Ouch. If you live near your reception location, I suggest you ask your designated caretaker to take your pet back to your home following the ceremony. Home is always the best place for your pet. Therefore, if home is nearby, make this be your plan.

I hope this post has given you some food for thought when considering including your pet in your ceremony. While it is a tempting option, be sure to think it through before making any decision. Remember, the goal is to have no viral videos of your (usually) sweet dog snapping at Aunt Louise. I know it was Aunt Louise’s fault, but it won’t look like that on YouTube.

Action Item:

What are your thoughts about including your fur babies in your wedding?

It is a “must-do” or a “no-go”?

Please share your thoughts and experiences on this topic below!

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC

8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602-448-8133

hello@caseygreenweddings.com

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.