WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JUNE 21, 2018 15
BRIDAL
Approaches to delegating wedding tasks
when you can't aff ord a wedding planner
WBY KRISTEN CASTILLO edding experts say the
average couple is engaged
for about a year and a half
before saying "I do." From fi nding a
venue to choosing stationery to tasting
cakes, there's a lot of planning for two
people to do. Even if you can't aff ord
a wedding planner, you can still get
some assistance for the big day, which
will alleviate some of the pressure
and stress and make your family and
friends feel extra special. These tips
from wedding-industry specialists
will help you delegate smoothly and
successfully and stay smiling till you
walk down the aisle.
*LOOP IN YOUR LOVED ONES
Friends and family members want
to do their part to make sure your day
is perfect, so give them an opportunity
to get involved. Couples should handle
the wedding specifi cs that matter
most themselves and "Delegate the less
important tasks to friends and family,"
says Katelyn McCullough, co-Founder
of Elwynn + Cass, a luxury beauty
concierge service. For example, they
could send out initial email queries
to vendors and then present their
findings to the couple, who could
then further narrow the choices and
interview potential vendors. The
ultimate decision-making is left up to
the couple, but part of the legwork is
handled. Helpers could also mail out
save-the-date cards, stuff invitations
and help with wedding favors.
*SPEAK TO THEIR SKILL SET
New York-based wedding planner
Claire Letourneau Stitzer, owner
and lead consultant for WedWell
consulting services, says you need to
align your task list with the skills of
your friends and family members. "If
your maid of honor is an artist, have
her help with fl oral design," she says,
noting that your artsy friend will be
excited if she's passionate about the
project. Everyone should get some
joy out of the process, especially for
lending a helping hand, and there's a
good chance a task is likely to be done
well and effi ciently.
*ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK
Want help? Just ask. McCullough
says, "The best way to ask for help is
to just to be honest with them and say
that you would really love their help
in the process and want everyone to
be included." Couple Cristy Raposo
Perry and Michael Perry got lots of
help for their September 2017 wedding
in Providence, Rhode Island. She
suggests that you "nicely ask what you
need help with (be specifi c and direct)
and then show how thankful you are."
She showed her gratitude by giving
every helper a thank-you card as well
as a gift , such as jewelry for the girls
and paying for them to have their wedding
hair or makeup done. She and her
husband gave one of their guy helpers
a bottle of organic vodka purchased
during their Hawaiian honeymoon.
There's no need to make it complicated;
just be open and show gratitude.
*DELEGATING TIPS
"Delegate and don't look back," says
wedding photographer Jimmy Chan of
Pixelicious in Montreal. Trust in your
friends and family to do their best. "After
outlining your requirements, let
your wedding party take charge," he
says, nudging brides and grooms not
to micromanage the wedding day.
Be careful not to overdo it when
asking for assistance, too. Chan urges
couples to remember that family and
friends may not enjoy the wedding as
guests if they're too involved in planning
the celebration. "Consider their
ideas out of courtesy but it's best
not to have them 'work,'" he says.
Also watch out for clashing points
of view. Letourneau Stitzer says, "If
your mother-in-law wants roses and
you want succulents, asking her to
help you with fl owers is probably not
a good idea." Make sure everyone
helping plan and execute the
wedding understands the
vision and will be helping, not
hindering, *Hire Help
If you need more coordination
assistance than
your friends and family
can off er, professional
planning may still
be an option. "Many
planners, including
myself, offer a la
carte planning
services," says Letourneau
Stitzer.
She helped one
couple find
a venue and
stay on track.
"We worked
out an arrangement
where I
helped
t h e m
with just that and stayed in their very
meager budget."
You can also pay people outside the
wedding industry for project assistance.
For example, the sites TaskRabbit
that will connect you with individuals
who will take on paid projects for negotiable
budgets.
The weight of all your wedding
tasks can feel heavy and daunting,
but you don't need to look very far
to fi nd assistance. Every little bit
of help will make a big diff erence
down the road, so don't shy
away from reaching out. And
most importantly, cherish
the experiences
you share
together.
Kristen Castillo is a three-time Emmy
Award-winning journalist. An editor
and writer for wedding magazines, she's
written hundreds of wedding articles, as
how are. well as an e-book, "Weddings on a Dime."
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Photo courtesy of studioEPIC.com.
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