We’ve been in this industry for over a decade. If we’re getting specific, we’ve been in the wedding world for just about twenty years. Throughout the years we’ve attended countless wedding expos, wedding shows, vendor booths, and have held a strong presence on social media. One thing we are thankful for, is the years of knowledge we have acquired from doing what we love. To this day, we still receive an influx of questions from potential clients and couples. Of course we’ve received some off the wall questions, but most of our questions are on the same topic. So, we’ve compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions, so you can skip the DM (unless you really want to send us one, we will gladly answer.)
Here’s the scoop on our most FAQ’s:
#01: Do you offer discounted prices?
Over the years, we are constantly adjusting our prices to match the needs of clients and the market. One of the first questions we ask in a consultation is, “what’s your budget.” We want to make sure our services not only fit your planning needs, but also fit your budget. We’re not here to break your bank. In the past, we have offered signing offers or prizes at expos, like the Seattle Wedding Show. But as we go through the breakdown of our services and your contract, remember this is a service and we carefully craft everything we provide. Like we always recommend, if you want to hire our services, but are not sure what your needs are or how much you are willing to budget for a wedding planning service, start with our bottom package and we can always add services on.
#02: What is the best wedding venue?
Tastes and budgets differ, which impacts a couple's decisions on where to host their nuptials. We, of course have our personal favorites, due to our personal tastes, but each wedding venue has something different to offer. We love working with all of our venues, but we do have close relationships with venues in the Pacific Northwest. We include this information on our preferred vendor list. These are vendors and venues that we work closely with, have formed a positive relationship with, and know their venue inside and out. I’m sure if you ask each of our planners, or former planners, they would have their favorite venues, but each venue has a special memory and place in our hearts.
#03: We love your portfolio. But what makes you different from the rest?
We are so incredibly proud of our wedding portofolio and all of the weddings that we have been a part of. Looking back at all of the wedding’s we’ve planned and coordinated over the years, the true element that makes us different from the rest is the care and love we put into each event. We take the time to get to know, and we mean really know, our couples. We learn their likes, dislikes, we are there for them throughout the process. By the day of the wedding, our clients have truly become like our family. I cannot tell you how many weddings we’ve teared up at as we watched the bride walk down the aisle, or when the father of the groom stands up to make a heartfelt speech. We are different, because not only do we love what we do, but we form long-lasting relationships with our clients. When you hire us, it’s not just for the day, but we will be connected for life.
#04: Do you schedule more than one wedding per day?
In the past, we have had more than one wedding per day. At one point in time, we had a few planners on our team and we would all be coordinating separate events. We were blessed to have a wonderful team of assistants and planners and we would divide accordingly. Today, we made the decision to focus on one wedding a weekend. We made this change to ensure that our clients are receiving the utmost care and attention with planning their wedding day. So, if you’re thinking about booking with us, reach out so we can schedule your day!
#05: We’re getting married out of state or country, can you still help us?
Yes! We love ourselves a destination wedding, or even an out of state wedding. At this point in our career, we find ourselves coordinating and planning more and more weddings that are not local. We’ve planned weddings in different cities, states, and even countries! We will work with you if you need long-distance support. We have ample experience in planning with couples who are not local or even want the destination wedding. We will always tailor the experience for you, depending on what you need.
#06: How can we afford you?
This is the top thing we preach, budget, budget, budget! We are an honest group of ladies. If we meet with you during our initial consultation and we know that there is no way, no how, that we will fit into your wedding budget, we will let you know. We are not here to take all of your wedding budget, we want to find a spot that fits in your wedding budget. Now, if we meet a couple that just has to have us, we will work with you on flexing and moving things around your budget so you can have a dedicated line for hiring a planner. There are always ways in which you can cut from a budget, whether it’s adjusting the catering cost, or decreasing the number of guests, or moving towards a more affordable route than fresh flowers, we will help you budget your needs.
#07: What form of payment do you accept and do you offer payment plans?
We currently accept cash, checks, and cards. We require an initial down payment to hold your spot, collect another payment about halfway through the planning process and the final payment before your event. Before you sign, we will discuss the payment schedule and determine exactly when your payments are due.
#08: We’re ready to meet you, what do we do?
You did the right thing, by reaching out! The next step is that we always like to meet face to face. If you’re local, we will schedule an initial consultation. If you’re long distance, we will set up a FaceTime or Zoom meeting. We always like to meet our clients face to face to have an opportunity to get to know each other, discuss needs, wants, and your budget. If we’re the right fit for you, then we can go ahead and draft up the contract and sign on the dotted lines. Once you’ve signed, we will begin the process, according to the package selected.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. A member of our wedding planning team is happy to answer your question.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 17 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.