Rachel is THE reason why we had the best wedding we could have imagined.
We used Rachel from the planning inception. She was invaluable for so many reasons. She kept us on top of the planning schedule in a gently suggestive (rather than nagging, which I have heard has happened with other wedding planners) and timely manner, would come up with great ideas based on our direction and helped us choose the best vendors based on what we were looking for. She came with me to all of the vendor meetings (multiple cake tastings, florist and caterer meetings and venue walk-throughs) and was so instrumental in asking all of the important questions I would never have thought to ask. She was also fantastic at helping us find creative ways to cut costs while maintaining the look and feel that we were after, throughout the event.
On the day before the wedding she seamlessly directed venue set-up and coordinated our friends who volunteered to help, was a go between for the renal company, the caterer, the sound system people and the venue manager.
On the day of the wedding among a million other things, she called to see how I was doing and to see if I or anyone in my family needed anything. She managed the entire set up, the caterer, bar service, sound guys, cake delivery, DJ set up and guest transportation. (We had limited parking and had to have a shuttle service for all of the guests.) A key part of Rachel’s service was that she worked so well with our families, and kept both of our mothers extremely happy which was worth her weight in gold right there. She orchestrated the timing of every part of our day and we are still so grateful we hired her.
For me personally, one of the many details that stood out about Rachel is that immediately after the ceremony and before the reception, she escorted us to the place we were to have alone time and before she left us, she gave us both little cartons Odwalla limeade, wrapped in a napkin with a straw for me so it wouldn’t mess up my lipstick. It was an afternoon in August and it was just the most thoughtful thing that I didn’t even realize I wanted until she handed it to me. Limeade is my favorite drink ever and she is so attentive to the details that she just knew exactly what I wanted.
It may sound like I am overly gushing or exaggerating her services but I am not joking at all when I say that I am not sure we would be married if we hadn’t had her. If we did manage to pull this off on our own or even with another event planner, there is no way it would have been as incredibly special to us both. So many guests kept saying that it was the best wedding they have ever attended, some including their own wedding.
At the end of the day, I paid her well over her fee because I was so happy with her service.
I can not recommend Rachel highly enough.
Beth
