The Journal

If you’re newly engaged and feeling a deep sense of disappointment (or even despair) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I want you to know that I understand. Like everyone else in the event industry, I’m working around the clock to assist my clients in any and every way I can during this time. It’s an absolute fact that the world is upside down right now. But that doesn’t mean your entire wedding planning process has to be put on hold. Give yourself full permission to grieve the loss of the engagement and wedding planning experience you thought you were going to have. Then, when you’re ready, let’s dream together. Because I (still) see a world of possibilities for you.

When you meet with your wedding planner for the first time, you want your Pinterest boards to paint the clearest possible picture of your vision for your wedding. To achieve this, you should begin by auditing your wedding inspiration boards prior to that first meeting. If you aren’t sure where to begin, I’ve put together a guide to decluttering your content so that it truly reflects your taste and style!

Once you’re ready to bring a planner into your process, it’s essential to start by asking the right questions—including (and especially) during the inspiration-gathering phase. Otherwise, you run the risk of landing a poor match or mediocre mediator. Once you’ve clarified your dream, it’s time to bring it to life. I’ve put together a comprehensive list of questions you should ask your potential wedding planner and yourself to help you accomplish just that.

In my 15 years in this industry, I’ve seen some good weddings—but I’ve also seen some great weddings. I’ve spent time studying the latter, element by element, to see what went right. As it turns out, the difference between “good” and “great” has less to do with the height of the floral arrangements or the color of the table linens, and much more to do with the preparation that takes place before the wedding.