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What is a wedding kick-off consultation?

What is a wedding kick-off consultation? Sometimes the terms that are bounced around in the wedding planning process can be confusing.

In our {Wedding Planning Definitions} series, I’ll examine some different terms and products that come up often in discussions of wedding planning.

Today’s definition is:

“kick-off consultation”.

Image ID: A wedding planner with an open laptop discusses wedding planning with a bride seated across a coffee table. What is a wedding kick-off consultation?

This is a program for clients who would like assistance from a wedding planner in the early stages of their engagement, but perhaps have not committed fully to using a planner for full services. The “kick-off consult” usually includes a design component, where the planner talks with you about your overall vision for the wedding in everything from colors and sounds to the food and drink, all the way to what the attendants will be wearing.  You can ask questions about the pros and cons of different sites, and also get ideas for sites you may not have thought of on your own.  Budget will be discussed, and vendor matches will be suggested. You should also get a wedding planning checklist with a list of to-do items for wedding planning and the dates the tasks should be completed.

The wedding couple will leave this meeting armed with a great deal of information to make sound, educated decisions for the initial wedding planning process.  Time involvement varies from planner to planner, and is usually around 90 minutes to 2 hours, often with an email follow-up included. There is usually a flat or hourly fee for this meeting.

So now you know what is a wedding kick-off consultation! If you are having a hard time getting your wedding planning process off the ground (perhaps you are stuck without a date or venue and getting stressed), a one-time, “kick-off” consult could be just the thing you need.

A version of this blog post appeared on The Portland Wedding Coordinator on May 9, 2009.

Photo: Oliver M. P. Miller

{ Friday Roundup } Unique Escort Cards

Unique escort cards can add a special touch to your wedding, so here are some great ideas that are sure to grab your guests' attention.  Escort cards are a nice way to set the tone for dinner and can even become a favor for your guests to take home!

Using vintage keys are a wonderful way to make your guests excited to find their name. This is one that can double as a wedding favor that guests are sure to keep.

Vintage Key Escort Cards

Vintage Key Escort Cards from Style Me Pretty

 

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{ Fall Roundup } Autumnal Wedding Inspiration

FallWeddingPhotographer: Evrim Icoz Photography  Wedding Coordinator: EJP Events

Here in Oregon we had an uncharacteristically beautiful October. Blue skies and temps in the 60s and 70s are a reminder that fall can be the perfect time to host your wedding. Here are some ways to incorporate a fall feel into your wedding.

During the summer it's best to stick to cool, refreshing cocktails but fall begs for a warmer beverage. Here is a DIY Apple Cider Cocktail from Green Wedding Shoes that is sure to wow your guests. Plus, the alcohol is added after the cider is already concocted, making this an easy one to offer as a non-alcoholic choice as well.

Apple_cider_cocktail

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{ Halloween Roundup } Spooky Wedding Ideas

Whether your wedding falls on the day of Halloween or any time around it, here are some ideas on how to incorporate a little bit (or a lot) of this holiday into your event!

The first idea is a rather simple one, but can add just the right touch and keep your guests talking.  You can use these as drink toppers, dessert toppers, or anywhere that needs a bit of webbing!

DIY White Chocolate Spiderwebs

DIY White Chocolate Spiderwebs from Food52

 

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{Portland Wedding Coordinator’s Hot Tips} Six Venues Where You Can Party ‘Til Late

Here are six Portland wedding venue locations that we love that allow you and your guests to have music and dance way past the typical 10pm venue deadline.

Castaway

The first venue is Castaway Portland, a historic warehouse turned event spot in NW Portland that can hold up to 400 guests. Castaway has a great patio; if more outdoor space is needed, their neighbors Pomarius Nursery and Versailles Gardens can be rented. This venue allows for indoor music and dancing until late, depending on your preference and the 12-hour total event time limit. Both garden areas can remain open late as well, allowing guests to have cocktails and continue celebrating in these outside locations, though outdoor amplified music must conform to City of Portland ordinances.

World Forestry Center

Our second venue is the World Forestry Center, located in Washington Park. They offer many different indoor and outdoor combination options at this venue, which is only one of the many reasons we love them. You can choose to have their beautiful tent and enjoy the outdoor plaza, right next to Cheatham Hall, a great option for an indoor space. You and your guests can enjoy the outdoor area until midnight with amplified music, which makes for great late night dancing – a rarity in Portland. There is also the option of moving to one of their inside spaces.

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