Jean, of After the Proposal in Biloxi, Mississippi, answered some questions for our readers.
I believe every Bride deserves to have the day of her dreams, and here on the Mississippi Coast we have so many wonderful vendors, like Jean, to make it happen.
See our Q & A below:
Tell us a little about After the Proposal:
Imagine the unique fun and wonder of celebrating your special day without the worry and hassle. With a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, you and your guests can sit back and enjoy a splendid afternoon or evening knowing that every detail has been handled, from spectacular surroundings to tantalizing cuisine to perfectly-paced music impeccably orchestrated by a wedding coordinator.
I feel confident that we provide the most unique and personalized service in the industry today. Our event coordinators will see to it that every detail of your wedding will be perfect from start to finish. We help provide lavish catering, spectacular florals, beautiful linens, photographers, entertainment, limousines, hotel accommodations, and wedding decor.
With over 25 years in the Event and Wedding Planning profession, our reputation precedes us and the quality of our service has never been compromised. With an impressive clientele list, you can feel confident that you’re in good hands.
In addition to our full service, we offer our brides the most hands on professional coordination available for “just the day of”.
Just remember that the most important thing about your wedding is making a commitment to the person you love and plan to spend the rest of your life with.
Everything else is icing on the cake!
How did you venture into the world of wedding coordination?
By complete accident! My degree is in hospitality and after college I was the assistant food & beverage director for a large hotel chain. After several years of working long crazy hours and not happy, I quit. Not sure what I was going to do I went to a friend who had a small little restaurant in Laguna Beach, CA. She gave me a job as her daytime manager. It was awesome, I waited tables during breakfast and lunch then grabbed my surf board and hit the beach every day. What a fun time in my life. Then one day two women walked in who owned an event planner company. They became locals at the restaurant and we became friends. They offered me a job being their production assistant and I jumped at the chance. I mean who wouldn’t want to go to parties all the time? Several years later one of the owners got engaged, none of us had ever planned a wedding but for me it was a no brainer. I loved it and decided to start my own business with the support of my friends.
What can you expect from becoming an After the Proposal Bride?
Remember planning a wedding isn’t just about the one day. It’s about the entire experience. Your wedding is essentially the first event you plan for together, while preparing to embark on a new chapter in your lives – marriage. And, getting married can be a surreal experience. I like to think we help the clients have a wonderful experience with the planning of the wedding. They have so many other things to focus on. We want to make it fun and not stressful. We build a permanent bond with our clients that last a lifetime.
Any advice you can give our readers on choosing wedding vendors for their day?
Do your homework! Make sure your vendors are professional, have a business license and carry their own liability insurance. Ask for references and I would also google them to see what pops up on the internet. Also, don’t forget to ask for a contract and read it carefully before signing. You don’t know what you don’t know until it’s too late.
What advice can you give our readers on making their day special?
Philosophy:
As an event professional and a bride, I have experienced a wedding from both a personal and professional perspective. I have walked an aisle in your shoes and understand everything you are going through. Your wedding is essentially the first event you plan for together, while preparing to embark on a new chapter in your lives – marriage. And, getting married can be a surreal experience. For every couple, the perfect wedding will be different. From beginning to end, your wedding should be your own. It should be a reflection of your life that is unique to your relationship. The form and function of the entire day and every nuptial detail should tell your guests something special about the two of you.
The Result:
Your wedding should flow seamlessly and flawlessly without a pause, while you and your guests enjoy an intimate, warm and unforgettable day. As a wedding planner, it is my pleasure to take on all the worries of planning and coordinating your special day, so that you and your family can relax and enjoy the entire experience and, most importantly, be a guest at your own wedding. Remember planning a wedding isn’t just about the one day. It’s about the entire experience. Cherish every moment. It will be a precious memory that lasts a lifetime.
I know why I feel every Bride owes it to herself to have a great Wedding Coordinator, I have seen the outcome of Brides forced to do everything alone, and I’ve also seen the outcome of a Bride who had a Coordinator by her side each step of the way. What reasons can you share with our readers why a Wedding Planner is such an amazing help to have?
Modern Bride magazine asked 100 Newlyweds, if you had to do it all over again, what would you have done differently? This is what they said.
1. Had a smaller wedding
2. Asked more friends and fewer “should invites”
3. Planned better
4. Used a pro whenever possible
5. Called on friends for more help
6. Delegated more duties
7. Asked the caterer more questions
8. Taken more wedding pictures
9. Gotten everything in writing
10. Savored the day more…
11. Hired a wedding consultant
Each and every one of these “Would’ves” can be eliminated when you enlist the assistance of a qualified wedding coordinator.
Even the most organized brides and grooms, (and mothers) who want to do all the planning themselves, will still run into unforeseen problems. The old cliché rings true:
“You don’t know what you don’t know until it’s too late.”
The last thing you want on your Wedding Day is to run around putting out fires. Our primary goal and motivation is to prevent those fires from happening in the first place. We are there with you every step of the way to elevate stress, help you build the wedding of your dreams (regardless of time or budget) and allow you and your family to enjoy your special day as well as the entire process leading up to it.
You’re After The Proposal Coordinator will ask questions, show pictures, share experiences and ideas, and help you develop a cohesive wedding plan that is distinctively you, from location to limo, stationary to swing band, from flowers to favors, and even garter to gown. Your coordinator will offer workable suggestions to those sticky situations, help you find the perfect wedding vendors, and steer you away from common, costly mistakes.
A wedding is a huge investment…. thousands of dollars.
You wouldn’t make a stock investment; buy a home, a car, or even an expensive piece of jewelry without seeking professional advice.
Why would you do any less with the most important day of your life?
Where can brides learn more about After the Proposal’s services?
On facebook and the website of course. But we also offer a no obligation consultation at our office in Biloxi.
Any final tips for the Bride’s reading our blog today?
Be present in each moment. On your wedding day, soak up all the love, joy and bliss!
Don’t get caught up in “perfection.”
Have faith that all of your efforts will be worth it.
Try not to stress (even when it seems impossible)
Share something personal and unique with your guests
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.
Accept that you can’t please everyone.
Be a team throughout the entire process.
Consider the environment when planning your wedding.
Don’t sweat the little things.
Make wedding appointments fun!
Finish your to-do list early.
And don’t forget to fall in love with each other every day!
Happy Planning,
Jean
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