Kari- Des Moines Wedding Assistant

We are just the luckiest! When Kari joined the team, we became one of the best wedding planning teams there is! Kari has been one of our alternative assistants for 2 years! 

She has helped myself and both of Mostly Becky's associate planners- Elizabeth & Heather. 

Photo By Less Traveled Photography Look at her here...working our Assoc. Colorado Planner's Wedding!! <3

She is one of the hardest workers we have ever seen!

WE LOVE HER! 

Kari and her sweet hubby! 

Kari, sometimes known as Karl (Her hubby calls her this)! loves cheesy potatoes! If she had to pick, purple is her favorite color. And she loves lions! Big secret...

THEY ARE MY FAVORITE TOO!! 

Kari loves to travel to Northern Minnesota & Arizona! Now, this is the reason she fits so well here! We started planning weddings in Northern Minnesota at Lutsen Resort! The North Shore has just a special place in our hearts! It's our home! <3 

Kari and her hubby on an adventure in AZ!

She loves to shop at Dry Goods while sipping on a Carmel Latte from Starbucks carrying her Noonday Collection purse. See her favorite one here! 

If Karl ;) isn't working with Mostly Becky or looking for a lion to pet, she will be outdoors!

She loves adventure! - A girl after our own hearts!

I mean, isn't she the cutest?

She says, her dream wedding inspiration is here at Mostly Becky. And, well we don't even know what to say now.... 

We just adore this girl here, and consider ourselves to have the best team ever, now that she has joined us! I mean look, this is a sweet note she just left us... (excuse me while I go dry my tears)!

“Working for Moslty Becky and her company has been such a pleasure! She is a hard worker, enjoys what she does, makes her clients happy and gets the job done. I have appreciated being influenced by her and her knowledge. I hope to continue to work with her. She is for sure my number one pick in sharing with people who are in need of a wedding planner. ”

— Kari

Here we are working a Des Moines Wedding! 

Don't forget to follow her on Instagram & Facebook so you can see all the amazing things her and her hunny are up to! 

Kari and Andrew on their wedding day! <3 <3 <3 

Thanks Kari for being here! We wouldn't be us without you! 

XO

Mostly Becky Weddings Published on BoHo Weddings

You guys!

We've been featured again. This time it is the cutest blog in the United Kingdom.

BoHo Weddings! 

Our styled shoot was put together by some of the most talented friendors around. We love our network and community in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Don't miss out on any of the beautiful inspiration. 

And for our all the details just click here! 

Jamie & Jeff Okoboji Iowa

Jamie and Jeff were married at Lakeshore Center at Okoboji in Okoboji, Iowa. The camp was a place they both loved and spent time. Jamie's family summers on Okoboji so it only made sense for them to get married here. 

When I first met Jamie I felt her sweet demeanor instantly, she is someone you are comfortable with almost immediately.

She has gorgeous taste!

Her daily style spilled into her wedding details. She chose sage, whites, and soft pinks for her color palette And it was simply stunning, just like her. 

The girls got ready at Bridges Bay Resort, where most of the guests stayed for the weekend. What we loved about this mini destination wedding, was most guests turned it into a weeknd getaway for their friends and family. What a fun way to celebrate! 

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Jeff, simply put, he is the kindest person you will ever meet. I could tell just how crazy he was about Jamie the moment I saw them together.  He is sweet, considerate, hospitable and such a gentleman to everyone. They are perfect together! 

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The ceremony was outside with the most beautiful lake view!

Guests arrived by boat!! 

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After the ceremony, the bridal party floated away on their "party boat" to meet their guests at the cocktail hour. 

The party moved to the Majestic Pavilion at Arnold's Park for the remainder of the evening. This stunning venue didn't need much to make it beautiful. In the heart of Okoboji its charm and lake views speak for itself nestled into Arnold's Park.

The picture perfect spot was perfect for Jeff & Jamie! 

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Cocktails and dinner were served at the Majestic Pavilion at Arnold's Park, where we danced the night away with Brass Menagerie from Minneapolis. The night was filled with so much laughter and joy.

This union was really one we will never forget! 

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This beautiful wedding could not have happened with the work of all amazing vendors! 

Catering: Yesterday's

Flowers: Bella Rosa

Rentals: Grand Occasions

Wedding Planner: Mostly Becky Weddings & Events

Photographer: Aly Caroll Photography

Ceremony Venue: Lakeshore Center at Okoboji

Reception Venue:  Majestic Pavilion at Arnold's Park

Live Music: Brass Menagerie

Congrats to you Jamie & Jeff! 

“Becky, it was GREAT working with you and your team! IT WAS SO FUN! What a great night, what a great group of people.”

— Tim Johnson

from BRASS MENAGERIE- Minneapolis, Minnesota.

For more Wedding Inspiration click here! 

One of the BIGGEST Wedding Fails

Photo by Megan Schaap Photography

What's the difference between a wedding planner and your venue's coordinator? Aren't they the same thing? 

Don't worry! This is confusing! If you didn't know the difference, we get it! Most people don't know there is a difference. If your wedding venue offers on-site coordinating services you may be tempted to not hire an outside wedding planner to save on costs. But there’s a good chance that you could end up frustrated and stressed out on your wedding day when the venue coordinator fails to “perform”.

 Simply put, the venue coordinator is coordinating between yourself and the venue staff only.

Even though, there are many venues who offer full-service planners for your wedding day. Their full-service may not be exactly what you are expecting. These services will focus mainly on what the venue provides to you only. For example; the banquet staff, food service, table and chair set up. 

So how does that happen? Maybe you hear the venue coordinator say things like, "I'll be here to help with anything the day of." YOU HEAR, she will take full ownership of anything happening on the wedding day, coordinating with other vendors, and playing catch all with every small thing that may come up. I am certain that in any emergencies your venue coordinator will be there to help, but they won't be there to take full ownership of all the moving parts on that day, simply because it isn't their job. 

So, the venue coordinator ends up getting a bad reputation for not doing things you thought they were handling. And you as the bride start to freak out about things that you just shouldn't have to on your wedding day!  

So who takes care of all the "other" stuff? 

You may be wondering, what other stuff is there to worry about?

Let's start with our FREE TO-DO LIST for anyone planning a wedding! This list may help you define what small things may need to be attended to, while you are getting married, just in case. 

But, there are so many possibilities that can and will arise that can be stress-free for you if you are working with a wedding planner. 

REASONS TO HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER. 

So here are 5 wedding fails you want to avoid when working with a venue coordinator. 

Number one! 

Photo by Hunter Ryan Photography

A wedding planner is your biggest advocate! They are working WITH you to create the wedding of your dreams.  There are times in-house coordinators are there to support their staff and sell you something more. A wedding planner hired by you is not going to try and add on upcharges. They will be fully supportive of your vision, ideas, and plans. And only there to help you communicate that to all your vendors. A venue coordinator will have the venues best interest in mind above all. So keep this in mind. 

Number two! 

Photo by Echo Cinematics

A venue coordinator may have multiple events that day or weekend at their venue. This will divide their attention between you and other clients. They will likely have limited availability for questions or assistance during the time of the other event, this could cause stress on your if were expecting decor to be unpacked or, even worse still, when the morning wedding is vacating the ballroom you booked so that you can access it!

Number Three! 

Photo by NikoBella Photography

An onsite coordinator is most likely not going to set up your wedding decor. They're main concern is going to be to make sure the tables, chairs, place settings and dishware are where they need to be. You cannot expect them to set up your centerpieces, name cards, or chair covers. Those duties belong to your wedding planner. Make sure to get a detailed list of things the venue coordinator plans to handle. Then create an additional to-do and work with your wedding planner to make sure these things get taken care of. 

Number four!

Photo by Ana Jones

A wedding coordinator will not ensure vendors are doing their job. Their primary focus will be that the venue is providing what they contracted to you. So, if you need someone to make sure your DJ is sticking to the playlist you agreed upon, your venue coordinator will not take that initiative. There may be logistics they have to manage during the timing of your event to accommodate other guests and their contracts. 

Number five! 

Photo by Brian Davis Photography

The venue coordinator will not carefully deliver your timeline. With the exception of deliverables that the venue is providing, the venue coordinator is not obligated to make sure that things are happening smoothly and according to your schedule. Some examples: Are photos taking longer than expected? Are one of the bridesmaids missing in action? Is decor set-up running way behind schedule? Here a wedding planner is pretty much a life saver! Your wedding planner will be acting as a behind the scenes director, making sure that all the players know their parts, and that they are on cue, too. 

And remember, every venue will have specifics for their spaces. Make sure to ask the right questions, and don't be afraid to ask for things in writing! 

If you are planning a wedding and want more tips and tricks! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and never miss a thing! And if you are a bridesmaid in wedding see how much it will cost you.