Posted in: iowa wedding
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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.
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!
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!
The ceremony was outside with the most beautiful lake view!
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.
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.
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
“Becky, it was GREAT working with you and your team! IT WAS SO FUN! What a great night, what a great group of people.”
from BRASS MENAGERIE- Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Photo by Megan Schaap Photography
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”.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
We have more amazing news to share with you!!! Leah has joined the Mostly Becky family in Des Moines and we are pumped!
This year we have been so blessed to be able to grow our team here in Des Moines. After many interviews, we knew Leah was in the running right away. Her eloquent demeanor and inquisitive questions, we knew she was a very bright girl. Her upbeat personality, sweet words, and eagerness to learn solidified our impression of her. She was lovely from the first second. But, that isn't all. We knew she was family oriented, a hard worker, and eager to learn! (Gosh, we do love that!)
Leah or more commonly known as, Nook Nook. (I mean how cute is that?!) <3 Teaches dance and her dance students call her this, so you can too. ;)
She loves Mac n' cheese, pizza and Pitbulls. If she could eat anywhere in Des Moines she would pick Blaze for pizza and Jethros for mac n' cheese. But, she eats more than comfort food! She loves cantaloupe and strawberries, too!
She loves to travel!! - I mean, of course she does! Her favorite place to travel is NASHVILLE! - YES!!! We love Nash, and Denver, and NYC... well, you get it. She is a perfect fit for us!
If you find her at Starbucks, she'll be drinking a strawberry drink. I mean, she does love strawberries so... her current favorite Strawberry Acai Refresher.
She loves Michael Kors purses. - (we think that is a great choice!) We cannot go a day without our purses, but Leah cannot go without mascara and perfume. - Staples if you ask us! ;)
We are just so happy to have this sweet spirit on our team. Keep up with her on Facebook & Instagram.