Busy Day at a Wedding

Any couple who has been married will tell you: My wedding day was so hectic, I didn’t get to talk to the majority of my guests and I know I didn’t eat. I had so many photos to take and I didn’t feel like I got a chance to enjoy my wedding. It flew by! Before I knew it, it was time for my exit!

Think about how much easier it would have been if you had hired a professional wedding team! I know there are some things that even a wedding planner can not correct or make better-lik…e adding more hours to the clock. But, we can help in keeping the flow of the night going so you and your family can dance, eat and enjoy each others company!

The last thing any couple needs to worry about on their wedding day, is what happens next. While wedding planners welcome moms, grandmothers and any other family member to help plan the BIG day, we want them to be a guest at the wedding. Watching a son or daughter walk down the isle is a big deal! We have seen it-family missing the kiss at the alter or the 1st dance because they are setting up cocktail hour or finalizing the dinner tables. Don’t let this be you!

The best gift you can give yourself when planning your wedding, is hire (minimally) a day-of coordinator. We handle all the details on the day-of so you don’t have too!

While finding the perfect photographer, DJ, florist and caterer is super important, consider finding a professional wedding planning team! We work very closely with the vendors to ensure everything is thought of and taken care of.

We know its all about the details! Every wedding is unique and represents you as a couple! Let us help! Let us take some of the pressure off you-

We do the work of your Mom, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, Maid of Honor so they can enjoy the wedding!

Contact us today for more questions on “what is a wedding planner/coordinator” or to see how we can help with your big day!

Karie/Owner
She Said Yes Weddings and Events

Mr. and Mrs. Bailey

What a gorgeous day at the Ranch House at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. This wedding was absolutely beautiful and the day was one of my favorites!

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, Nevada is an amazing location for a wedding. This couple opted to use the gardens for photos but utilize every part of the Ranch House for their wedding and reception. While the bride and bridesmaids were upstairs getting ready, there were many teams down below helping bring the couples vision to life.

The wedding took place in a quaint courtyard. The courtyard held close to 150 guests. With dark brown and tan padded chairs this wedding was absolutely charming! The bride had refinished a beautiful mantle that she had as her alter and  decorated it with pink and white floral.

Guests were greeted with Otter Pops and cold drinks at the entry way into the wedding. This really showed the playful side to the couple and was a HUGE hit!

The ceremony was elegant and deep rooted in their faith. From the music choices to communion, this ceremony was all about starting their marriage on the right foot.

Cocktail hour was in the Ranch House and continued out in the courtyard. Guests were mingling and really enjoying reconnecting with family and friends they had not seen in sometime. The couple had plenty of good refreshing drinks ready for all! There was even a horseshoe pit!

Dinner progressed to the back yard of the home. Beautiful farm tables with market lighting was the first thing guests noticed. The bride had decided to do many different styles of plates and napkins. While nothing was uniform, everything matched perfectly! The centerpieces were long brown boxes with beautiful floral that had matched the wedding ceremony. From the chandeliers hanging in the trees to the personalized touches of the couple, this reception was truly stunning!

The couple moved all the guests back to the courtyard for the cake cutting and it was a fun show to watch! It turned into a food fight 🙂 But, the couple were laughing and really enjoying themselves!

The food was amazing! Espinoza’s Catering served up some of the best street tacos I’ve ever tasted! The photographer, Richard Bane,  was funny and engaged with the couple all night long and I even saw him on top of the Ranch House at one point taking photos 🙂 And how could I not have mentioned the DJ yet. Charlie with Shades of Grey was so much fun and really kept the night flowing!

Overall, this wedding was so thought out and it was refreshing to see a wedding and reception so deep rooted in faith and family!

Congratulations to Kayla & Matt Bailey!

Special Thanks: She Said Yes Weddings and Events, Celedon Events, Celebrations Party Rentals, Richard Bane Photography, Shades of Grey, Espinoza’s Catering … you guys are AMAZING!!!!!

 

Mr. and Mrs. Lundberg

Congratulations to Angela and Sam Lundberg! This couple had a vision of a ‘day-at-the-lake’ reception and they planned just that! From the day I met the bride, she was bubbly and full of happiness and a smile that was contagious. She is definitely in love with Sam!

The couple started the morning with a hike to a pre-determined area to have their small-intimate wedding ceremony. Joining them were their parents, wedding party and those who braved the hike 🙂

By noon, guests started arriving at the West End Beach at Donner Lake. There were beautiful lace runners on each picnic table with amazing baskets filled with purple and white flowers. For party gifts, the couple opted to give each guest a carabiner metal mug that had their names engraved. The guests loved the mugs and were able to use these mugs for all their drinking needs!

The color scheme was adorable, especially for the picnic and lake environment. Kiwi-checkered linens with ivory lace and lavender accented with darker purples. The bride and her mother had plenty of vintage table cloths and family quilts to accent different tables throughout the reception. It added a very personal touch and looked amazing with the picnic tables!

From lawn games to paddle boarding, the guests had plenty of options for entertainment! And if that wasn’t enough, the couple hired an amazing band, Lost Whiskey Engine, to keep the guests dancing and engaged all afternoon.

Magic Mountain Catering provided an amazing lunch that was over the top! Over all this was a fun-family wedding. There were guests from all over the county and fun was had by all!

Special Thanks: Magic Mountain Catering, Celebration Party Rentals, Daphne Hougard Photography, Lost Whiskey Engine,

shesaidyesweddingsandevents.com

Mr. and Mrs. Mueller

This couple is so in LOVE! Tyler and Cassie Mueller got married on a beautiful morning at the Wilbur D May Museum in Reno, Nevada. They were surrounded by family and friends in a fun, light-hearted ceremony. The officiant was comical and it really helped take away some nerves (there were some VERY nervous people)!

The couple really played off the refreshing look of the museum. The museum is absolutely gorgeous! From its coy ponds to the tropical feel with the greenery, this venue should be at the top of your list for a venue!

The couple hosted a wonderful cocktail/social hour on the back patio of the venue. This patio is overlooking the beautiful gardens of Rancho San Rafael. The guests were able to enjoy their “down time” walking the gardens and having a cold drink! The photos of this wedding are going to be beautiful!

For lunch, the couple planned a brunch-style lunch. They had a deli buffet waiting for their guests, it was a nice change after being in the gardens on a warm morning.  The bride had prepared a specialty drink that was a hit at the wedding-Love Potion! Adding a personal touch to every part of the wedding, this couple really thought of everything! They had the cutest Caricature Photos for their guests to enjoy along with jars for the guests to give date ideas!

The color scheme was elegant and perfect for this venue. There were white linens with a beautiful navy blue lace table runner. There was a beautiful lantern with green moss and baby’s breath to finish the look! It looked so pretty with the ponds of the museum.

While this wasn’t much of a dancing crowd, the DJ (Jimmy & Kellie Klein with Thunder and Lighting Mobile DJ and Photobooth Service) kept the mood alive with music! Colin Nicolai (Colin Nicolai Photography) was the photographer for the day and he was very active and busy capturing the entire afternoon! This vendor team was so fun to work with!

Overall, this wedding was a hit! The guests were happy as they were leaving the venue. The bride was stunning and the groom was a happy man! It was an honor to have worked with this couple and I look forward to hearing about their new life together!

Special Thanks:

Jimmy & Kellie Klein/Thunder and Lighting Mobile DJ and Photobooth Service

Colin Nicolai/ Colin Nicolai Photography

Wilbur D May Museum

Mr. and Mrs. Bromley

What a fun couple! Amy, the bride, was fun and so in love with her groom, Chris! There are people that you meet that just change you and I feel that way with this couple. A couple that has been praying for each other for so long! They wanted to be married and they love being in Love!

Amy and Chris got married on a cold, snowy day in the midtown district of Reno, Nevada. Living Stones Church is a beautiful church with fun artwork and amazing lighting! You will be wow’d when you walk into this modern, art-filled church.

The couple opted for a first  prayer in a nearby park and although the weather was not cooperating, the couple adjusted to the changing temperatures and had a great time!

The sanctuary was so elegant with candles of all sizes lining the aisle way and the stage. Each table had candles and beautiful mirrors with personalized numbers that the bride made! The couple stood in front of a beautiful black twinkle light backdrop that just added to the elegance of the night.

The guests were really engaged dancing and enjoying a full bar. The couple had picked some really fun music that kept people moving for a long time!

I would sum up this wedding as elegant, fabulously stylish, intimate and  so full of love. I am excited for this couple as I know that they are standing firm on faith and their love is true and honest.

Congratulations Amy & Chris Bromley!

Mr. and Mrs. Heidemann

Congratulations to Tracy & Josh Heidemann! What fun couple and an extraordinary family! It was so much fun working with this couple-they were the easiest couple I’ve ever worked with!

The couple started off their day with a 1st look, not only with the bride and groom, but with the bride and her father! What a sweet moment! The entire wedding party and their parents showed up in a party bus looking excited and absolutely gorgeous!

The ceremony was at a beautiful Catholic Church in Sparks, Nevada. It was a dream to be in this church. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is very traditional with stained glass windows, beautiful wooden pews and beamed ceilings that were as gorgeous as them come! The men were dressed in black suits with mint green boutonnieres, while the girls wore lavender dresses carrying adorable bird cages with floral arrangements.

The reception was held at the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno, Nevada. This venue is so much fun and a full of entertainment for your guests. Guests walked around the museum looking at cars while enjoying a cocktail and great appetizers. Tables were decorated with ivory linens, purple overlays and birdcage for centerpieces. Was very elegant and classy!

The food was amazing (as always)! Silver Peek was the caterer for the night and provided the best prime rib I’ve ever tasted! The bar was stocked and guests enjoyed drinks all night long.

McClain’s DJ-what can I say? They are so entertaining and has hours of fun music that will for sure keep your guests moving! They provided props for people to dance with and was great as an MC!

Bridget with Bridget Burton Photography is charming and so talented! She was all over the place capturing photos that I’m sure made the couple so happy! She was professional and fun to watch!

PicBox Photo Booth provided the photo booth for the night. Their props were fun and they had signs that I’d never seen before! It was so fun and I saw guests enjoying the booth all night long! High quality equipment with a fun backdrop!

This was the first time I had ever worked with Heather with Darn Cute Cakes. She provided amazing bundtlets that were so delicious.  The cake table that she decorated was so “darn cute”, she even incorporated a quilt that was the bride and grooms!

This was a fun wedding from beginning to the end!

Special Thanks:  Silver Peek Catering, National Automobile Museum, Darn Cute Cakes, Bridget Burton Photography, PicBox Photo Booth, McClain’s Mobile DJ

Mr. and Mrs. Lauffer

Shannon and Garrett got married at a private home in Spanish Springs, Nevada. This home and backyard was not your average home. The backyard was amazing! It was landscaped with beautiful trees, gazebo, lawn games, flowers and lawn furniture. The wedding hosted about 100 guests and perfectly expressed the couple!

The look of the wedding was a rustic chic feel with beautiful succulent flowers, garland and lanterns as some of the decorations. The tent was lit up with chandeliers and market lighting and was breath taking! From farm tables to chandeliers, this couple put together a picture-perfect wedding!

The ceremony was in the backyard in front of a beautiful cream colored gazebo! The flowers were perfectly placed on different parts of the gazebo to enhance its beauty! Lots of greenery! The isle way was lined with mason jars and baby’s breath. With the brown wood chairs, the jars and baby’s breath really stood out.

There were the most beautiful flower girls with beautiful puffy dresses! They wore flower crowns that added to their beauty! I could just go on-and-on about this wedding!

The guests were fun and engaged all night. The food was AMAZING-Cherry Bomb Catering prepared an amazing night of food. The bride had a family recipe of cheese balls that Cherry Bomb Catering had at cocktail hour. What a fun way to incorporate family traditions into the wedding!

The music was fun and the couple even had the guests do a sing-a-long at dinner-DJ Bernie out of Sacramento, California was fun and had the whole place lit up with lights and monograms!

And the desserts-oh boy the desserts! Isabel’s Bakery out of Sparks, Nevada showed up again with amazing desserts of all kinds that kept the guests coming back for more! The bride opted for a naked cake with beautiful flowers to top it.

Taylor Kern Photography and Ben Ridpath Films were so fun to watch with their cameras always rolling! They captured amazing photos and are so talented-they had the couple all over the place capturing amazing photos and video of this day!

Special Thanks:  Taylor Kern Photography, Ben Ridpath Films,  DJ Bernie (Bernie Carrion), Isabel’s Bakery, Cherry Bomb Catering, Carmen Johnson, All Occasion Rentals, and Celebration Party Rentals

Mr. and Mrs. Delossantos

Monica and Rafael got married at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino in Incline Village. The weather was perfect and the day was magical! Monica and Rafael met each other while working together in Puerto Rico. While it was not love at first sight, God definitely had a different plan for these two! The way they look at each other is heart-warming and reminds us of true, honest love!

The ceremony took place at the Water Gardens and was probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! Their vows were read in Spanish, and while most of the guests had no idea what they were saying, there was not a dry eye. You could tell by their tone and they way they were looking at each other, the words they were saying were from deep inside of their hearts. Such a beautiful ceremony!

While the couple were out taking photos with the very talented Justin Buettner Wedding Photography, the guests enjoyed drinks and unbelievable scenery at the Lone Eagle Grill. The grill has floor to ceiling windows that give a view of the lake that is just indescribable. While the guests were visiting, the Grill offered live acoustic music to keep the night fun and festive. The entire restaurant cheered as the couple came down the stairs for dinner. We had a private table for 10 guests with amazing food, service and dessert!

I left feeling happy and encouraged! This couple is solid and so in love!

A special thanks to: Justin Buettner Wedding Photography, Delicious Designs, The Hyatt at Incline Village, and the Lone Eagle Grill for all their hard work for this couple!

Rain On Your Wedding Day

You have the perfect outdoor venue and guests are starting to arrive. The only problem: IT’S RAINING!  Your best friend has helped you plan the entire wedding and she is your coordinator. It’s raining and you are looking to her to come up with a solution. You didn’t have a plan B, no tents, no umbrellas…nothing!

There are many brides that don’t fully understand what the job of a coordinator/planner really is. It’s more than setting up your reception and making sure everything is cleaned up at the end of the night. Hiring a professional for your wedding is about giving you peace of mind. I hear so many times brides saying they just want their Mom to be relaxed and have no worry. Not only are we helping with the planning process, we are there on the day to make sure all the vendors are accounted for, all the decorations are ready but more than all that, to make sure the day runs smoothly.

What if it actually does rain on the day of your wedding?  Who do you ask for help? Who makes sure that everything is okay outside and not completely ruined?  Having a good coordinator/planner is reassurance that all the “maybe’s” are taken care of. A planner/coordinator knows that life happens and has worked hard to make sure that all vendors are ready and prepared to give you the perfect day-rain or shine!

 

 

 

To Assign or Not Assign…

As a wedding coordinator, I hear this question over and over. Do we have assigned seating at our reception or do we allow open seating? Assigned seating is where the couple assigns a table for each guest at the reception. Some couples opt to take it a step further and not only pick the table the guest will sit at, but they actually assign a particular seat at that table. Open seating is where guests are given the opportunity to find their own seat and table. I will be honest, I am not a fan of assigned seating (I can hear other coordinator’s gasping). But I do understand that for some weddings, especially ones where there are multiple layers to family dynamics, it is necessary. But, it is not an easy task to take on. And sadly, not one that the wedding coordinator can really do for you.

Here are some things to think about when it comes to the reception and assigned seating.

• What type of wedding reception are you hosting? Is it very formal and traditional or is it a more relaxed reception where you want guests to have the freedom to pick their table. This is the first decision any couple needs to make regarding seating arrangements.
• Look at your guest list. Are you inviting every person you have ever known from every area of your life? College friends, neighbors, childhood friends, family, c0-workers. If so, assigned seating might be the right path for you. You want your guests to enjoy the night and feel comfortable with the people at their table. But, if you have a more intimate and personal guest list,  giving the guests an option to chose their own seating is a realistic option.

Like anything else in life, there are positives and negatives to any decision. It’s no secret that planning a wedding is stressful and I encourage you to make decisions based on your wedding and not what you think is right. It’s acceptable to have open seating and it’s acceptable to not have assign seating. There is no right or wrong way to approach this. I am, however, going to list a few positive and negatives that I have seen that might help in your decision making.

• Assigned Seating:
  • Pros: When you make decisions for people, especially for a reception, people can just find their table and/or seat and there is no thinking involved, guests are not wandering around trying to find a table. Guests are paired together according to how they know each other. Family is at the same table with family and friends are with friends. Basically you are a puppet master placing guests to, hopefully, give everyone the best experience. I highly encourage assigned seating if you are giving your guests options for food as this helps catering. They are looking over meals and seating arrangements before the reception begins.
  • Cons: Assigned seating has to be precise. You can’t assume the coordinator or the venue know people and names of your guest list. It can cause a huge headache when getting table arrangements done. For catering, it helps so that they are giving the right meal to the right guest. I don’t know what it is about RSVPs, but not all invites come back in a timely manner. Trying to make  accurate arrangements for seating can become a huge headache. Guests don’t always agree with you on their table assignment. Guests will move tables, it happens every single time. The coordinator and catering are frantically finding guests and making sure that all lists are matched up. There is nothing worse than a guest getting the wrong meal. It could affect allergies and religious beliefs.
• Open Seating:
  • Pros: Guests can choose their seating. Some weddings are mini-reunions and its fun to be at a table where you can go down memory lane.  I know that some guests are worried about having a seat but if you RSVP, its safe to say that there will be enough seating for you. Open seating works great for buffet-style and family-style dinners. You will have guests that did not RSVP show up. Having an open seating plan is great because the coordinator and venue won’t have to scramble to find seating for this guest.
  • Cons: Receptions have a start time. Guests are not as aware of time restraints and take their time when finding a seat. Mingling and socializing are a huge part of a wedding so it can become a little cluttered at first. Another con to having open seating, is late guests. Guests who arrive to the reception late are forced to set at any remaining table. This might have them at a table of guests they do not know or separated from their spouse or significant other.

Regardless of the choice you pick, its going to be a beautiful reception. Guests are flexible. Again, what works for one wedding will not work for another. Pick a choice that is unique to your reception style.

TIP: Don’t forget about your vendors (photographers, coordinator, DJ, videographers)! Have a dinning option for them. Have a separate table whether in the back of the venue or in a separate room/area prepared for them.