Planning a Wedding and Don't Know Where to Start? Read This.
*sponsored post
Newly engaged and wondering how to start planning a wedding? Read this.
Today on the blog, we are interviewing Whitney Hewitt, owner of XO Event Co, a wedding planner in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As someone who has personally worked with Whitney and the XO team, I can tell you that the value of a planner like XO is priceless. That is why I am THRILLED that they agreed to spill a few of their wedding planning secrets to engaged couples totally free. Read on for the best wedding planning tips and tricks to start your planning process from one of the very best wedding planners in Oklahoma.
Image by Katie Hadley Photography
on the most important thing engaged couples should know about wedding planning.
B.E: What is the most important thing you want engaged couples to know about the planning process?
XO: TAKE. A. BREATH. Planning a wedding is difficult, but it does not have to be stressful. It is easy to get completely overwhelmed when you have never planned a wedding. This is why you need to trust your vendors. Vendors spend their whole careers perfecting their craft! We are here to help and are happy to walk you through this process.
*Editor’s note: As a wedding venue-owner, I can 10000% vouch for this. Trust your awesome vendors (like XO Event Co!) and you’ll alleviate so much stress.
on why couples should hire a wedding planner.
Image by Katie Hadley Photography
B.E: In my opinion, hiring a wedding planner is by far the smartest decision couples can make. What are the top three reasons to hire a wedding planner?
XO: We’ll sweat the unglamorous details→ We want you to be able to enjoy your engagement and build excitement for your special day. As the wedding planners, we come alongside to work with couples on the details such as vendor contracts, budget worksheets, vendor communication, and so much more.
Having an expert helps to stretch your budget→ When working on a budget no one wants to compromise anything for their dream day. Wedding Coordinators know which vendors to contact and recommendations to make based on your budget and style.
A planner takes the BIG DAY stress away→ This particular day, which took months of planning, is finally here, and it's our job to take care of the little details that could go wrong. Ensuring that your wedding day dreams come true is what we do! All you need to focus on is getting ready to walk down the aisle and enjoy your family and friends.
B.E: What sets XO Event Co. apart?
XO: We are committed to going above and beyond for our clients. From keeping your favorite drink in your hand all night to ordering pizza to your hotel room after the wedding for a midnight snack, we are dedicated to you!
Everyone wants their wedding to be unique. Instead of focusing on trending or the most popular themes, we focus on the couple's specific style, dreams, and desires. We want their wedding to feel like theirs, so we focus on them---no matter the request, we will do our best to make it happen. We’re not in this to build our portfolio. If the wedding doesn’t reflect the couple, we haven’t done our job.
on their best wedding planning tips
Image by Katie Hadley Photography
B.E: What are a few expert wedding planning tips you can give our readers?
XO:
Choose your top three. There is a long list when it comes to planning a wedding. Sit with your significant other and choose your top three most important wedding day must-haves. These will help you keep your eyes on the prize as you budget, plan and create your dream wedding day.
Create a wedding guest list. When you have your total number of guests invited, you can begin looking at venues and budgeting.
Trust your gut and share your opinion. As your wedding planner we LIVE for turning your aspirations into a reality. Share your desired wedding day vibes, the feel and atmosphere you desire, and how you envision your decor and dress. From there, we will use our expertise and help you turn those dreams into a step-by-step plan that we can conquer together.
on the amount of work that goes into a wedding.
B.E: How many hours of work goes into an average wedding?
XO: Every wedding is different and the time put into that wedding will be different, too. Typically, couples’ engagements who are between 10-18 months can expect a wedding planner to work 300+ hours on just their wedding alone.
*Editor’s Note: This. This is exactly why we believe in the power of wedding planners, ESPECIALLY for busy couples. The time spent stressing over plans with little knowledge of the industry could be spent soaking in that engaged life!
B.E: How many hours do you work specifically during the days in the week leading up to the wedding, rehearsal dinner day, and wedding day?
XO: In the weeks leading up to the wedding, we typically work alongside the couple to finalize any details and ensure everything is set for the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. We do all kinds of random tasks like deliver decor to and from the venue, gather the couple's belongings, pick up 3000 rose petals, help the catering staff clean up...this list could go on forever.
B.E: Do you assist couples with tasks once the wedding ends (things like to deliver decor back to florists/family etc.)?
XO: Each wedding needs help in different areas pre and post-wedding. Our goal at XO is to go the extra mile in service. We can deliver the tuxes back to the rental company, take your marriage license to be filed, or deliver all of your personal items (i.e. gifts, guestbook, decor etc.) after the wedding to a location of your choice.
on what wedding planners wish couples knew…
Image by Picturesque Photos by Amanda
B.E: What do you wish more people knew about wedding planning?
XO: We love our job, and when we see the smiles on our couples' faces, it makes it all worth it. We want people to know that wedding planning is not an easy job and you have to have a passion for weddings. A couple has to understand that they cannot plan and orchestrate a wedding for their guests and still be the main event! At XO, we have cultivated a a team of women who are passionate about being a part of every couple's big day and will put in the work to make it everything they dreamt of. Your wedding day should be about YOU.
For example:
At the end of the day, the wedding should reflect YOU. If you’re a super laid-back couple and people show up to a 5 course meal in a museum, it may not reflect who you are. We try to understand our couples and help you bring out the quirks to make you and your day memorable.
Don’t sweat the (super) small stuff. No one will notice that the bone plates are not the exact hue of white as your tablecloths. If you’re stressing about dancing in front of everyone, just don’t do the first dance (or do one privately). Do what YOU want on your day.
Pinterest is not the end all, be all. The goal of your wedding is to get married in an environment that reflects you as a couple, not simply to get published on Pinterest. While there are plenty of signs you can have printed or the favors you can give your guests, those details are like a single photo in your 5,000 picture album that is your wedding. No one is going to remember if you have a sign that says “sign our guest book,” it’s self-explanatory.
on wedding planning vs. day-of coordination
Image by Jordan Taylor Photography
B.E: Does XO Event Co. offer any in-between packages or packages for day-of coordination? What is the difference?
XO: We offer a Full Planning Package, Partial Planning Package, Wedding Day Management, Design, and Elopements. The Full Package is everything from vision, execution, design, day-of management, and more. Partial Planning is meeting the couple where they are at. We help match vendors, define their vision, and help their dreams become a reality with many behind the scene details. Day of Coordination is where we sweat the in-the-moment information and make sure everything is in place for the big day. Lastly, in Elopements, we step in and help with the marriage license, photography connections, last-minute bookings, and so on to help ensure your elopement is precisely what it should be---full of love and stress-free.
ON XO EVENT CO.
Image by Emily Burney
B.E: Anything else you'd like our readers to know?
XO: We love our clients! Our core values here at XO Event Co. are:
Grit. We will continue to work hard and put our best foot forward to see the wedding through. We don't mind rolling up our sleeves and taking care of the details nobody else wants to.
Service. We are here for our clients first and foremost. We want to put them first. We’re not above getting a rock out of your toes, getting you your favorite drink from the bar, or zipping up your dress after a restroom break.
Passion. We are passionate about all things wedding! We love what we do here and are truly excited to help our couples orchestrate the wedding they envision.
In conclusion, if you are overwhelmed with wedding planning and needing a little or a lot of help, XO Event Co has a planning option for you to take away all of your wedding planning stress. From start to finish.
xo event co.
3501 S Sheridan Rd.
Tulsa, OK 74145
hello@xoeventco.com
918-284-6974
recently engaged? here’s more inspo for all of your wedding planning needs.
Disclaimer: Although this is a sponsored post, I only work with brands and companies that I wholeheartedly support. I have personally worked with Whitney and the XO Event Co. team and recommend them to my engaged couples because they are just incredible to work with during the planning process and on the day-of.