How to choose a wedding officiant? 4 Options to Go

How to choose a wedding officiant?

How to choose a wedding officiant? 4 Options to Go

How to choose a wedding officiant? This is quite a troublesome task for every couple because your wedding is impossible without the officiant. The officiant is the person who directs the ceremony. Nowadays, couples decide to celebrate a personalized wedding, whether at home or outside, and they need a ceremony officiant.

How to choose a wedding officiant?

How to choose a wedding officiant?

A wedding is the symbolic celebration of the union, love, and happiness of a couple. Indeed, wedding officiants can make your ceremony the most intimate celebration. Once you have decided that you want to hold a symbolic ceremony, it is time to choose the officiant. How to choose a wedding officiant? Here are 4 options to choose an officiant:

  • The officiant is a couple’s friend:

The advantage that someone close is that they know your relationship, and their words will be much closer and more intimate and cheaper. On the other hand, you must bear in mind that if you are not an officiant, don’t try to handle this task because you can get very nervous or even that the ceremony becomes too informal and loses the emotional sense of a wedding.

  • The officiant is an exceptional family member:

If you are lucky enough to have a very close relative capable of speaking fluently and sympathetically in public, ask him or her to become the officiant of your wedding. It can be one of your brothers, cousins, uncles, and even grandparents. The ceremony will be endearing to everyone and will have a unique flavor and personality. As unique as those fun wedding ideas you have chosen with so much care, thinking of all your loved ones.

  • The officiant be a professional:

In this case, the person has enough experience and is used to speaking in public; that is why this option will help you draft your vows and bring a touch of formality to your wedding. In other words, it will adapt to your style, your values ​​, and your requests so that you can enjoy a ceremony that is 100% personalized and faithful to your essence.

  • The officiant can be a person whom you especially admire:

Do you feel great admiration for a journalist, a writer, an actor, or a politician in your area? It is not often that couples ask these types of people to perform free ceremonies, so they may be flattered and agree to do so.

What does an officiant need to know?

How to choose a wedding officiant? Before you choose an officiant, check out that they must have special training in religious, symbolic, or even civil matters.

How to choose a wedding officiant?

It is essential that the officiant has good communication with the couple and listens to the characteristics they are looking for in their wedding. The bride and groom can add information about their symbolic wedding to their civil wedding invitations so that everyone knows what it represents.

In alternative ceremonies, the officiant must inform the bride and groom of the order of symbols, messages, and rituals that traditionally make up the celebration. For a wedding led by a particular officiant to be perfect, it must combine the classic elements with the variations requested by the bride and groom.

What should you take into account when choosing a professional ceremony officiant?

  • Through Style: each officiant has a way of working; there are officiants with a humorous touch who follow a protocol, closer officiants who celebrate a more informal wedding.
  • Through its experience: ask your master of ceremony what script he usually follows; if he has officiated more ceremonies, you can quickly evaluate their way of working.
  • Through its speaking skills: it is essential that the officiant of the ceremony knows how to speak in public, has a good language, and knows how to behave in every situation.
  • Through its Interest: when having an interview with an officiant to hire, check out if he/she showed interest in all the details such as your relationship, wedding style, type of guests, suppliers, or music that will be played.
  • Through its availability and price: Finally, you must confirm, if the officiant is available on your wedding day and what are their charges.

How to choose a wedding officiant?

Final words:

Begin your marriage adventure with an extraordinary ceremony. How to choose a wedding officiant? Consider all possible options before choosing your officiant, as this way; you will find the perfect person to lead your ceremony. Do not forget to prepare an original wedding souvenir, especially to thank your officiant.

8 ways to reduce wedding planning stress

wedding arrangement problems

8 ways to reduce wedding planning stress

Are you looking for some tips to reduce wedding planning stress? Is your wedding around the corner? If you are planning your wedding right now, you are probably familiar with the stress of the workload. However, the most common planning moods among couples who originally planned to get married in 2021 include stress (58%), insecurity (54%), and depression (47%). Obviously, these are tough times for engaged couples.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with the stress of wedding planning, and you can fully fit these methods into your busy schedule.

Reduce wedding planning stress:

Preparing for a wedding is similar to preparing for a marathon – just as fast and energetic, work towards results. This period takes a lot of energy, but do not forget to rest. Today we will provide you with some tips to help you reduce stress during the planning phase of your wedding. Here are 8 ways to reduce wedding planning stress.

  • Take breaks from time to time:

It’s easy to get bogged down to plan your wedding, but don’t let it consume your entire life. Take regular breaks and get distracted by other topics. It’s best if you can limit your wedding planning time by setting aside a few hours a day every evening or every couple of days, or once a week.

  • Try something new:

Join a spiritual class, travel with friends, or do something outside of your comfort zone. You will be so passionate about your new hobby that you will completely forget about any stress when planning your wedding.

  • Going to the gym:

Exercise will distract you from your wedding preparations for a while and push your body to release endorphins. Sweating on the treadmill may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Within a short time, you will be distracted from planning, and your body will release the hormone endorphin. So try yoga, massage, or something that will relax you.

  • Change your place:

Are you on edge? It’s time for a change of scenery. A secluded place with your loved one. Take a break from thinking about the upcoming wedding, don’t check your email, and forget the seating plan for your guests at home.

  • Distribute responsibilities:

You don’t have to decide everything on your own. Let your loved ones help you. If you want to control important processes, leave your loved one’s other tedious chores, such as filling candy boxes. This will help you free up time for solving more global problems.

  • Start writing down your upcoming expenses:

Make the necessary calls to wedding agencies, photographers, and of course, your selected restaurants. Check prices before you start booking, so you can adjust your budget intelligently in the future. Do not forget to list all planned expenses to see an accurate picture.

  • Hire a wedding planner:

If you are having difficulty organizing your plans and appointments, you might consider hiring a wedding planner. An organizer’s job is to keep things running smoothly to relieve some of the stress of planning a wedding.

  • Choose the right team of contractors:

Putting together a great team for your wedding is the key to the desired result. If you’ve hired a wedding planner, chances are they have a list of contractors you need, making your search reliable and easy.

reduce wedding planning stress

Early planning and early booking are always beneficial:

Once you’ve set your wedding date, make a list of what you need to do. Check it constantly and supplement it so that there are no unpleasant surprises. When planning your wedding set 2 dates – the first is the desired completion date, and the second is the deadline (the most extreme). Those who begin to plan their most important event of a lifetime before the appointed time will ensure lower stress.

The more time you have, the chance to reduce wedding planning stress is higher. If possible, choose a place for your wedding where you can order as many additional services as possible. Waiter service, room decoration, music, cake, fireworks in your honor, etc. Then you do not have to do all this separately.

Final words:

Consult Jennifer Tolento Events if you want to reduce wedding planning stress. Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but you shouldn’t let it happen. Let yourself take a break between choosing a wedding decor and making a guest list to relax your mind.

If you do not have enough time to agree on various wedding issues, you should contact Jennifer Tolento Events. Their task is precisely to ensure that everything goes smoothly at your wedding.

Remember that as you move towards your goal, do not forget to have fun at every stage of organizing your wedding.

 

How to start advance wedding planning?

Advance wedding planning

How to start advance wedding planning?

Advance wedding planning is an ideal activity to save yourself from any hassle on your big day. Starting to plan a wedding in advance is essential if you want a personalized event. You must also define the budget that will be available for it and divide the tasks. But, likewise, the best thing is that, in all the most relevant decisions, both participate.

Want to save money? Consider advance wedding planning

If you have already decided to get married, the idea is to find the date twelve months in advance. It may seem like a long time to you; however, it passes very quickly with the preparations. This allows couples to compare providers for everything and save a lot of money to spend on other things. Visiting all the internet pages and making contracts through promotions is another benefit. If you have fallen in love with a place, there will be no problem waiting to celebrate that magical party there.

Advance wedding planning

How to start planning a wedding? Periodic distribution

  • 12 months before:

Decide the type of wedding you want to have and start visiting venues and salons to choose the ones you like the most, as it is the initial step for advanced wedding planning. Couples must request the date in the civil registry and make the necessary reservations in the rest of the places. It is not something you can do in one day, so do not be discouraged.

  • 9 months before:

It’s time to get together and make your first wedding guest list. It’s time to get together and make your first wedding guest list. One piece of advice is that both the bride and groom make a guest list of their own. It is better if a direct relative also contributes to this task to avoid forgetfulness that can be painful for someone.

Wedding dresses are also among the first points when starting to plan a wedding. Therefore, it is opportune to start consulting dressmakers, looking at models and consulting costs. However, it takes a long time to prepare in some cases, or you have to be on a waiting list.

  • 6 months before:

Adjust the guest list and try to agree on the final one to select the design of the invitations. Then, depending on the type of wedding you will have or the year’s season, you can make themed cards.

They can think about the honeymoon and inquire about the different destinations to prepare for the preparations. They can use agencies with their special packages for the bride and groom or book separately. Choosing a goal that you both like is essential so as not to argue in the future. If the salon does not offer photography and video services, you have to look for and reserve professionals.

  • 4 months before:

Now is the time to organize all the documentation you need to present at the civil ceremony and the church. Some procedures take longer than expected, so you have to do them to avoid inconvenience. For religious traditions, it is usually necessary to take a particular course with a certificate that approves it.

  • 3 months before:

They are already beginning to feel that the wedding is approaching and there is much to be defined. Do not lose control. Go to hire professionals for makeup and hairstyle. You also have to look for the groom’s suit; there is the possibility of buying one already made or ordering it to measure. Similarly, there will be another test near the date.

  • 2 months before

The time has come for the wedding to start looking more natural. All tests begin in this period: menu, dresses, decorations, and alliances. It’s time to find all the ideas to do at home or buy the decorative elements that combine with the bride and groom’s style and the living room. In addition, you should think about what will be the gift that will be delivered to the guests.

1 day before:

The ideal advance wedding planning starts 12 months in advance, although if you get to it as soon as possible, you will surely avoid the odd setback. The first thing is to decide the date of the wedding, for example, the day of the year you met? Do you prefer to do it in the middle of summer to take advantage of the heat? Better in spring? When you decide the day you would like to get married, consider other factors such as holidays or vacations. You can also talk about the ideal date with your closest family and friends to make sure they are available on the appointed day.

If something has been forgotten or a mishap arises, there are a few days left to find a solution.

Final words:

Advance wedding planning takes a lot of effort. If you do not hire the services of a wedding planner, you will need to organize yourself well to plan yours. To keep track of the entire process, it is essential to have a wedding checklist or agenda. In it, you can mark everything that has already been done and keep track of pending tasks. With proper planning, you can fully enjoy the big day.

 

4 Qualities of a professional wedding organizer

professional wedding organizer

4 Qualities of a professional wedding organizer

A professional wedding organizer helps couples to plan their big day. Wedding organizers work closely with the couple to find out exactly how they want to organize their marriage. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of an organizer to search, visit and negotiate with suppliers.

The responsibilities of a wedding organizer include a relatively large number of tasks. Perhaps the main one is control over the preparations for the wedding and ensuring the timely execution of orders. A professional wedding organizer will rent a banquet hall, find cars and drivers for the motorcade, select a design team, invite a make-up artist, tailor, hairdresser.

professional wedding organizer

Professional wedding organizer profile:

  • Good organizational skills.
  • Be organized and able to plan events within a set schedule.
  • Problem-solving skills.
  • Work with many different people.
  • Good negotiation skills to reach agreements with suppliers.
  • The ability to make the bride and groom feel comfortable, as weddings are very emotional events.
  • Self-motivated ability
  • The ability to combine different tasks effectively, as there is often more than one wedding to organize simultaneously.
  • Think and act quickly, especially in the event of unforeseen events that may arise.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Good networking skills to build a contact list.
  • Creative skills and the ability to generate new ideas
  • Marketing and negotiation skills to promote your services.
  • Financial knowledge to work within the budget of each couple.

Why hire an professional wedding organizer?

A considerable advantage of working with a professional wedding organizer is that he will work out and select the most suitable options for you before you decide on a particular issue. Also, due to professional activity, the organizer knows the current prices, trends and knows how to negotiate discounts.

Many professional wedding organizers argue that organizing a wedding involves many decisions and a lot of time to find and determine a wedding venue, select suppliers of various services, menus, decorations, equipment, budget planning, calculations, and many details. For all this, the couple doesn’t have the time and sufficient experience; perhaps the couple knows where they can celebrate their wedding party.

The professional knows different sequences to organize your wedding. The organizer knows how to solve issues in sequence and what other points need to be thought over. You will only have to make decisions and orient them according to your preferences, and a professional will do his job.

professional wedding organizer

How do you choose a good organizer?

A wedding organizer is an experienced leader, a loving person who will take care of all the little things at the wedding and allow the bride and groom to relax and enjoy a fantastic event in their life!

You need to meet in advance, about a month before the wedding. If the organizer makes a good impression, immediately make a preliminary plan. The organizer’s services are well paid because the work seems to be not too difficult for many. Therefore, some people want to make easy money without having any skills or organizational skills. In order not to spoil the wedding, pay attention to the following nuances:

  • Prices (too low and too high prices are false to alert you);
  • Practical work experience;
  • Manners and appearance (a good organizer should not be sloppy and tongue-tied).

4 Qualities of wedding planner:

The wedding planner should be able to:

  • Understand what the client wants: The bride and groom need to realize that they have found in the person of the organizer not only a professional but also an understanding friend;
  • Remember – write down all the key moments, and if you have a terrible memory, write down everything about the likes and dislikes of the couple.
  • Be polite and considerate – do not use parasitic words and do not offend the potential client in any way, even if you are sure that some detail will violate the harmony of the wedding from a professional point of view.
  • Punctual – don’t make the client wait for you 30-50 minutes. If it so happens that you do not have time for a meeting – call the client and ask if it is convenient for them to postpone the meeting half an hour later if you don’t arrive at the time.

Final words:

Each wedding is different, so the wedding organizer must ensure that he or she will respond to the couple’s needs in the greatest extent possible, depending on the availability of the desired location and budget constraints.

The Professional wedding organizer should meet with the couple’s requirements to find their desire wedding theme. If the couple is unsure what they want, the organizer uses their knowledge and experience to help by making suggestions. The wedding coordinator has full control over the festive event, monitors the timing that perfectly matches the wedding scenario, and solves all issues at all stages and objects of the wedding.

Wedding Event During Covid – 5 Tips For Pro Wedding

wedding event during Covid

Wedding Event During Covid – 5 Tips to Plan Like a Pro wedding

Hoisting a wedding event during Covid is a challenging task because the world is facing a pandemic situation for the first time in history. The postponement of a wedding event due to a virus is a big disappointment for couples since the initial date of your wedding is so important. Many couples are looking for ways to celebrate the day uniquely. Some people decide to have a bit of a romantic ceremony and others want to plan a traditional theme.

wedding event during Covid

Wedding event during covid – How to plan your event?

In New Jersey, local authorities have suspended the registration of marriages and divorces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Has your wedding been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic? Here are some ideas for how you can mark your initial wedding date if you’re still undecided about what to do when you plan a wedding event during covid without postponing:

  • Prepare new decorations & wedding invitations:

If you’ve planned your wedding and suddenly a restriction is imposed, nobody will plan their wedding in restraints or outdoor venues. So the best option is to prepare new decorations at your place and for this manner, you need new decorations.

  • Transform your place into a festive space:

If you plan a wedding event during covid pandemic, whether you are celebrating the date at home or somewhere else, festively decorating your home can be an original way to mark your original wedding date. But, at the same time, the celebration with friends and family is delayed. Many wedding florists still take on small projects, and you can ask a flower designer to decorate your home with candles and some pretty flower arrangements.

  • Prepare a festive dinner with your loved ones:

If you live alone and are now in a forced isolation mode, consider cooking together and baking a cake for a romantic evening. If baking cakes is not your forte, order it from a trusted pastry shop. Many of them are now continuing to fulfill orders and will deliver at the appointed time.

  • Host a virtual party with your wedding DJ:

Have you heard of the Instagram Live virtual dance party attended by self-isolated viewers? While your wedding invite list may not include such celebrities, you can always host a virtual dance party on your wedding day during a covid pandemic.

  • Make your wedding vows and plan a delayed ceremony:

It is never too early to make your wedding vows, and the initial wedding date is just right to get them ready. Some couples choose to write their vows together, while others prepare them as a surprise on their wedding day.

If you’ve rescheduled your wedding for about a year, this can be a great time to discuss all the ceremony stages and finally approve the decor so that you have everything ready for the next wedding day.

wedding event during Covid

Final verdict:

Suppose you’ve decided to postpone your wedding event during covid and don’t want to have a small ceremony or virtual party on the original wedding date. In that case, it might be interesting to organize a small function in your place.

Please be patient and remember that your wedding will be the best, it just will take place a little later than planned. Live life to the fullest and help your loved ones in their difficult situation. So, want to plan a wedding event, whether indoor or outdoor, consult Jennifer Tolento Events and enjoy your big day with professional service.

 

 

5 Eco-friendly Wedding Venues in New Jersey

eco-friendly wedding venue

 5 Eco-friendly Wedding Venues in New Jersey

Finding an eco-friendly wedding venue in New Jersey is the most difficult task for couples who plan for their marriage without going beyond their budget.  However, choosing the right venue is one of the vital issues for wedding preparation. An ideal person will find the perfect location for making their big day memorable in every sense – beautiful, spacious and acceptable for the budget.

Eco-friendly wedding venue:

Solving the issue to book the right wedding venue requires a lot of effort and a balanced approach. But don’t despair! Our simple tips for choosing the wedding venue will help you make your choice. Here are some options for an eco-friendly wedding venue with their pros and cons:

eco-friendly wedding venue

1.   Wedding venue in hotel:

Planning a wedding in a hotel is an exciting way to celebrate your big day, which is not surprising since it is convenient for both guests and newlyweds.

Pros:

  • Offer a package that includes food, entertainment and accommodation at a very low price.
  • Room for newlyweds with with all accommodations.
  • Professional staff that provides outstanding service to you and your guests.

Cons:

  • Good hotels tend to be expensive.
  • The presence of strangers in the hotel.
  • The banquet hall may have restrictions on the number of seats.

2.   Wedding venue a in loft space:

It can be a library, a museum or a multifunctional space. Such weddings are distinguished not so much by solemnity as by originality. Recently loft space has become more popular for eco-friendly wedding venue in New Jersey.

Pros:

  • The rental price will be lower than in the hotel with a similar service package
  • Spacious rooms can accommodate a large number of guests.
  • At the same time, you will not be affected by weather conditions unlike outdoor weddings.

Cons:

  • The hall’s design has already been formed, and therefore the style of the wedding will have to be adjusted to the interior.
  • You should take care of renting a hall as early as possible: such sites are used not only for weddings but also for conferences, presentations and exhibitions, which means booking in advance.
  • Guests have nowhere to stay, so guests from other cities will have to book a hotel.

3.   Wedding venue in open-air area:

It could be a garden, a public park, or even a nature reserve. In contrast to formal weddings, with their traditional setting, an open-air party becomes more relaxed and can be beautiful, weather permitting

Pros:

  • Lively decor is included in the package.
  • Fresh air and no boundaries.
  • Affordable rent price.

Cons:

  • The bushes around will not always be green, and the sky will not be cloudless.
  • Dependence on the weather: wind, rain and thunderstorms are not the best additions for any wedding.
  • In summer, outdoor areas are in great demand, so you need to book them in advance.

4.     Wedding venue in a restaurant:

This is a versatile place for organizing weddings of any format. For example, if you plan a big wedding, you can rent the entire restaurant and banquet hall, which can accommodate all your guests.

Pros:

  • No need to worry about food and serving – professionals will take care of it all.
  • Many restaurants have a particular style and are easy to decorate.
  • It is possible to organize a small, intimate wedding.

Cons:

  • As with the hotel, some restaurants have a limit on the number of guests.
  • There is often not enough room for dancing in restaurants.
  • All the guests have to organize their transport.

5.   Wedding venue in vacation home

If your home has enough space for all guests and a cozy lawn spreads around it, then the ideal solution would be to organize a wedding here. If you don’t have a private home, you can rent it for a couple of days.

Pros:

  • Beautiful countryside nature.
  • Savings on renting premises.
  • A homely environment filled with family traditions and memories.

Cons:

  • The decor will have to be created from scratch.
  • Organization of the celebration and cleaning after it will ultimately fall on your shoulders.
  • The need to take into account the interests of neighbors.

Final verdict:

It seems a difficult task to find an eco-friendly wedding venue in New Jersey that comes into your budget. If you still can’t decide which option you like best, consider an open-air or a wedding restaurant to plan your wedding. In this case, you can enjoy your ceremony and a photo session in nature, and during a festive dinner, you will have access to all the benefits of civilization.

 

 

All-inclusive venue or DIY event space? What’s the best fit for your wedding?

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One of the biggest decisions a couple needs to make after getting engaged is where to have their dream wedding day. Do you choose an all-inclusive space where everything is done for you or do you select a DIY space and take on the challenge of bringing everything in to make it your own. 

So what’s the difference and how do you make the decision? Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind and help you make a more informed choice.

All-inclusive venues:

Pro- There is much less preparation for you to do leading up to the wedding, the event manager will guide you through the menu, reception layout, bar selection and even offer some recommendations of other vendors to choose from such a DJ/band, flowers, and photographers to name a few. 

Con– You will be hard-pressed to find a venue that you will love everything about. You will likely end up settling for something you may have decided differently if you had the choice. What if you hate their chairs, carpeting, or they can’t accommodate certain menu options? The ceremony space is not what you envisioned? The vendors they recommend are not in your budget or style? This is where you compromise on your preferences. 

DIY or ala carte venue:

Pro– Your wedding, your way! Usually, a blank canvas to decorate, set up, and create your vision without concession. Typically a wedding planner will be needed to execute all of the details (yes I consider this a pro) and help your vision come to life! You will get a list of vendors from your planner that are the right fit for your venue, style, and budget.  Usually, these weddings happen on a farm, barn, loft, park, or tent and can truly show your personal side as a couple. 

Con- The costs can add up! Even though a rental space is usually quite affordable, bringing in everything from tables, chairs to food and decor can not only be a tedious list to check off but will sometimes cost more than an all-inclusive venue. You will not be as fully staffed as an all-inclusive and will need to hire, servers, bartenders, chefs and clean up to set up and break down the venue. 

So which way did I sway you? I have planned and coordinated weddings at both types of venues and I can tell you that each one is a completely different wedding planning experience. Don’t be afraid to take on a DIY venue if that’s your vision, just make sure to hire the right team of wedding pros starting with an experienced wedding planner!

#weddingplanning #DIYwedding #weddingvenue

Should you postpone your wedding due to COVID-19?

covid-wedding-nj
covid-wedding-nj

Should you postpone your wedding due to COVID-19?

 

First, let me start by saying I understand how heart breaking this is for many couples who have been planning their wedding for months and years all for this to happen weeks/months before your big day.

I know your initial thought is, why is this happening to my wedding, I love my date and don’t want to change it, theres no toilet paper to play dress up as bride at my bridal shower…had to make you laugh a little! I’m here to tell you as a wedding planner in NY/NJ that I have had these hard conversations with my own brides and you have every right to wallow for a moment over this unprecedented health crisis to come crashing down on the biggest day of your life! Now that we have gotten all those emotional feelings out we need to move onto an action plan in order to secure a decision or postponement of your wedding should that be the route you need to take.

If your wedding is in the next 8 weeks the CDC guidelines and recommendations advice that events of 50 or more be postponed. You could keep your date but cut your guest to under 50 by keeping it to healthy low risk friends and immediate family members. Check with your venue if they will accommodate hosting your wedding with a smaller amount of guests.

The next phone calls should be to your photographer, DJ or band about their comfort level in still working at a smaller event under 50 people.

If you wish to postpone your wedding, your first phone call should be to your venue to see what dates they have left available this year that you could move your date to. Venues are being very helpful in accommodating other dates including weekday weddings that you could get at a discount should you want to still get married in 2020 and weekends are no longer available. By choosing a weekday date in 2020 you will have a much better chance of all your original vendors being available. Don’t be afraid of a Thursday where guests can make it long weekend especially in the summer! Check your contracts, as most vendors will apply your retainers to a future date so you won’t have to pay any additional fees.

If you don’t have a wedding planner to help you navigate these changes and decisions consider reaching out to one as we have dealt with cancelled and postponed events for various reasons in the past and can help guide you through this uncharted territory. Most important is to stay calm, stay healthy and know that you are not alone in dealing with this health crisis and decisions will have to be made one step at a time.