Planning a wedding is such an exciting time! You are planning a beautiful event for your family and friends that represents and celebrates you and your partner perfectly, which can also make it an overwhelming time. If you are planning a wedding while finishing up your degree, working your dream job, or simply just living in another state the process of planning from a distance can seem like an impossible task. Luckily, we have had the pleasure of working with the amazing Chloe Mosey from CME Experience, who is going to give us a little advice on how to plan your wedding from a distance.
My name is Chloe Hix and I am the owner of CME Experience formerly known as Chloe Mosey Events. Our team offers wedding and event coordination, ordained ministers and classic car rentals. I have been in the wedding and event industry for over 10 years. I started planning events for the city in my college town in Montana. After I graduated college, I worked for Port Gamble Weddings & Events in Washington. After a year of working for a venue, I decided to start my own wedding and event planning company. In December 2012, I opened Chloe Mosey Events. In 2015, after I got married, we changed the business name to CME Experience. We have a great team of wedding planners, ministers and drivers. Our goal is to help our clients have the BEST DAY EVER!!!
A wedding planner can help you in a variety of ways. Some people need help with everything, while others need day of execution. At CME Experience, we sit down with you to figure out your wants and needs; from there we create your customized wedding planning package.
Do you recommend brides come out and tour the venues themselves while they are in the early planning stages? Or should they appoint someone they trust to take videos or pictures for them (Mom, sister, etc.)?
Once you have narrowed down what you are looking for, you can start researching venues. You can get a lot of information from their website and reviews. It is always a good idea to check out a venue you are considering in person. If you are unable to see it for yourself, you can send someone else to look for you; either a family member, a friend or your wedding planner. If that isn’t an option. You can ask your venue to do a virtual tour (if they don’t have that on their website already).
When choosing a venue, you can save a lot of time and money if you can answer these questions first:
1. What is your MAX Guest Count?
Sit down with your Fiancé and Family to make your list.
2. What is your all in Budget?
Talk with your Fiancé and Family to see who is paying for what. Example: If your all in budget is $10,000, you do not want a venue that is $5,000.
3. Do you want an Outdoor Wedding, Indoor Wedding or Both?
4. What is your overall theme?
If you pick a venue that fits with your theme, you will not need a ton of decor.
5. Besides getting married, what is your overall goal or experience you and your fiancé want to have?
Amazing Photos, Space to have a huge dance party, or maybe something that empathizes your religion/culture.
How important is a wedding planner when planning a wedding from a distance?
A wedding planner for a destination wedding is the key to having a successful event. Your planner acts as your go to person. They can help you with your contract negotiation, budget management, finding vendors that fit your style and your budget, they help with overall design and layout, and most importantly, they are looking out for your best interest. We have seen a lot of couples get scammed by “vendors”, having a wedding planner will eliminate those scams from happening.
If you’re planning from a distance and are unable to visit the area to meet with vendors like caterers and bakers for a tasting, what is the best way to go about choosing those vendors?
The best way to make final decisions on vendors is to rely on referral. Your venue and your planner are normally the go to people to help with referrals. When your venue has a preferred list, really take those options into consideration. There is a reason why those vendors have made the preferred list, especially caterers. Again, check out websites and read reviews. Today, vendor’s past client’s reviews are honest and straight to the point.
If you’re planning from a distance and are unable to visit the area to meet with vendors like caterers and bakers for a tasting, what is the best way to go about choosing those vendors?
The best way to make final decisions on vendors is to rely on referral. Your venue and your planner are normally the go to people to help with referrals. When your venue has a preferred list, really take those options into consideration. There is a reason why those vendors have made the preferred list, especially caterers. Again, check out websites and read reviews. Today, vendor’s past client’s reviews are honest and straight to the point.
What are some of your best tips for successfully planning a wedding from a distance?
1. Budget
Knowing your budget upfront and who is paying for what will help when making decision for your wedding.
2. Travel Agent & Wedding Planner
Your travel agent will help you with travel and accommodations, while your wedding planner will help you with all your wedding needs. The 2 of them will make things smoother and stress-free.
3.Game Plan
Get on a game plan! Set monthly goals on what needs to get accomplished; booking vendors, payment plans, fittings, guest count management, work sheets/packets for vendors, etc.
4. Checklist
Checklists are another great way to keep on track and organized.
5. Communication
Keep communication lines open with your vendors. There are a ton of Free options to help with communication, even if you are in a different country.
Feel free to reach out you have any questions or need help. We are here for you!
360.340.4179
Photos are courtesy of Adrien Craven Photography & Jenny Storment Photography
