Meet Allie from Alexandria Catherine Events!
What Makes Alexandria Catherine Events Unique and Special?:
In general, I think that all planners bring something different to the table. Usually, when I meet with a bride that is considering investing in a planner, we need to make sure that our personalities mesh - we're going to be working together on one of the most important days of your life, and I want to be sure that we are both comfortable with one another before we embark on that journey.
I think that one of the things that really sets me apart in the industry is my background. I actually started out with a background in anthropology and archaeology and the idea of cultural traditions and ceremony sort of led me to where I am today. While I certainly focus on the details and the planning, it's also very important to me to remind my couples throughout the planning process of what this is all about - I want you to enjoy your engagement because it's a part of your life that you'll remember forever and it should last longer than those first few weeks (unless you have a short engagement, ha!). You shouldn't get 'lost' in the planning, and I try to help my couples to stay true to themselves during all of this while learning more about one another through the process.
In general, I think that all planners bring something different to the table. Usually, when I meet with a bride that is considering investing in a planner, we need to make sure that our personalities mesh - we're going to be working together on one of the most important days of your life, and I want to be sure that we are both comfortable with one another before we embark on that journey.
I think that one of the things that really sets me apart in the industry is my background. I actually started out with a background in anthropology and archaeology and the idea of cultural traditions and ceremony sort of led me to where I am today. While I certainly focus on the details and the planning, it's also very important to me to remind my couples throughout the planning process of what this is all about - I want you to enjoy your engagement because it's a part of your life that you'll remember forever and it should last longer than those first few weeks (unless you have a short engagement, ha!). You shouldn't get 'lost' in the planning, and I try to help my couples to stay true to themselves during all of this while learning more about one another through the process.
How Far Will Allie Travel To Help In An Event?:
There isn't really a limit to where I'll go, but I sometimes need to include travel costs into what I'm charging my clients. Usually if the event is on the Main Line or Philadelphia area, I don't have to charge anything additionally because it's close enough to not require a hotel stay, rental car, flight, etc.
There isn't really a limit to where I'll go, but I sometimes need to include travel costs into what I'm charging my clients. Usually if the event is on the Main Line or Philadelphia area, I don't have to charge anything additionally because it's close enough to not require a hotel stay, rental car, flight, etc.
Most Frequently Ask Questions To The Event Planner, Allie:
The two biggest questions that I deal with are folks who are trying to save as much as possible while they plan and also couples who are trying to appease their family members' wishes while also having their own flair to the big day.
I can't preach enough that using a planner truly is an investment, because we know what things should cost, we know vendors that are either in your range or who would be willing to work with us at a discounted rate and we know that they will do a good job. No surprises the day of your wedding!!
For friction between family and the couple, I always work with both parties to hear out both sides and to make sure that we're somehow accommodating everyone's wishes while still allowing the day to be about our couple.
The two biggest questions that I deal with are folks who are trying to save as much as possible while they plan and also couples who are trying to appease their family members' wishes while also having their own flair to the big day.
I can't preach enough that using a planner truly is an investment, because we know what things should cost, we know vendors that are either in your range or who would be willing to work with us at a discounted rate and we know that they will do a good job. No surprises the day of your wedding!!
For friction between family and the couple, I always work with both parties to hear out both sides and to make sure that we're somehow accommodating everyone's wishes while still allowing the day to be about our couple.
Tips From The Professional:
I'd say some of the best advice I can give is that you should always create a budget from the start. You'd be surprised how many people either don't give themselves a limit, or they have a ballpark figure, but they don't talk about how that should get distributed. A lot of my couples say that they aren't familiar with what wedding services cost, so they don't know how to distribute that, and that's where a professional wedding planner comes into the mix.
I also recommend trying to work with vendors that either your venue or planner recommend. There's a reason we do this, and it's not because we make commission off of it (we don't). We're recommending vendors that we've either worked with personally or that we can vouch for their reputation, we know that they do a good job and that they aren't going to cause any sort of problem.
I'd say some of the best advice I can give is that you should always create a budget from the start. You'd be surprised how many people either don't give themselves a limit, or they have a ballpark figure, but they don't talk about how that should get distributed. A lot of my couples say that they aren't familiar with what wedding services cost, so they don't know how to distribute that, and that's where a professional wedding planner comes into the mix.
I also recommend trying to work with vendors that either your venue or planner recommend. There's a reason we do this, and it's not because we make commission off of it (we don't). We're recommending vendors that we've either worked with personally or that we can vouch for their reputation, we know that they do a good job and that they aren't going to cause any sort of problem.
What Allie Loves Most About Her Business And Her Favorite Memory:
The best part about my job is that it's such a positive environment. While people get a little stressed out from time to time, who isn't happy planning their wedding!? I get to help people prepare for one of the most memorable moments in their lives and get to work with my couples for months at a time so we form relationships of our own (so yes, I cry when they walk down the aisle) and it's so fun to see them grow together during the process.
Sometimes, things go out of our control, and it's almost always the ring bearers and flowers girls. One of the funniest stories I have from this was a wedding that I did where the ring bearer got a case of the nerves right as we lined up to process and he kept a stoic expression and refused to budge. I bribed him with Hershey's Kisses by saying "I'll give you one if you walk, two if you walk and smile". He looked right at me and said "I'm going for one", and then proceeded to stomp his way down the aisle. The bride, her father and I were cracking up (we were the only ones who got to witness this debacle!).
The best part about my job is that it's such a positive environment. While people get a little stressed out from time to time, who isn't happy planning their wedding!? I get to help people prepare for one of the most memorable moments in their lives and get to work with my couples for months at a time so we form relationships of our own (so yes, I cry when they walk down the aisle) and it's so fun to see them grow together during the process.
Sometimes, things go out of our control, and it's almost always the ring bearers and flowers girls. One of the funniest stories I have from this was a wedding that I did where the ring bearer got a case of the nerves right as we lined up to process and he kept a stoic expression and refused to budge. I bribed him with Hershey's Kisses by saying "I'll give you one if you walk, two if you walk and smile". He looked right at me and said "I'm going for one", and then proceeded to stomp his way down the aisle. The bride, her father and I were cracking up (we were the only ones who got to witness this debacle!).
Contact Allie at:
Website: http://www.alexandriaprevents.com/
Blog: http://www.alexandriaprevents.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandriacatherinepr/
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.alexandriaprevents.com/
Blog: http://www.alexandriaprevents.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandriacatherinepr/
Email: [email protected]