weddings and special events and private estates: Ten Important Planning Tips for the Newly Engaged Couple, Plus Our Picks of the Week

When it comes to planning a wedding, I have found that the best planning tips come from experience and listening to our client's feedback over the last 11 years.

At the end-of-the-day when the event is over, your family and friends won't care what chairs you chose for the ceremony, but they will remember if they had a great time. You can still have a gorgeous wedding, but it is important to be able to focus on the things that make a successful party, such as the food, service, entertainment and making sure that you plan for the weather.

Here are this week's tips -

1. Try and avoid the latest trends. I think it is important for couples to incorporate their style and not follow everyone else. What is important to you and your fiancé is what matters, even if you buck tradition while doing it.

2. Once you determine your overall budget and guest count (error on the high-side), start your search for the venue.

3. Research the weather during the month that you choose to get married and have a plan B in place in case the weather will be a factor.

4. If you are trying to save money, plan your wedding during the off-season, which usually occurs from January through March.

5. Consider a longer engagement if you need more time to set aside the funds for the right venue and event professionals.

6. Select florals that will be in season when you plan to get married. Flowers that are in season look prettier and won't cost a premium price.

7. Choose your bridal party wisely. I have seen so called "friends" cause unnecessary stress on the wedding day, whereas a true friend goes out of his or her way to keep everyone calm.

8. After you find the perfect dress, make sure you are comfortable wearing it and pre-test the bustle. Several years ago, one of our clients had a major dress malfunction and all of the ties snapped and broke-off right before the entrance to the first dance.

9. Please hire an event planner if you can answer "yes" to the following questions:

a. Is your schedule with work and/or school over-whelming and your time is limited?
b. You are having a wedding at a private estate, mansion or venue where everything must be brought in?
c. Your guest count is over 200?
d. You have never planned an event before and you don't have anyone to help you?
e. You are getting married in less than six months?
f. You find it challenging to make decisions?
g. You are having a destination wedding?

10. There are several amazing photographers in this industry and there are also less than favorable ones too. Check-out the photographer's work on-line to see if it fits your style before you setup an interview. Make sure that he or she has experience, plus great client reviews before you setup an appointment. If your goal is to get your wedding published, make sure that you let your photographer know ahead of time (in writing) that you want the details photographed. XO