Ellen + Tommy’s wedding can be summed up with one word: JOY! They were so joyful all day long. We loved their kind hearts and big dreams. See their stunning teaser below from Wandering Light Films.
Backyard Wedding Planner Indianapolis
2020 threw Mary & Chris more than one curveball and they handled it with grace. We went from a beautiful wedding at a wedding venue to an elopement in their parent’s driveway. We found a way to still make it incredibly beautiful and special. See their beautiful, intimate backyard wedding below. Thank you to an amazing vendor team who pivoted and made magic happen for this amazing couple!
Photographer: Sara Ackermann Photography
Wedding Planner: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Caterer: Thomas Caterers of Distinction
Ceremony Venue: St. Peter & Paul
Reception Venue: Private Estate
Florist: Accent Floral Design
Lighting: NBE Event Group
Rental: Wow Factors
Ellen + Tommy: Biltwell Wedding Planner
Ellen + Tommy are the sweetest, smiliest couple! They handled every curveball with grace and a smile. Their wedding was postponed from the spring to summer then drastically shrank in size due to local restrictions within two weeks of their wedding. It was a wild ride but we were so happy to be apart of their day and were sad to see them go. See their beautiful day below.
“I don’t think 3500 characters will cover what Sarah and her team did for me. As a COVID bride you’d expect endless amounts of stress or sorrows but Sarah made everything so much easier for me, she became a true friend and confidant during a time of uncertainty and fear. Every PIVOT we experienced felt so smooth and she intimately helped me plan three different weddings, including decreasing our headcount from 150 to 50 two weeks before our wedding. I still get emotional thinking about the journey that brought us to our DREAM of a day and it was all thanks to Sarah. She went beyond her typical day of coordinator and I am so grateful for who she is and what care she provides for each of her brides. Thank you so much Sarah!!!” - review from the bride on The Knot
Vendors:
Photographer: Rebecca Shehorn Photography
Videographer: Wandering Light Films
Wedding Coordination: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Venue: Biltwell Event Center
Caterer: Hoaglin Fine Catering
Florist: Violets Are Blue
Cake: Classic Cakes
Hair & Makeup: For the Dainty Days & Reneu Beauty
DJ: Evan Nance
Draping: Atmosphere’s Indy
Calligraphy: Creative in Bloom
Carson + Steven: Engagement Pictures
Carson + Steven are such a fun couple! We have loved getting to know them and are excited to help them celebrate their wedding next year. See their exciting roof top engagement pictures from Gene Yoon below. The groom owns a printing company so the shirt is an adorable personal touch!
Indianapolis Wedding Planner: Bloomington Engagement Pictures
We are always over the moon when we get to work with Rebecca Shehorn Photography! These Fall Bloomington engagement pictures make us so happy for this sweet couple. We are so excited for their wedding later this Summer at the Biltwell Event Center.
Winter Columbia Club Wedding: Indianapolis Wedding Planner
We loved every minute of helping Sarah plan her beautiful winter wedding at the Columbia Club Indianapolis! We were so lucky to have had Shelly Ruth Photography along to capture the day so beautifully! See all the cozy fun below!
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost?
We came across this article from Brides magazine and thought it was so helpful we wanted to share! Check it out below!
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost?written by Michelle M. Winner updated Mar 02, 2020PHOTO BY LAUREN GABRIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THIS ARTICLE
Planner vs. Consultant vs. Coordinator: What's the Difference?What's Typically Included in a Wedding Planner’s Fee?How Wedding Planner Costs are Calculated?Questions to Ask Before Hiring a PlannerMost couples need help with their wedding plans. A wise couple will work with a professional planner to ensure a seamless, stress-free celebration. But where to begin? And how much does a wedding planner cost?While your planner will help you develop your final budget, here are preliminary questions to define whom to hire. Consider location, guest count, how much time you can invest (without a planner estimates are 200+ hours over 12 months), and how much money is available for the wedding and associated costs. Based on these decisions, you can decide whether a full-service planner, partial planner or a coordinator would be best.All planners will save you time. Most planners will save you money by helping you create and stick to your budget. They have money-saving strategies, a network of trusted vendors and they’ll negotiate to get you the best deal without sacrificing quality. You're hiring them for their expertise, style, calming attitude, and business acumen. And for your once-in-a-lifetime wedding celebration, you'll want someone in charge who embodies all of these things.
Planner vs. Consultant vs. Coordinator: What's the Difference?You’re either looking for someone who plans and executes your entire wedding, or someone who manages specific tasks. If you want a destination wedding or a large wedding with multiple events and many moving parts, hire a full-service wedding planner. If you're a DIY couple who only needs guidance and assistance with wedding day logistics, hire a partial planner or coordinator.Full-service wedding planners are involved in the entire wedding process, which includes concept, planning, managing, coordination and a myriad of details until you wave goodbye to your guests.In today’s vernacular the term wedding consultant has largely been absorbed into the term wedding planner. "I think the word 'planner' is easier to comprehend for couples who are looking for assistance,” says Micki Novak, Executive Director of the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP). “If someone advertises themselves as a consultant, there is always a question about what they can or will do." If you find a "wedding consultant" that you like, ask them what their services cover."A wedding coordinator is very different from a wedding planner," says Ashley Paul, Co-owner of C & A Event Planning. "Most think of a 'day-of' coordinator who manages the vendors and venue the couple has hired. Actually, the coordinator has to come onboard a month or more before the wedding to know who is who, what needs to go where and what your expectations are."
Don't be confused by an on-site coordinator offered by the venue. While they make sure the ceremony, reception, and catering are on schedule, they are working from the venue's point of view, not yours. Wedding Coordinator vs. Planner vs. Designer: What's the Difference?
What's Typically Included in a Wedding Planner’s Fee?"Every planning company is different," explains Kimiko Hosaki, Founder and Executive Director of Elements by K.H & co, specializing in destination weddings. "K. H & co. is a full-service design, planning and production company, so we take care of every detail. On average, we put 300 hours into planning, designing and producing a wedding for 100 people." Hire a wedding planner to take care of all of the planning and details so you'll be able to enjoy this joyous time with your family and guests. Hire a coordinator if you want help with the timeline, vendor management and specific tasks for your wedding day.
The 6 Major Reasons You Should Hire a Wedding Planner Interview several wedding planners. You'll spend a lot of time communicating, so find someone that you like. Ask what their services cover and what they don't. For comparison, here are a few of the items the full-service planning company K.H & co. includes as they guide you through and manage the entire process:Assist with stationery design and printing Assist in venue scouting and negotiations. Assist in vendor sourcing, interviewing and negotiations RSVP and guest list management. Floral design, florist interviews, and proposal reviews Rental recommendation and sourcing Rain contingency planCatering negotiation, communication and menu development, Timeline management, Wedding day staffing, pre-production and post-production management
How Wedding Planner Costs are Calculated: The Typical Breakdown Ask prospective planners if they charge a flat fee, a percentage of total wedding costs, or an hourly rate for their services.
All-inclusive fee: The term "typical" is not used by Michele Fox Gott, celebrity planner and President of Center Of Attention Events, in Burbank, California. "I call myself a 'wedding producer' because I produce everything," Michele says. "We design every element, so all details match. We contract entertainment directly with the artists; we do lighting and set design in-house, which saves clients money and gives them a custom look. With a wedding producer, in the end, it should not cost you more than your total budget. We tell clients to give us an all-inclusive price and we will happily produce the wedding because we feel our discounts will cover our fee."
Blended Percentage and flat fee: Kimiko Hosaki of K.H & co. charges a design and planning retainer fee and production fee at a flat rate. Her vendor management and coordination percentage fees are calculated on a percentage of the total vendor and venue cost. "This is standard practice in the industry and is typically 20 percent,” Hosaki said. “Since we charge an initial retainer fee, we charge 15 percent on average. I don't suggest billable hours as your costs can get out of control quickly without you even knowing it."
Flat fee packages: C & A Event Planning's Ashley Paul, based in New York, offers two comprehensive base packages and a la carte options. "We customize anything in between as every wedding is different," Ashley says. Her full-service planning and coordination package starts at $6,200 and the month-of planning/partial planning package begins at $2,150.
Indianapolis Wedding Planner: Charleston Engagement Pictures
We have had the pleasure of knowing Kassidy though the wedding industry for years! We are always so honored when fellow industry professionals want to work together for their own wedding. Kassidy and Anton took the most beautiful engagement pictures in Charleston this past summer with Shawna Disbrow. We can’t wait for their Black Iris Estate wedding in just a few months.
PACE Award Winner
We were so honored to be nominated for a 2020 PACE Award for Best Team Effort over $75,000. We worked with a fantastic team to create a beautiful wedding day for Christina + Brian. Christina’s parents own Thomas Caterers so we knew it would be a fabulous day from the get go. Thank you: Thomas Caterers of Distinction, Black Iris Estate, BBJ Linen, ENCORE Entertainment, Event Source, Indy Visual, Jim Cerone, Classic Cakes, Ian Borgerhoff Photography, McNamara Florist, and Wow Factors!
See some of our favorite images from the day below!
Downtown Indianapolis Wedding Planner: St. John the Evangelist & Eiteljorg Wedding
We loved helping Laura, Rafe and their families plan their beautiful fall wedding at St. John the Evangelist in Indianapolis along with their reception at the Eiteljorg. See all their beautiful images below from Meghan Harrison Photography.
Vendors:
Photographer: Meghan Harrison
Wedding Coordinator: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Ceremony Venue: St. John the Evangelist
Reception Venue: Eiteljorg
Caterer: Kahn’s Catering
Florist: The Empty Vase
The Best Ways to Wow Your Guests with Details
As wedding planners we LOVE wedding day details! Client’s often ask us what are some details they can incorporate to help wow their guests. See some of our favorite ideas for inspiration below. We also have tons of ideas on our Pinterest here.
Ceremony Details:
This arch was such a beautiful backdrop to Abigail’s ceremony. The ferns with flowers that lined the aisle were a real show stopper! We later repurposed these beautiful details to the reception. We placed the arch behind the head table and lined a beautiful staircase with these ferns. See the stunning images below.
Place Setting Details:
Below are two images with great ceremony details. We love a beautiful charger and it can make all the difference. Menus and personalized name cutouts can make all the difference. A small flower or sprig of greenery goes a long way! We also love these specialty linens. The add a beautiful layer to the table setting.
Paper Products:
Beautiful invitations can make for a great first impression to your guests and for beautiful images. Custom calligraphy can make an even bigger impact on your guests. Custom graphics or paintings can personalize your details even more. This wedding took place on Mackinac Island so the iconic bridge was the perfect statement but often times paintings of a family home or church can make such a statement.
Welcome Bags:
Welcome bags are a great first impression for your guests when they check into their hotel. It’s another great place you can add personalization and include items local to the location of your wedding. The bride loved champagne so each guest got their own bottle as well as the bride’s mom’s famous homemade cookies and spicy bar nuts that were famous from the restaurant she used to be a chef at. Local taffy and a guide to the island helped make guests feel right at home.
Different Desserts:
Wedding cake is delicious and we love that but it’s fun to switch it up or add a secondary dessert to cake. This client chose creme brûlée which was their favorite. Pies, donuts, cookies and ice cream bars are all great ideas we’ve had clients do in the past as well. Pick whatever your favorite is. The more personal the better!
Make a Getaway:
Horse carriages are iconic to Mackinac Island so it was the perfect fit to get the couple around on wedding day. Antique cars or a limo are also great options as well!
Dress Up Your Seat:
Let guests know exactly where you’re sitting by dressing up your seat. A little chiffon or flowers goes a long way and will make a fun focal point for the evening.
Custom Signage:
A custom welcome sign or sign to inform guests throughout the day can make your day even more personal. Dress up your signs with some greenery or flowers to put things over the top!
Mix Up Your Reception Centerpieces:
Incorporating different kinds of candles, fruit, or floral colors and textures can add such dimension to your table. Talk with your florist and your wedding planner, get creative!
Creative Escort Card Alternatives:
This bride sat her guests with their names on each champagne glass in custom calligraphy. Mosaic tiles or custom cookies are also a great way to seat your guests.
Custom Cocktail Napkins:
Mr. & Mrs. cocktail napkins were a fun touch for this client. You can also further customize them with your name or wedding date.
Favors:
Favors are another great way to incorporate some local flare. This client used locally made fudge which the island is famous for in custom boxes. Custom popcorn bags, cookies, and home made treats are all things past guests of our clients have enjoyed!
Omni Severin Hotel Indianapolis Wedding Planner
Beth has the most lovely time helping this sweet family for their second daughter’s wedding that we’ve been fortunate enough to be apart of at the Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis! See all the beautiful highlights below.
Vendors:
Photographer: Traci + Troy
Coordinator: Plum & Poppy
Ceremony Venue: St. Francis St. Clare
Reception Venue: Omni Severin Hotel Indianapolis
Videographer: Vibe Videography
Bakery: Simply Perfection
Band: Sly Band
Florist: McNamara
How To Change Our Date Due to Covid 19: A Wedding Planners Guide to Navigating a Date Change
COVID 19 causing chaos with your wedding plans? We’re here to help! Let us walk you through the necessary steps below.
We’ve helped a dozen or so clients reschedule their weddings until later in 2020. If you keep you wedding in the same year you likely won’t incur any fees with your vendors. Postponing until the next year can come at additional costs.
Where to start?
Work with your venue to find dates they still have available. Being flexible and maybe selecting a Friday or off peak month like November will help to ensure that all your vendors can make the change with you.
Reach out to all your vendors to make sure the new date works for them.
Formally switch the date with your venue then follow suit with your vendors. You will likely need to sign new contracts or addendums with each vendor to secure the new date. Don’t forget your rehearsal dinner too!
Inform your guests. Depending on how soon your wedding is will determine the best way to inform your guests. We’ve had clients send formal printed information like what’s below. We’ve also had clients whose weddings were very soon so they let people know via phone and email. Do whatever makes the most sense for you and your guests.
Change your hotel block. Most hotels are allowing you to transfer hotel blocks if they have availability without penalty. There may be a different rate but you can usually still keep your rooms with them.
Update your timeline with any needed changes based on the date change. Did you pick a Friday instead of a Saturday? Maybe you are having a later ceremony or the mass time is different?
Communicate any pertinent changes to your vendors.
Take a break! Once all the immediate work is done you should have time to take a break. This is all so stressful and we appreciate how challenging it was so give yourself time to breath and relax. Plan a “stay at home” date night or Zoom and drink wine with your bridesmaids. You deserve a break and with a later wedding date you should have plenty of time to take one.
Find out more about what wedding insurance is the best here.
Black Iris Estate Wedding Planner
We had so many beautiful Summer wedding at Black Iris Estate this year and we fell more in love with the property each time we were there! Amanda, Joe and their families were so incredibly sweet and we had the best time helping them bring together their wedding while they lived in Washington, DC. See their beautiful images below.
Vendors:
Photographer: Jen Clark Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Black Iris Estate
Caterer: Thomas Caterers of Distinction
Florist: Mother of the Groom
Makeup: Julia Wadsworth
Cake: Classic Cakes
Columbia Club Indianapolis Wedding Planner
We loved helping Savannah & Zach plan their beautiful summer wedding at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis! See all the stunning images below.
Photographer: Amy Brown Studios
Ceremony Venue, Reception Venue, Caterer: Columbia Club
Wedding Planner: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Bakery: Classic Cakes
Hair & Makeup: Beauty Lounge
Florist: Coby Palmer Designs
DJ: DJ Connection
Pantone Color of the Year Inspiration
Pampas grass, glam glassware, holistic cocktails, oh my! With so many 2020 wedding trends on the rise, we can’t wait to see how wedding and event planners go above and beyond to personalize their happy couple’s day this spring! One of our favorite trends for weddings is creative ways to incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year, Classic Blue. Whether it be through a simple manicure color or an extravagant floral archway there are so many ways to include Classic Blue into your wedding to reap the benefits it was selected for.
The Pantone Institute ensures its selection is reflective of macro trends that are taking place in society and is commonly influenced by art, media, movies, lifestyles, socioeconomic and political conditions, travel destinations, and new technology. The vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, Laurie Pressman describes it as a “color that anticipates what’s going to happen next” as we enter into a new decade. This definition perfectly illustrates the milestone newlyweds approach through marriage.
Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman announced that “we are living in a time that requires faith and trust and is a kind of consistency that the solid, dependable Classic Blue expresses”. Classic Blue encourages viewers to look beyond the obvious, expand their thinking, increase their perspective and engage in an open stream of communication.
To help you reap these benefits the color reflects, FTD has created 4 moodboards geared at showcasing Classic Blue in your wedding through florals. They’ve sourced beautiful bouquets inspired by the four color harmonies Pantone released to compliment Classic Blue and help you tell a color story that you connect with. Check out the color harmonies below!
Now that you are familiar with the Pantone palettes of 2020, use your floral decor, tablescapes and bouquets to express the sensations you are feeling as you enter a new decade and a new life together! Collaborate with your love to share your feelings of mystery, bliss or tranquility with all who attend your special day that will leave a lasting impression and a mark on 2020! Cheers!
Crowne Plaza Union Station Downtown Indianapolis Wedding Planner
We had the best time helping Katrina + John with their beautiful Summer wedding at Crowne Plaza Union Station in downtown Indianapolis! It was the perfect day for this sweet couple. They were so gracious and kind, we were sad for their wedding to be over. See all the stunning wedding day details below from Ian Borgerhoff Photography!
Photographer: Ian Borgerhoff Photography
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Crowne Plaza Union Station
Wedding Coordinator: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Cake: Cakes by Donna
DJ: Lakeside Entertainment
Florist: Lilly Lane
Ritz Charles Chapel & Garden Pavilion Wedding Planner
We loved helping Elyce + Austin with their beautiful Summer wedding in the Ritz Charles Chapel and Garden Pavilion! See their lovely video below from Bliss Video Memories!
Marriott North Indian Fusion Wedding Planner Video
We loved helping Anisha + Thomas plan their big fun Indian Fusion wedding at the Marriott North this past Spring. We helped them select every single vibrant detail of the day and it was such a joy to work with both their families! See their beautiful video below from Cotangent!
Biltwell Event Center Wedding Planner
We grew to LOVE Ellis, Mitch and both of their families through helping them plan their wedding! They were so lovely and had such fun and unique ideas for their wedding at the Biltwell Event Center. See the sneak peek images below.
Vendors:
Photographer: Arielle Peters Photography
Planner: Plum & Poppy Weddings
Ceremony Venue: Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Reception Venue: Biltwell Event Center
Caterer: Hoalgin Fine Catering
Video: Marshall Movie Maker
Hair: Tangled Up
Makeup: Olivia Rodriguez
Florist: The Empty Vase
Rental: Atmosphere’s Indy
Band: Bluewater Kings
Linens: LGI Linens
Chairs: Wow Factors
