Our next Vendor Spotlight is Debra Thompson, founder of Weddings by Debra Thompson LLC in Westchester. In her BrideReviews, clients raved about Debra's attention to detail and dedication to the couple and the event. I recently spoke with Debra to find out more about her background and some advice for brides currently in the planning process.
Q. How has your background as a banquet manager prepared you for being a wedding planner? In what ways has it differed?
A. My background has helped and prepared me tremendously for the role of a wedding planner. Working behind the scenes at a country club to produce a wedding or event is an education that you cannot get by attending wedding planner seminars. In my four years as a banquet manager, I not only worked in sales, but I also worked with couples from the signing of the contract up until the point of them being introduced for the first time as a "Mr. and Mrs." The education I received as a banquet manager enabled me as a wedding planner to truly educate my couples on the reception portion of their special day - a portion which is almost 50 - 60 % of the wedding budget. The biggest way that it has differed is that as a wedding planner you are involved in every aspect of the day from sunrise to sunset. As a banquet manager, it was only the venue portion of their day.
Q. What are two pieces (or more!) of advice you give to all your brides?
A. I like my brides to visualize, plan, and control their wedding day...it is their special day! But, the one FYI that I give to every one of my girls is to "give up control and planning" on their special day and enjoy the moment! You have worked and planned hard for it...BUT, on the day of the wedding, please give the control to me!
I am very into etiquette so I am constantly guiding my brides on the right and wrong way to do things. I teach them that they are the host and hostess of this special day and they too must uphold to etiquette rules! I believe the ceremony sets the tone for the wedding reception to follow. I tell my couples to put some time, effort and work into this part of their special day. I want them to include all their guests in their special union. I find when the ceremony is personal and guests feel involve (i.e....a poem, a story, a song, making your own programs), there is "LOVE IN AIR" at the wedding reception.
I also tell my brides that they as the bride set the tone for the entire day -- when the bride is happy, EVERYONE is happy!!!!
Q. How do you work with a couple's budget and what are some money-saving tips you think are most helpful?
A. Every couple's budget is so different. I have clients that have larger budgets than others, and I have also worked with couples who have very tight and strict budgets. I ask them a few questions regarding the budget and what is important to them on their special day. Is it the music, is it the amount of guests, is it the flowers? I tell them to take the MOST important thing and spend their money in that area.
I am always looking for ways to save my couples money. For example, I do not really like a favor given to guests. I do like the idea of showing love to your family and friends, but I think it can be done in different ways. If a budget allows favors, I tell my couples to give it to a charity of their choice - maybe there is a loved one in their family that has passed away from cancer and they can donate to a charity in that loved one's name. Some things I try to do for the couples is to keep on hand champagne glasses and cake knife and server to provide to the couples if they do not already have these items. Also, my gift to each of my couples has been to provide them with a hospitality basket for the ladies and men's rooms.
Q. In the week leading up to a couple’s wedding, what do you do to prepare for the event?
A. I confirm all the vendor arrival times for the day of the wedding, I ascertain every vendor's cell number, confirm all florals, I make sure all final payments are made, I prepare money envelopes for the bride and groom for any payment due on the day of wedding or gratuity, make sure all floor plan, place cards, and items are brought to the venue of choice. If hotel accommodations are involved, I drop off all welcome bags for guests, prepare for rehearsal as well as attend/work rehearsal. I, as a wedding planner, prepare my assistant, prepare my files, my emergency numbers and emergency bag (for any mishaps). I try to rest my body before a very physical day ahead!
I find that two weeks before the wedding are a little more hectic because I develop for my clients a few documents for their review. I provide them with a final payment schedule, a suggested gratuity list for all vendors that will service them on the day of the wedding, a detailed list which covers all my bride's expectations of her day from place cards to ballerina slippers placed under her table in the ballroom, and a finalized timeline for the wedding day. This timeline is a document that gets adjusted throughout the entire planning process but it is finalized two weeks before the wedding day. During this week, I ask my bride if she would like me to have her wedding gown cleaned and preserved. If she does, I advise her what I need for the wedding day to provide this service to her. I also ask during this time if she would like her bouquet preserved as well.
Q. Any memorable moments that you’ve seen behind the scenes?
A. For me, the most memorable moments are when I see my couple on the dance floor or socializing with their friends and family! It is most memorable for me as a wedding planner when my couple tells me what a wonderful time they had on their wedding day or when my bride doesn't want to take her wedding gown off.
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