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Busy people. How do they plan a wedding?

By

Eric Zimmermann Black Tux 1Busy?

Enjoying what you do and artistically pouring over details to make sure everything is organized and turns out right…

you know not just anybody can do what you do to your standards…

this is the mark of a professional.

Well, busy people are usually professionals in some field. They know how to assign responsibility, monitor progress and the project gets done.

Aquafuzion Wedding @ Langham Pasadena
Aquafuzion Wedding @ Langham Pasadena

So professionals seek out professionals to help them in areas where they are not themselves an expert.

In a conversation, veteran wedding professional Tobey Dodge said that part of the process of wedding planning is to get to know the client and their “taste” and only then can she recommend vendors and locations that she thinks would be a good fit. That makes sense. Tobey always makes sense.

Kimery Events - Kimery Sherwood
Kimery Events – Kimery Sherwood

So the idea here is to get to know your prospective wedding professional and have them get to know you. Exchanging ideas is all it takes to see if they are a good fit for you.

Here are some wedding and special event designers/planners and coordinators I have worked with so far this year. They are passionate about what they do; they care.

Tobey Dodge – The Wedding Connection

Sherrien Shui – Twogether Events

 

Winnie Tsao Wedding @ Pasadena Westin
Winnie Tsao Wedding @ Pasadena Westin

Beverly Peterson and Debbie Liau – Aquafuzion

Kimery Sherwood – Kimery Events

Carol Woo – La Moment

Deborah Croom – I Said “Yes” Weddings

Winnie Tsao –  iplan.wedding

These are professionals; they are busy people too but as artists they are nice people and willing to help.  Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader.  Elegant Music Los Angeles, CA.

 

 

 

Planning a Wedding Budget; where to start.

By

Eric Zimmermann
Eric Zimmermann, DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader, Elegant Music

It is valuable to find someone who is at the top of their field of expertise who is also freely willing to help.

The following is an answer to an e-mail I sent to veteran wedding coordinator Tobey Dodge. Her approach to wedding planning is very logical and can be applied to planning any special event.  She is a joy to work with.  Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music.

Hi Tobey:

I have been meaning to interview you about what a couple planning a wedding should expect (price ranges) for items for their wedding.

But then I realized that there must be a sequence to planning a wedding and talking about “price” right from the beginning probably isn’t the best place to start.

So now I am thinking that this would need to be a series of educational articles in some kind of logical sequence that would help orient a couple…

 …As I write this e-mail I am realizing that there are so many variables to consider and I am getting an appreciation for what “a real wedding coordinator” does.  Eric

Tobey Dodge: “The information below is a brief outline of the process of properly determining how to create a budget that will serve as the foundation for making decisions.”

Wedding and Special Event Coordinator, Tobey Dodge
Wedding and Special Event Coordinator, Tobey Dodge

Tobey Dodge: “Hi Eric, I would be happy to to talk to you about pricing and organizing a wedding. You will soon be convinced that I’m either crazy for what I do, or that what I do can make anyone go crazy if you really try and figure this process out in a linear fashion. There are so many variables that’s why my service exists. There just isn’t a quick fix to figuring out what things will cost initially.

The truth is, the priorities of the Bride and Groom are the most important focus to begin with. It doesn’t really matter about percentages and ranges unless you understand “what” and “where” they want to put the money they have to spend.

Once you establish their top priorities then it’s time to find out what their taste level is in each of their priorities and the other categories they will be spending money on to really determine if they are in the ballpark they want to be. Here’s where it gets interesting. There are times when a couple has definite priorities and they know and feel fine spending their money in those places.

thumb_jessica-andrew-006_8b8ba10eWhat sometimes happens once the taste level is discovered and their taste is not only high among the top priorities, their taste continues to be well above the average on lesser important items or services for the wedding.

There is no simple straight forward way to determine when all is said and done what is reasonable to spend when someones desires and their pocketbook are not in sync.

To make this process as clear as possible, I would suggest making three categories according to the event space they are selecting.

Example:

1. Private estate or other off premise space

2. Hotel

3. Banquet Center

thumb_sara-mike-013Each of these categories brings with it specific benefits and challenges in time, logistics, costs, and rules and regulations. Once you know what type of site they have selected, then you can begin to estimate the range of cost per category for each setting.

Example:

1. An estate will probably be the most expensive option. You have to pay for parking and sometimes that includes renting a lot to park as well as the valet service.

2. Hotels will have valet as well as self park depending on the space and standards of the location

3. Generally banquet centers have both self and valet services making it potentially the least inexpensive under the category of parking.

thumb_012Sorry to go on like this, but that’s how I begin and then once I know what is the vision, the priorities, and the size of guest count etc. I can determine after discussing their priorities of services and taste level a way to establish a working budget once I know what type of location/s they are selecting to have for their ceremony and reception.

Hope that helps.

Smiles,

Tobey”.

Visit The Wedding Connection by Tobey Dodge

 

Elegant Music Performs @ The Pasadena Museum of History

By

Garden Wedding at the Pasadena Museum of History.
Garden Wedding at the Pasadena Museum of History.

Pasadena Museum of History

On the Saturday right after Valentines Day, Sheila and I performed Flute and Piano music at an exhibition of vintage wedding gowns at the Pasadena Museum of History. In addition to being on the national registry of historic sites and serving Pasadena as a museum the Pasadena Museum of History is also a beautiful location for weddings and special events so it was fitting that in addition to requests we predominately played traditional and contemporary wedding processionals while VIPs toured the exhibit. We had a lot of fun and received many compliments.

Sheila & Eric @ Pasadena Museum of History
Sheila & Eric @ Pasadena Museum of History

I Do! I Do! California Ties The Knot

The exhibit is in two parts. The first part is “I Do! I Do! California Ties The Knot Part 1 (1850 – 1950)” this runs from February 14 to July 14, 2013. Part two (1950-present) will run August 2 to October 20, 2013. Each gown had been carefully preserved, is beautifully displayed and includes pictures and historic commentary.

Pasadena Museum Of History Pasadena Wedding Gown ExhibitionPasadena Museum of History is located at 470 West Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA. 91103 on the corner of Walnut and Orange Grove very close to the starting point of the Tournament of Roses Parade.

2013 marks the 100th year of the Rose Bowl and the 125th year of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.  Read more @ Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade History.

See:  Pasadena Celebrates!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

  • DJ
  • Master of Ceremonies
  • Pianist
  • Band Leader

Elegant Music 3190 Crestford Drive, Altadena, CA.  91001  Phone:  626-797-1795

 

 

The Informed Bride.

By

Groom and Bride @ Turnip Rose, Costa Mesa, CA

How Much Do You Charge?

Let’s say someone asks a florist “How much do you charge for flowers?”  It is a valid question but it is also possible that the person asking might not know “all about flowers” or how they will use flowers for their special event.  It might happen that they get a price from one vendor and then will ask another vendor “how much they charge for flowers” and get an other price.  Now they have 2 prices.

However in this case…

…they really don’t know much about the first or second vendor and

don’t really know what they are getting for those prices.

They like flowers.  Good.

But this is a big subject.

  • They probably are not familiar with the many “varieties of flowers” and what flowers would be available at the time of year of their wedding “seasonal flowers” (this would certainly effect cost.)
  • They are probably not that familiar with floral design and the various ways of displaying flowers not to mention logistics of “their wedding location” (these would also effect floral presentation and cost.)

So the 2 prices given in this scenario leave many unanswered questions.

Wedding Ceremony, Formal Garden @ Greystone Mansion Beverly Hills, CA
Elegant Music – Wedding Ceremony, Formal Garden @ Greystone Mansion Beverly Hills, CA

 

Contact Elegant Music

for a free consultation:  626-797-1795

 

Interaction with the Person Providing The Service

The bride really needs to “go shopping” or at least “go learning” and interact with florists, ask questions and learn about flowers. While they are learning about flowers they should observe the person and determine what kind of person they are. Usually florists are passionate about what they do and as artists are more than happy to show their work and offer helpful tips.  In the process of interacting with artists one can’t help but broaden ones perspective and become inspired.

No Connection with the Vender

Every once in a while I get a wedding coordinator asking for a price of a “String Quartet” or for a “DJ” and then say that “they will pass it along to the bride so that the bride can see if she can afford it.”

Well, I guess that’s OK? …but this practice does not permit the bride to one on one interact with the vendor and evaluate their work nor does it allow the bride to interact with the vendor and get to know the vendor as a person.  She should care  about “what kind of person will be providing my flowers”.  As any experienced wedding coordinator knows “you want to put together a good team of vendors.”  Well their personality is an important factor as well as the cost of the service they provide. So having direct contact with the vendor and getting to know the vendor has a big influence on the success of the wedding.

 

Talk to Sheila and Eric

of Elegant Music:  626-797-1795

 

Photo by Jessica Sterling Photography

Price Only

So the bride only has a “price” and being busy and possibly overwhelmed by it all might not take the time learn about “the service” or get to know “the vendor” and so may just settle on a price.  Really, most wedding vendors are artists and enjoy collaborating with brides and helping them find what truly speaks to them.

 

Elegant Music Services

I find that a bride who has visited www.elegantmusic.com and enjoyed:

Reading articles/posts

Watching video

Listening to Wedding & Event Podcast episodes

Is ready to talk about music for her wedding.

I like to have a personal meeting with the bride or at least the opportunity to talk by phone. This helps me to discover the music she likes. It may have been a movie theme that moves her or a song a street musician played while she had coffee at a seaport town on the Mediterranean. Discovering those experiences that formulate her vision for her wedding is what I am good at.

What we offer is a specialized service based on the needs and wants of the bride. I especially enjoy helping bridal couples. Planning music for a wedding is almost as much fun as performing for one.

 

Talk to DJ/Master of Ceremonies

Eric Zimmermann

626-797-1795

 

Learning is fun. Here is a suggested sequence:

  • Your wedding coordinator should give a reasonable price range the couple could expect to spend.
  • I like to talk with the bride and groom (by phone) about music and find out what they are interested in.  I am very qualified to talk about music; they may not know what their options are and what is possible.
  • We have a simple to use website that shows examples including: pictures, video and helpful articles.

Read about one bride who was not excited about choosing her wedding ceremony music and was going to just “settle for the traditional…“. What she chose was anything but traditional.

  • To help organize ideas an itinerary sketch is worked out showing where music and announcing is needed. This document really helps to define the scope of service. At a glance the couple knows what they are getting from Elegant Music. It is our policy to include this sketch with every agreement/contract.
  • Next, couples are invited to our office where we can play for them.  It is a live performance (like a mini concert) where couples can choose music and experience a preview of their wedding.
  • Throughout this process the bride and groom better understand their wedding and can better express their ideas.  Frankly throughout this process I better understand her wedding and can suggest services correct for them.
  • At this point the bride and groom are informed.  They have certainty and can make their own choices. An informed couple is a joy to work with and always has a great wedding.
Photo by Michael Delmonte

 

Talk to DJ/Master of Ceremonies

Pianist and Bandleader

Eric Zimmermann

626-797-1795

 

 

 

One Size Fits All Wedding Dress?

You wouldn’t buy a “one size fits all wedding gown!”

Our service is not “one size fits all.”

We do however, offer services that can fit just about any budget.

Though budget is important, in over 25 years of very happy customers we have found that a successful wedding is not about money.

We do not sell “things” we provide “a service” and “an experience” of a lifetime.

Pianist Eric Zimmermann
Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 626-797-1795

See:  Choosing Wedding Ceremony Music

See: Responsibilities of Your Master of Ceremonies

See:  Arranging and Composing for Quartet

See: Dance Floor Surround Sound

See: Elegant Music Video Index

See:  Wedding Packages

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 323-270-3650

DJ

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Host of Wedding and Event Podcast

 

Please fill out this form and get started planning music for your special event:

WM Contact Form

The Successful Wedding. What is a Classic?

By

First DanceWhat is a Classic?

“Classic” means something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality… serving as a standard of excellence: of recognized value. 
Derivation: French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus– of the highest class, of the first rank.  (Wikkipedia)

What is Elegant?

“Elegant” means of a high grade or quality. 
Derivation: from Latin eligere – to elect, select or to choose. 
(Websters on line dictionary)

A New Begining

A wedding marks a change of condition; a step forward, a new beginning. Though just one day a wedding establishes an ideal to strive for in living.

Choices…

Every day we have choices and make decisions that create our future.  Planning a wedding (or anything for that matter) is planning a new beginning; a new future.

april&christopherThere are several parts to a wedding and each can have its own music:

  • Ceremony
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Dinner
  • Dancing
  • Announcing

 

Photography by Jessica Sterling Photography

See more pictures and read more about April and Christopher ‘s Wedding:

Eric Zimmermann DJ / Master of Ceremonies
Eric Zimmermann DJ / Master of Ceremonies

Choose well and have a lot of fun!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Elegant Music 3190 Crestford Drive, Altadena, CA.  91001  Phone:  323-270-3650

Elegant Music 323-270-3650

WM Contact Form

Beautiful, Successful Weddings & Events

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