I'm her person. Not her planner.

An anecdotal recollection of that time I thought my sister didn't need a wedding planner.

I dreamed about my sister’s wedding day from the moment I knew she was seriously dating someone. Before he'd even popped the question, I was equipped with bridal show dates, Pinterest boards and color pallet choices. With years of event planning experience, I knew I was just the person for the job. Fast forward to the moment when one of our first sets of appointments was to seek out a planner. Um, what? Wait. This is what I do…

She knew I was great. She knew I was more than capable. She knew I would produce something unforgettably fantastic. What she also knew, was that I was her person. The one she wanted at her side every step of the way, but most importantly on wedding day. I was still so sad, what would possibly happen on wedding day that I would not be able to still have a mimosas in one hand and a fire extinguisher in the other in case of a little spark here or there…? We hired team of professionals - and continued to plan away. After almost a year of planning the perfect tablescapes, menu, playlists, and timeline – it was finally April – wedding day was here. If you’re not a Tennessee native let me tell you a thing or two about the flintiness of our March and April months- the weather is PERFECT. It will romanticize you with the zero humidity, 72 degree temperature and rays of sunshine you’re sure Dolly Parton painted her very self. That’s exactly how that April 13th day went. My sister, best friend and ultimate confidant was married in front of Nashville War Memorial’s Auditorium. It’s brilliant pillars a metaphor for the structure that a marriage should be built within. Its history entrenched in the stories of dignitaries, and artists who visited and performed over the years. Herself a former actress and her husband a high school history teacher, it couldn’t have been a more brilliant choice. More so they knew this structure would remain a Nashville icon that would stand the test of time when their future children were older, to come back and see where mom and dad tied the knot. Inside the room was aglow with soft up lighting to complement the navy linens accented with antique globes and world maps, miniature bronze planes and cars. Their love story started 1000 miles away from one another, and they maintained a long-distance love story until they married – so we planned their reception to be a reflection of the miles traveled and the handwritten letters. Even the menu was created to reflect the places they had been together – North, East, South, West – foods to represent teach of them. The entire day was exactly as they pictured, classy and perfect. Their guests who had traveled from near and far felt they’d experienced something grand but genuine – elegant but personal. All the while, I was able to be next to her side for every moment from her opening her eyes to the second she drove off in her getaway car.

With all of that in the books – what the heck did we need a planner for anyway… let’s move the blue linens and brighten the soft glow to spotlight he behind the scenes action, shall we? As all 11 bridesmaids – yes you read that right, ELEVEN bridesmaids – sat nestled in the bridal suite sipping champagne and reapplying one last coat of lipstick there was about five minutes until show time. We had all gotten ready at a loft about eight blocks from the ceremony site to all be together throughout the day. Just as we were lining up to walk one of the bridesmaids says “So, where are the bouquets?”.

Well, s*it.

The wedding planner threw her designer pumps on the ground and ran – more like sprinted – to the loft and retrieved 12 fresh bouquets. Try and picture this – we are two blocks from Broadway on a Saturday in April and this chick is in a perfectly fitted cocktail dress sprinting like it was the last lap of the Music City Marathon.

Crisis averted.

The ceremony begins. They exchange the most beautiful vows, everyone in the house is crying. Remember that little anecdote about the Music City Marathon? It was actually in fact marathon weekend. Gawking tourists were out in droves, craning their necks for a view at my sister and her husbands most vulnerable moment in their life to date. The wedding planner and her team, ensured the perimeter was safe of bachelorette parties stumbling back from their honky-tonk adventures. As much as we all can appreciate a drunken rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” – that certainly wasn’t the place. Crisis averted.

Duke Blue Margaritas were served as the signature cocktail – a delightful choice that reflected the groom’s love of Coach K and bracket season. Anyone here made a margarita? A simple choice really – except the sweet and sour mix was left behind. Wedding gurus out there – tell me the ingredients of a margarita…. Tequila, yup. Tripel Sec, yup. They are blue so, extra credit – Blue Curacao. And…. Wait for it…. SOUR MIX. There wasn’t a lime in the whole joint. When the planner felt the noise decibel of cocktail hour rise within the first 10 minutes or so she realized the misstep. The entire first round of drinks that were served were highballs filled with straight tequila and liqueur. To the store she went. Aunt Dorann was almost a member of that drunken bachelorette group.

Crisis averted.

Did I mention the perfectly curated menu? What a delight. Also, Matt (the groom) is an insanely picky eater and only had one request – a boneless wing bar. Flying a little higher than we expected after the Duke Margarita episode we were on the hunt for the wing bar. Where’s the chicken? Hmmm.. I don’t see any chicken. “Hey Wedding Planner, isn’t there supposed to be chicken here?” After checking into it with the caterer they discovered that Matt’s beloved boneless wings, didn’t make it on the catering truck. The planner and caterer put their heads together and in the next moment – the lead event manager for the catering company was doing 90 MPH on 65 North to his buddies Chik fil A franchise. Chicken for 200 people in less than 20 minutes. Sure. No problem. The planner found a moment to slip Matt a plate and all was well.

Crisis averted. The incredible thing about it all – Jessica and Matt – the eleven bridesmaids and groomsman, the family and guests danced the night away and there was not the slightest notice of any of these mishaps. All because they made a decision that it was more important to them to have the experience of togetherness than saving a little extra cash, and inturn hired a planner.

The planner safeguarded their time.

The planner managed their stress level. The planner recommended vendors that were willing to go the extra mile (or 40 round trip in the case of the chicken) The planner allowed for perfect memories to be made among the landscape of a perfect evening where nobody was interrupted nor overlooked.

The planner protected their investment.

Listen, if you want your little sister to miss your first dance because she’s at the Chick Fil A drivethru, have at it. All I’m trying to say is, hiring a professional to manage your wedding is money damn well spent. As emotionally invested as I was in helping, I still was able to see my fingerprints among all of the choices and personal touches throughout the weekend. Nothing and nobody will replace the feeling of having your girlfriends be there when you pick out that perfect dress – or have that moment on a hill when you know you have found the place to begin forever.

There’s nobody better to understand the emotional connection of having friends and family to help you plan your wedding. It’s the behind-the-scenes pieces that you won’t foresee, and that frankly you don’t really want to stress yourself thinking about that will be the difference from your day being as perfect as it can be. Protect your investment. Make the call. I’m here for you. About the couple: Jessica and Matt are still happily married with four beautiful children fille with wonder and vivaciousness. They live in a lovely home in the green mountains of Vermont.

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