Wedding Disasters Only Your Planner Will Know How to Fix

Hiring a wedding planner is truly one of the best things you can do for your sanity when planning a wedding.

Of course, the Internet provides you with all sorts of tips, tricks, and very useful information on how to do this from A to Z. But even with all the online content on your side, there’s still a wide range of things you may not know how to react or how to handle if you haven’t planned this kind of event before. That’s where a wedding planner comes in.

Why would you hire one? What are the wedding disasters only your planner will know how to fix? We have some tips for you – read on and find out more.

• Vendors that don’t show up/ don’t show up prepared. This may sound like a complete nightmare, but it can happen – and sometimes, it’s not even the vendors’ fault per se. Things happen, people get ill, and you might end up without a DJ or photographer on your wedding day. Your wedding planner will not only be extra-attentive to creating a backup plan with the vendors before you even sign the contract, but they will be able to help you make sure your vendor’s unpreparedness will not ruin your wedding day in any way.

• Weather issues. Unless you or your planner have magical powers that enable you to stop the rain, there’s no way in the world you’ll ever be able to control this. HOWEVER, an experienced wedding planner will always have a plan B in store –so that rain, snow, or storms don’t affect your wedding day. Sure, you can include this in your plan as well – but at the end of the day, your planner has lots of experience in how to do this properly and stress-free, so it’s still best to leave it in the hands of a pro.

• Coordinating everyone else. You can do this yourself or you can delegate the task to the Maid of Honor. Still, a wedding coordinator knows how to do this from A to Z – and make sure everything is flawless (including that your band or DJ won’t accidentally mistake your names, or anything of the sort).

In the end, it is entirely your choice if you choose to hire a wedding planner or not. Our advice is to do it - it saves time, it saves money, and it can eventually save your sanity so that you can actually enjoy this unique day in your life! So contact Burlap & Bordeaux today, and we'll help you on your special day! 

Photo Credits to Grace Kathryn Photography.

Venue Spotlight: Quail Ranch

We're sharing a hidden gem and one of our personal favorites today - high on the hill, Quail Ranch  is a family owned and operated avocado ranch located just outside of Los Angeles in Ventura County, in the city of Simi Valley perfect for an intimate and rustic elegant wedding. With so many options they have to offer from the estate house and poolside to the lodge and grounds itself, there is certainly something for everyone. 

Our personal favorite is the estate house, The Ranch House. The Ranch House features Spanish Revival architecture which adds a unique charm and beauty to the property. It has large beautiful windows, a lovely courtyard, splashing fountains, and original handmade tiles creating a beautiful backdrop. We swoon over the details all the time!

Avocados, lemons, oranges and tangerines fill the landscape alongside towering pines and mature oak trees. The scent of orange blossoms, lavender or wisteria is always in the air. With manicured lawns, lovely brick patio areas and vibrant natural landscaping, this is a must see. They are now accepting private events, and if you want to enjoy this beautiful and special venue on your special day let us know and Burlap & Bordeaux can help!

As a bonus, here is a wedding we had over at Quail Ranch  and featured on Wedding Chicks. Enjoy the photos and be sure to scroll down to see the full details of the creative team!

Creative Team
Venue: Quail Ranch 
Photographer: Rewind Photography
Wedding Planner, Designer, and Floristry: Burlap & Bordeaux
DJ: Dj Zeke SB
Catering: Command Performance
Rentals: A Rental Connection
Linens: Dreams America Linens

Tips If You’re Attending A Bridal Show

Bridal shows are an amazing way of saving time, saving money, and making sure you are booking the right wedding specialists for your Big Day. However, simply walking around the stands and asking one or two questions may not be enough – so it’s important for you to know how to make the most out of a bridal show attendance.

We have gathered some tips for you – so read on and find out more so you'll be ready for Simply The Best Wedding Showcase of Santa Barbara on September 9, 2018! 

• Bring a friend or two – but don’t bring your entire wedding party. You need someone with a critical eye who knows exactly what you want and what you need for your wedding and who can spot it from the myriad of vendors present at the bridal show. You need someone who is honest with you and who will tell you if someone is just not right for your style.

• Do your homework. Don’t just go to a bridal show not knowing what you are searching for. Make a list of the vendors you still have to hire, check out who will be present at the bridal show, and go visit them directly before you start wandering around the exhibition and losing your way. Also, remember to have a few essential questions in mind for each type of vendor you are looking for.

• Have your wedding details on small notes. Most wedding vendors will ask you to leave your contact and wedding details in a guestbook or notebook of some kind. To save time and make sure you don’t forget to do this, prepare self-adhesive notes you can actually stick into your chosen vendors’ notebooks.

• Hunt down offers. Bridal show exhibitors will frequently put out offers, discounts, and contests for visitors and if you are running on a tighter budget, these things can be real gold. Just make sure you don’t let yourself be drawn into a relationship with a vendor you don’t actually like just because they have a good discount – in the end, this might make you unhappy, and that’s the last thing you want for your wedding.

Keep your focus, and ask your friend to do the same. Bridal shows can be really fun and useful, but they can be very much of a distraction as well. Maintain your focus on the things that matter to you as a bride-to-be and you will make the most out of your visit! We would love to see you all there on September 9 at Santa Barbara Woman's Club for Simply The Best Wedding Showcase of Santa Barbara!