Hey There!
Dora here.
Sending you a big, warm welcome to the Peaches 'n Cream family.
I am SO excited to start working with you. I promise to give you 100%, but in order to do that I need a little help from you.
This page will tell you exactly what I need you to do before we begin working together in your planning sessions, and provide you with a few tips and tricks to best work together over the course of your wedding planning.
On this page you’ll find:
A few boundaries I like my clients and I to stick to during the project.
A look at my process, so you’re always kept in the loop and know what’s happening next.
The homework I need you to complete before we begin working together.
A little info on our deadlines and my payment policy.
Some easy guidelines to help you provide really helpful feedback.
And lastly, a look at what happens next after you’ve handed in your homework.
You made the big—and best—decision to invest in a planner to help you with your wedding. But I know you may be feeling nervous about that choice, and the expense.
I’ve been there!
I want to assure you that you have nothing to feel nervous about. I’m on your team and excited to help you succeed.
Professional planning can help you save time, ease your stress, save money, book your dream vendors, and more!
In my clients’ own words, here’s the impact my planning has had on their day…
“Planning a wedding is daunting enough as it is.
But Dora made the process painless! She went above and beyond to get the job done. She makes the whole wedding experience about you! If you’re feeling helpless about your big day, or you really just don’t even know where to start, I highly recommend the services Peaches ‘n Cream has to offer.”
- Joyce H.
“I 100% recommend Peaches ‘n Cream!
Dora went above and beyond to ensure our wedding day ran smoothly. She was so responsive, helpful, and kind throughout the planning process, all the way to the day of our wedding.”
- Deborah Z.
I can’t wait to create similar results for your wedding day!
Have a thorough read of the welcome guide below and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Communication
&
Guidelines
MY WORK HOURS:
Typically I’m at my desk Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.
These hours will vary from season to season, based on kiddos and commitments. It’s likely those hours will decrease in the summer, particularly on Fridays.
Don’t worry, I have time later on some afternoons and evenings for meetings. You’ll see those slots available when you’re booking with my online scheduler. If you’re ever having trouble finding an appointment that works for you, please email me.
I might sneak in an email or two in the evenings, but know that most of my evenings are committed to family time. I completely understand that your own schedule may mean you will email me outside of my office hours.
GETTING IN TOUCH:
The very best way to contact me is by email. Please use info@peachesncreamweddings.com
When you’re inviting me to any of your Google docs or secret Pinterest boards, please remember to use info@peachesncreamweddings.com
Emails are easier to keep track of. This also helps me stick to work hours, and quality time for myself and my family, when I’m “off the clock”. I aim to respond to messages during the work week in less than 24 hours. But weekends and time off will delay response, as is normal. Thanks a million for your patience while I continue to figure out my work-life balance.
Emails are not texts. My phone has email access, but I do not get email notifications. This is a practice I’ve followed since 2016. It works well for me. I encourage you to try it!
Please save texts or messaging for urgent and timely messages, such as when you’re going to be late or need to reschedule a meeting.
TIMELINES:
To help us both stay on schedule, I really appreciate your effort to book planning sessions, provide files and complete homework on time.
Timeliness will help us book vendors and execute your day to the best of our abilities.
Per your contract, all payments for work completed will be considered non-refundable. I will make every effort to open up appointment times and accommodate your schedule, but you may miss out on ongoing guidance if appointments do not occur within the appropriate timeframe.
If there’s ever a reason you’re running behind please reach out.
MISSED APPOINTMENTS:
Appointments missed without 24 hours’ notice will be rescheduled at my discretion and availability. My schedule needs to accommodate multiple brides, vendors, and family obligations so sometimes I will need to prioritize other pressing needs.
SCHEDULE:
(These times can be moved around slightly to accommodate your venue, but I have found this timeline to be the most successful)
Upon booking: I will create a Google drive folder full of my planning templates and share it with you.
Full Planning:
We will start immediately by doing a venue search and booking your date. For tented weddings this will be immediately followed by booking your tent and caterer. You will need to determine your budget, guest count, and wedding aesthetic before we have our first meeting.
I will work out your budget and divide it among all aspects of your wedding. I will also create a mood board and design proposal. We will use that to look for photo/video and floral/decor/rentals.
After your larger vendors have been booked, we will take our time to book other vendors such as DJ, Limo, Photobooth, Cake, Hair and Makeup. This may take several weeks.
Design:
We will start immediately by discussing your decor budget and your overall aesthetic for the wedding. I will use this to create a moodboard.
When you have approved of the moodboard, I will pull together a more specific design proposal for you to approve.
If you have approved the design proposal, I will search for these items and find the appropriate vendors for floral, decor, and rentals.
After booking these vendors, I will maintain contact with them and help narrow down the design to bring your vision to life.
Event Management (all clients):
6 weeks before your wedding: We will have our first meeting to discuss itinerary and vendors (all vendors contracts, planning templates, and inspiration photos are due by this meeting.
5 weeks before your wedding: We will ask vendors about rough itinerary and confirm times. You also need to confirm your RSVPs this week.
4 weeks before: You will work on your seating chart, place cards, menus, etc.
3 weeks before: We will have a venue visit with your venue coordinator to walk through decor placement and final details.
2 weeks before: I will send out your itinerary to your vendors and we will discuss the decor itemized list and music selections. You will be paired with your planner and assistant for the day.
1 week before: Your seating and floor plans are due. We will discuss any last minute changes and the plan for the rehearsal.
2 days before: We will meet to rehearse the ceremony. All items to be passed on to me are due at this time (decor, license, vows, speeches, etc)
The Big Day: Marry the love of your life!
THE BEGINNING:
You’ve probably already gained access to your client portal. Your contract and invoice are available there. Most of our work will happen in Google Drive, but occasionally I might make forms or questionnaires available in your portal. Your program will not begin until the contract is signed by both parties, and your initial payment is received.
NEXT STEPS:
In most cases, you’ll start off with some homework. Namely, planning templates that must be completed or conversations with your partner to nail down specifics. These questions can be tough and require some thought, but I encourage you to complete them to the best of your ability and I can help if needed. The better understanding I have of you and your partner, the better I can advise on your unique situation and goals.
Let me know when your homework is complete, by email. Then I’ll follow up with instructions to book your first session or any additional homework.
Working Together
Zoom Sessions:
99% of the time your coaching sessions will happen online via Zoom video chat.
Almost always using this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5847118489
Feel free to dress comfortably for these sessions. Don’t go to any trouble with hair and makeup if you don’t want to. My appearance will vary day to day.
For best results, please join the meetings on your computer, not your smart phone. This way we can share screens with the best view, access chat and files, and more. I encourage you to find the spot that offers the most reliable internet connection, and peace and quiet.
Guidance & Feedback
Depending on your package, I will be available for feedback and questions via email, in between your coaching sessions. We will also use software like Google docs to manage templates, new files and materials.
Is there anything I won't do for you?
I will do everything I can to bend over backward and help you in any way possible, but there are some things I cannot do for you because I am not trained/equipped to do so and for our mutual safety!
I cannot:
Serve food and drinks/clear plates
Set up dessert/sweet table
Take care of or work with any animals/pets
Watch children without supervision of a legal guardian
Move your money/card box without a designated family member
Act as a DJ/Photographer, Limo driver, or any other vendor
Pay vendors on your behalf
What happens now?
You’ll be receiving any of your initial homework and instructions for booking your first session.
I’m really looking forward to working with you to plan your dream wedding.
– Dora