Ally + Vince

The Darby House - Columbus, Ohio

​First of all, it’s embarrassing that it has taken me so long to write this blog! However, I have had some big life changes in the past year and a half and can’t wait to tell you more about them in the next couple weeks. But onto Ally and Vince and their wonderful wedding…..
 
Looking back at this wedding, I couldn’t have asked for a more loving couple, a more gracious family or more talented vendors. If y’all are reading this THANK YOU (speaking to you @derksworks)!

​When the Mother of the Bride contacted me I was elated to be chosen for such an honor. The town where I grew up is a small community and it’s a blessing to have people that have known you throughout different stages of your life (most importantly the awkward 8th grade years) and still want you to be a part of a big day in their lives. I grew up down the street from Ally’s parents and went to high school with both Ally and Vince, so it was important to me that their wedding was everything they hoped it would be.
 
Renee and Ally (the MOB and Bride) are creative geniuses and are highly skilled at event planning and event décor so they did all of the crafting, planning, mapping out of the wedding details – basically all of the hard stuff. They did ask my opinion on layout, timeline, décor details but they hired me to be the day-of coordinator so that they could relax – which is exactly what I do!
 
It helps a lot when you’re the coordinator for a wedding to understand the ambience your couple wants to portray: do they want a laid back feel? Do they want their guests to walk in and say “WOW!”? Or do they want it to feel intimate and casual? Ally and Vince wanted it all; They wanted people to have fun and enjoy a fantastic feast and bubbly drinks while “oooing” and “ahhing” at the venue and décor.

​And what a fantastic feast it was! The food was provided by Cameron Mitchell Premier Events and satisfied everyone’s tastes. The venue also provided all of the tables, chairs, alcohol and set-up staff. Why did they need a day-of wedding coordinator? Because sometimes one to two meetings with the venue just isn’t enough to make sure your event will run smoothly. The event staff at CMPE are very professional and their coordinators are very attentive, but it helps both them and you to have a day-of event coordinator that can make sure your décor is set-up in the correct manor and the tables are set per the diagram and so you don’t have to think about it and field questions on the big day.

Tips for having it all:

​Don’t go it alone! Hire professionals – unless you are design savvy like Renee was, it might be a good idea to hire a Wedding Designer/Planner. They can translate your vision and personal aesthetic into an amazing party and give you unique trend setting ideas that you might not have though of. Think it’s weird that I suggest hiring someone else to plan your wedding?! Well, you see my job has to do with logistics and not design. Even though I love the creative journey wedding planning allows, I focus on the organization and execution of the day-of set-up and tear down. Often wedding planners and coordinators work side by side and can make a dream team of support for your big day.
 
Last piece of advice would be to pick a venue that has a majority of the tasks included. For instance, Ally and Vince chose the Darby House, which is managed and operated by Cameron Mitchell Premier Events and comes with tables, chairs and linens for up to 250 people. So right there in one blink you have checked off the venue, caterer, tables, chairs and linens from your to-do list. Last but not least, use the vendors your venue suggests, they typically have proven themselves over and over again and can be trusted to know the ins and outs of the venue.

I couldn't have done it without these partners!
Photographer: Derksworks
Band: Conspiracy
Venue: The Darby House
​Catering: Cameron Mitchell Premier Events