This is an interview with a proffesional wedding planner and it is going to be broke down in to 8 or 9 posts. Enjoy!

Interviewer:Welcome. You’re about to learn the inside details and little known secrets of wedding planning. We’re here today with Catherine Porterfield, who is a wedding planner out of the Washington, DC area. Catherine, thank you so much for joining us.

Catherine Porterfield: Oh thank you so much for having me. I’m excited to be here.

Interviewer: Great; now you know a lot of people think that wedding planning is such a–a comprehensive process and it–and it can be. You know there’s a lot of details that you need to pay attention to; so let’s start with the basics. What is it exactly that you do?

Catherine Porterfield: As a wedding planner and it–it varies from planner to planner depending on if they’re full-service or not–you basically can do anything from you know there’s wedding planners who just work the day of an event and just make sure that everything runs smoothly–that the bride has already kind of coordinated and–and done herself, or then there’s wedding planners who are there from the very beginning, sometimes even before the engagement, when–you know couples know that they’re going to get married and that they basically–you know so you’re there from the very beginning to work with the families on the budget, determine those things, and you–you do everything. You help with the flowers, you help with the invitations, the wording on the invitations; you basically take every–take care of everything as well as helping pick a caterer, the dresses both for the bride and the bridesmaids, flowers, music and going to all these appointments with the bride to check and make sure that you know she gets everything–and the family gets everything that they–that they want.

Some wedding planners also help with the bridal showers, the bachelor(ette) parties, the bachelor parties; they also help with the rehearsal dinner as far as handling all the logistics of that, as well–sometimes now there are you know toast wedding brunches and stay afterwards; so anything that is associated with the wedding some wedding planners take on all of that work.

Interviewer: And how long have you been working in this business?

Catherine Porterfield: About seven and a half–eight years now.

Interviewer: Great, great; so are there any particular career highlights that you’re especially proud of?

Catherine Porterfield: There’s definitely some; there are–you know it’s– what’s really special about wedding planning and I–I used to do corporate planning and what’s nice about doing something is that it’s so personal and you really are giving–you know no matter how crazy it may get and you know months and months of planning, it really is a reward when you do see a couple and you’re giving them a day that they’re always going to remember. And it’s such a special important day for not only them–and for their family and that your role is there to help take the stress off the family and off the bride and groom so that they can really enjoy the day and focus on what’s really taking place. You know they’re starting their lives together. So with each wedding there’s definitely a special moment when you get to watch especially when they–you know exchange with their vows or–or whatever kind of ceremony that they have, it’s just really nice to watch the couple really be able to enjoy the day.

I will have to say that one you know–just because it’s personal–would be one of my friends who got married and just–I was–she actually hired me as–I was in her bridal party but she also did hire me as the wedding coordinator and that was actually my first wedding that I planned; so it was a bit of a challenge. It was up in Cape Cod and having to do everything from being here in DC and having to coordinate over the phone and not see everything was a great challenge but it was also you know just perfect and the day went off without a hitch. That’s one of my most special memories. And then there was another one that was at the Mayflower here that was just a spectacular, huge event that was just beautiful and again everything just kind of went off without a hitch, so that was just really special as well.

You will want to make your wedding day an event to be remembered and cherished for many, many years. An outdoor venue may be the way to add distinctive memories to your exceptional wedding!

A wonderful ceremony outside among nature is a dream for many couples, and there are a variety of locations to consider – mountain resorts, seaside cottages, parks, the beach, or even your own backyard. Getting married in the arms of Mother Nature, surrounded by the beautiful scenery and your friends and family, makes for a lovely ceremony to start your new life with the one you love.

1. You get to celebrate one of the biggest days of your life surrounded by beautiful scenery. Traditional views or wild country! You get to enjoy being outside in the sunshine’s shine with the people who love you.

2. You can feel more relaxed on your wedding day, because natural surroundings often brings an air of casual elegance. Bring a feel of comfort to friends and family in an open and free environment that surrounds an outdoor wedding and you. You’ll feel more at ease with your guests.

3. You can create fabulous memories. You can view photographs of you and the one you love against the backdrop of mountains or the sea. Even a backyard lends it’s self to beauty especially if the landscaping has been arranged to suit your needs!

4. You can be original. Some couples choose an outdoor wedding because their special day means so much. They want to make it different then anything they have yet attended. They can pull out all the stops and have a truly one of a kind wedding. A forest glade or beach can lean to a very lavish wedding and a sunset backdrop is a decoration that cannot be purchased in any store.

5. You have more options when choosing a landscape. You many only have a few churches or community centers to choose from in your area; when you decide on a traditional indoor wedding but an outdoor wedding has an almost unlimited amount of venues to choose from. Since you can use a tent or open air, many new ideas and options will be available to you. Making your wedding a unique reflection of the two of you.

6. How many weddings have made you felt like a stranger fulfilling a social obligation? Involving family in an outdoor wedding can relieve this feeling. An outdoor wedding can be a small affair in a backyard or in a field. This gives you the option of using a family members home or a favorite gathering place of close relations. This gives you the opportunity to get your family members involved in the joining of the newest member. It also gives a more intimate and welcoming feel to your wedding.

7. If casual is what you want, outdoor is an easy choice. Picture children running along the waves of the beaches chasing seagulls instead of being held properly in momma’s lap.  An evening wedding on a beautiful lawn as people mingle and chat can be as memorable as a huge formal wedding.

8. You can make your guests feel as if they are part of a vacation. Because you will be able to have your wedding in a park or historical area your out of town guests will get a chance to gaze at the natural wonders around them. Your guests will feel more as if they had travel to sight see then just share in your wedding. Also, when the guest is able to be in beautiful surroundings in a comfortable atmosphere they will be more at ease and able to enjoy meeting the newest addition to the family.
 
9. Young couples and old can enjoy becoming more involved. Many families can relax in the outside sunshine and feel the wind blowing around them as they share in your union. An outdoor wedding will give you the opportunity to get your loved ones involved in your ceremony.  From allowing children off laps when tired to being more relaxed because everyone mingled around a lovely area until the proceedings start. Every one will be able to lend a hand getting the elderly seated or caring for a fussy child.

10. You can have a one of a kind wedding that your family and friends will remember for many, many years. Because your wedding won’t be like everyone else’s or the kind you and your guests have been to over and over again. Your wedding will be remembered and spoken of in fondly for years to come.

So you’re planning a beach wedding. Congratulations! Here are some tips to keep in mind as you plan for your big day.

No matter how hard you hope, there’s always the chance that it will rain on your big day. There are two ways to avoid spending your wedding day making panicked phone calls to find an alternate wedding site while the rain comes down in buckets. Either you can rent a tent, or you can book an indoor backup site.

Renting a tent allows you to maintain an airy outdoor feeling, allowing ocean breezes in, but keeping rain out. However, renting a tent adds an extra expense to your wedding. Tents can run anywhere from $150 for a tiny canopy to $4,000 for a 6,000 square foot pole tent. An alternative to a tent is to hold your wedding at a catering with both beachfront and indoor capabilities, or reserving a church fellowship hall. Remember to include inclement weather instructions with your invitations!

Depending on the size of your guest list and the formality of your wedding, you may want to rent flooring. If you have a small group, having guests gather round while you and your fiancé (e) speak your vows can be intimate and beautiful. However, with a larger group, seating is usually necessary. Beach seating can be tricky.

Picture chair legs sinking slowly. Flooring is not very expensive to rent, and can come in many materials, from parquet to carpeted. Flooring is essential for a reception on the sand. You’ll need to rent a dance floor, and tables and chairs need a sturdy base. Most tent companies also rent flooring.

The summer sun can be hard on guests, even during an evening wedding. Consider having an usher hand out iced non-alcoholic drinks to guests as they arrive at your ceremony. Keep bottled water in ice-filled buckets at the end of each row of chairs. Give personalized paper fans to guests as a favor handed out before the ceremony.

Rent large electric fans for your reception. Set up a few beach umbrellas at the back of the guest area for older relatives and fair-skinned guests to retreat to when the sun becomes too hot. For a daytime wedding, leave small tubes of sunscreen in a basket near the entrance to your ceremony area.

Don’t forget:

Bug control - Consider making bug spray available to guests or using citronella candles around your reception area. You don’t want people to remember your wedding because they were eaten alive by mosquitos!

Sound system - Consider renting a sound system for your ceremony. Those same ocean breezes that refresh your guests can blow music and words in the wrong direction, leaving your guests with nothing to hear but the roar of the waves.
 
Tides - Take tides into consideration when you set up your ceremony and reception areas.

Toilets - If there are no acceptable toilet facilities near your wedding site, you’ll have to rent portables. Rental companies recommend 1 toilet per 50 guests.
 
Rules and Regulations - If you are renting a public beach for your wedding, are there restrictions on the number of guests? Are you allowed to use candles? Are electrical outlets available for your sound system? How late can you play music at your reception? Read the fine print on your contract, and ask plenty of questions.

Last, but most important, enjoy yourself!

This is your big day, and it will be beautiful, no matter what the weather or temperature. At the end of the day, you’ll be married to the love of your life. Congratulations!