Timelines.........timelines..........timelines

Many of the vendors I work with say "you're always working on timelines" and that is so very true!

Whether I am hired as a "day-of" coordinator, a full service planner or somewhere in between, I am always going to make sure that I review the client's first draft of their timeline (if they have made one) and ensure that everything works!

Timing is one of the most critical elements to a successful and stress-free wedding day. If the schedule that is created is realistic and works for the vendors, everyone works like a very well oiled machine and there is no "drama." Problems arise when a timeline either doesn't allow enough time for what you are trying to accomplish or for those "quick ballroom turns" there isn't enough staff to get the job done within the time frame allotted, or set-up is not prioritized by the order of which your vendors are arriving.

An arriving DJ should never have to wait for his table, as that will impact his set-up time. A hair and make-up stylist should not have to wait around for hair flowers because the florist was scheduled to arrive an hour later. The chef should not be worried about the meal service starting late because the receiving line took 40 minutes instead of 20 minutes.

Timing is one thing that you definitely don't learn from a book. Timing can only be learned from many years of hands-on experience with a wide variety of events.

By the time I have completed your timeline I have literally done a virtual tour in my head of your event knowing exactly what needs to be where and when, how much space is required and who is going to be doing what and when.

It is through this process that I (and the vendors) have a very clear understanding of what the bride and groom envisions for their wedding day, and by asking all the right questions in advance and making the appropriate adjustments my couples may relax and enjoy their wedding.

So the next time you're wondering if I'm working on a timeline......of course I am!

Imagine life without a computer

Sometimes I try to imagine life without a computer......

For those that don't already know, my first job was actually a clerk typist/stenographer in Civil Service at Edwards AFB, California. I hardly remember any stenography strokes but taking the time to learn the skill in high school is what gave me the advantage over 100 other applicants.

Typing was a tedious and boring class in school, but to this day, it was the best class that I could have ever taken and I use the skill daily. Back then, typing class was basically just for women interested in being a secretary, but look at the world now, even CEOs of major companies are pecking away on their computer keyboard or Blackberry.

When I think of how fast technology has advanced, I remember learning on a manual typewriter, the incredible memory typewriter, the first DOS computer which was a bit intimidating and then just when you got it figured out, frantically paging the IT manager when my documents Icon disappeared from my Windows screen.

Now I am so grateful for technology for it allows me the opportunity to have my own home based business via a laptop computer, a wireless card and a cell phone. It's hard to imagine how destination weddings were planned prior to computers (e-mail, Google and Facebook), but I love being able to keep in contact with my past brides as well as future with ease.

Just in case you're wondering, I purposely haven't invested in a Blackberry as the vast majority of the e-mails that I receive as an event planner contain alot of important information that I need to extract for timelines, vendor follow-ups and set-up details. I also had a very dear friend of mine break her ankle because she was answering her Blackberry while walking down stairs.

My only wish is that everyone remembers to take a break away from technology to enjoy simple things in life such as watching a sunset.