Spotlight Series: HERE COMES THE GUIDE

A series of posts dedicated to the pillars of the event design world that spotlight talent and creativity.  Today we learn about Here Comes the Guide, a wedding website focused on matching brides with the venue that is best for their needs, wants, and tastes. They have the inside scoop on everything and we're so thrilled to be highlighting them via their creative director, Jenna Miller, today!

Please describe your service in 3-5 sentences. 

Here Comes The Guide is a wedding website focused on matching you with your perfect venue. Run by a group of 24 women, we like to think of our website as the girlfriend every couple wants in their tribe. You know the type – she’s worked in the wedding industry trenches, she’s got the scoop on alllll the latest trends, and she’s got venue recommendations up the wazoo. You bring the wine, we'll bring the hummus platter. Let's plan your wedding together.



Favorite flower: 

We don’t work with flowers directly, but we’re currently loving pink anthurium. It’s pretty much the flower Barbie would display in her dream house. It's smooth and shiny with large, leaf-like blooms in a shade of pink so fanciful that it's also known as the flamingo lily. Add the fact that the bloom is heart-shaped and you've got yourself the perfect flower to accent your wedding bouquet.

Complete this sentence.  A wedding can never have too many good vibes.

What trend are you happy to see in the past? 

Feeling boxed in by the notion of “traditional” wedding parties. Because who says groomsmen need to be guys? We love that couples are now opting to include their ride-or-die BFFs in their wedding party regardless of gender identity or expression. From Men of Honor to bridesmates and groomsmaids, anything goes when it comes to your wedding entourage. And this applies to the bach parties, too!

Tips of the trade: please provide 3 tips or tricks for each event category:  

Outdoor (wedding or any other celebration).  What are 3 things everyone planning an outdoor wedding should consider:
  • Mother Nature is the guest of honor.

The main attraction at an outdoor wedding is definitely Mother Nature—and she's not always in the best of moods! A beautiful setting often comes with a chance of rain, strong winds messing with your hairstyle, or heat and humidity that gives new meaning to the phrase "sweating for the wedding". At the very least, you'll want to consider giving pashminas or parasols as wedding favors to protect your guests from the elements and keep them comfy!

  • Bring on the bad-weather backup plan!

To play it safe, find out what the weather forecast is for your wedding day, make sure to give your out-of-town guests whatever wardrobe and travel tips they need to be prepared, and always (always!) have a contingency plan in place. Just keep in mind that a "plan B" isn't always free! It may cost a pretty penny to reserve that extra "just in case" event space. And while we love a good tented reception, those canopies can be costly! If a contingency plan has the potential to bust your budget, you may want to reconsider your outdoor fête.

  • Ask about permits and restrictions.

These unsexy topics are things you'll need to know about when hosting your reception outdoors. A permit isn't always required to have a wedding in a national park or on a public beach. But, if you have a large guest count or want to reserve a specific area for a certain amount of time, you may need to obtain one. You'll also need to inquire about noise ordinances, restrictions on amplified sound, and even size limits on tents or canopies.

Indoor (hotel/event space). What are 3 things everyone planning an indoor wedding/event should be mindful of:
  • More control over unpredictable elements.

An indoor space provides you with climate-controlled bliss and no concerns about wind, sun, and rain. If you want to avoid coming up with a "plan B", then an indoor reception is the way to go.

  • Fewer logistics to worry about.

Unless you're getting married in a completely "raw space" indoor venue, you can rest easy knowing that you've got built-in power outlets, restrooms, and kitchen facilities! Most indoor venues also have nearby parking and wheelchair accessibility. #convenience

  • Limited views—and limited space!

Unless your indoor venue has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook a lovely landscape, you'll have a limited view of the great outdoors. And if you're having a huge wedding of, say, over 400 you may be hard-pressed to find an indoor venue that fits both your style and your guest count.

At home. What are the 3 things everyone planning a “simple wedding” at home should consider:

  • Will the home hosting your event comfortably accommodate the number of people invited? 

Your guest list will determine if you can seat everyone together in one room, or whether the party needs to move into multiple rooms and/or outdoors. If the festivities are going to be outside on a potentially hot or rainy day, you may want to tent the area to protect everyone from the elements.

  • If you or your caterer is planning to prepare the meal in the home’s kitchen, is it up to the job? 

Professional caterers will assess the kitchen facilities in advance to determine whether they need to bring in extra equipment or require additional space to work in like a garage or side yard. But if you’re handling the cooking yourself, you should also check out the kitchen’s appliances and equipment—you don’t want to discover too late that the huge turkey you were going to roast won’t fit in the oven!

  • If you’re thinking DIY, are you comfortable dealing with all the organization, preparation and cleanup involved? 

The DIY approach can save you money, but don’t forget: the more you do yourself the less time you’ll have to kick back with your guests and enjoy the party.

Destination (remote).  What are the 3 things everyone planning a destination wedding (in a hard to reach place; ie, not a major city), should consider?

  • Going international can get complicated.

If you're planning an international affair, your wedding-planning challenges just got taken up a notch. Tack on a few thousand miles, language barriers, and regulations in a foreign country, and things can get pretty tricky. If you're not getting married at an all-inclusive resort, you'll have to research the marriage license requirements at your chosen destination to be sure your knot gets legally tied. Oh, and by the way, do you both have passports? We strongly recommend hiring a local wedding planner to help you breeze through these complex issues. This is when you really need an expert!

  • Your favorite people might not be able to attend.

In general, the wedding couple foots the bill for food and activities related to the celebration (including mini-events, ranging from a welcome party to a rehearsal dinner), while guests are expected to cover their own airfare, accommodations, and other travel costs. Depending on your location of choice, its affordability, and your wedding date, some of your guests may not be able to swing it. And older relatives may not be able to travel. Before you commit to a destination wedding, ask yourselves if you're willing to miss out on the attendance of some VIP guests. Send out save-the-dates 9–12 months in advance to give guests plenty of time to plan and save.

  • Your destination wedding can double as a sweet vacation.

Who wouldn't want an excuse to escape to a Hawaiian beach, the Italian wine country, or even a winter wonderland? Instead of a one-day event, a destination wedding typically spans 3–5 days. This gives you ample opportunity to not only get married, but to enjoy some serious face time with your wedding guests (if you have any!). Plus you can opt to host other pre- or post-wedding events like a mimosa brunch, swimming with dolphins, spa days, or sightseeing excursions.

Favorite quote about celebrating or planning: 

A wedding is a party, not a performance. If at the end of the day, you are married to the one you love, then everything went perfectly.   —Unknown (we love this!)

Find, follow and friend Jenna Miller at the handles and sites below:

 

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