Columbus Ohio Wedding Photography | Serving Westerville Delaware New Albany worthington Dublin

Tall skinny caramel macchiato please….After ordering my hot beverage from a local Starbucks I glanced over to see the beautiful Meleka Murphy Joliff walking through the door. Styled in her fabulous button down wool coat, black tights and Aldo high heeled boots. We immediately eyed each other and exchanged long distance waves from across the room. As she walked towards me to order herself a hot yummy beverage I was caught off guard by her flowing model-like strut. She could have been placed next to Tyra Banks and would have completely fit in. We exchanged hugs and hello’s and found ourselves a table. Finally, getting a chance to get to know Meleka was a huge honor for me. Meleka is a fabulous wedding planner who any bride would be lucky to have. Her ideas are funky fresh, extensively creative and endless. Her personality and kindness would win over any Polar Bear….( I chose polar bears because they are MEAN!)

I did a Q&A for Meleka to let all you brides out there know how awesome and stress relieving it is to hire a wedding planner. A wedding planner is NOT to be confused with your wedding coordinator  that comes with your venue. A personal wedding planner goes MUCH deeper into detail.

• Q: Will the consultant commit to your budget and not push you in the direction of things you simply can’t afford?
• A: We are use to working with a budget, no mater how big or small it is! We realize not everyone knows how much a photographer usually charges for a wedding or how much is too much for a wedding cake. But we do! We’ll work with you to save money without compromising the things that matter most to you and your finace.
• Q: Will the consultant devise a master plan mapping out all the little details, from announcement to zebra-striped decor?
• A: Yes, organization is one of the things I do best. From the time you sign the contract to the time you leave for your honeymoon everything will be mapped out in a organized timeline.
• Q: Can the consultant name the best and most original locations in your area (that would be suitable to your wedding size, style, and budget)?
• A: Yes. I am constantly gathering information about local wedding vendors in our area for all price ranges.
• Q:Is the consultant familiar with the best florists, photographers, caterers, bands, and DJs in your price range? Can he/she explain their strong points to you briefly? (Ask yourself: Does the consultant seem both knowledgeable and passionate?)
• A: MMJ Events has put a lot of time and effort into building relationship with vendors. We know who will provide you with that perfect look.
• Q: Can the consultant score you some discounts with any vendors? (Consultants bring volume to favored vendors; often they’ll reciprocate by slashing prices or throwing in extras.)
• A: Discounts are a perk of hiring a planner. Vendors will see you as a repeat customer because of the multiple clients we send their way. Whether it’s 10% off or a free extra it’s a way of saying thanks!
• Q: Will the consultant read over the vendor contracts for you? What are some common traps to look out for?
• A: Yes. I will sit down with you personally to review every vendor contract to ensure you are receiving the services you should be and are not getting charged for things you should not be. People don’t always know what a corkage fee or cake cutting fee is and then end up paying a significantly more money at the end then they had planned.
• Q: Can the consultant create a timeline that tells everyone involved in the planning process — vendors, members of the wedding party, bride/groom, and families — what to do and when to do it? How will she/he make sure that everyone sticks to the schedule?
• A: I will make a timeline for everyone in the planning process. The two planners on site the day of the wedding are there to make sure that everyone is where they are suppose to be when they are suppose to be there.  Your wedding is about being with friends and family while becoming husband and wife. Neither you nor your family should be stressed about whether a certain vendor has arrived or not.
• Q: Can the consultant counsel you on etiquette matters and alert you to hot trends on the wedding horizon?
• A: Part of a job of a planner is keeping up to date with hot trends.  I am consistently working on educating myself in the wedding industry attending workshops, conferences, and researching trends.
• Q: Will the consultant coordinate delivery, arrival, and setup times with photographer, florist, musicians, caterer/banquet manager, et al?
• A: On the day of your wedding there are always at least two coordinators there to help with arrival and setup of the vendors. Each vendor will receive a call the week of the wedding confirming times and location.
• Q: For the day of the wedding, will the consultant be willing to oversee the entire event by supervising vendors, troubleshooting emergencies, and soothing nerves? Can she/he share any anecdotes that required performing above and beyond the call of duty?
• A: This is in part one of the most important jobs of a planner.  Your wedding should flow smoothly without you having any worries. The two coordinators will be involved in ironing out as many of the unexpected wrinkles that happen to appear.
• Q: Will the consultant be willing to step in as your advocate, conveying your visions and desires to vendors when you don’t feel up to the task?
• A: Yes, if for any reason you are unable to attend a vendor meeting, I will be there to make sure the vendor understands your vision and expectations.
• Q: Will the consultant help plan and book your honeymoon?
• A: I am an experience traveler and I love giving my clients suggestions on honeymoon locations.  However, handling the details of the honeymoon is an add-on service to our package. If you choose not to add it on I have a great travel agent referral.
• Q: What happens if you have not worked my venue before?
• A: Each venue operates differently; therefore we will visit the property ahead of time and work with your on-site coordinator to gain a thorough understanding of how they function
• Q: My venue provides an on-site coordinator, so why do I need to hire an independent planner?
• A: On-site coordinators are wonderful, but they are limited as to what they can do for you. Your independent coordinator is there to do such things as review vendor contracts, getyou discounts with certain vendors, help you stay within your budget, offer etiquette advice, be there at your rehearsal, ceremony, and reception to make sure everything goes smoothly. Your event planner will make sure your event has the “wow factor” and much more!

Contact Meleka for more information on wedding planning services! MMJ events