Here is the Pink, Green and Orange set up!

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

2009 was an amazing year for the Jacobus Duo. We have been so completely blessed with the thriving of our business. I couldn’t have asked for better Brides and Grooms….or better friends. These 25 couples listed below have given me great laughs and wonderful feelings. I couldn’t thank them enough for being so beautiful. Some of the couples you see have already gotten married! Some are to be married in 2010!

I love contests. I’m not much of a competitive person myself, but I love watching others compete. I’m holding a “Best of 2009″ engagement photo contest. Here is how we play

1. Leave a comment at the bottom with the name of the couple you are voting for.

2. You can only vote ONCE. So, if you are the Bride and Groom, get as many of your friends and family on here to vote for you!!

3. If you are the couple with the most votes at the end you will receive a FREE 16×20 ($100 value)  print of your choice!!

4. All votes MUST be submitted no later than January 12th 2010 at 8:00 p.m. The winner will be announced at 9:00 p.m. January 12th.

GO ON!! Post the link to your Facebook and Myspace. Get as many friends and family voting for you as you can!!

Much to the LOOOVE! -Rachel

This is Stacy and Trent. Wedding photos click here. They were married on September 12th 2009 at the Simon Kenton Inn!

Meet Jill and Mike!! Wedding photos click here They were married September 26th 2009 at the First Community Church in Grandview, Ohio!

The lovely Sarah and Andy! They were married on December 5th 2009 at the St. Leo Catholic Church and Reception held at Confluence Park!

Hey there Sarah and Brian! They were married on August 29th 2009 at Our Lady Victory!!

Adam and Jenny were married on September 7th 2009 at Dawes Arboretum

Marci and Chris are to be married in 2010!

Hello Donna and Pete!! For wedding photos click here. This duo was married on July 18th 2009 at the St. Mary Macedonian Orthodox

Becky and Jason!! They were married in Jamaica…..I was left here. In Ohio.

Melissa and Brandon! Wedding photos click here. Married on October 23rd 2009 at St. Brendans Catholic Church and reception at the Makoy Center!

Doug and Whitney! They are getting married in 2010 and I cant WAIT to call Whit my sis in law!!

Maggie and Terry! Wedding photos click here. These two were married on August 1st 2009 atNorthgate Community Church in Sunbury Ohio!

Rachel and Stephan are to be married in 2010 at theColumbus Athenaeum and reception held at Northbank Park Pavilion

Annie and Jeff are getting married in 2010 at the Ohio State House with the reception following.

Jenny and Kyle!! Wedding photos click here.  Married in December of 2009 at Autumn Lakes.

Ashley and Brad are getting married in 2010 at Our Lady Victory!

Erin and Jesse are one of my 2010 couples!

Karin and Mark are also a 2010 Bride and Groom!

Becky and Cliff are to be married in June of 2010!

Tara and Mike are our very first 2010 wedding of the year!

Courtney and Keith are another spectacular 2010 Bride and Groom!

Sharon and Curt were married in 2009 in Centerburg, Ohio with a GREAT country theme!!

Nicole and Brian are a 2010 Bride and Groom!

Brittney and Nick are our 2nd 2010 Bride and Groom of the year!

So get everyone you know to leave a comment below with the name of the Bride and Groom you’re voting for!!

Jenny and Kyle opted to do a first look! Something I wish every bride and groom would do! Their ceremony was held at 6:30pm and it was going to be to dark to shoot. So we hit up Nationwide Arena and had a BLAST! Here are some samples of their wedding portraits!  

Church: Saint Leos Roman Catholic Church Columbus, Ohio

Reception: Confluence Park Columbus, Ohio

DJ: Marino Brothers

Rolling hill in Gantz Park :

Orange Fall accents in the Tux :

Hair lighting with off camera flash :

I love the depth of field in this photo :

My favorite is Vintage black and white pictures :

This reminds me of Cinderella :

ISO 300, 50mm f/1.4

Little blur action going on!! I TOTALLY meant to do this

I LOVE this! First look at the groom coming down the aisle. Look at Dad! He’s stunned.