We are the “Double U”tm in Weddings
CAN YOU WORK WITHIN OUR BUDGET?
Most couples have an idea of their budget, based on what funds they have available. Many times the funds that the clients have don’t cover the cost everything they want. But that is O.K. We start the planning process by looking at your budget and getting you as much as we can. We offer you a few insider ideas how to get the best price from each vendor. Sometimes we may have to get creative with your design.
HOW MANY MEETINGS WILL WE HAVE, AND HOW WILL WE BE INVOLVED?
Check your package to see how much planning is offered in your selected package. (The Day Of, offers no planning. So we will only meet once for 2 hours to confirm your Itinerary). As for other packages, you could choose to have 10- one hour meetings, or five two hour meetings. You can arrange your meetings however you’d like. You can even arrange them on-line… Because a lot of our clients are on the other side of the state, or even are out of state, we can “meet” on Zoom and have short or long meetings. Just let us know how we can help you.
HOW DOES THE VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS WORK?
We will send over a list of vendor suggestions to you that fit your specific needs and style. We don’t have a “preferred vendor list.” You will receive suggestions in each vendor category, when possible. We encourage you to take some time to visit their website, view their social media and to set up interviews to get to know them (optional). The final decision of who you want to work with at your wedding is always your choice. You are welcome to suggest and choose vendors outside of our suggestions – We’re always willing to work with new businesses! Later, when you have selected your team of vendors, we’ll get involved again, and request contracts on your behalf. You are responsible for signing the contracts and paying your vendors. (Having us ask for contracts ensures vendors to know we are on board (and that makes future communications a lot easier.) Yes, in many cases you are signing contracts with vendors without meeting them first. Later on we will set up a familiarization trip, and that is when you can confirm which products you want, once you see everything yourself. PLEAE NOTE: we never receive kick backs from vendors. Our suggestions are professional vendors, who have a great record of providing professional wedding service.
HOW DOES THE PLANNING PROCESS WORK?
In a nutshell: We take your dreams, ideas, hopes and wants and we turn them into reality
Outside the nutshell (longer explanation). Through our first meeting (in person or virtually) and the additional follow up consultations, We get a feel for your budget, goals, and your story. From there we create a design plan customized for you. We might need to work through all the little details and decisions to make your event just like you envisioned. By the time the wedding date rolls around, we know just what you want and what your vision is, so we can set it up and manage everything just the way you asked.
The wedding week is your time to relax, hang out with friends and family and just enjoy life! All you will need to do is show up for the rehearsal and your ceremony and leave the magic of putting it all together to us. We hope your vision, which is now a reality, takes your breath away!
WHEN DO WE START PLANNING?
Our services start on the day you sign your contract and pay the retainer. You’ll receive a wedding planning workbook. You will also be given the link to our on-line Planning Form and Time line of Events so you can start filling out the information. The planning book was customized by us. From there we have our initial consultation where we will start getting the details and start mapping out your wedding day.
We will set up a timeline that helps us work together in setting goal dates for your major decisions. From there, since every wedding is different, we will move at a pace that is personally acceptable to you. We hope to relieve as much stress form you as we can.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Asta Wedding Planning travels! We can go where we are needed. I graduated from college in Blacksburg, Virginia. I was raised as a city girl, in Northern Virginia, but I love the country life in southwestern Virginia. I was raised with immigrants from Germany and Poland, because of this I am sensitive to cultural differences. I also have an “ear” to understand speakers from other countries as they speak English as their second language. I speak a little conversational German.
I have about 80% of my clients coming here from another state for a destination wedding in my area. If you want a destination wedding; whether that’s coming to me, or me going to you, I am happy to work with you!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HIRE YOU?
As you probably know the cost to hire a wedding planner is actually an investment into your day. Our packages for directing are between $795 – $1,895. You choose which package best suits your needs. We have decided to use flat rate prices at this time and do not charge you a percentage of your budget. We do require a non-refundable retainer at the time of the contract signing to confirm your booking and for us to save the date for you. We require to be pre-paid for all planning services prior to the date of the wedding and/or event.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU? WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER PLANNERS?
What sets us apart from all the other wedding planners in the area is that we see things with a totally DIFFERENT view than any other wedding planner. Because we have been the videographer, we plan with the photographer and videographer in mind. AND… I do not have a “day job” This IS my day job. So you are calling me at work. You can reach me during business hours. I also can get back with you in a timely manner and since Asta Wedding Planning only works with a limited number of brides each year, you are always a priority to us.
DO YOU CARRY PERSONAL LIABILITY + PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE?
Yes, we do carry a personal liability policy with a reputable company. If your venue needs us to send a certificate of insurance to them, we will gladly do so. We provide one each year to Virginia Tech, so that we are able to work anywhere on campus. And yes, we are fully insured, you’ll be required to get event insurance as well. It will be the smartest $250 you’ll spend (don’t worry, it will be in your budget), and it covers additional items such as a cancellation or postponement of your wedding day, damages due to unforeseen circumstances like the weather, (it snows on March 29th!) and vendor or guest mishaps, — even the cake falling over!
HOW MANY PEOPLE ON YOUR STAFF WILL BE AT THE WEDDING?
With the currant state of the world with the Co-Vid-19 pandemic we have to be careful with meeting so many people. We offer one Professional Wedding Manager at your wedding and some packages include an assistant for the manager. We find with all the pre-planning we do, the careful discussion of what is expected of us, often most weddings are handled by one person. Please see your package description to see if an assistant is included in your package.
In the above wedding. we provided the DJ services and we also, directed this wedding. She did all of the planning and organizing and we followed her instructions to make this day, theirs!