I’m so beyond excited to share with Atlanta and beyond my new friend Erica Prewett! She owns A Big To Do Event Planning.

I was privileged to meet her a few months back at a local networking event held at The Sun Dial. I was so thrilled when I asked her if she’d like to be one of my preferred vendors for my blog and if so, that I’d love to do a little photo shoot w/ her to get her some new headshots. Well she took me up on that and we had a blast last week in Old Acworth downtown, we first just used the beautiful storefronts, then went down to the Acworth Beach for portraits there. I totally had a blast with her, I told her and Sarah to give me some strutting and sass and they did just that! I think they Rocked the session! They both look beautiful and natural! Thanks girls for being such great clients! 🙂

She brought along a fabulous hair dresser and makeup artist, as well as her intern Sarah.

I did an interview with Erica to sort of get in the head of a planner, I have never had a planner at any of my weddings, isn’t that crazy! Its no wonder so many have had such little gliches like lateness, things not arriving etc. They turned out fine, but it made for a stressful day! I would totally have a planner for an event so important as this. Knowing how I can stress, thats the last day I want to be stressed! It ruins my days and I’m sure it can ruin brides too! Without further delay:

Please tell us a little about you and how you got started into the Wedding and Event Planning industry?

— When I was in college in Mississippi, I volunteered with the AmeriCorps program (similar to PeaceCorps but instead of traveling internationally to do volunteer work, you do your work locally).  My role within the AmeriCorps program was to create and facilitate events for volunteers. Some of these events included “Build A Habitat House Day,” but most of them included volunteer appreciation events and volunteer training summits.  I planned over 100 of these type events in two years while I was an honors student in junior college.  When I moved on to Mississippi State University, I transitioned into social events that included wedding showers, game day events for the president of the university, and birthday events.  When I moved to Atlanta, I took about a year break from events as I acclimated to the area. I opened A Big To Do Event in 2005 and have been helping stressed out couples enjoy their wedding weekend ever since.

What exactly does a Wedding Planner do for a Bride and Groom?

–A wedding planner is the T-crosser and the I-dotter.  I make certain there are no gaps in expectation and execution.  This goes for the guests’ expectation (being able to see the bride and groom in a timely manner after the ceremony because I’ve build a strong timeline that is easy for all of the vendors to follow) as well as the couple’s expectations (not knowing that the piano player has forgotten that John and Sue’s wedding is this weekend because I call all of the vendors the morning of the wedding to make sure there are no surprises.)

It’s my job to make sure all of the memories of the wedding are remembered in the best light.  That includes making sure the cake knife and server are on the cake table and ready for the cake cutting, making sure Dad is not in the bathroom when the band announces he’s up next for the toast, and making sure the limo is out front and the getaway bags are already in the trunk when the last song is played.

Tell us why it’s important to hire a Planner for a wedding?

–The bride is the event’s barometer.  When the bride is stressed out, the guests feel it and react accordingly.  When the bride is calm, friendly, and happy, the guests have a much better time.  When there is no wedding planner, the photographer or dj does not have time to make sure the overnight bags are in the trunk of the limo because he/she is taking pictures of the last dance.

What inspires you for your creative planning?

–You’ll often find me browsing around Hobby Lobby or local boutiques brainstorming how to use a daily commodity in a different way.

{I especially love the next question}

What is the best way that Photographers can work together with  Planners for the best interest of the Bride and Groom, in regards to  time set aside for photographs, and to make everyone’s day go smoothly?

–It amazes me that there are some photographers who neglect to put their wedding day start time on their contract, even if it’s a prescribed number of hours prior to the ceremony start time.  This is one of the areas I often bridge the gap of expectation and execution.  Often the bride is anticipating the photographer will be at the salon capturing the hair and makeup, but the photographer only allows six or seven hours for the wedding day.

–It would also be beneficial for everyone (photographer, planner and most importantly the bride and groom) for the photographer to insist on at least one additional photographer on site for the majority of the evening.  This will allow the lead photographer to capture the bride getting ready and the assistant can be shooting the groom getting ready at the same time.  The assistant will also then be available to take the oh-so-important detail shots of the reception.  These are the details that the bride and her mom spent hours on – it would be such a shame to let them be wasted by not capturing them in pictures.

–I also send the timeline to the photographer before I send it to any of the other vendors prior to the wedding day so he/she can verify there will be enough time to get all of the images he/she and the bride have discussed.

What is some of your favorite Venues in Atlanta? Do you have any coming up that you have never been to and are really looking forward to?

–One of my favorite venues in Atlanta is the couple’s or a family member’s home. I LOVE doing weddings in the family back yard.  This is such a special venue and the memory of the wedding will live in that space forever.  However, a venue that is specifically designed for events that I love is Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club in Douglasville.  They are a brand new facility and are getting their bearings so they’re very easy to work with and each bride has a unique opportunity to set the bar very high for her particular event location on the property.  One of our brides is getting married at the Stables at Foxhall at the end of October and I’m very excited about this!

What is one tip you can give a bride who’s planning her own wedding?

–I totally get wanting to plan your own wedding.  Totally.  However, no bride wants to get the call on her cell phone while she’s getting her hair done that the caterer is lost.  Get someone to run interference for you from these type of phone calls.

Can you walk us through a sample wedding schedule?

–Creating your own timeline is easy with these rules:

1. Formal pictures should start about 2 hours prior to the ceremony time.

2. An average Protestant wedding is 26 minutes from the start of the mother’s processional to the final recessional.

3. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for cocktail hour – even if the bride and groom are seeing each other prior to the ceremony.

4. Sylvia Weinstock recommends cutting the wedding cake right after the first dance.

5. Allow an hour for the meal unless it is more substantial than a buffet or two courses.

What sets you apart from other vendors in the area?

–One of the services that I offer that no other (to my knowledge) planner offers is that we take the tuxes back to the tuxedo rental place (Savvi/Mens Wearhouse/etc) and we take the bride’s dress to the cleaners so it’s ready for her to pick up after the honeymoon.  These services save the parents and maid of honor/best man a ton of time and headache.  I’m happy to do it.  Service. It’s what I do.

Thank you Erica for taking time out of your day to talk to us and share the reason you are a planner and the details involved.

Please enjoy the images of them and take a look at Erica’s Website before you go for all your event and planning needs.