You’d think an event planner would be the first to suggest throwing a bit more effort and money into making a wedding spectacular during those last few months of planning.
Not William Fogler, founder and creative director of WM Events (), based in Denver and Atlanta.
Over the past six years, since his business started, he’s handled about 20 weddings. Whether it’s a modest ceremony or a gala that costs $800,000, he encourages people to cling to common sense, especially during the nerve-wracking few months before the big day.
“Most people panic at the last minute,” Fogler says. “They decide it’s not enough. But at two or three months out, you stick to the plan. Don’t create situations that will stress everyone out.” He offers advice to brides, grooms and their families on what to do, and what not to do, as you’re heading toward the home stretch.
Q: You’re three months out from the big day. What should you have in order?
A: Pretty much everything, and that’s where many people go wrong. All the decision-making should be done. You should have invitations ready to go out eight weeks before the event, the band and the caterer should be booked, the guest list complete, the dresses and other wardrobe selected. You should really be down to sending invitations. So if you don’t know who will officiate, or your flowers aren’t ordered, get on that right away.
Q: Have you ever had a wedding where something went terribly wrong?
A: Well, everyone in my line of work has a story to tell, but it’s really my job to ensure that things do go well. I cover all my bases. But there are some things simply out of my hands. Weather, for instance. You can put an emergency plan in place, and that’s the best you can do. The closest to a weather tragedy I’ve had was a very elaborate mountain wedding. It was planned for outside in the Colorado mountains, and we had created a beautiful scene with a log arch structure as an altar and guests sitting on natural logs. The view was amazing. The sky turned black, and we knew we had to turn to Plan B, which wasn’t very good. But at the last minute, the smallest sliver of sunshine peeked out from the clouds, and it was back to Plan A. It was a spectacular wedding. But always have a Plan B.
Q: So what if Bridezilla decides to change locations or the mother of the bride wants to change the flower order because she hates daisies. How to keep the peace?
A: In the last moment, I recommend that everyone should choose her or his battles wisely. If the new plan is affordable and can be easily accomplished at the last minute, and it does have the potential to enhance the event, it’s worth doing. But if it will be difficult to pull off and the overall effect has no lasting impression, don’t do it. At the end of the day, flexibility is essential. Problems do happen. Assess how important something is to you. Is it going to ruin your day if you order lavender roses and the only ones available are lilac-colored?
Q: Is there one key factor to keep in mind as that wedding date looms ever closer?
A: Check, recheck, reconfirm. Communication is key in the two or three months leading up to the wedding. Do you have signed contracts with the vendors? Do you know when they’ll arrive and depart? Do you know what they’ll be wearing? Think about how many older guests you have. Have you accommodated them? Do they have comfortable seating?
Q: What’s the most common mistake people make at this stage of the game?
A: Again, it’s budget. It’s better to do fewer things really well than to do 100 things not so well. I’d rather have a salad and simple casserole at a dinner party and enjoy the company of my hosts than have an eight- course meal the hosts are sweating over, so I never see them. In the end, people really just want to share in the wonderful day. They don’t want to be overwhelmed.
