Where to Start When Planning Your Wedding

Being newly engaged is exciting, fun, but also a bit overwhelming. If you’ve never planned a Wedding before, you’re probably wondering, where should I START? While most Couples have a general idea of what they’d like to do for their big day, figuring out how to make that dream a reality can be difficult. Here are some tips to help you start your planning off in the right direction:

Photo Cred: The DeLauras Photography

Step 1: Start Off Slow

In the excitement & thrill of being engaged, oftentimes Couples will jump the gun (so to speak) and dive in all at once. For example, this could be creating & asking the Wedding Party, jumping into venue tours and spending hours combing through Pinterest, pinning every photo. 

Let me tell you, THIS is where stress & overwhelm will eventually set in. By slowing the process a little, you’re able to weigh many options to ensure you’re making the best decisions for the two of you. 

PS! I never recommend asking your Wedding Party until you officially have booked your venue, have your date set and budget in place. Remember, a larger Wedding Party means more money for both you and those you are asking; so be thoughtful in the responsibilities you are asking of them. 

Photo Cred: Judy & Gavin

Step 2: Hire a Wedding Planner

So, I’m biased on this, but THIS is where us Wedding Planners shine. First of all, it’s never too late to hire a Wedding Planner… Well maybe the morning of might be a little too late, but by hiring an experienced Wedding Planner early, they will do the following:

1. Help you narrow down your wants vs. your needs

2. Find the perfect venue

3. Create a budget and Help you save money & stretch your budget as you book potential vendors

4. Guide you through the overall process to ensure your wedding day is not only smooth, but personalized to the two of you. 

Photo Cred: Lisa Lorene

Step 3: Put it On Paper

It’s always fun to plan your dream wedding, until you start to see the costs add up. The fact is, you have a budget and that budget needs to be realistic. Putting it on paper means-

1. What you can realistically afford

2. What style/aesthetic of the Wedding you’d like to have

3. How many guests you will be expecting

This will help you really narrow down the types of venues and vendors you’ll be able to hire. 

Photo Cred: Green Chameleon

Step 4: Venue Search

You can find the Top 10 Tips for Finding Your Ideal Venue in an earlier Blog post! This is a great resource for when you’re ready to start searching!

Photo Cred: Lisa Lorene

Step 5: Hire Your Main Vendors

Especially right now, it’s a busy time for the Wedding Industry. Hiring your major Wedding Vendors early will be key. While there is no real order you MUST hire your vendors in, by prioritizing your Main Vendors first, you’re ensuring you will be able to find the perfect fit.

I recommend hiring in this order:

1. Wedding Planner

2. Venue

3. Catering (if not included with the venue)

4. Photographer

5. DJ or Band

6. Invitations/Stationary (Save the Dates into Invitations)

7. Major Rentals (if not included with the venue)

8. Florals

9. Videographer (this might be earlier in the process if it’s a must-have for you!)

10. Cake and Desserts

11. Fun added bonuses such as Photobooth, Favors, Attire, etc. 

Remember! If you are Wedding Dress Shopping this should start 10 months prior and should be purchased no later than 6 months prior for alterations and ordering. 

Photo Cred: Charisse Kenion

Vendor Comparison Tip:

I always recommend speaking with 3 vendors at a time and having them write up a proposal for comparison. See how you feel about their costs, overall personality and experience level. Once you’ve chosen a vendor to hire, remember to be kind to those you have decided not to go with and send them a Thank You decline letter. Ghosting or not responding often happens in the industry and a simple “thank you but we’ve gone a different route”, is always appreciated!

And there you have it!

5 simple steps to get your wedding planning started. From being in this industry for 20 years, I know that starting the wedding planning process isn’t always easy, but I think these will absolutely get you started. And I am always available to reach out to via email: jamison@jamisonevents.com 

Have a Wonderful Day,

Jamison

TOP Reasons WHY Your Wedding DJ is Important!

Have you ever wondered…is your wedding DJ really that important? I truly feel that your DJ (or band) is one of the most important aspects to your Wedding Day and can often be overlooked due to budget restraints. It’s VERY important to hire someone who is professional, but reputable. 

Image By: Zane Persaud

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, I get to work with plenty of really great wedding DJs of all different styles. Each DJ creates a unique experience, so it is important that you find the one who’s right for you!

Remember the Adam Sandler movie called the Wedding Singer?

Laugh all you want now, but “Singing” Wedding DJs were a POPULAR hire when I helped out within my Parents’ Bridal Show Company back in the day. A mix of band and DJ with a well sung MC/Emcee. It makes me giggle now because I know in the future, as most things do, it will be on trend again!! 

AND NOW, you’ve arrived, at The TOP Reasons Why Your DJ is Important (from the eyes of a Wedding Planner):

Number One: Hiring a professional is key!

• First, a professional ensures that the night stays on time. You need to make sure your DJ can stick to a timeline, but also make adjustments when & if small situations arise! 

• Secondly, having a professional DJ makes sure every needed announcement is relayed and names are read & pronounced properly. They will remind guests to put out their seating card with their meal choice for catering, announce everyone in your Wedding Parties names, properly announcing the wedding party for the Grand Entrance, etc.

• Thirdly, a professional DJ will ensure the proper music is played at the right time. Can you imagine having the wrong First Dance song play...yikes!

• Fourth, a professional DJ will have high quality music & sound. They should ensure you don’t hear that painful scratch from the speaker or any crackles. 

• Fifth, they will account for making sure there is enough electrical power at the venue and set this system up themselves. DJ’s who KNOW their stuff, ensure they have the proper amount of power & understand the venue prior to your Big Day.

• Lastly, they will make sure the VIBE is met and the night stays FUN! A professional will know when to play a dance song and when to slow the night down, all while making sure everyone is having a great time. No awkward lulls please! 

When all else fails, this is the whole goal: that the wedding night is enjoyable for everyone!

Number Two: There’s a difference between a DJ, an MC/Emcee and a Wedding DJ.

What is a DJ?:

When I think of a DJ, I think of someone who scratches records and is music oriented. Unless you want your Wedding to have a “Club Vibe” from beginning to end…you need someone who knows the difference between playing “Shots Shots Shots” and Frank Sinatra. A really good DJ will be able to transition the songs with no gap in the music, to keep the party going! 

What is an MC/Emcee?: 

The MC is important because this is the person’s voice you’re listening to all night long. Often a DJ will either be both the DJ and MC or it will be a team. You want your MC/Emcee to be fun without being corny and on top of the night. 

What is a Wedding DJ?: 

A professional who typically MC’s the night too. Often there will be a team, one who runs the music and one who is on the mic. A Wedding DJ will ensure the night runs smoothly and they also know the right music to play at the important moments.

**Side Story: I’ve worked with Wedding DJs who have been so overly into having guests on the dance floor, they’ve forgotten about the cake cutting. Or the opposite⎼had a great dance set going, and then lost everyone to a bad song transition.**

Image By: Zac Bromell

DJ HORROR Stories (Yikes!)

- One time, I worked a Wedding with a DJ who was so afraid to be on the mic, I ended up emceeing the night. (NOT my favorite thing to do, but important to keep the night going)

- Another time, I worked a Wedding where the DJ showed up with a hat on & flip flops, with NO change of clothes…

- Can’t forget about the DJ who I had to ask to stop drinking at the Bar and play the Grand Entrance song. 

- And lastly, I’ve worked a Wedding with a DJ who had the BIGGEST setup that the system kept blowing the power all. night. long.

Image By: Ruan Richard

Number Three: Questions YOU (or your wedding planner) needs to be asking before hiring your DJ.

1. How are their reviews?

2. Ask for a video to see how they perform.

3. Are they recommended by your fellow vendors?

4. Do they offer wireless mics for the Ceremony? How many?

5. How many sets of speakers do they offer?

6. Consider if they will work well with your other vendors.

7. Does your venue have a noise requirement? Can the DJ adhere to the rules?

8. Does your DJ understand your vibe? Do you like THIER personality too?

9. Are they reasonably priced for your budget? (not too low, not too high)

10. Have they worked at your venue before?

11. Are they professional, from email responses to attire? Consider that they fit YOUR needs, not the other way around.

Important Last Notes! 

**Make sure you give a list of your favorite songs AND your dislike songs prior to your Wedding day. Ex. Do you love Disney music and hate EDC? Your DJ needs to know that!**

Grab Your DJ Questions Checklist!

And we would LOVE if you asked us for our DJ recommendations! 

Have a wonderful day everyone,

Jamison

Courtney & Chas’ Lake Tahoe Wedding in the Mountains

How do you find a beautiful destination venue? Well, if you’re looking for an outdoor space with trees and a VIEW, like Courtney and Chas were, look no further!

The Resort at Squaw Creek is a luxury venue in Lake Tahoe, California. A resort that offers an idyllic mountain setting with tall pine trees and lush meadows. This venue became the perfect place for Courtney and Chas’s wedding!

We met Courtney and Chas because the bride happened to be a sister of one of my long time friends in Fresno, where I was born. Although we had one postponement of their wedding due to the pandemic, when we rescheduled the wedding, we wanted them to have an entire weekend of fun! Courtney and Chas’s main focus of the weekend was to celebrate with their closest friends and family, and to dance the night away.

The wedding ceremony was on the Golf Greens which had a sweeping view of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Even though it snowed the week prior and SNOW was still on the mountains, the weather could not have been more perfect! We then proceeded to a cozy cocktail hour with fireplaces outside.

After cocktail hour, we moved to the tented Reception space. We originally tented the Reception for the aesthetic, but we were so glad we did because it started to rain. I was told by locals brief showers like that are common, and within ten minutes, a quick storm moved in with thunder and lightning, then left. Luckily everyone was already in the tent by the time that happened. 

One of my favorite and proudest parts of the reception was the head table, where the Couples’ friend had made a backdrop wall to display their beautiful florals and a neon “The Rowlands'' sign. And the entire reception was filled with a fun night of music and dance, just like the couple envisioned! 

I want to say how wonderful the vendors were, because everyone worked really hard to make it an amazing weekend! And to my best friend, Lisa, who also assisted me and took behind the scenes photos, I appreciate and love you dearly. We added a little time in our drive home to stop and capture some fun photos, and see my parents who were nearby too!

Vendors: 

• Venue: @resortatsquawcreek

• Photography: @jessicalynn_photo

• Planning: @jamisonevents

• Florals & Decor: @love_and_lupines

• DJ: @modernsymphonydj

• Videography: @rebi.films

• Makeup: @makeup.by.dara

• Hair: @gianna.hoov

Wedding With a Puppy?! Becca & Nick’s Los Robles Greens Wedding

How do you make a dream wedding happen when you have to find a whole NEW venue? Well, when you are connected with amazing vendors like Los Robles Greens, anything can happen! 

Los Robles Greens is a golf course with a stunning wedding venue in Thousand Oaks that offers an unequaled locale for extraordinary weddings and creates one-of-a-kind weddings. Not only did they step up to host Becca & Nick’s wedding, but they offer many amenities, services and recommendations that I am a fan of.

Although the pandemic caused them to have to find a new venue, I have to say Becca was one of the most organized brides I’ve ever worked with! She was so on top of her tasks during the process, and it’s not everyday you meet a bride who has a wedding planner mindset.

This is also the second wedding in a month that the photographer, Kate Van Amringe, and I have done together and she was amazing to work with again! All of the photos you see here are due to her beautiful talent.

During some beautiful first look pictures, we helped bring out Becca & Nick’s GOLDENDOODLE to the photoshoot! This cute little puppy’s name is Stanley!

The couple had a beautiful ceremony in The Gardens outdoor ceremony of Los Robles. There was a beautiful backdrop of vines at the altar, but those weren’t the only plants in this wedding…Yamaguchi’s Florals created the most incredible pieces for the couple! They even custom built Becca & Nick’s cake stand to match all of the floral designs in the wedding.

As the ceremony was ending, Becca had a surprise for her Groom! A bagpiper came into the end of the ceremony playing a beautiful tune and led the couple to their Grand Entrance. The rest of the reception was filled with dancing and one last surprise that Becca & Nick had for their guests....an In-n-Out Truck!

It felt amazing to be back working with the Los Robles Greens team, they always do a great job. And a huge thank you to all of the vendors for being on top of their game and working together to give Becca & Nick the greatest day.

Vendors:

• Photography: @katevanamringephoto

• Planning: @jamisonevents

• Venue: @eventslrg

• Floras: @yamaguchisn

• Video: @mr.lokiproductions

• Entertainment: @thetotalpkg

• Hair & Makeup: @cheektocheekartistry

• Cake: @sweetartbakeshop

• Photo Booth: @voxdjs

• Lighting: #wendeesoccasions

The California Wildfire that Nearly Crashed Ashely & Nick’s Rustic Wedding

 After planning Ashley & Nick’s dream wedding for over 2 years, due to the pandemic and postponements, we never expected a wildfire to show up the day of the wedding!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, I need to start at the beginning of this crazy story... 

I met the bride and groom through a childhood friend of mine who works with the bride, Ashley, at Cedar Sinai. Although we’ve been planning their wedding for gosh, over 2 years, we were finally able to celebrate their special day. The bride and groom were truly the most kind, and patient human beings to work with. Through every step, they kept saying to me, “we just want to have the best day together, with our closest friends and family.” 

Ashley & Nick’s wedding was held at The 1909, a hidden gem built into the Topanga mountains that you’d never know was there right off the main street. The aesthetic of their wedding was Rustic Boho with traditional aspects, which I thought fit the venue perfectly.

Their wedding had the most beautiful details and decor, even personalized vases from the Groom’s aunt, who was a potter! She made these gorgeous centerpiece vases for guests to take home with Ashely & Nick’s names engraved in them.

From the start of the ceremony, I had seen wildfire smoke in the distance, which is all too common for California. Summer is unfortunately the SEASON of wildfires for California. This wildfire turned out to be a pretty large fire…

Remaining as calm as possible, we continued to carry on with the wedding and make sure Ashley and Nick enjoyed themselves, but that everyone was safe too. During dinner, the DC-10 and helicopters were working hard to keep the fire away. Right out front of the venue was a Command Center for the LACo Sheriff's department who I became good friends with to ensure they knew we were having a wedding and to inform us of any issues.

More towards the end of the night, as a surprise for the couple, a bridesmaid ordered 40 pizzas to be delivered as a late night snack. But, due to the main road being shut down, the pizza man COULDN’T DELIVER THE PIZZA! So, I (with the Bridesmaid) went out and convinced the Sheriff’s Department to offer the pizza guy an escort, up the shut down road, to deliver the pizzas. I swear I’ve never heard a bigger cheer from the guests when the pizzas FINALLY arrived.

Knowing that we might have to get evacuated soon, I pushed the important traditions up to ensure they got all of their photos and memories in, with time to dance. Then 1 hour before the end of the event, we were informed that we needed to evacuate. Everyone, including the Couple were extremely understanding. 

Amazingly, we all had a great time and were safely evacuated. Even driving home, I had the Wedding Party & the Couple calling to tell me it was an amazing day! 

And and huge thank you to all of the Vendors for Ashley & Nick’s wedding celebration!

• Venue: The 1909

• Planner: Jamison Events

• Production Assistant: To Be Loved Events

• Photographer: Kate Van Amringe

• DJ: CheckOne2 Enterprises

• Hair and Makeup: Blushing Beauty

• Florist: Petite Bouquet

• Cake: Christina Cakes It

• Bartending: Steel Hammer Bar

Top 10 Things to Consider BEFORE booking your Wedding Venue

(Photo by: Lisa Lorene)

What are the two most challenging decisions you’ll make in your wedding planning process? Your Venue and Wedding Dress. And did you know that there are over 701 Venues in Ventura County alone? That number gets much higher the farther you spread your venue search.

That being said, choosing your venue can be overwhelming with the amount of choices…

Often the experience is more of a love at first sight phenomenon… You walk the venue, fall in love and MAKE it work for your budget, needs and date.

My recommendation is to slow down the process. These will help you narrow down your venue: 

• Narrow down the search online to your top 10 venues you might be interested in.

• Contact each venue and ask for availability and their packages.

• Sit down and create a realistic budget. Your Wedding Planner will help you do this! 

• Plan your guest list. How many guests will you be expecting? On average, 80% of your guest list will attend. So, make sure you are considering this when looking into venue seating. 

• Go visit 3 of those venues in a 1-3 week time frame (take notes on what you love and dont love about each).

• Ask for a full proposal of all of the fees that might be included. Catering, Rentals, Bar, Fees, etc. 

• Repeat the second and third step until you’ve seen all 10. 

• Compare your proposals and notes.

• Make a decision. Have your wedding planner look over the contract.
  

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the overwhelming amount of choices, I recommend that all of my couples ask themselves how practical their venue is.

Here are the “Top 10 things to consider BEFORE booking your Wedding Venue”:

1. Where is the Location? As they say in Real Estate “Location, Location, Location.” Couples are often attracted to venues that offer a unique vibe, but consider the venue from your guests’ perspective. Will they need to book a hotel? Will you need to book transportation? These small considerations will ensure a more comfortable and less stressful experience for your guests. 

2. How has the Inquiry Process been? I’m going to put this frankly, if the booking manager has been slow to respond, rude, or off putting...you’ll have that experience the ENTIRE time. On the other hand, if the booking manager has been kind, responsive and helpful, there’s a good chance that most everyone that works there has the same mentality. Don’t settle for a lack of customer service, because you love the venue aesthetic! 

3. What is your Budget? Will the venue keep you on budget? Often couples opt for a venue where they can bring in their own Catering, Bar, etc. However, I recommend you talk to your planner prior to making this choice. Bringing in all of your own vendors may lead to a higher budget. So truly, run the numbers to ensure the venue will stick to your budget. 

4. Are there Hidden Fees? Things like insurance, taxes, service fees, gratuities can add up. Ensure that you truly understand every fee and that it is within your budget. **Important note- MOST service fees are not considered gratuities and are taxed.** Again, make sure you totally understand the amount you will be charged. 

5. Is Transportation Required? Another big factor in choosing your venue is the parking & transportation needs. Do you need to rent a bus to get guests to the venue? Is their valet or available parking? Is parking on a busy road? 

6. Is it an Accessible Venue?  If you plan to invite an older grandparent or have a family member who is in a wheelchair, then you need to make sure your venue is wheelchair or easily accessible for those who have a hard time walking. Are their stairs, a steep incline or gravel? Make sure you consider all of the accessibility aspects prior to booking. 

7. Time of the Wedding. Does the venue require a certain in and out time? Does music have to be off at a certain time? We typically ask for about 3 hour setup time prior to the invitation time and 1-2 hours of clean-up after the event has ended. 

8. How is the Weather? What happens if it rains and your event is fully outside? Can the space be tented and what is the average cost of a tent?

9. Does the Venue Fit Your Style? I often tell my couples not to settle for style, but I’ll also remind them not to go too far out of their comfort zone as well. For example- let’s say you LOVE a modern vibe but you chose a venue that is Rustic. Will you look back and love your pictures? Will you need to bring in rentals to make the space work for your aesthetic? Does the venue look well kept and in good condition? All this will ensure your style needs are met. 

10. Will there be Multiple Weddings going on that day? Years ago, I attended a wedding as a guest and at the end of the night we were jumping on our provided bus to head back to our hotel. It was only after we left that I realized I was on the wrong bus, for the wrong wedding. While it made for a funny story for my friends, make sure you consider how you’d feel if you weren't the only wedding going on at the same time, at the same venue. 

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All things considered, you are sure to choose the perfect venue!

Check out this free checklist & venue profile below to guide you through the venue choosing process.

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Top 8 Ventura County Wedding Venues

Ventura County has been my home since I was 2 years old, so it holds a special place, in my heart. With so much to offer, from beautiful majestic mountains to it’s incredible beaches, not to mention the idealic weather. Ventura County has become one of the most sot after places to say “I Do” in Southern Califronia. It’s not just a wedding spot for locals, I’m often planning for Couples outside of the State and Country. Nestled between Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County, Ventura County offers a wide range of experienced vendors, without a top dollar price tag too!

Now, I’ll say this… Choosing my favorite Top 8 Wedding Venues within Ventura County, is not an easy task. There are many to choose from. So, if the below does not resonate, let me know! I have many more options to check out. In choosing our favs, we considered, the overal aesthetic, reasonable cost in regards to service options and food and beverage options! It’s also super important that from the start in working with your venue, you have the best experience and each of these venues will offer just that. From their sales team to their event team, everyone will treat you like your wedding is personal, important and unique! These are the venues we get most excited to work with and there are no cookie cutter weddings here!

Need a custom list of venues to fit your dream wedding? Email me- Jamison@JamisonEvents.com

Photo Credit: Jennifer Jasso Photography

Photo Credit: Lucas Rossi Photography

Julie & Mike's Fairytale Westlake Village Inn Wedding

A couple years ago I met who is now one of my best work friends, Samantha of To Be Loved Events. We now often work in conjunction or assist for each other when the time allows. It offers us both needed help from someone we know well and is experienced and insures every event we manage is smooth, The same was for Julie and Mike’s Wedding in November 2020. I had the honor to take the lead in planning for their amazing day and it was perfect.

While we were still in the midst of the pandemic, the Westlake Village Inn made their wedding easy and flawless. Every vendor worked exceptionally hard and as you can see by their photos, it was beautiful too! With socially distanced seating but still a little dancing during the reception, the day could not have been better!

Jackie & Juan's Huntington Beach Wedding

Like all of our weddings in 2020, the situation with COVID caused several stumbling blocks to Jackie and Juan’s big day. BUT also like all of our weddings, the outcome was so amazing and worth it.

Only a few weeks from their wedding Jackie and Juan had to find an alternative location for their big day. Moving from a venue in Los Angeles County to Huntington Beach, the restrictions were less rigid in Orange County. The Waterfront Hotel in Huntington Beach proved to be an amazing space to host their wedding. Right on the beach, the sunset view during their Ceremony was incredible. Jackie and Juan are truly good people, with amazing full hearts. It felt so good to get them married and fufill their dream wedding!!

Each of their vendors ensured and incredible experience for the couple and their guests. All outdoors and properly socially distanced, the day could not have offered better weather and the served buffet dinner was truly yummy. I’m so thrilled with these beautiful light and airy photos!

Involved Vendors

Venue-https://www.waterfrontresort.com/

Photography- Claudia Hurtarte https://claudiahurtarte.com/

https://www.xoandfetti.com/

Planning- Jamison Events

(joint planning with To Be Loved Events) - https://www.tobelovedevents.com/

DJ- DJ Reflection

Flowers- https://www.instagram.com/yessi_events/

J and B's 2020 Intimate Wedding

After moving their original wedding date due to the pandemic, Blair and Jon decided to stick with their 2020 date and say their vows with their immediate family present. It was an incredible day and we were so lucky to have a close friend with a beautiful and lush backyard space. Blair’s Hayley Paige Wedding Gown is one of my favorites, so I was SO excited to see it in person and it looked like it was made just for her! Plus, the Ceremony was extra special with the Bride’s Dad performing the special Jewish Wedding Ceremony.

While we are all excited about their upcoming celebration in 2021, I’m so proud their intimate day was perfect for just them!!

Participating Vendors:

Photography- https://www.instagram.com/stillgettingthere_/

Planning- Jamison Events

Flowers- https://lanativeflorals.com/

Wedding Dress- https://www.jlmcouture.com/Hayley-Paige

Makeup- http://www.theheartofmakeup.com/

Rentals- https://trioeventrentals.com/

Bento Boxes- https://www.katsuyarestaurant.com/

Plates- https://www.sophistiplate.com/