Proposing Dreams Wedding & Events

Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Pro Shopping

Shopping Around…           

Here are some dos and don’ts to consider while shopping for wedding professionals’ assistance. First note that I call us wedding professionals. We are just that- professionals who provide a product or service in a craft that we work very hard at on a daily basis. In turn, we really do appreciate the courtesy of proper “shopping around”.

                 We aren’t delusional; we realize that you are most likely shopping for the right pro, maybe the right price, or maybe the right style. However, we aren’t selling widgets you can purchase on any street corner; therefore, there are some rules to proper shopping.

 

DO – Contact a professional properly through e-mail or a phone call to schedule an appointment. Please be respectful of limited availability of evening and weekend appointments. Introduce yourself with your wedding date and any other details that pertain to that professional. Some details can affect the price or availability based on needs.

 

DON’T – Do not ever send a bid or contract from another professional and ask if they can match it, beat it or tell you what they would charge for the same thing. It takes a little longer but you will need to do the side work by yourself (unless you hire a planner who will do it for you). Not only is it disrespectful to their individual talents, but it is a much smaller community than you might think and we do talk to each other. We do not want to cause offense to anyone’s business.

 

DO – Have all your information together when meeting a pro and be respectful of their time for the appointment. Please be on time or call if you are going to be late. Always call as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule.

 

DON’T – Do not ever “no show” a professional. Booking another appointment with that vendor will be difficult if you “no call” or “no show”.

 

DO –Inform the professional of your budget or inquire about pricing ahead of time. There is no point in wasting your time or theirs if the price isn’t right. However, a phone call or e-mail that simply begins with “how much” is a turn off and shows us that you are just price shopping. We hope that you are also shopping for talent, experience and style.

 

DON’T – Do not take too many people with you when meeting with professionals. Too many opinions can waste a lot of time. Take 0, 1, or 2 people, at most, whose thoughts and questions will be helpful and important to you and your special day.

 

DO – Understand that negotiating means that both parties must be willing to give up something, however…

 

DON’T –do not be afraid to ask if your budget and needs can be met by that professional. Do not expect this to always happen.

 

DO – Come to a creative meeting such as decor, linens, floral, hair, makeup etc. with some sort of idea of what you do and do not like. Speak with that professional and share your interests and wants. Bringing photographs to the meeting is also a huge help and will give both you and the professional a concrete vision of what you’re wanting!

 

DON’T – Do not be afraid to say “I don’t like that” or “No, that’s not me”. We learn just as much from you when you tell us what you dislike as we do when you tell us what you do like.

 

DO – Be open to ideas you weren’t considering before.

 

DON’T – Do not be bullied into anything you do not want (but again, a good professional would not do that to a client).

 

DO – Follow-up with the professionals you have met with in a timely manner, no matter what you have decided.

 

DON’T – Do not ignore the professionals’ e-mails or calls for a follow-up answer. We all understand that you have your reasons for your decision and we appreciate your honesty and prompt reply.

 

Planning an event as special as your wedding day is a challenge. These tips will help to aid in successful communication with wedding professionals and a successful planning process! Happy shopping around!

 

Communication

With smartphones and social media dominating today’s methods of communication, what are the rules for contacting a wedding professional? 
 
Well, let’s start with what’s preferred (as always this is just my good ole professional, experienced, unsolicited opinion). Traditional e-mail is best. An address is most often publically listed on their website and can often be the best way to contact a business. Most of us use sorting features to help keep track of our e-mail; it’s what I call the paper trail of correspondence. A lot of event pros are often “out of the office”-whether for another job, working on site, caring for children at home, or just the nature of our weekend schedules. When clients are statistically most likely to e-mail us (Saturday and Monday) we are usually unavailable.

 E-mail can also be used in the future to clear up questions about what was asked or what information had been received. Now, e-mailing can still occasionally be a fickle process, so if you don’t hear back within 48 hours please feel free to send another reminder to follow-up! We all know that with smartphones if you e-mail us on a day out of the office that we are going to see it. However, I feel your e-mail deserves a concentrated response, not some shortcut reply from my phone. Therefore, most e-mails will be replied to once we are properly situated in the office.

 

Another method to contact a company is by phone. Please note that a lot of businesses these days (especially single operator) use their cell phones as their main line; Proposing Dreams does so as well. Be aware of their phone hours and when you will expect to get a call back. My phone hours are Tue-Fri from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. This means calls received Friday evening, Saturday morning (if not urgent) will not get returned until sometime on Tuesday. We have to set some rules or phone call overload will simply consume us!  When it’s your special day, you don’t want me distracted with calls from potential clients or future brides, right?

So now for the questionable communication methods  of texting, Facebooking, and instant or private messaging. What is acceptable and what will just come off as inappropriate? Now keep in mind that these are my opinions so other professionals may feel differently but here we go...I’m alright with texting short phrases during the day of an appointment such as “Are we still on for today?” ,“I’m running late be there in 5”, or “I’m here, where are you?”. Please just know that texts will be treated like e-mails if they are received during a wedding, meeting, or family time. Most pros will not respond during these times and you risk the chance of the message getting lost or forgotten. An e-mail stays more prominent and permanent.

 
Facebook should be used for tagging and throwing celebratory shout outs to both professionals you love and the clients we love. General, chit chat conversations are also appropriate for Facebook . It should never be used to schedule a meeting, discuss details, or ask for advice from a professional. You should never send a PM to a professional. All correspondence should be via e-mail or telephone.

Unfortunately, we are all guilty of wanting the instant gratification that smartphones are now providing. As wonderful as that sounds, imagine if your boss could call, text, or Facebook you 24 hours a day which allowed you zero separation from your work life and home life. Phew, too overwhelming! Communication is absolutely vital in planning any event, so let’s work together and make wedding planning as fun and stress-free as possible!

Krissi - Senior Coordinator

After Sabrina, Krissi has been with Proposing Dreams the longest at seven years now and although she's cut back to spend time with her growing family she is a treasured part of our team. She was about to have her second child when we took the new staff photos so you won't see her glowing face in the group photos but you can read all about her here:

I'm Krissi and I'm 26 years old. I started with Proposing Dreams in 2004 and have been a lead coordinator for 6 years . I have been a part of over 75 weddings. During the week, I work as the communications coordinator in the Office of Public Affairs at Webster University. I hold both a master's degree in marketing and a bachelor's degree in public relations. I have been happily married to my high school sweetheart since June 9, 2006. We have a beautiful baby girl named Alexis, who was born on July 17, 2008.

I am a creative thinker who enjoys helping customize a wedding to exactly fit the personalities of the bride and groom. I work 'from the heart' and am genuinely excited for each and every couple. I love to make planning a fun experience. I truly enjoy every wedding that I work on. It is always my pleasure to ensure that the bride and groom can enjoy their special day. It is not my desire to take the planning away from the Bride, Groom, or family, but rather to enhance it. This is accomplished by doing as little or as much as the couple wants, from complete involvement with the planning to simply overseeing the joyous occasion.

fun facts:
~I am obsessed with everything "celebrity gossip." I probably should be living in Hollywood.
~My absolute favorite TV show is Glee!
~I met and started "dating" my husband when we were 13 years old.
~The photography is my favorite part of weddings. Pictures can say it all.
~I love to travel. There is so much more of the world I want to see.

Stephanie - Junior Coordinator

 

My name is Stephanie, I am 24 years old and from Collinsville, IL. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Speech Communication with a specialization in Public Relations in May 2009 from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I currently work full time for Enterprise as a Management Trainee in Edwardsville, IL.

I began my career at Proposing Dreams as an Intern in August 2009 all because of a "right place, right time" kind of moment. I had just graduated college and was talking to a friend about my passion for event planning and how I would really like to get involved in St. Louis, but had no idea where to start looking. It just so happened that her (April Schaeffer) best friend owned a successful event planning company. Soon after our chat, I was fortunate enough to receive Sabrina's contact info from our mutual friend...and the rest is history! I was so lucky to have found such a great company to get involved with, and Sabrina is such an inspiration. I truly look forward to every meeting, event, and wedding that I get to be apart of.

Fun Facts:
-I am a Delta Zeta Sorority Alumni.
-I have danced my whole life and was a member & captain of Saluki Shakers Dance Team in college.
-I am a serious shopaholic....and I mean SERIOUS!
-In my spare time I Google wedding dresses for fun

Lisa - Senior Coordinator

 
 

Hello, My name is Lisa, and I am 25 years old. I started as an intern with Proposing Dreams in 2008 and by the fall I was hired on with this wonderful staff. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art from Eastern Illinois University, and a Bridal Consulting diploma from the Personal Career Development Institute.

Whenever I am not helping with weddings, I work full time at the Babies R Us store in Fairview Heights, Illinois; where I am the Human Resource Department Supervisor. With both of my jobs I get to do all the things that I love. I get to plan, coordinate, be creative, organize and most important help others. I really enjoy working weddings; actually it doesn’t even seem like work sometimes because I have too much fun. Being there on the most important day of two people’s lives is something that I cherish being a part of, and it is very important to me that I go above and beyond to help provide them with all the best on their special day!

Fun Facts:
~ I really love to travel, even though I don’t get to do it that much. 
~ I am a Chicago Bears fan!!!!
~ However, I am an even bigger St. Louis Cardinals fan!!!
~ At work or with friends I am always called, “mom”. Somebody has to take care of everything.
~ My idea of a perfect night is relaxing, watching a movie or some TV with friends/family.

Maureen - Senior Coordinator

 

Hi! My name is Maureen. I have been apart of the Proposing Dreams team since Spring of 2008 and have loved every moment of it! I am a graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in Business Adminstration with a concentration in Human Resources. I live in South City with my adorable Bichon-Poodle mix, Miles. During the week, I work at GMAC Insurance.

I am truly a coordinator at heart. I love to pay attention to every detail to ensure things are just perfect. I work well under pressure and love to think of creative solutions to pertinent problems. I have so much fun 'working' weddings I often joke it doesn't even seem like work! There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction seeing how happy and appreciative the bride and groom are at the end of the night after a fabulous day filled with love, family, and friends.

fun facts:
 ~I am obsessed with office supply shopping. I LOVE pens!
 ~I eat Cheez-Its for breakfast every morning.
 ~Father of the Bride is my all time favorite movie. I have probably watched it a million and one times!
~I have serious shoe addiction. I have approximately 125 pairs.
 ~I still use bunny ears and converter box to watch tv.  No cable in my house!

Michelle - Senior Coordinator

 

My name is Michelle and I am 28 years old. I live in south city with my husband. We got married on November 28th, 2008. I was very excited to be a bride and loved every minute of the planning process.We have three "babies" two Chihuahuas and one German shepherd. During the week I work as an executive administrative assistant, and on the weekends I have a job I a truly love, coordinating. I have a talent for listening to peoples needs and making them happen.

I first started in the wedding industry as a wedding photographer. I had so much fun that I wanted to broaden my horizons. That's how I became a wedding coordinator. Weddings are my guilty pleasure. I enjoy everything about the magic that happens on a bride and grooms wedding day. I have an appreciation for the love that brings family and friends together. I genuinely want every bride and groom to have the happiest day of their life. I will do everything I can to ensure that their day is everything they always imagined it would be.

 fun facts
~I have two Chihuahuas, and yes I dress them up.
 ~I have a slight problem with designer purses. I can't stop buying them.
~Photography is my favorite hobby, and shopping.
 ~I could eat chocolate for every meal and be a very happy girl.

 

Amanda S - Senior Coordinator

 

Hello, I'm Amanda S! I joined the Proposing Dreams in March 2008. After a couple of years of assisting, I earned my place as a professional event coordinator. Sabrina and the Proposing Dreams staff helped coordinate my wedding, and I can honestly say that working with these ladies is an amazing experience, both as a bride and as a fellow coordinator. I live in O'Fallon, MO with my husband, and adorable Shih Tzu, Roxy. I also work full time as a billing specialist for a local moving company, but my true passion lies in the world of weddings.

 I think it's a privilege and an honor to work with brides on one of the most important, but stressful, days of their lives. I love that my job is to make dreams come true by ensuring that each wedding is the most beautiful and carefree day a bride could ever hope for. With creative problem solving and meticulous organizational skills, I take great pride in knowing that any and all last-minute problems will be resolved before the bride even knows about them.

fun facts
 ~My sister and I were roommates in college where we both met our husbands. My husband lived across the hall and her husband lived the next door down from us.
 ~I have a black thumb. It seems like everything I plant just dies.
 ~One of my favorite things to do is to snuggle up on the couch with Roxy, my snuggie, and my nook!
 ~I love carrots. I could eat them all day, but won't because someone once told me they could turn you orange.

Cassie Wasem - Office Manager & Coordinator

 

My name is Cassie and I am the office manager here at Proposing Dreams. Not only am I the office manager, I am trained in selling destination wedding and honeymoons as well as wife and mother. My husband Dave and I were married in May of 2005. We have two beautiful daughters, Chloe (2006) and Caelyn (2008). Prior to being a stay at home mom, I was a nanny.

I had the privilege to meet Sabrina and Krissi during my wedding planning. After some time debating and convincing to my parents we needed help, Sabrina was on the team. She helped make every little detail perfected and if something went wrong, I didn't know about it. That is what drives me to be a part of this company. I am here to make all the small details come together. Whether it is to make sure the cake is delivered by 4:30 pm or to make sure the bride eats lunch, that is what I will strive for - perfection. No task is too daunting when it comes to this special day. It is very rewarding to know that I was a part of making the couple's wedding everything they dreamed of and more.

fun facts
 ~I played 3 years of college softball
 ~My wedding ceremony and anniversary are not on the same date - ask me it's pretty funny story
 ~My husband and I own a street legal drag car...I can't wait to get it on the track when it is finished
 ~I am a crafter. In 2010 I took on sewing and self taught myself how to make dresses, pants, tablecloths, etc. You name it and I will give it a try

 

Sabrina Torti - Owner & Lead Coordinator

 
 
I am pleased to tell you more about me personally. I am thirty-something years old :o) I married a wonderful man named Mark in May of 2001, and we have two gorgeous children. I have a degree in Computer Aided Drafting and worked in the in Civil Engineering field for 8 years before becoming a mother. I started Proposing Dreams in the fall of 2001 while working part time. When I had my son in April 2004, I "retired" from the engineering field and took on weddings and parenting full time.

I am a natural leader with a complete understanding of the frantic bride. I thoroughly enjoy the calm I give brides when they hand it all over and truly enjoy their wedding day. With my technical and logistics background, I am capable of giving you a realistic vision of what is possible and, more importantly, what is not possible depending on cost, location, staff and so on.

fun facts:
~My husband (and best friend of 15 years) and I have a sense of humor only we understand, it's awesome.
~I love anything miniature or oversized none of that regular sized junk for me.
~I have only been "in" three weddings. I began to just tell friends "believe me you would rather I just planned the wedding"
~Being a mother has humbled me in ways I never knew were possible.
~Given - I'm obsessed with anything wedding related - not a shocker, I know, but I own or DVR everything that has with anything to do with weddings.