|Sip and twirl| Arizona Wedding Planner: To Plan or Not to Plan? Here Are Three Ways an Arizona Wedding Planner Can Actually Save You Money.

Today’s blog is one of a three-part series, and in this post we will share more about why there is value in hiring an Arizona wedding planner and how a wedding planner can actually save a couple money in the end.  Over the next couple of weeks, look out for our upcoming posts on what the differences are between a Arizona wedding venue coordinator and a wedding planner. Then, finally, we will demystify the poorly named "day-of coordination" services.

When starting to plan for your wedding day, it becomes pretty apparent that there are numerous costs associated with getting married in Arizona, (and nationwide!).  Everything can really add up from the photographer, to venue, to the expected food and beverage costs, and so on.  As a result, many couples are faced with the big question - should we hire a wedding planner?  We are here to let you in on a secret - a wedding planner can actually help save you money and will certainly protect you from wasting money when it’s all said and done.  Plus, a wedding planner will keep you sane and actually enjoying the planning process!  Read on to learn more about why hiring a wedding planner is the most important investment you can make for your Arizona wedding day.

Photo by Bradford Jones

More bang for your buck

Wedding planners are industry insiders and experts.  They are valuable resources, and are often able to find the best prices on products and services in the local market with their extensive knowledge.  A great Arizona wedding planner will have strong and lasting relationships with local vendors and Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley venues that aren’t necessarily mainstream.  Arizona brides can leverage some of these relationships, receiving 5-star products and services for 3-star prices by working alongside of a planner.  There are many businesses in the wedding industry that are hidden gems, and it’s a wedding planner’s job to make these connections.  Additionally, many Arizona wedding planning companies, just like Sip and Twirl, own some of the rentals needed for the big day, such as tables and chairs, and couples can score a great discount on these types of items.  

Wedding planners can help you read between the lines

Couples will soon come to realize that the majority of Arizona wedding venues and vendors require a signed contract, and will also often require a deposit before they guarantee their products and services.  In fact, contracts are associated with nearly every aspect of the wedding planning process.  To brides and grooms, this may be the very first time that they have had to comb through the fine details of these documents, but to a seasoned Arizona-based wedding planner, this is all in a hard day’s work!  A good wedding planner will know what to look out for so that a couple is not charged for unnecessary things, and they will also be able to provide clarification so that couples can make informed decisions about their spending commitments.  

Photo by Bradford Jones

Time is money

This may be a bit of an overused statement, but any couple who’s gotten married, with only a few exceptions, will tell you that planning a wedding in Arizona is a time consuming job!  It can be difficult and stressful for a working bride and groom to sustain full-time jobs and devote the appropriate amount of time to planning their big day.  Arizona wedding planners are hired to keep things on schedule, and they will help take the burden off of a couple’s shoulders for much of the negotiating, researching, and busy work needed to bring the big day to life.  Further, many couples become overwhelmed with the sheer amount of decisions that need to be made in order to bring everything together for their wedding day, and a wedding planner will help a couple save hours upon hours by making professional recommendations based off of the couple’s vision and budget. 

Photo by Bradford Jones

Soon we are going to look at the differences between Arizona wedding venue coordinators and wedding planners, and what the specific roles of each party play. 

In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you!  We are a passionate group of Scottsdale-based wedding planners that get our kicks from planning a couple’s dream wedding day.   At Sip and Twirl, we specialize in helping Arizona brides and grooms with weddings of all sizes and all budgets.  We can be reached at info@sipandtwirl.com, or at (480) 648-0663.

|Sip and twirl| Arizona Wedding Planner: Real Arizona Weddings & Seriously Romantic First Looks That Will Make Your Heart Flutter

Many contemporary couples in Arizona are choosing to have an intimate first look away from family and friends before making their way down the aisle.  Take a look at these previous Sip and Twirl couples below from real Arizona weddings that will completely melt your heart.

Meghan + Brendan's First Look at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Lots of couples choose to do a first look to release out some of the pre-ceremony nerves and butterflies.  We love these photos below because both the bride and the groom are absolutely beaming!  Their excitement and laughter radiates through the photos, and this lighthearted and joyful energy can carry throughout the ceremony.

Photos of Meghan + Brandan by Brittany Janelle

Jessica + Andy's First Look at The Legacy Ballroom

Another reason that couples choose to do a first look is because the moment can be quite emotional, and couples want to keep it private.  Take a look at these gorgeous photos below from Jessica and Andy's Paradise Valley wedding, and you will know exactly what we mean.  Before scrolling below though, make sure to grab a box of tissue!

Photos of Jessica + Andy by Bradford Jones

Julia + John's First Look at a Paradise Valley Private Estate

Finally, one practical reason to have a first look is actually for the photos!  Take a look at how beautifully captured these photos are.  There can be challenges during the ceremony to capture the bride and groom's faces for the exact moment because of the many guests that are standing and potentially blocking views.  Choosing a moment before the ceremony kicks off will ensure that nothing is missed in that special life moment.  Your Arizona wedding planner can work right alongside of your photographer to make sure the timing is just right.  This way you come out with the perfect photographs of such a special moment on your wedding day.  

Photos of Julia + John by Brandon Scott Photo Co.

We at Sip and Twirl are always here to help Arizona brides and grooms to be.  We get more than a bit excited about planning everything from the perfect first look to the last toast on wedding night.  Our wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and have many years of experience in Arizona wedding planning.  We’d love to hear about your dream wedding day, and learn how we can help make this vision a reality.  Contact us at (480) 648-0663 or info@sipandtwirl.com.  

|Sip and Twirl| Arizona Wedding Planner: Assembling Your A-Team for your Arizona Wedding - Here's What you Need to Know...

As Arizona wedding planners it’s common for our couples to ask us just how to pick a few important people from a large group of loved ones and VIPs that will ultimately make up the wedding party.  While we know it may seem overwhelming to narrow it down, selecting your wedding party is all about following a few important guidelines, and above all, your gut instincts.  Read on to learn how to draft the perfect team for your Arizona wedding!

Photo by Ben & Kelly Photography 

Think twice before asking

In all of the initial engagement excitement, it will be tempting to ask all of your favorite friends to be in your wedding party.  Don’t.  Trust us wedding planning experts, and take time to think through who is the best fit for your party.  The first question to consider, who can you see in your life in five years time?  Who will grow with you as a couple through the next life stages such as eventually starting a family.  Another important point to note is where your bridesmaids live.  Do they live in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, and will it be easy for them to physically help with some of the wedding planning to-dos?  Make a short-list, and give yourself a month’s time to weigh the options in your mind.  If you are on the fence about someone, think about how this person may mesh with the rest of the group. If you truly can’t decide between two people, why not just ask them both? (Hint: you don’t need to have the same number of people on either side of your wedding party.)

Include your brothers and sisters

Including siblings in your wedding party may not be so clear cut for every couple, and for others siblings are the obvious first choice.  Consider this, even if your sibling isn’t your first choice - your sibling will most likely remain a presence in your life for 10, 20, 30+ years to come.  If you are not super close, it’s possible you will become closer over the years by including them in one of the most meaningful experiences of your life.  If you come from a very large family and cannot include everyone, you can ask some of your younger siblings to participate in your day by welcoming or seating guests.  In our experience, some Arizona wedding venues can be a bit confusing to navigate with how expansive they are.  Having someone you trust posted at a resort's valet can help your guests feel welcomed and your family member included.     

Consider the size of your Arizona wedding and your wedding budget

First take a quick look at your guest list; is your wedding smaller with less than 50 guests, or are you planning a larger celebration with 150+ people?  The size of your Arizona wedding naturally will guide how many people will be included in your wedding party.  For smaller weddings, you may only want three or four people on each side, and for larger, it’s not uncommon for brides and grooms to have ten or twelve people.  Keep in mind, more isn’t always merrier.  Each person adds to your overall budget when you consider gifts for your party, bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnieres, suits, dresses, etc… Further, you will add another layer of complexity with each person.  For example, consider organizing details for bachelor and bachelorette celebrations, or finding dresses that flatter many different skin tones and body shapes.  If you feel that your list is too long, but you still want to include you “B-Listers”, find a special role or assignment that they will happily embrace.  

Photo by Ben & Kelly Photography

Don’t ask someone just because they asked you

Be honest.  If you have been a bridesmaid or a groomsman in the past, and are no longer close friends with that person, the thought has crossed your mind about how you can get out of returning the favor.  Let us alleviate some needless wedding social stress.  Don’t feel pressured to ask your a former colleague, roommate, or college friend if you haven’t spoken in five years just to return the favor, or that you just aren't close with anymore.  If someone approaches you about why they were not included, just be open and keep true to your personal reasons for making the choices you did.  Explain that the decision was very difficult, but that you chose those who you felt closest to, or who could help with organizing plans, or who needed to be included due to family commitments.  You can also share that there were others who you genuinely wanted to include but couldn’t for various reasons.  Don’t get defensive if you find yourself in this situation; just keep a calm open nature, and hopefully your friend will understand that you still value their friendship.  If your wedding ceremony setting is more intimate, you can also explain that your Arizona wedding venue only really accommodates a certain size bridal party.  

Wedding party “rules” can be broken

Here are some traditions that you can completely rewrite for your own wedding.  You don’t need to have the same number of people on either side of your wedding party.  It’s ok if you have a few more or a few less than your partner.  Also, it’s absolutely more than ok to have bridesmen or groomswomen!  If you are a bride and have a brother or a male friend that you are close with, we encourage you to follow what feels right regardless of gender.  One of the joys as Arizona wedding planners is that we have the privilege of helping couples rewrite the social "norms" of wedding planning.  Remember, this is your special day, and only you know what is the right decision regardless of other people’s expectations.

Photo by Ben & Kelly Photography

The final detail you will want to take into consideration is to determine which roles exactly you’d like your wedding party to play, and whether or not they will be able to meet your expectations.  For example, are you hiring an Arizona wedding planner?  If so, you will need less help from your crew than if you are hiring someone who is a wedding planning professional, just like us!  Consider details like addressing the invites, assembling center pieces, and helping you find the right Arizona wedding venue.  These details can seriously stack up for the average bride, groom, or wedding party guest.  

We at Sip and Twirl are always here to help both Arizona brides and brides out-of state.  We get more than a bit excited about helping couples with these and all other details in the Arizona wedding planning process.  We are located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and have many years of experience in wedding planning.  We’d love to hear about your dream wedding day, and learn how we can help make this vision a reality.  Contact us at (480) 648-0663 or info@sipandtwirl.com.  

| SIp and Twirl| Arizona Wedding Planner: Ceremony Order Demystified! Here’s the Scoop on Rocking your Arizona Wedding Ceremony.

There are many different ways to organize an Arizona wedding processional, and it can be influenced by culture, religious background, or simply personal preference.  If you are currently in the planning stages, at Sip and Twirl, we’re here to help!  Check out some simple guidelines below to help you pull off a superb Arizona wedding ceremony.

Seating

1.  Start by seating the grandparents.  Paternal grandparents are seated first, followed by maternal grandparents.  If you no longer have grandparents remaining, you can start with the next step.  If you'd like your grandparents honored at your ceremony, you can brainstorm with your Arizona wedding planner to find ways to pay tribute to their memory.  

2.  Next up, seat the parents.  The groom’s parents seated first, and the bride’s parents second.  The seating of the mother of the bride signals the end of the seating and the beginning of the processional.  You may also decide to walk with both of your parents down the aisle, and you can ask your wedding planner how to make the appropriate alterations to your ceremony processional.   

Processional

3.  The processional traditionally starts with the officiant and the groom making their way to the altar.  The groom can accompany the officiant, or walk alone, or even walk with the best man.  He can also choose to accompany his mother to her seat, and then head up to take his place at the altar.  A side note on officiants.  Great Arizona officiants get booked quickly, and well in advance, so it's a good idea to tackle this one in the beginning wedding planning stages.  Ask you Arizona wedding planner for their list of preferred officiants.    

4.  Next up, the bridesmaids make their way down the aisle, and you can choose to have them walk solo, or paired with a groomsman.  Following the wedding party, your maid, (or matron), of honor will make her way towards the altar, and similarly, she can walk with the best man, or they can walk down solo.  Once she arrives at the altar, she will stand immediately next to where you will stand so that she can hold your bouquet during the ceremony and make adjustments to your train and dress.  

5.  Your adorable ring bearers and flower girls are up next.  Traditionally the flower girl is the last person to walk down the aisle before the bride, as the bride is the only person meant to walk on the flower petals, if this is something you are planning on doing.  

6.  Finally, it is time for you to make you debut!  The bride walks down the aisle last, and is traditionally escorted by her father.  The bride’s mother may choose to accompany her as well.  Your guests will rise as you make your way to your partner, and will be seated once you are settled in your place at the altar.  

A few final notes and considerations:

If you are getting married in a church or a synagogue, there may be a preferred order of the processional that can vary from the above.  Check with your Arizona wedding venue if you choose to respect these traditions.  

Next, we are mindful of the fact that some couples will help us as a society redefine how we view the processional with same sex marriages and gender identification flexibility.  We are at an exciting time in our industry's history where we have the opportunity to create new traditions and perceptions about how the processional is carried out.

Finally, nothing is set in stone!  It’s your day, and you can get as creative as you like.  Want to dance down the aisle instead?  Go for it!  Ultimately, it is up to you and your partner to decide. 

If you are recently engaged or in the thick of planning your Arizona wedding, let's chat!  Sip and Twirl is an Arizona wedding planning team, and we simply love what we do!  Our wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Check out our Facebook page to hear what real Arizona brides and grooms have said about our services.  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona events.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com.  

| SIP AND TWIRL| ARIZONA WEDDING PLANNER:Getting Married in Arizona? Here's a Modern Twist on a few Wedding Traditions

As team of Arizona wedding planners, we have seen hundreds of variations to some of the most classic wedding traditions.  In fact, we love finding ways to help our Sip and Twirl couples express their personalities and create new traditions on their wedding days.  Here are a few simple ways to modernize your wedding day that even the most traditional couples will embrace. 

Swap your white veil for flowers, greenery, or bling in your hair

Veils can be an absolutely beautiful adornment to any bride’s final look, but if a traditional veil isn’t for you, consider a more updated look by weaving desert-inspired eucalyptus leaves, wildflowers, greenery, ribbons, or other organic materials in your hair.  Alternatively, if you are going for a more glamorous look, pin some bling, such as stones or delicate headband chain.  If you are in Arizona like us, we are in love with using desert-inspired tones, such as sage, nudes, and yellows.  Here are some of our favorite looks from our gorgeous Sip and Twirl brides!

Bridesmaids don't need to be female, nor do groomsmen need to be male

You don't need to confine your wedding party to your female friends (and vice versa for grooms).  If you have a life-long friend that happens to be the opposite sex, you can still include them by making them a bridesman or a groomswoman.  Have fun by coordinating their outfits with the rest of the wedding party through your color theme, or floral accessories.  

Hold cocktail hour before the ceremony

We’re willing to bet that the majority of the weddings that you have attended have started with the ceremony, continued with cocktail hour, and are followed by the reception.  Holding cocktail hour before the ceremony has a few benefits.  First, your guests won’t be rushing to get to the ceremony in time.  Instead, they can have a refreshing beverage before the ceremony and visit with some of the other guests they may not have seen in a while. Further, starting with cocktail hour can break the ice and raise the energy leading into the ceremony.  In Arizona, you can count on about 300 days of beautiful sunshine, so this is the perfect opportunity to offer a sparkling drink to get the celebrations started. 

Upgrade your theme by going with a palette of colors

Choosing just two colors for your decor will feel dated.  Instead, update the look and feel of your wedding by opting for a collection of hues that compliment each other.  Some of our favorite color pairings include grouping bold tones with complimentary nudes or mixing different soft shades of blues and purples with bright floral yellow and pinks.  Another option is to build a monochromatic palette.  Choose one color to which you feel most drawn, and perfect your look by incorporating light and dark variations of that same color.  You can also look to your environment to play off of the tones in your venue.  Outdoor Arizona weddings often carry tones of copper, reds, golds and sage, and many Arizona brides that we have worked with have chosen to work with this pallet alongside of their preferences, rather than masking it.  Finally, adding metallics, colored glass, and reclaimed wood creates an interesting balance of tones and textures, such as this Sip and Twirl couple's wedding, pictured below. 

Give your bridesmaids the freedom to choose complimentary dresses

Asking your bridesmaids to wear identical (or nearly identical) gowns is a waning tradition.  Instead, try giving your bridesmaids guidelines to use when shopping for a dress.  You can narrow down a few major areas such as the dresses length, color palette, how formal or informal, a print or a solid, how the dress hangs (form-fitted or flowy), and the texture of the material.  Bonus, your friends will likely end up shopping for a dress they actually love and will wear on multiple occasions with greater flexibility.  

If you are recently engaged or in the thick of planning your Arizona wedding, let's chat!  Sip and Twirl is a passionate and creative group of Arizona wedding planners.  Our wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Check out our Facebook page to hear what real Arizona brides and grooms have said about our services.  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona events, and genuinely love what we do.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com.