Comments for Santa Barbara Wine Country Wedding and Events http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com Just another WordPress weblog Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:50:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Hire a True Professional by Kerry Lee http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/hire-a-true-professional/#comment-11 Kerry Lee Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:16:09 +0000 http://www.nimsmedia.com/test/?p=33#comment-11 Hi Nancy, Ok, some thoughts to think about: a. To receive maximum benefits of what true coordination is, you need an objective professional who is not tied into any other service to oversee coordination duties. b. To review vendor contracts in order to prepare a timeline is one thing; to even produce a generic timeline is an element of coordination; however, an objective professional coordinator also is an actual liaison to the vendors throughout the month of and the day of the wedding. Your caterer cannot also consider themselves in service to you, to your vendors (to help address any issues which arise pre and during the event) and still do a good job as a caterer. If they are, then I would question their ability as professional caterer as someone is not keeping their eye on the "shop" so to speak. c. Finally, a professional coordinator is an objective and experienced entity. To have a vendor such as a caterer or DJ in "charge" of overseeing other vendors is bad for morale and has more potential for undermining the integrity of the event, since there can tend to be resentment of one vendor (i.e. caterer or DJ or whatever) telling other vendors what to do and how to do it. d. The chances of your caterer or DJ having actual objective experience in seeing the macro- vision of your day is minimal - if even existent at all. Their focus, while well-meaning, to provide elements of coordination does not in any way, shape or form equal what an experienced and unbiased professional coordinator can provide . Just as an orchestra conductor has the musical masterpiece and is able to maintain and direct all key components which make up the masterpiece, the professional wedding coordinator's job is to ensure perfect harmony between the various segments of the event in order to create a masterpiece - your wedding day! Hi Nancy,
Ok, some thoughts to think about:
a. To receive maximum benefits of what true coordination is, you need an objective professional who is not tied into any other service to oversee coordination duties.

b. To review vendor contracts in order to prepare a timeline is one thing; to even produce a generic timeline is an element of coordination; however, an objective professional coordinator also is an actual liaison to the vendors throughout the month of and the day of the wedding. Your caterer cannot also consider themselves in service to you, to your vendors (to help address any issues which arise pre and during the event) and still do a good job as a caterer. If they are, then I would question their ability as professional caterer as someone is not keeping their eye on the “shop” so to speak.

c. Finally, a professional coordinator is an objective and experienced entity. To have a vendor such as a caterer or DJ in “charge” of overseeing other vendors is bad for morale and has more potential for undermining the integrity of the event, since there can tend to be resentment of one vendor (i.e. caterer or DJ or whatever) telling other vendors what to do and how to do it.

d. The chances of your caterer or DJ having actual objective experience in seeing the macro- vision of your day is minimal - if even existent at all. Their focus, while well-meaning, to provide elements of coordination does not in any way, shape or form equal what an experienced and unbiased professional coordinator can provide . Just as an orchestra conductor has the musical masterpiece and is able to maintain and direct all key components which make up the masterpiece, the professional wedding coordinator’s job is to ensure perfect harmony between the various segments of the event in order to create a masterpiece - your wedding day!

]]> Comment on Hire a True Professional by Nancy http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/hire-a-true-professional/#comment-10 Nancy Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:07:05 +0000 http://www.nimsmedia.com/test/?p=33#comment-10 Basically, they said that they will help me create a timeline, review vendor contracts and oversee the timeline and running of the event the day of the wedding. They said it was a "$1400 value". Basically, they said that they will help me create a timeline, review vendor contracts and oversee the timeline and running of the event the day of the wedding. They said it was a “$1400 value”.

]]> Comment on Avoiding “Hidden” Costs/Surprises with a Winery Wedding by Kerry Lee http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/avoiding-hidden-costssurprises-with-a-winery-wedding/#comment-9 Kerry Lee Sat, 31 May 2008 14:44:16 +0000 http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/?p=104#comment-9 Hi Rachelle, Great points and thank you for the kind words. As one groom said, "now I get it, you're 'wedding insurance', making sure in advance there are no surprises!" A 100 person, basic wedding - and I mean basic- in wine country and in Santa Barbara proper for the most part averages about $45,000. -Kerry Lee Hi Rachelle,
Great points and thank you for the kind words. As one groom said, “now I get it, you’re ‘wedding insurance’, making sure in advance there are no surprises!”

A 100 person, basic wedding - and I mean basic- in wine country and in Santa Barbara proper for the most part averages about $45,000.

-Kerry Lee

]]> Comment on Avoiding “Hidden” Costs/Surprises with a Winery Wedding by Rachelle Wood http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/avoiding-hidden-costssurprises-with-a-winery-wedding/#comment-8 Rachelle Wood Fri, 30 May 2008 22:51:11 +0000 http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/?p=104#comment-8 All of the above info is SOOO true. Im currently a client of Kerry Lee's . Dont forget they add in tip as a percentage of the total service, site, and wine bill, so its a HEFTY charge. There are a lot of things we just didnt expect. When we got quotes from everyone initially it was always thousands lower than what our final cost ended up being. Make sure you are prepared to spend more than you plan since it seems impossible to avoid this. Dont forget- most of your vendors will be from Santa Barbara and they will charge a delivery fee since the wine country is a little out of there way. When every vendor adds on $100 this does make a difference! I can say that having a planner is a MUST MUST MUST for anyone who doesnt live close to their vineyard wedding location. Theres no way we would even know what to do with out KL's help. I hope this helps! Good luck, brides! All of the above info is SOOO true. Im currently a client of Kerry Lee’s . Dont forget they add in tip as a percentage of the total service, site, and wine bill, so its a HEFTY charge. There are a lot of things we just didnt expect. When we got quotes from everyone initially it was always thousands lower than what our final cost ended up being. Make sure you are prepared to spend more than you plan since it seems impossible to avoid this.

Dont forget- most of your vendors will be from Santa Barbara and they will charge a delivery fee since the wine country is a little out of there way. When every vendor adds on $100 this does make a difference!

I can say that having a planner is a MUST MUST MUST for anyone who doesnt live close to their vineyard wedding location. Theres no way we would even know what to do with out KL’s help.
I hope this helps! Good luck, brides!

]]> Comment on Hire a True Professional by Kerry Lee http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/hire-a-true-professional/#comment-7 Kerry Lee Fri, 23 May 2008 16:31:11 +0000 http://www.nimsmedia.com/test/?p=33#comment-7 Hi Nancy, Please provide me with a list of what they said they will do and I'm happy to provide you with side by side comparison of what how much a coordinator does compared with them and point out items you are potentially jeopardizing by having someone other than a professional and experienced dedicated coordinator do "coordination". Happy to help! -Kerry Lee Owner Hi Nancy,
Please provide me with a list of what they said they will do and I’m happy to provide you with side by side comparison of what how much a coordinator does compared with them and point out items you are potentially jeopardizing by having someone other than a professional and experienced dedicated coordinator do “coordination”. Happy to help!
-Kerry Lee
Owner

]]> Comment on Avoiding “Hidden” Costs/Surprises with a Winery Wedding by Kendall http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/avoiding-hidden-costssurprises-with-a-winery-wedding/#comment-6 Kendall Thu, 22 May 2008 04:26:43 +0000 http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/?p=104#comment-6 Wow, this advice just saved me a ton of money (probably more than the cost to hire a wedding planner!) and will prevent a lot of surprises. Kerry Lee, you'll be hearing from me soon. Thanks for the info. Wow, this advice just saved me a ton of money (probably more than the cost to hire a wedding planner!) and will prevent a lot of surprises. Kerry Lee, you’ll be hearing from me soon. Thanks for the info.

]]> Comment on Hire a True Professional by Nancy http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/hire-a-true-professional/#comment-5 Nancy Thu, 22 May 2008 02:13:34 +0000 http://www.nimsmedia.com/test/?p=33#comment-5 So, my Caterer said they will coordinate. They said I just need a coordinator for my ceremony and they will handle the rest. What's the difference? It looks like I can save a lot of money by just hiring a coordinator to do ceremony only and going with my caterer. Help! So, my Caterer said they will coordinate. They said I just need a coordinator for my ceremony and they will handle the rest. What’s the difference? It looks like I can save a lot of money by just hiring a coordinator to do ceremony only and going with my caterer. Help!

]]> Comment on Avoiding “Hidden” Costs/Surprises with a Winery Wedding by Kerry Lee http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/avoiding-hidden-costssurprises-with-a-winery-wedding/#comment-4 Kerry Lee Thu, 22 May 2008 02:03:12 +0000 http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/?p=104#comment-4 Hi Everyone! Thank you for the great comments. Laurie and Jeff, all of the wineries are lovely; however, I would encourage you to check out any winery under the Foley Wine Group (including Firestone) - they are set up and "dialed" for events and have a world-class staff representing their events. Another non-winery alternative for a more intimate celebration would be the Santa Ynez Inn, which is a decadent inn in the heart of wine country and they have some of the most flexible (and affordable) policies of all. You could also enjoy the wineries by providing a tour/tasting for your guests as part of a "mobile rehearsal dinner" at the wineries if hosting your wedding at the inn. Good luck and thanks for visiting our site! -Kerry Lee, Owner Hi Everyone! Thank you for the great comments. Laurie and Jeff, all of the wineries are lovely; however, I would encourage you to check out any winery under the Foley Wine Group (including Firestone) - they are set up and “dialed” for events and have a world-class staff representing their events. Another non-winery alternative for a more intimate celebration would be the Santa Ynez Inn, which is a decadent inn in the heart of wine country and they have some of the most flexible (and affordable) policies of all. You could also enjoy the wineries by providing a tour/tasting for your guests as part of a “mobile rehearsal dinner” at the wineries if hosting your wedding at the inn. Good luck and thanks for visiting our site!
-Kerry Lee, Owner

]]> Comment on Avoiding “Hidden” Costs/Surprises with a Winery Wedding by Laurie & Jeff http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/avoiding-hidden-costssurprises-with-a-winery-wedding/#comment-3 Laurie & Jeff Thu, 22 May 2008 01:59:04 +0000 http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/?p=104#comment-3 Wow. This is a novel concept- a wedding planner who is reputable and offering a complimentary advice column her Website? Are there any wineries who are known for being more flexible overall in wine country? We'd like to start with those first. Are there other alternatives to vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley? Wow. This is a novel concept- a wedding planner who is reputable and offering a complimentary advice column her Website? Are there any wineries who are known for being more flexible overall in wine country? We’d like to start with those first. Are there other alternatives to vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley?

]]> Comment on Avoiding “Hidden” Costs/Surprises with a Winery Wedding by Lisa http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/2008/05/avoiding-hidden-costssurprises-with-a-winery-wedding/#comment-2 Lisa Thu, 22 May 2008 00:25:38 +0000 http://www.sbwinecountryevents.com/?p=104#comment-2 As a new bride considering a wedding in wine country, I can’t tell you how immensely helpful this information is. A friend told me about your site and with a limited budget to work with, I feel so much better informed about the questions I should be asking the wineries I am contacting. Thanks so much for all of the great advice! As a new bride considering a wedding in wine country, I can’t tell you how immensely helpful this information is. A friend told me about your site and with a limited budget to work with, I feel so much better informed about the questions I should be asking the wineries I am contacting. Thanks so much for all of the great advice!

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