At Your Service Weddings Day of Coordination Service
International Market Square
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(map) Phone: 612-208-1051
Reviews for At Your Service Weddings Day of Coordination Service
GUEST
THE BEST DECISION WE MADE!!! Absolutely worth every penny and by far the best decision we made in our wedding planning!!! We originally looked into hiring someone to help set up and take down decorations and opted to go with Lora's Day of Coordination package for some added piece of mind. Lora was MUCH more than a "day of" coordinator. We met with her a few times and she got a perfect understanding of our vision. She answered all of our questions. She made several suggestions that we'd never have thought of (did you know you actually have to schedule in time for the groomsmen to get their bouts on?). She coordinated with the vendors to make sure the decorations were perfect. She helped with set-up and did all of the take down. She even dropped off our decorations and gifts at our home! We also got some of our decorations through Lora for a better price than through other vendors. Lora ran our rehearsal. I could go on and on. I can't imagine having had such a perfect day without Lora's help. The first thing any bride should do after getting engaged is contact At Your Service Weddings!!!!
GUEST
We are so appreciative of all the work Lora and At Your Service Weddings did for our wedding day! They went above and beyond day-of coordination and were there with advice and guidance every step of the way. Most of all, the work on our wedding day was a lot and they made everything go smoothly and worry-free for my husband and me (despite a downpour and muddy ground!). When we lost our original reception site, Lora was immediately there to help us out in finding a new place. We were so thankful to have At Your Service Weddings to plan with us!
GUEST
GUEST
When we first started planning our wedding we had just moved here and decided that it might be helpful to have a wedding planner that actually knows where to find what for which price, knows what to think about when planning and that would be there for the day of.
Lora and At Your Service Weddings were the perfect pick for us because they are very flexible when it comes to coming up with a service package that meet your meets and your meets only which is helpful when you are running on a low budget.
Since my husband and I had just moved here from Germany, basically starting over, things did not exactly go as planned and we had to push the wedding back a whole year, Not only was Lora always available to go over budgets, ideas, etc. via phone/email, but she was also flexible enough to move the date to the next year.
We initially had planned on holding the reception in our backyard and when Lora and us first met, we went over all the costs, rentals, etc that would be needed to make it happen. It was EXTREMELY helpful to get the insight of someone who's job is to plan weddings. There are a million things that we wouldn't even have thought of!
In the end, another blow of fate ate up quite the big amount of our wedding budget, just a month before the wedding. After all the moving dates around, being flexible with meeting, calls and emails, Lora offered us to let us out of the contract to help us still go through with the wedding as planned.
Even though I wished that she could have been there for the big day to help, I am still extremely grateful for every word of advise that Lora provided us and can only recommend her services!!!!
GUEST
HOURLY CONSULTATION-
I researched and looked into several different planning companies, but all seemed to be very pricey- asking you to contract with them for thousands of dollars- only offering you consultation to sell their services or offering consulting at very high prices...I just couldn't do that, but I needed some help and guidance for this process because it seemed all too overwhelming- not to mention I was spending endless hours searching the internet, but not really knowing what was the best options for me...So I sought Lora for some help.
Without a doubt or any hesitation- or solicitation, I know Lora is the SMARTEST DECISION I made throughout this whole process. I was able to set up times to meet and consult with her- I could ask any questions I wanted to help guide my planning- I never felt like she was trying to sell me any packages or deals- she really was present and attentive to learning about me, my budget, and my vision for my wedding. I continued to use her for her consulting services at different stages throughout my planning to help give me ideas, feedback, and guidance on the next stages...
I very truthfully have saved countless hours and money through her support, experience, and expertise.
There are just plain good people in this world, and Lora genuinely is one of them. I can't say enough good things Lora or her consulting.
GUEST
There are truly not enough words to express my apprecaition to Lora and At your Service Weddings. When I started the planning for my wedding, I knew it was going to be a simple event, but based on my own personality and being a bit of a detail oriented person, I knew that I would stress the week before my wedding and onmy wedding day. Every day I stress about work and meetings and all the other things that need to be done and I knew that on my wedding day although my intentions were to relax and let go for once, I would be unable to do so. I talked with so many wedding planners and so many were jsut not "me". I am a simple girl and I am also not into "frills". My reaction to my first meeting with Lora was immediate - it had to be Lora that day!! Lora gave me great advice during the planingh process when needed, but she also never tried to tell me she didn't agree with an idea. She let me plan and then when it was time (by the way, it will be a day almost as wonderful as your wedding day) to turn everything over to Lora, I got to relax!! The week of the wedding every other bride I have known was stressed out about everything that needed to be done, but not me, I got to sleep in, pamper myself and enjoy my friends. My bridal party and my family had to do NOTHING but show up that day! My mother was so apprecaitive (and envied by her friends) by the fact that she didn't have to lift a finger. Everyone says they don't remember their wedding day, but let me tell you.....because of Lora, I remember every detail of my wedding and how great it was to just have fun!!
You must work with Lora, you will not regret it. Aside from relaxing, you will no believe the small details that Lora took care of that I never even thought about. Plus, in the log run trust me, she will SAVE you money!! She has great tips about how and where to cut back that no one will notice, guidance on how to tip appropriately without overtipping etc.
Please do not hesitate to ask Lora for a reference - I will talk with anyone who has a question about why Lora is worth every single penny (plus more)!!!!
GUEST
As a groom I was a little unsure as to why we needed a wedding planner for even a small wedding until that day. My "now wife" tried so hard when planning to keep everything simple and "us", but I knew she was still stressing out with a very intense work schedule and being a total perfectionist. The week of the wedding I was nervous, but she was so relaxed once Lora took over, I have never seen her let anyone take control, but she trusted Lora and on the wedding day I got to see why. Our families were loving not doing aything and my wife had such a good time not having to do anything. Even when we decided that day we were changing our minds and needed to arrange a ride home, within no time, Lora had everything in place which totally floored me. We all enjoyed the day way more than I thought was possible thanks to Lora! Now I understand why my wife did this. Worth every penny we spent and would do it all over again!!
GUEST
As a mother of the bride and the mother of 2 other daughters who have been married, I was of course prepared for a busy year and of course the standard "mother of the bride" duties which have always consisted of decorating, planning, running errands, the clean up afterwards (THE WORST) and basically not breathing until a few days after the wedding. When my daughter told me she hired a wedding planner I was a little surprised, this just didn't happen in my generation, that is a "mom's job"! Well, I thought, okay, they are paying for it, let them have their way. I was still confused until the day before the wedding. When I was able to go to work people were in shock that I was there with a wedding the next day and I was able to tell people... "my daughter has it taken care of, she told me to just relax..."! It was like they gave ME a gift of really truly enjoying my daughters day! I got to spend the morning relaxing, taking the time to do something for myself, I got to watch my daughter get changed into her wedding dress, take pictures, all of the things I missed at my other girls' weddings. That night, I was able to go home and not clean up a thing! My friends were so envious telling me it was almost like I was cheating, but that they couldn't believe the value in Lora when they saw everything that she did. I was so blown away by Lora's ability to "manage" my daughter who has always been my most "stubborn" at letting other people do things for her. I remember the week before the wedding, she was more relaxed than she had been all year and I can not tell you how many times we talked about how the planning went and no matter how many things she was excited for about her wedding, she still sticks to her guns that hiring Lora was the best decision she made. Being a mother of the bride who has been through it before, I AGREE with her 200%!! Lora was amazing, her professionalism, knowledge, sense of humor, patience and her "suitcase of EVERYTHING" was a sight I had never seen and will tell all my friends it is a MUST!!! Thank you Lora for letting me enjoy my daughters wedding!! It is because of you, I got to feel like an honored guest and not just "there for errands".
I have known Lora for a couple of years through the Association of Bridal Consultants. She is a totally dedicated person and has the experience and expertise to assist you with your wedding planning needs. She has a sweet personality and knows her business inside and out. Hiring Lora will give you the "peace of mind" that you need so that you will enjoy your wedding day!!
I have officiated at beautiful weddings for couples who have chosen to work with Lora, of At Your Service Weddings. The first thing I noticed about Lora was her bright and joyful presence, but I believe the reason I felt this was because of the underlying sense of calm she brings to the day of the wedding. Due to her experience, and her attention to details, even a very cold and blustery outdoor June wedding has felt comfortable and under control. Every bride should have the privilege of such care and knowledgeable assistance!
Rev. Leslie Ann Johnson
Lora is a bride's best friend. She makes your day go so smoothly - and yet she's so unobtrusive, you almost forget she's there. Gracious, professional, organized - I can't recommend her highly enough!
About At Your Service Weddings Day of Coordination Service
You squeeze your dad's hand then look at us. You are ready. We hand you your bouquet then fluff your dress. You smell the fragrance of your bouquet one last time before you walk down the aisle. We cue your song. You hear the music, we open the doors. There he is. You catch your breath. You see him catch his. This is the moment you planned for. We can make sure it happens as planned.
But, who does the planning? You do. Our wedding planning approach is a little, well, out of the box. Only 4% of brides in the Twin Cities hire a full-service wedding planner. We offer a variety of smaller services for the other 96%. Whether it is full-service planning with one of our colleagues or a smaller service with us, every bride can enjoy the wedding planning and her wedding day.
We offer: Day of coordination, hourly consulting, hourly consulting, decorating set-up, midnight tear-down, and rental collections.
What is Day of coordination?
Our Goal: To be there for you during your planning and wedding day without hijacking your plans. We simply enhance them and make sure they are realistic without changing the integrity of your design.
Our Philosphy on the Wedding Day: "It takes a village to raise a child". It is going to take a big team effort from all of your vendors working together to make sure your wedding day happens successfully. We are not church coordinators, reception event managers, DJ's, or photographers. Nor do any of them do our job. We all have our role and by communicating with one another, we really can have a fun day while getting the job done.
Our Service:Day of coordination is our most popular services. It is designed for the couples that want to plan their own wedding but not work on their wedding day.
This service really goes beyond just the day of the wedding. Throughout the course of your planning, we are your own personal wedding coach. Call and email us with your specific planning questions anytime. We already know the details of your design, family, and taste so the answers are specifically to you. Our day of coordination service can take away hours upon hours of internet research for problems and trying to figure out the wedding planning process and what to do next. The internet for brides is a huge planning tool. Use it to get inspired for design ideas, have a wedding website, and track your RSVP list. Leave the hard questions for us.
Our day of coordination service also includes face-to-face meetings. During these meetings, we can personalize vendor referrals to you, talk you through family or etiquette issues, help prioritize your to-do list and budget, offer lower cost alternatives, etc. We also assist you in developing a master timeline. How long does it take to put on 300 chair covers? How long will a receiving line take? How long should family pictures take? We can assist with any question. Finally, right before the big day, we attend your final reception and/or ceremony meetings. This is to ensure that you, your sites, and At Your Service Weddings are all on the same page.
On your wedding day, the sky is the limit with what we do. Think of it this way, if we are busy managing this beautiful event for an entire day, this would all be on your shoulders without us. That is time taken away from your friends and family to be working. With us there, you just focus on, well, getting married!
The following list doesnt even begin to describe the services we provide on the day of your wedding, but here are a few main highlights:
•At least two coordinators present for the big day
•Conduct rehearsal with your officiant
•Light decorating of ceremony and/or reception sites
•Be the point-of-contact for your vendors
•Handle issues that may arise
•Field questions from guests
•Make sure the day flows smoothly
•Give cues for walking down the aisle, grand entrance into the reception, toasts, etc.
•Make sure the reception is executed as planned
•Tear-down your décor at the end of the evening.
•Arrive on-site with our Wedding Day Emergency Kit which consists of over 150 items that we use to tackle any problem that arises.
We also own sets up linens and chair covers. Our inventory is available for client rental . In most cases, we can offer discounts for "bundling" together day of coordination and rentals.
What is the cost for day of coordination? Weddings are like snowflakes, they are all different. We simply can not just show up on the wedding day and start rolling out your plan without having had some knowledge of the plan before hand. It would be like you trying to pick out a gift for someone that you hadn't even met before. You don't know their personality so you are just guessing. And, we need to make sure your plan is realistic. We have started working with a client and asked them to send over the timeline they have started. On it we find that they have one person scheduled o put on 300 chair covers in fifteen minutes. Ah, not realistic. However, we will help you make it realistic. Even for day of coordination we work with our clients for about 40 hours even before the week of the wedding arrives. This would be answering their questions, creating the timeline, meetings, and other types of assistance to the couple. This enables us to make sure the train stayed on the tracks during their planning before we jump into the conductors seat. Also, it creates trust between us and the client so they feel comfortable turning over their baby to us on the wedding day and relaxing 100%. So, what is the cost? Give us a call so we can discuss the details of your snowflake.
What in the world is a "rental collection"? This is a one of a kind collection that only At Your Service Weddings offers starting with a rental, non-floral centerpiece. If you already have your centerpiece designed, a collection may still interest you so keep reading.
If you are not wanting a floral centerpiece, you are left to build your own. Local places rent vases or you can purchase cheap ones. No local place rents objects like marbles, feathers, or faux flowers. We have twenty pre-made centerpieces designed to stop the hassle of running from Michaels to Michaels every Sunday with that coupon to get one bag of marbles. And, after the wedding, what are you going to do with 40 lbs. of marbles? If we do not currently have a centerpiece already designed that interests you, schedule an appointment to visit our design studio and you can build your own. Our per centerpiece rental fee includes delivery, set-up, and tear-down. We do not just rent the marbles or vases to you. We work with you on designing your own centerpiece then it magically appears on your reception tables. Most centerpieces rent for between $25-$45 per table. We can work with your budget to customize something smaller but then need to include a set-up/tear-down fee. All of our centerpieces are designed to be beautiful and trendy without fresh floral. However, if you would like just a few flowers added, we can assist with that also. For most of the centerpieces, we can make color changes or substitutions upon request. Additional changes may apply.
But, it gets better. Each centerpiece is part of its own collection. These are At Your Service Weddings designs. We did not just purchase bits and pieces off the internet. Some of the pieces are rented while others are for purchase. You do not need to purchase the entire collection. Each collection piece can be purchased or rented ala carte. For each of our designs, it is paired up with a coordinating linen, chair cover, cake cutter, ring bearer pillow, guest book, invitation, candy buffet, table numbers, program, hotel welcome baskets, and other items for a complete design. For non-Twin Cities residents you are welcome to buy our purchased items then take the design concept to a local rental company to work with. Are you excited to get started? Contact us for more information and forgive our terrible pictures. Professional pictures of the designs coming soon.
Each collection includes a coordinating:
Centerpiece
Table Linen, Overlay, or Runner
Chair Cover and Sash
Cocktail Table Centerpiece
Favors
Guest Book
Set of Champagne Flutes
Candy Buffet
Cake Cutter
Cardbox
Ring Bearer Pillow
Flower Girl Basket
Garter
Unity Candle
Save the Dates
Invitations
Table Numbers
Program
Thank You's
Escort Cards
Hotel Welcome Baskets for Guests
Reception Bathroom Refresh Basket
FAQ for At Your Service Weddings Day of Coordination Service
We offer the low, cost hourly consulting at $25 to help you answer your questions. The average bride spends 10-12 hours online every week trying to do wedding research. A couple of consulting sessions with us can take HOURS off of your research time and a ton of weight off of your shoulders.
Also, many brides think that a wedding planner will try to take over your entire wedding planning. Brides need to quit watching the tv show "Who's Wedding is it Anyway?". It isn't like that with us or many of our colleagues. That show is giving wedding planners a bad image.
Another item we want to address is about having your friends and family doing everything that day on your wedding day. Have you asked them? Secretly, they just want to enjoy your wedding day too. If you are undecided about having a DOC on your wedding day, give me a call and I will give you a glimpse into our world on the wedding day and what we do. We also offer a 1/2 DOC package for just the nitty gritty pieces. Put on your running shoes, I think we put on about 100 miles on our wedding days. Is this what you want to be doing that day? No. You want to just focus on getting married!
If you have a tight budget, you need to have a clear plan with realistic numbers before you start signing your contracts. Once your contracts are signed you have little wiggle room. One or two vendors with high pricing could put your budget way over if you didn't plan for it. You need to have a realistic idea of what vendors cost for what your are wanting. But this also goes beyond the vendors, it is every detail like cost of shoes, attendant gifts, cost of programs, etc.
One of our ala carte services is that we can create a custom budget for you before you start your hunt for the perfect vendors. You can then decide where to cut back and where to add.
Deals for At Your Service Weddings Day of Coordination Service
Events for At Your Service Weddings Day of Coordination Service
