Occasions by Emily

Emily really worked with me and my vision and tried her best to accommodate my DIY flower arrangements by selling me buckets of flowers. It literally cut the flower cost in half and the arrangments turned out beautiful. She also has an AWESOME array of decorations, vases, mirrors, and pieces to rent for centerpieces and decore. Not to mention a totally mix-match vintage line of teacups/saucers and vintage plates to use to really make a statement with the dinnerware ; ) We really loved working with her and would definitely recommend!

Occasions by Emily did a fantastic job handling my wedding. Not only did the outlined detials of the service come together perfectly, Emily was a wonderful resource for the many questions I had as an out of town bride. It's very difficult to secure all the details when you live out of state, but with Emily's help I was able to minimize stress of wondering if it would all come together how I hoped.

Occasions By Emily did an amazing job with the floral arrangements for our summer wedding! Emily designed our personal flowers, ceremony arrangements, and reception decor. I really let her be creative with the process and I was not disappointed! I gave her colors and some idea pictures...which she took and created floral arrangements above and beyond anything I could have every imagined! She was very easy to work with, and more than happy to work within my budget. I never had to worry on the big day...everything was taken care of, leaving me to enjoy being the bride! Fantastic service and value! I would highly recommend Occasions By Emily!

Having Occasions by Emily for my wedding day was one of the best things we decided to do! There was nothing more calming than knowing that everything and everyone was taken care of on that day. I was able to enjoy being with my family and friends instead of worrying about if this or that was getting accomplished. I also know that my family valued that time as well as we had a large wedding with lots of 'pieces'. Emily's crew took care of all the logistics, setting up, communications with vendors, times, que's, things that went wrong (which if they did, I never knew :D ), ect. They were extremely flexible, patient, directive, and very professional. My wedding day would not have happened they way I dreamed unless they were apart of it!

Occasions by Emily made our daughter's wedding the best day of her life. It was perfect! I cannot imagine planning a wedding without Emily. She thought of every detail and made the day go flawlessly. I have recommended Occasions by Emily to everyone I know that is planning a wedding. She was the best!

Working with Emily to plan our wedding was a joy and by far the best decision we made throughout the wedding process. From beginning to end, Emily worked with us to ensure our wedding was the wedding of our dreams. Emily was able to take our ideas and incorporate them perfectly into the most elegant, charming wedding that celebrated our love for each other, our family, and our friends.Emily is a true professional and was a great resource for all things wedding. She had the answer to everything – from the proper way to address an invitation, order of the processional, seating charts, timing of toasts, cake cutting, and wedding departure to EVERYTHING in between. She brought such a high level of creativity to our wedding, that left our guests talking far after our wedding was over.Prior to our wedding, Emily met with us in person and communicated with us via email and phone and to discuss and plan everything. She created a custom wedding timeline, that listed every detail (Who, What, When, Where) and left nothing to fall through the cracks. She coordinated everything from the big details (when the Rolls Royce would arrive to take my father and me from the Duke Mansion to the church) all the way down to the little details (ensuring our mr&mrs forks were set up and ready to go when it was time to cut our beautiful cake). She coordinated with all the vendors to ensure the flowers and cake were set up in the right spot and that the band, limo, and photographer and videographer arrived on time. Emily’s planning expertise and attention to detail allowed us to relax and enjoy our wedding without worrying about a thing. The entire day was seamless and we owe every bit of perfection to Emily and her team.

The best decision we made in planning our wedding was hiring Occasions by Emily. Emily and her crew were a pleasure to work with and are truly capable of bringing all ideas to life. Occasions by Emily made planning a wedding from out of state smooth and stress-free. Throughout the entire process (over and year and half), my husband(!!!) and I never had a doubt that Occasions by Emily was the perfect fit for us.

Emily went above and beyond for our wedding! She was very quick to respond, easy to contact, made anything possible that I wanted, and is a fantastic wedding planner! Couldn't find a sweeter person to have coordinated our wedding!

We were married at a Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill and she made it the most absolutely perfect day! We had a very small wedding, but she put a lot of time and effort into it!

Emily coordinated with all the vendors and arranged everything for me; all my fiance and I did was show up in our dress and tux! It was the most relaxing and non-stressful events I have been a part of, and I would recommend her to anyone! The officiant she chose for us was perfect, as well as an amazing cake and the most beautiful bouquet I have ever seen! She made me an appointment at a salon that did exactly what I wanted and they had the most accommodating staff! My hair and makeup could not have turned out any more perfect!

Emily is also one of the nicest people I have ever met- she was very professional yet personable, and you can easily see she is doing what she loves! Occasions by Emily made my wedding day perfect and stress-free.

Emily is an amazing planner and I highly recommend her. She helped on so many different levels, from helping pick my decor, to recommending vendors, to creating all of my flower arrangements and centerpieces to making all the arrangements for rental equipment and even running my wedding rehearsal in lieu of the minister who would have charged more. She knew the best places to set things up and what exactly was needed. She's excellent, especially at Castle Ladyhawke. My only complaints about her were the price quote changed the day before my wedding because my original quote did not include taxes or some other fees that I wasn't expecting. I was extremely upset because I thought I was paid in full. She ended up dropping some rental stuff that she said no one would really notice anyway, but if I get a price quote and attempt to pay in full more than a month in advance then my guest numbers go down, I expect money back, not an increase by several hundred dollars. I also do not recommend her for the floral arrangements and bouquets. I can't say she did a bad job, she didn't, but it wasn't what I asked for or was expecting. If I'd been a bridezilla I would've freaked out that day. Instead I decided not to worry about the little things and just enjoy the day. She is an awesome planner, just have someone else do the flowers.

The place that we chose for our wedding uses Occasions by Emily as part of a package. I was not pleased with Emily for several reasons. The regular package that they offer is for 10 people and my wedding consisted of 20 people which she said "was triple their usual guests" which meant she had to "adjust" the package for us. Her adjustment consisted of charging the same price while taking services away from the package due to the "increased planning activity" of my wedding. When she told me this I agreed that yes if you have to do more work you deserve to get paid more but this wasn't the case. I contacted and hired the vendors and except for the restaurant where the reception was held, I also had to find the vendors. When I would ask for a suggestion or recommendation, it would usually take her several days to respond back.
Her other reason for adjusting the package was "the amount of vendors she had to coordinate with the day of the wedding." The only vendor she had to coordinate was the cater since all the others were off property and I confirmed the schedule/price/delivery with them.
Her contract stipulated what amounts and when we should send the payment therefore after a couple of weeks of mailing the second deposit and not hearing back from her I emailed her. Her response said that her assistant had gone back to college so she "might have received it" but she wasn't sure. Isn't a fundamental part of your job is to have attention to detail and be able to tell your clients if you received their payment?
I am sorry that I had to work with Emily because it added unnecessary stress to my wedding planning.

Emily McColin's company Occasion's by Emily was absolutely FABULOUS!! Being a very busy couple, my husband and I were able to plan a wedding in North Carolina while living in California with the hard work of Emily and her company. Not only was she helpful with the planning, but she was flexible on EVERYTHING!! It was wonderful! I averaged out to maybe 2 phone calls and about 2 emails a week from December '10 to the last week of August '11 and was ecstatic to find that my wedding was absolutely PERFECT. With Emily as our wedding planner, there were NO issues at the wedding, everything was cued up precisely and our wedding party and guests enjoyed their afternoon flawlessly. The most amazing part about Emily was her ability to take ALL of my ideas and add in everything I asked for in an elegant way well within our budget!! Her company supplied the flowers and the centerpieces, all of which were exactly what I asked for. I would recommend Occasions by Emily to any Bride and Groom whether they need a wedding planner or not.

Very frustrating. Cheap price turned into a cheap service. I had to ask for details multiple times and finally 3 weeks before the event I had to write up and send them the list of vendors, contacts, time schedules and days game plan. I would never recommend using this company.

After showing them how to do their jobs they did come thru in the end but if you are counting on them on your big day I would look else where so you are not as frustrated.

I can't imagine my wedding being as perfect as it was without Emily. She is very creative and has a wonderful personality that just puts you at ease during the stressful preparations of a wedding. Emily allowed me to participate in whatever manner provided me with the most comfort level without taking offense. As I'm a planner, the amount of detail that I provided her during the 9 months leading up to the wedding was enormous. She not only reviewed every last page, she appreciated the information as it helped her better plan and contribute with her expertise. Despite the fact that during the preparation time for my wedding she had a baby, I never felt a disruption in service for even a minute. She is incredibley dedicated and a true perfectionist. My wedding was a destination wedding and I never lived in the area where I got married. Addtionally, I had limited time in visiting the area to interview vendors. I had a discussion with Emily about the style of the wedding and what I was looking for from each of my vendors, and she shortlisted vendors for me to interview. I was able to take a long weekend and meeting with all the finalists and make my selections. I do not regret 1 selection that was made. Her knowledge of the area, which vendor's perform at the highest levels within their craft and which ones compliment the wedding style and personality is truly invaluable. Emily also competed to be my florist, which she won hands down. Not only was she competitive but her and her staff's creativity were breathtaking. The flower's were a beautiful complement to the wedding as were the tablescapes and all the other little touches. On the day of the wedding, I literally turned everything over to Emily and had NO CONCERN with the fact that it would be everything I planned for and imagined. It was BETTER than I had planned for or imagined. I'm sure there were issues that she had to address and resolve but I never knew anything other than that it was perfect. Emily was always close when you needed her, but you didn't know it until she was there. My family and friends adored her and she was as much a guest of the day as she was the coordinator. I think every bride in that area should work with Emily and I know they would not be disappointed with the outcome of their wedding. She made sure my only job that day was to be happy and get married.

I could not recommend a better wedding planner than Occasions by Emily(Emily). To add to the stress of a marriage, our venue needed changing 2 weeks before our wedding date. In 2 weeks she pulled off one of the most elegant and picture perfect weddings that my wife and I could have ever imagined. Our minister, caterer, rental company, family and friends went on and on about how magnificent of a job she did. You can not find a better Wedding Planner!

It is because of Occasions by Emily that our wedding on May 14, 2011 was so fantastic! I'm pretty much a control freak, but I didn't want to be that way about my wedding (especially since I recognized I was clueless) . Emily was so helpful, thorough and encouraging. Even on a budget ourwedding was more phenomenal than I ever dreamed. Her staff was fantastic on the wedding day and I really appreciate them making my wedding day so much fun! I really don't have enough words to express my delight with everything.

I would give 10 stars to Occasions by Emily and team if I could!!! The wedding and flowers were perfect!

Emily was absolutely wonderful. her enthusiasm for her job and making our wedding run as smoothly as possible was so valuable. She made sure to understand our needs and work them into the plans. Hiring her was a great choice!

Emily and her staff were wonderful and they were able to take my vision and make it happen within a budget that we could afford. The whole weekend was everything we wanted and more!

Emily and her team were a huge help for our wedding. I don't think we could have pulled it off without them. They arranged an incredibly complicated transportation scheme for our wedding day, involving hotels and venues in different cities in the area. They worked well with all of our vendors. They saved me hundreds of phone calls and anxiety as far as organization. The number one comment i kept hearing from guests was "I can't believe how beautifully the entire day flowed! Everything seemed so smooth!" She has a huge number of contacts in the area. Our musicians cancelled at the last minute, and Emily's team took care of hiring a new crew without me even knowing about it. Emily wanted to be involved from the very beginning so that she would know EVERY detail for the event. She was attuned to all of my needs and my family's needs. I highly recommend Emily and her team.

Emily is a delightful lady. She is ready to listen and assist in anyway she can. In listening, she gives her opinion when asked, gives pros and cons of your thoughts.

Our only negative, if you will, was on the last meeting with venue before the wedding, she sent an assistant, and the bride and groom felt somewhat abandoned. The assistant did not have all the info with her, and it appeared unorganized.

I would recommend Emily without reservation. Her assistance and presence removed much of the stress that is inevitable in planning a wedding. It allowed me to enjoy the wedding and reception as mother of the bride, without having to handle a lot of small details. She and her assistant were professional in every way, but also remained calm and pleasant. I had not originally planned to hire a wedding planner, but now I can't imagine doing it without Emily's help. She was well worth the fee.

Emily was amazing, very thorough and planned. She thought of everything, listened to me and my mom, and always had helpful tips and advice and suggestions. Efficient but doesn't ignore you while being so. Very flexible but always has a schedule. Loved her.

Emily of Occasions by Emily was wonderful. She helped make our wedding day exaclty how we envisioned....and that was not easy! Throughout the process, she was kind, thoughtful and professional. She was made for this.

I consider Emily the angel watching over us. Her professionalism, calm demeanor, and attention to detail made our wedding a beautiful day that my husband and I were both able to enjoy to the fullest. Our road was a bit rocky, we had a problem with our venue, but Emily delivered the news with grace and provided not only ideas but her undivided attention until a new venue was selected. In addition, I absolutely loved everyone she associated with. Her choices for a florist, musician, reverand, photographer etc were all a perfect match for us. We had a gorgeous and flawless event that was a result of her amazing efforts. I could never thank her enough.

Emily was the best wedding planner that we could've hoped for! She planned our wedding so well and was available for questions and concerns along the way. Our wedding day turned out exactly how she envisioned it for us. She has a very sweet personality too. She is the exact kind of person you want with you on your special day.

A photographer I was interviewing recommended Emily to me, and I am so glad she did. I hadn't planned on using one, but it made a huge difference in the lead-up and on the big day. Emily even showed up at a florist appointment when I was unexpectedly delayed, she made several site visits to make sure the rental company had every detail we needed--she helped me plan details I was excited about, and took care of those I wasn't so excited about.
She was also extremely diplomatic in managing communication between different vendors/relations. THIS IS MORE VALUABLE THAN YOU THINK! It means you as the bride aren't worried about ticking off your future mother-in-law or another important vendor.
Emily was one of the best investments I made in my wedding. She ensured that the experience and memories I (and my bridesmaids) have of my wedding match the photos, and we were able to enjoy ourselves dancing and visiting instead of coordinating. THANK YOU, thank you, thank you.

We had a four-day destination wedding. Emily was invaluable not only in helping bring our vision to life, but in suggesting creative ways to enhance our vision. She was calm, organized and made sure our wedding week-end went off without a hitch. In fact, when our car vendor backed out two days before the wedding, she had a replacement lined up within hours. We had the wedding of our dreams, and it would not have been possible without her! (In fact, we'd like her to come organize the rest of our lives!)

Emily did a wonderful job coordinating the wedding and made everything so easy for my mother and I. She is very organized and made the wedding go so smoothly. She is very sweet and wonderful to work with! We could not have done the wedding without all of her help! Our wedding turned out BEAUTIFUL thanks to Emily!

Emily was absolutely fantastic. My wedding director had a family emergency and had to back out the month before my wedding, so I called Emily to see if she could jump in to help. She was so positive and encouraging at every step along the way, bringing sanity and amazing organization. The day of the wedding she was so efficient, making sure everyone in my crazy family was where they were supposed to be at all the right times, keeping us all organized while maintaining a great sense of humor and poise. The entire wedding went perfectly, and the reception, which was a pretty extensive tented affair at a private residence, was smooth sailing all the way, largely due to her coordination. I would trust Emily with anything, and recommend her services without reservation.

Emily was fantastic! I was not sure I needed a planner, but as the big day approached, there were too many details and people to coordinate for me to do it myself. She was knowledgeable; guiding me through the sequence of the wedding day and helping me avoid a poorly planned timetable. She diplomaticly but firmly guided my self-directing family into following the schedule and she streamlined the ceremony flow and, most importantly, put me at ease. I was able to enjoy the big day and I did not look stressed out in any of the pictures, which was a real possibility. Emily took my plans and made it all happen, without me having to chase anyone down or argue with any vendors. She is a wonderful person and an asset to any bride-to-be.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to assist Emily with several weddings she directed, so when it was time to find a planner/director for my wedding, I had complete confidence that there was noone better than her to make the day run smoothly. I was right - Emily did a fantastic job before and during our wedding, communicating with everyone involved, keeping my vendors and information organized, keeping us on schedule, and making sure everything went according to plan.

Emily is friendly and a delight to work with, quick to respond, full of smart ideas, and wise in making those necessary on-the-spot decisions. Her positive, pleasant, confident demeanor helped my family and wedding party feel at ease during the rehearsal and those potentially-tense moments before the ceremony.

I am so thankful we had her direct our wedding! I give the highest recommendation for her as a wedding planner and director.

Pleasant, Professional, and such a joy to work with. Emily is always smiling and willing to go that extra step to make sure everything is perfect! Her events are guaranteed to go on without a hitch. Thanks for all you do!

Super nice people! And so detail oriented. We love working with Emily and her crew because we always know the event will run smoothly. And we can have a few giggle too!

I have had the pleasure of working with Emily in the past. She is the consummate professional. Her attention to detail is impeccable. I would recommend this company for any wedding or event.

Emily is consistent in all she does. You will love working with her and will be thrilled with the end product....a happy bride with beautiful memories of " the best day of your life"!!!

Tracy and Clark's wedding was elaborate but every moment flowed perfectly. When the time came for the ceremony itself I found Emily to be cooperative and gracious with me and the musicians. I look forward to working with Emily and her staff again soon.

A great lady to work with! Will take care of your special day so you can enjoy every moment!

I love working with Emily and her staff. They are wonderfully talented people!!!

I LOVE working with Emily and her team! I have seen them plan and pull off amazing feats of logistics and coordinating many times - without breaking a sweat! Emily's calm nature is a blessing for her brides, families and clients. For any planning needs, I am happy to recommend Occasions by Emily. Always a pleasure to work events with her!!

Emily is professional, fun and just super sweet. . .a wonderful event planner!
xoxo, brian +...

I have worked with Emily as an officiant. She does a great job as a wedding planner. I can recommend her without reservation. She is my favorite. You can't do better.