Ask the Experts with Desiree Seghetti

If you have ever had an event here at the Estate, it is very likely that you worked with the very talented and charismatic Spokane wedding planner, Desiree Seghetti. Desiree ensures that each event runs smoothly and with out a hitch while giving guests the event of a life-time. As the Vice President of Operations at Commellini Estate, Desiree first discovered her passion for event coordinating while studying at the University of Washington. She returned to Spokane to help rejuvenate the Estate and has now planned over 200 weddings, corporate events, birthday parties and more at Commellini Estate. Desiree truly is a wedding expert and is ready to give tips on how to make your wedding the wedding of your dreams.

What should a bride and grooms top priorities be in planning the wedding?

I think that priorities are couple specific. The first step in the planning is determining what is most important to you as a couple. There are so many resources out there telling you what specifically should be important to you. However, I have found that each couple is unique and therefore their wedding needs are unique as well.

The first step after getting engaged is narrowing down the guest list and budget. Not many details can be finalized until both a guest list and budget have been created. Equally the quantity of  guests will determine what size venue and how to allocate your budget for food, drinks, etc. The next step is locking in your wedding date at the venue.

What are the most important aspects of planning?

Staying organized and having a detailed timeline, table layout, and décor descriptions.

Then Communicating your decision. Whether it be communication with your vendors, family, or just between the couple themselves keeping everyone on the same page is a huge key in the success of a wedding.

What are some of the top mistakes couples make when planning and what makes couples successful?

Mistake: Not hiring a professional DJ. I hear all of the time that couples want to save on their budget by not hiring a professional DJ. There are a lot of great music apps out there but the key to the DJ is that they keep the flow of the event, engage your guests, and make sure everyone is having a great time. 2. Not planning

Successful: Remembering what is important to you throughout the entire process. Everyone has opinions on weddings and will happily tell you their opinion. It is important to keep in mind what is actually important to you specifically.

Do you have any tips for staying on budget when planning?

Put all your wedding money in one separate account, so you can easily track additions and withdrawals without getting it confused with the rest of your day-to-day funds.

Plan to go over your budget. If you account for budget overages, then you never actually blow your budget. Try to reserve five percent of your budget for unforeseen costs. Just in case.

What kind of back-up plans should couples prepare for?

There always, ALWAYS, should be a back-up plan. No exceptions. There is nothing more stressful then getting to the day of your wedding and finding out it is raining all day and you have no other option but to force your guests to sit in the rain. There are millions of backup options. Whether it is a covered tent or choosing a venue that has an indoor option included. At Commellini Estate, your wedding planner will help you fully develop  a Plan B option so that there is no stress when it comes to the day of the wedding.

Do you have any tips for staying calm under pressure while wedding planning and on the wedding day itself?

Hire a wedding planner or book a venue that offers a wedding planner in their package. It is simply nice to have a go to person for all of your guests that is not you. This way you can enjoy the wedding planning process and especially the wedding day.

How long in advance should you start booking the venue?

This depends upon how specific you are on the event date. If you are flexible on the date you can wait a bit longer. However, if you have a specific date in mind you will want to book the venue at least 12 months out. At Commellini Estate we are booking two years out. With that being said there are usually a few last minute cancellations so it is possible to get lucky last minute.

When should couples send out Save the Dates and guest invites?

As a general rule, it’s best to send the Save the Dates around six months prior to the ceremony (eight months for a destination wedding or holiday weekend). This gives wedding guests plenty of time to book their travel, save a bit of cash and ask for days off from work. Any earlier and they may toss the notice aside. Any later and it might as well be an invitation.

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