Insider Tips from Married Wedding Vendors

When we asked for insider tips from married wedding vendors, they were gracious and answered. See their special photos and read their insights to learn something that might help you with your wedding day planning.

Share one memory from your wedding day.

Jenn & Tony Laiacona, from Laiacona Photography & Design, were married in Fort Lauderdale, FL:

My favorite memory of our wedding was having our close friend officiate which allowed us to write our own ceremony. This included special details such as a reading of a poem Tony’s late mother wrote about him, our own vows, & locking letters we wrote each other in a box with wine from the vineyard where we got engaged. It was romantic, personalized, and filled with laughter.

Christine Kirby, of Christine Kirby Studios, was married in Arlington, VA:

The day flew by no matter how hard we tried to hold on to the moments. My dad gave a fantastic Father of the Bride toast and my in-laws orchestrated a flash dance with the entire groom’s side.

Elizabeth Louise, of Harpist Elizabeth Louise who was married in Winter Park, FL:

I vividly remember the unity candle because we chose to stay at the candle for a couple of minutes to reflect on our union. This moment to pause and listen to the music really helped us stay present in the moment and slow down on such a busy day.

Lora Wardman, from Lora Wardman Events, was married in Savannah, GA:

It was such a beautiful day in Savannah! We walked the squares and met our pastor for a sweet, emotional ceremony under the many oak trees in Monterey Square by The Mercer House. We took photos and immediately celebrated with a pint at The Six Pence where we shared the news!

Randy Keith, from Premier Dueling Pianos, was married in Sun City, AZ:

Our first dance was a custom song – I rewrote the words to Elton John’s “The One” to tell our story.

Natalie Maniatis, from Our DJ Rocks!, was married in Orlando, FL:

My bridesmaid dress broke before we all had to walk down the aisle. I mean the WHOLE ZIPPER!! I didn’t even freak out as the best advice I was given ” something will go wrong on your wedding day, just laugh with it and make it an ever-lasting moment!” We safety pinned it and she changed after:).

Jill Heaton, from Jill Heaton Event Decor, was married in East Windsor, CT:

Walking down the aisle with enormous ceiling chandeliers and seeing the flowered arch with my husband to be standing there and all the eyes on me.

Danielle Handfield Pardo, from Unique Elements Weddings & Events, LLC, was married in Orlando, FL:

It was very intimate, with only close family and friends which made it extra special.

Ricky Mascia, from RJM Entertainment, was married in Lake Mary, FL:

We partied our a** off! One thing that stands out from my wedding was just the sheer amount of bodies on the dance floor. It was so packed. We got married at the Lake Mary Event Center and went all out. I feel as though my wife and I did not leave the dance floor the entire night and the majority of our guests were right there with us dancing the night away. We had an absolute blast.

For the garter removal song, I chose Pony by Ginuwine and proceeded to channel my inner Magic Mike. Unlike a chiseled and very coordinated Channing Tatum, when I attempted to jump on my wife’s lap, I slid right down her slippery dress and fell on my back. It was epic.

In all seriousness, our wedding was one of the most fun days of my life and allowed us to create memories that my wife and I will hold on to for a lifetime.

Dawn Bush, from The Barn at Southern Oaks, was married in Umatilla, FL:

I cannot imagine my wedding turning out better than it did, but one memory that stands out is the family that was there on our special day to celebrate with us who are no longer here. Photos are so important as you will have them to look back on over the years.

Ilana Karcinski, from Fairy Tale Pet Care, was married in Tampa, FL:

Including my dog!! He walked down the aisle with my Maid of Honor, Kelly (who is the co-founder of FairyTail Pet Care of course) and then he laid down on the train of my dress for the duration of the ceremony.

 

Andrea Rowlison, from Music Remembrance, was married in St. Augustine, FL:

We had a wonderful minister that made sure the ceremony was a reflection of our strong religious beliefs. It made the ceremony truly special for us.

Jessica Van Heyde, from Just Marry!, was married in Orlando, FL:

Halfway through our first dance, we invited the other couples attending to join us on the dance floor. It ended up being my absolute favorite moment, just soaking on our first dance with our favorite people surrounding us, after not being able to gather together for so long!

Helen Tillem, from the Orlando Science Center, was married in New Orleans, LA:

My most favorite memory from our wedding was being surrounded by all of my favorite people in my favorite place! It was so fun walking down the streets of New Orleans, running into wedding guests and, the night of our wedding, soaking in how much love my husband and I were surrounded by!

Stephanie Green, from Socialite Events, was married at Patrick Air Force Base in Tampa, FL:

I was so nervous about the day and everything happening that day. My husband and I chose to do a first look and I’m so glad we did. Having that private moment with just us was so special. After the first look, the entire wedding party and close family hung together until the wedding started. All the nerves were gone and I was so relaxed the rest of the day.

Michael Fried, from Sonacity Productions, was married in Orlando, FL:

One of my favorite moments was from our first look, having a private moment, and being WOWed by her dress choice.

Looking back, what is something you would do differently?

Jessica Van Heyde, from Just Marry!:

I would try to not worry about the small details and enjoy the moment more. At the reception, we had planned to cut the cake, but we decided to skip it because we were having so much fun on the dance floor. I don’t regret that at all, and I wish I had taken that approach earlier in the day!

Lora Wardman, from Lora Wardman Events:

We wished we had our families with us, but we celebrated at a later date, here and in England.

Grisell Careaga, from Mad Oddities Weddings & Events:

We would have invited our friends and family. Getting some sleep the night before would have been nice. We traveled alone so there really wasn’t anyone there to help me or keep track of time.

Jenn & Tony Laiacona, from Laiacona Photography & Design:

Hire a videographer, spend the money, it’s worth it!

Michael Fried, from Sonacity Productions:

Hire a videographer!

Ilana Karcinski, from Fairy Tale Pet Care:

One of the insider tips from married wedding vendors I would share is…. What everyone says is 1000% true. It goes by SO fast! I would have had more surrounding events, even if they were casual, like dinner the night prior somewhere local and a brunch the following day. I just feel like so many of my favorite people were in town and I barely got to talk with them or to spend real quality time with any of them.

Andrea Rowlison, from Music Remembrance:

Do a trial make-up day!

Randy Keith, from Premier Dueling Pianos:

Wouldn’t have had such a strict timeline for pictures. Would have spent more time with guests.

When asked about insider tips from married wedding vendors, Randy Mascia, from RJM Entertainment shared:

I would have hired a videographer and done a sparkler exit. I feel like we missed out on a lot by not having a videographer present to capture funny moments, our first look, or speeches. We had an amazing photographer but the video is like a time portal that allows you to peek back to an exact moment or memory. There’s something special about watching an old video and hearing people’s voices and seeing them move and react live and in real-time. Our wedding was amazing, but this is something I most definitely regret not having.

I’m a sucker for a good sparkler exit and wish we would have done one. My wife wasn’t too big on the idea so I went with it, but I would have loved to have had one. The pictures are just super cool and when I see our clients running through that arch they always look they’re having a blast. Still a little salty I didn’t get to do one 4 years later lol!

Dawn Bush, from The Barn at Southern Oaks:

I would have researched other venue options for my wedding. In the ’90s most weddings were held in churches but today there are so many venue options…..Make it about what you want and choose what’s right for you!

Stephanie Green, from Socialite Events

Book getaway transportation! My husband and I were some of the last people to leave the wedding. We walked outside realized neither of us drove to the venue. Luckily, a close friend was still there. We hopped in the back of his two-door Camaro.

Helen Tillem, from the Orlando Science Center:

I would have tried to relax a little more leading up to the wedding. Being a part of the event industry, I was extremely focused on creating perfect moments that at times, I stopped having fun while planning. In the end I wouldn’t have changed any of my plans and had the time of my life!

Danielle Handfield Pardo, from Unique Elements Weddings & Events, LLC:

Would have planned the honeymoon at the same time. We delayed it saying we would go later.

Christine Kirby, from Christine Kirby Studios:

I have a few things I would have done differently: Hire a wedding planner or (at the very least!) a day-of coordinator. Hire a wedding photographer. And cut the guest list down, so we could have spent more time with those that really mattered to us.

Elizabeth Louise, of Harpist Elizabeth Louise:

I would have had a bigger selection of food to nibble on. We had a lovely dinner menu but it was too limited.

Natalie Maniatis, from Our DJ Rocks!:

I would 100% have stopped looking ahead to the next moment. I was so worried about going to say “hi” making sure people were dancing. I would just live in the moment you’re in. EAT your dinner! JUST HAVE A BLAST WITH YOUR SPOUSE!

Jill Heaton, from Jill Heaton Event Decor:

I’d say consider the weather. We would have had a change of date for warmer weather. It was the dead of winter. Blustering cold and icy in Connecticut.

 

What is one of the insider tips as a married wedding vendor that you would share with engaged couples, who are planning their wedding, that you wish you had known?

Lora Wardman, from Lora Wardman Events:

Walk through the day in your mind, together! What things do you want to happen from beginning to end? Don’t forget the necessary details…clothing choices, hair and makeup, time for photos and don’t forget to make that family/friend photo list! Also, make sure your planner packs a to-go bag for the hotel. That piece of cake will taste so good!

Stephanie Green, from Socialite Events:

Plan a wedding that reflects your style and makes you comfortable. At the end of the day, it is about the couple getting married and no one else.

 

Grisell Careaga, from Mad Oddities Weddings & Events:

Get the real flowers, a coordinator would have been awesome, and splurge on a good photographer that you vibe with!

When asked about insider tips from married wedding vendors Jenn & Tony Laiacona, from Laiacona Photography & Design told us:

There are no rules to follow so do it your way. Make it memorable and take a moment between the two of you to soak it all in because it’s over before you know it!

Danielle Handfield Pardo, from Unique Elements Weddings & Events, LLC:

Plan the wedding and how beautiful it would be, but also plan and discuss the vision for your marriage. What goals do you both want to achieve and how you will handle arguments. Who will be involved in the decision-making? – Do moms get a say etc. All of that is important in planning the rest of your life together.

Elizabeth Louise, of HarpistElizabethLouise:

Hire a wedding planner! No matter how type A you are (and I am!) or how much you think you can do yourself, it’s an amazing amount of information that can add to the stress. Having that planner dedicated to you for the day makes a huge difference and is worth every penny!

Natalie Maniatis, from Our DJ Rocks!:

Take a moment before or sometime during the event to soak it all in. I’m happy we got to do this before the night started! We did the room reveal and enjoyed a cocktail alone together!

Jill Heaton, from Jill Heaton Event Decor:

Marriage is not easy. It’s work. And you need to evolve and constantly work at the relationship.

Ricky Mascia, from RJM Entertainment:

This isn’t so much a piece of advice that I wish that I knew when I was planning, but the knowledge that I’ve gained from working in the wedding industry the last decade or so.

Do what YOU want. The only voices that truly matters are you and your partner. If you want to get some input from friends and family… go for it. However, when it comes down to decisions making time, do not let someone else’s opinion sway you from doing what it is that you want to do.

Chances are you will never have another moment where all of your friends, family, and loved ones will be in the same place at the same time celebrating with you, so your wedding is truly a special event. Do it up and do it how you want it to be done.

If you want sunflowers as centerpieces, go for it. If you want to walk down the aisle to the hokey pokey… Send it. There is no right or wrong way to do these things so make it your own and do what makes you and your partner happy.

Ilana Karcinski, from Fairy Tale Pet Care:

Do what YOU want to do! Traditions can be special too, but this is your wedding. You don’t have to follow any traditions that you don’t want to, and you can even add unique/new ones that are special to you and your partner! There are no rules. It’s your day and you can celebrate however you both want!

Randy Keith, from Premier Dueling Pianos:

Plan to not eat lol… Food is always cold (if there’s even time to eat) after the bride and groom make all the guest rounds!

Dawn Bush, from The Barn at Southern Oaks:

Hire a videographer!

Jessica Van Heyde, from Just Marry!:

Make sure that you focus on making your wedding day and wedding planning experience about the two of you! It is so hard to avoid getting caught up in other’s opinions, but it is so much more meaningful to focus on you and your future spouse.

Andrea Rowlison, from Music Remembrance:

We did all the planning ourselves. Looking back, we would definitely use a wedding planner. We even dropped the cake so it had a flat side lol. Luckily nothing could dampen our happy day.

Christine Kirby, from Christine Kirby Studios:

Once you get engaged, everyone is going to have advice on how your wedding day should look. As well-intentioned as they are, make sure that you have a clear vision of what you and your fiancé want. And then engage the professionals to make it happen.

Michael Fried, from Sonacity Productions:

On the wedding day, take some time out for just the 2 of you. Look around and take in everything that’s going on, who’s there, and what’s happening.

Helen Tillem, from the Orlando Science Center said one of her insider tips from married wedding vendors for a couple is:

As your wedding date approaches, take a step back and look at your to-do list. Chances are the things that are left are small and probably time-consuming. At that point, make a decision if it’s really important to stay up all night gluing a flower to your place cards, or filling favor bags with candy. Most guests won’t realize that these details are missing and you might end up sleeping a little bit more and staying closer to your set budget.

Did you do anything unconventional for your wedding?

Jenn & Tony Laiacona, from Laiacona Photography & Design:

We incorporated Star Wars for Tony from knighting our groomsmen with a lightsaber to our “I love you, I know” cake topper. We also had a steel drummer play the Imperial March while our wedding party walked the aisle.

Lora Wardman, from Lora Wardman Events:

We eloped and I wore blue! I think wearing a color you feel amazing in is key as long as it’s cohesive and a color you will not regret. White is not a rule, it’s a suggestion.

Randy Keith, from Premier Dueling Pianos:

I had a choir of my bride’s former middle school students sing our recessional.

Stephanie Green, from Socialite Events:

At the time not having a cake was unconventional. We set up a cupcake and candy bar with the help of Sweet! By Holly

Helen Tillem, from the Orlando Science Center:

A New Orleans wedding isn’t complete without a Second Line! All 120 of our wedding guests paraded down Bourbon Street lead by a marching band and police escort to celebrate our marriage. The parade took us from our ceremony location to our reception location.

Ricky Mascia, from RJM Entertainment:

We did not have a cake. I’m not a big cake person and neither is my wife. We opted for a dessert bar and had custom cupcakes for our guests who still wanted to satisfy their cake craving at a wedding. Our spread was pretty awesome though. We had Krispy Kreme deliver hot donuts, an array of candy and sweets, and an ice cream bar. If you’re not into a cake, get creative.

Grisell Careaga, from Mad Oddities Weddings & Events, was married at the Taco Bell Cantina in Las Vegas, Nevada:

We wore Taco Bell inspired outfits! My skirt had fabric wrappers and tacos, my bouquet was made from sauce packets. He had a “Mild” and “Diablo” sauce packet vest on which you could write messages (imitating the messages featured on sauce packets), both our jackets had the matching “bells” backdrop from the Taco Bell Cantina on the back.

Natalie Maniatis, from Our DJ Rocks!:

We are big baseball fans! Our guest got Cracker Jack and big league chew as gifts! I surprised my husband with a Cubs jersey on the back of our chairs, they had the years we were married. Our Guest signed a home Plate! “In baseball, As in Life, All important things happen at HOME!”

Dawn Bush, from The Barn at Southern Oaks:

We did not dance at our wedding and I wish we had.

Danielle Handfield Pardo, from Unique Elements Weddings & Events, LLC:

Yes. I didn’t have any of my parents walk me down the aisle.

Michael Fried, from Sonacity Productions:

We got married at the Orlando Science Center, which was absolutely amazing. We had touches of our personality on everything. Our wedding cake topper said, “Shit just got real”, we had our dog Millie walk down the aisle to Lil Wayne’s “A Milli”, our vows weren’t typical and both of us came off beautiful and really funny.

Ilana Karcinski, from Fairy Tale Pet Care:

A few things! We had a Sunday brunch wedding on the water so instead of a traditional open bar, it was unlimited Mimosas & Bloody Marys. We did chicken & waffles, an omelet station, crepes, etc. for food. We did donuts instead of a cake with just a small mini cake & topper for photos. We included my dog, of course. I surprised my husband and sang for him with the band at the reception. We didn’t do a seating chart and let everyone sit where they wanted (couches + lounge areas + a couple of full traditional tables.) We didn’t do the garter or bouquet toss traditions simply because we didn’t want to.

Christine Kirby, from Christine Kirby Studios:

I suppose now it’s not as unconventional, but I designed our wedding invitations and did the calligraphy addressing on them. It was before I started my stationery studio, so I got a lot of training at my own expense (from misordering the wrong envelope sizes, to keeping our guest list/addresses in two different files). Most importantly, I didn’t appreciate how long a good stationery design takes.

Jill Heaton, from Jill Heaton Event Decor:

Back in the 80’s mothers did the planning. They also branded everything with initials. The cocktail napkins, the matchbooks, and the chocolate handmade mints in bowls on the tables.

Jessica Van Heyde, from Just Marry!:

I decided to do a complete outfit change for the reception! It was such a fun way to change things up a little bit, and it was so much more comfortable on the dance floor. Plus, no one really knew it was happening, so it was a fun surprise.

Elizabeth Louise, of HarpistElizabethLouise:

We had a King’s table which is a large table in the middle of the room with our bridal party AND their significant others. We wanted to be surrounded by our friends and family and it was a wonderful feeling.

Thanks to all of these amazing Central Florida vendors for their personal stories and for sharing their insider tips from married wedding vendors, all to help you with your wedding planning. If you want to see your wedding featured on one of our Wedding Venue Map blogs, email us at support@weddingvenuemap.com and we’ll tell you the next steps!