Planning a summer wedding in the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) area can be an exciting and joyful experience. With warm weather, picturesque landscapes, and an abundance of venues, the possibilities for creating a memorable celebration are endless.
To ensure your summer wedding is a success, we have gathered some valuable tips to guide you through the planning process. And if you need expert assistance, Mimi Ebichi Events is here to help!
With a variety of indoor and outdoor options, the DMV area offers numerous stunning wedding venues. Consider the weather and your preferences when choosing between outdoor gardens, historic estates, waterfront locations, or elegant ballrooms.
Be sure to book your venue well in advance, as summer dates tend to fill up quickly.
Summer weddings provide an opportunity to incorporate vibrant colors, lush greenery, and seasonal blooms into your décor. Opt for bold and lively color palettes such as citrus hues, pastel shades, or beach-inspired blues.
Use local flowers and foliage to create arrangements that reflect the beauty of the season.
Plan for the Heat:
Summers in the DMV area can be hot and humid. Keep your guests’ comfort in mind by providing shade, refreshing drinks, and cooling stations.
Consider offering personalized fans, parasols, or a refreshing signature cocktail during the outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour.
Time Your Wedding:
Take advantage of the longer daylight hours and plan your ceremony during the late afternoon or early evening. The soft golden light during these hours will create a romantic atmosphere and provide ample time for capturing beautiful photographs.
Beat the Crowds:
The DMV area attracts tourists during the summer months, which can lead to increased traffic and higher hotel rates. Advise your guests to book accommodations in advance and provide them with transportation options.
Consider sharing a list of recommended hotels and nearby attractions to make their experience more enjoyable.
Stay Hydrated:
To keep your guests hydrated and refreshed, provide water stations throughout the venue, especially if you’re hosting an outdoor wedding. You can also incorporate unique and delicious beverage stations such as infused water bars, lemonade stands, or a signature drink station.
Choose Lighter Menu Options:
Opt for a summer-inspired menu featuring light and refreshing dishes. Consider incorporating fresh fruits, grilled vegetables, chilled soups, and seafood options. Discuss with your caterer about providing menu options that are both satisfying and appropriate for the season.
Conclusion:
Planning a summer wedding in the DMV area allows you to take advantage of the region’s natural beauty and warm weather. By considering these helpful tips, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable celebration for you and your guests.
And if you’re in need of professional guidance and expertise, don’t hesitate to book a free consultation with us at Mimi Ebichi Events.
Mimi Ebichi Events is your go-to wedding planner for the latest trends and ideas that add a personal touch to your special day.
With 2023 in full blast by now, we’re excited to share some of the top wedding planning trends that are growing in preference this year.
From sustainable weddings and interactive food and drink stations to mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses and multicultural wedding attire, our team is dedicated to helping you create a unique and unforgettable wedding experience.
Let’s dive into the top wedding planning trends of 2023 and see how we can incorporate them into your dream wedding.
Sustainable Weddings: As the world becomes more eco-conscious, sustainable weddings are becoming more popular. Couples are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint by using eco-friendly materials, sourcing locally-grown food, and reducing waste.
Bold Colors: Wedding colors in 2023 will be bolder and brighter than ever before. From deep reds and blues to vibrant yellows and greens, bold colors will be used to make a statement and create a dramatic effect.
Unique Venues: Couples are moving away from traditional venues and opting for more unique spaces. From industrial warehouses to botanical gardens, couples are choosing venues that reflect their personalities and interests.
Interactive Food and Drink Stations: Interactive food and drink stations are a great way to add a fun element to your wedding reception. Couples can choose from a variety of options such as DIY cocktail bars, popcorn stations, and taco trucks.
Personalized Wedding Favors: Personalized wedding favors are a great way to thank your guests for coming. From monogrammed cookies to customized keychains, couples are getting creative with their wedding favors.
Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses: In 2023, bridesmaid dresses will be more diverse than ever before. Mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses are a popular trend, allowing bridesmaids to choose a dress that suits their individual style and body type.
Interactive Entertainment: Interactive entertainment such as photo booths, live musicians, and even caricature artists are becoming more popular at weddings. Couples are looking for ways to engage their guests and make their wedding reception more memorable.
Multicultural weddings: are a top trend in 2023 as couples are increasingly embracing their diverse backgrounds and cultures. From blending traditional customs to incorporating cultural elements into the wedding ceremony and reception, multicultural weddings celebrate the union of two individuals and their families.
Couples are looking for ways to make their wedding unique and meaningful by fusing elements from different cultures, such as music, food, and attire.
In conclusion, 2023 is one of those exciting times for wedding planning. Couples are embracing new trends and ideas to create a unique and personalized wedding experience. Whether it’s sustainable weddings, bold colors, or interactive entertainment, the possibilities are endless.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we specialize in planning and executing multicultural weddings that celebrate diversity and unity. Our team of experts can help you incorporate cultural traditions and create a wedding experience that truly represents you and your partner.
The wedding coordinator is an essential player in a couple’s wedding. S/he is normally in charge of the venue logistics, wedding vendors, and time management, and ensures guests are safe and comfortable in the wedding venue.
In this blog post, we discuss in detail the roles and responsibilities of a wedding coordinator, and how you can maximize his or her service on your wedding day.
What is a Wedding Coordinator?
Also known as the day-of-the-wedding coordinator, this key person in your wedding team is tasked to tie up loose ends on the day of the wedding. S/he may not necessarily be the wedding planner who has organized the vision, nonetheless, his or her role is of utmost importance.
The wedding coordinator is mostly in charge of making sure the activities of the ceremony and reception are within schedule. S/he manages the venue and the wedding vendors. S/he creates contingency plans for weather changes and all other logistical requirements.
The wedding coordinator also acts as the host who welcomes guests, ensuring they are safe and comfortable from the parking up to their seats. For any unexpected challenges, s/he steps in and works in tandem with the wedding planner.
What is the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator?
In the wedding industry, it is not uncommon to find that people use the terms wedding coordinator and wedding planner interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences in their roles.
It is important to know their specific duties so you can decide if you need a full-service wedding planner or just a day-of-the-wedding coordinator for your event. It also gives you an idea of what to expect from both wedding event professionals.
Here are their key differences in terms of responsibilities:
Execution of the wedding plan
The wedding planner is the visionary. S/he is the one in charge of creating the whole wedding plan and design from the ground up. On the other hand, a wedding coordinator is simply the person in charge of executing it on your special day. Given this, you should expect to meet your day-of-the-wedding coordinator 1-2 months in advance.
Vendor and logistics management
Once the list of vendors and venue details are turned over to the wedding coordinator, s/he will take it from here. The day-of-the-wedding coordinator will check on your vendors, venue, parking, and other logistical needs on that day.
Monitors timelines and floor plans
The creation of the wedding timelines and floor plans can be done by either the wedding planner or the coordinator. Once this is turned over to the coordinator, s/he will now be in charge of making sure this is followed and executed well.
Final walk-through of the ceremony and reception sites
In order to match the wedding timelines and floor plans to the actual venues, the wedding coordinator will do a final walk-through or visit the ceremony and reception sites. S/he will take note of any pertinent requirements like electricals, parking spaces, etc.
Contingency planning
To tie up loose ends is one of the major duties of the wedding coordinator. S/he will be in charge of resolving emergencies such as missing supplies, weather changes, delays, etc.
Rehearsal management
All dinner and wedding rehearsals will be handled by the wedding coordinator. This is also a good time to check and discuss any unforeseen events that the wedding team may not have considered prior.
Welcoming of guests
The coordinator is the host who will welcome your guests as they arrive at the reception venue. Some venues have their own venue coordinator who takes on this role. S/he makes sure that guests find their seats, are comfortable and are well attended to.
In charge of everything on your D-Day
Finally, the wedding coordinator is the point person for everything on your wedding day. S/he may be one person or a team depending on your needs and the size of the guest list.
Should I delegate wedding coordinator duties to a friend or family member?
One important thing to note is to pick family and friends who are reliable and willing to offer service during your day. There are simple tasks that you can delegate to them. This is not just a way of helping you, but also a meaningful gesture that you can treasure from your friends and family.
Here are some tasks you can delegate:
Collecting your dress and/or suit
Posting invitations
Picking up guests from the airport
Guestbook work
Ushering of guests
Handing of ceremony supplies to the bridal party members
Providing you with overall emotional support
The Day of Coordinator Checklist
For an overview of the complete roles and responsibilities of a wedding coordinator, here is a handy checklist that you can use:
Final check on the wedding and reception site/s
Manage the rehearsal direction
Ensure wedding attire/s and paraphernalia are ready and safe
Check up and manage the wedding vendors and venues
Organize the processional line-up
Welcome guests and usher them to their seats
Assist in pinning on boutonnières and corsages
Custodian of the marriage license, ketubah, ritual items, and rings
Collection and distribution of ceremony items
Ensure correct set-up and decor at the ceremony and reception sites
Set up the space for:
Favors
Gifts
Place Cards
Guest book
Cake table
Rentals
Overall director of the wedding event following proper flow and timelines
Assist with guest management
Help in transporting wedding gifts to the specified destination
Create a contingency plan for emergencies
Resolve last-minute needs
Last Minute Wedding Planner Checklist!
Reconfirm and review wedding-related duties with wedding day volunteers and helpers.
Download and print your Printable Final Guest List, Vendor Contact List, Bridal Party & Family Contacts and Wedding Timeline.
For outdoor weddings, begin to watch the weather forecast.
Prep and pack all wedding items and supplies for the wedding day.
How much does it cost to hire a wedding coordinator?
The answer mostly depends on several factors such as the complexity of the wedding event, size of the guest list, vendor count, decor installations, and the entire wedding period. Some weddings cover the entire weekend or longer. For busy couples, they prefer to simply book a full-service wedding planner who will take care of everything from beginning to end. This way, there will be fewer worries about turnovers, transitions, or any missed detail that was not covered by your wedding planner. It can prove to be cheaper and more convenient, too.
Why Choose Mimi Ebichi Events?
Mimi Ebichi is a professional wedding planner and wedding coordinator in VA. Our team has a wealth of experience creating, designing, and running meaningful wedding events in Virginia, Washington DC, and other wedding destinations worldwide.
As event designers, we deeply value relationships, culture, and trust. Hence, we strive to provide the most stress-free, and beyond-your-imagination wedding experience whether you book us a full-service wedding planner or a day-of-the-wedding coordinator. BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION WITH MIMI.
There is always something unique and memorable with multicultural weddings because of the blend of two cultures. Friends and family from both sides are present to share the same passion, beliefs, and traditions that remind them of home.
But first, let us define: What is a multicultural wedding?
A multicultural wedding, also known as a fusion wedding is a marriage between two people from different cultures, ethnicity, or faith backgrounds.
Because of the nature of fusion weddings, it is not always easy to plan the wedding ceremony and reception. The wedding planning process takes on a more careful path to honor the two cultures that will blend in the event. If you are set on having a multicultural wedding for you and your soon-to-be spouse, here are some tips on how to combine your cultures together.
A wedding planner that specializes in fusion weddings is a huge help in navigating the whole planning process – taking into account the cultural sensitives from both parties, the type of wedding venues that can accommodate such an event, more ideas on design and decor, and all other necessities that need to be considered when planning for a multicultural wedding.
While couples may do this on their own, hiring a multicultural wedding planner will definitely save one’s time, effort, and money as you are provided with expert guidance in planning your culture-infused wedding.
Consult with both families to understand customs and expectations
To put everyone on the same page, it is wise to consult with both families on expectations regarding customs, traditions, attire, even the menu in the reception so as to honor your cultural backgrounds. After all, this is the heart of multicultural weddings. This is also a good time to discuss budgets and guestlists.
Having this information on hand, it will be easier to educate friends and families about your customs, as well as your religious institutions.
Select the right ceremony and reception venues for a cultural wedding event
A touch of culture and tradition in both ceremony and reception is expected. Factor in the program of events, guest list size, vicinity to airports and hotels where your relatives may arrive from, and other specific logistical requirements to mount your multicultural wedding event. Again, the help of a specialized wedding planner is ideal in this stage of the planning process.
Other factors to consider in choosing a wedding venue are:
Capacity (size) – Just like with any event, the venue capacity is important. Indian weddings usually last multiple(2-3) days. The number of invited guests and the rooms needed for different ceremonies/rituals at each wedding event can vary, so choosing a venue with the right capacity to accommodate guests is extremely important.
Catering – Cultural and multicultural groups love the option to get catering service from their favorite or preferred restaurants or chefs. For this reason, selecting a venue that allows for outside catering or has Indian chefs is highly recommended.
Flexibility on load-in and load-out times – It’s important that there is leeway in terms of this because larger cultural weddings with intricate designs may need more days than just the typical 3-4 hours to set up.
Easy and accessible doors and elevators for vendors to load in – It’s important to choose a venue with ease of access because lavish fusion weddings usually require assembly of heavy equipment on site. In some cases like in Indian weddings, the need for a horse or elephant to make an entrance during the Baraat calls for such access.
Parking for guests
Accommodations – Pick a wedding venue that is near the hotel/s of your choice ( if the venue is not a hotel). Much better if the venue already offers accommodation. Be ready to give room for guests’ preferences.
Proximity to airports – This is also a way of showing that you care about your guests and the quality of their time. If you are unable to secure your dream venue near an airport, consider providing transportation services to your guests.
Time – Cultural weddings tend to start either earlier than normal and end later than usual too. Having a wedding venue that can be flexible with start and end times is ideal.
Bar/Beverage – Check if the venue has the option to bring liquor.
Be specific about which part of the ceremony, decor, program, and food will incorporate culture.
Modern couples of today opt for more streamlined, minimalist weddings. They are usually certain of what they like to see: clean architectural designs, neutral colors, with just the right hint of culture to represent them. Now, not everyone may know exactly what they want in their multicultural wedding, so sitting down with your wedding planner to voice out your vision is recommended. Your planner can then lay out the touches of culture and tradition that must be present in specific parts of the wedding – from the ceremony to the reception program, decor, menu, etc.
Discuss interfaith marriage customs with your religious affiliations.
Some religions are okay with interfaith wedding ceremonies. Some, however, are mutually exclusive. Better to check with your religious officiants to know what is expected. Securing a date with your church is a wise idea to ensure your wedding date does not coincide with specific religious dates and seasons. Match this with wedding venue availabilities before making a deposit.
Educate your guests about what they can expect.
The last thing you want is for your guests to feel awkward about all these cultural matters. Setting up a website, and including details in the invitation about the information on attire expectations, food, customs, activities, etc. are necessary.
Book a FREE Consultation
Mimi Ebichi is a seasoned wedding planner with a specialization inmulticultural weddings. Our team of planners, vendors, and coordinators will ensure the heavy work is off your hands from planning to celebration so you can actually sit down and enjoy your most special day. Contact Mimi for a free consultation.
When planning for a wedding, hiring a full-service wedding planner may have probably crossed your mind. Though it can be overwhelming to search through their services and identify which ones are essential for you, we have listed down some of the most vital services to spot on when hiring events and wedding planners!
1. Conceptualization
The first and foremost step to break the ice in your wedding preparation is to hire a professional to help you. Your reliable wedding planner will help you develop an initial concept that entails the wedding theme, styling, and the overall feel of the event.
2. Budget creation and management
One of the most crucial stages in wedding planning is the planning and creation of a budget. Although it is expected that you already have a ball figure before actually hiring a wedding planner, seeking professional advice will give you insights on how to maximize and manage your wedding budget wisely. Hence, hiring a professional wedding planner includes availing their expertise in budget creation and management.
3. Wedding checklist and schedule creation
It is known for a fact that preparing for a wedding takes much of your time, and it may be difficult to juggle other responsibilities aside from the wedding preparations. But, wedding planners are there for a reason. Known to be the masters of time management, professional wedding planners take pride in their ability to squeeze in all pre-wedding activities within the allotted months of preparation. And because of that, there is no need to worry about missing out on an important wedding errand or running out of time!
4. Vendor recommendations and contract negotiations
Wedding planners are there for a reason or two – and most of the time, their connections really do matter! When you hire a reliable wedding planner, that trust extends up to the wedding vendors that they recommend, and you just know that these vendors are the seasoned experts in the wedding industry! This aspect spares you from so much worry about hiring the wrong team of suppliers, and your wedding planner may even help you come up with good contract negotiations!
5. Venue and events management
Who wants to stress about the venue and event on their very own wedding day? You certainly do not want to picture yourself stressing about the insufficient number of chairs while in your wedding dress. Hence, hiring a professional wedding planner saves you from unnecessary stress by managing the logistics needed for the venue and the overall event.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we make sure to take care of each and every wedding preparation for our clients – just what any couple would dream of. As masters of creativity and time management intertwined, we make your dream wedding come to life. Book a FREE consultation with us today!
Planning a wedding can be both exciting and daunting – from choosing a wedding date, reception venue, wedding favors and suppliers, and wedding attire. Then comes the discussion about the wedding budget. No need to fret, we’re here to help! We have listed down below some of the things that are often overlooked when planning a wedding budget.
1. Wedding invites
Crafting your wedding invites surely is fun to do. We’re sure you’ve already planned your matching RSVPs, or maybe you even hired a calligrapher. However, allotting a budget for postage/stamps is something most couples tend to forget. These stamps may not be so pretty as compared to your envelopes and embossed invitations, but they do come in handy and are important when it comes time to mail those out!
2. Gratuities
Most people understand this as a “tip”. Although giving a tip is highly arbitrary and optional (but recommended), it is always worth it to give extra gratitude to the people who have worked far and beyond during your wedding. If you’re hiring a handful of wedding staff and suppliers, make sure to set aside enough amount of budget for the tip!
3. Taste tests
While you are looking forward to hiring a reliable and good-quality wedding caterer, we’re sure you are also prepping up for the much-awaited taste test and dry runs. Although most wedding caterers include the taste test in their service fees, there are still some suppliers who make this as a separate offer. The best option is to ask about the inclusions of their service and set aside a reasonable amount for taste testing.
4. Additional decorations and stationery
When you are envisioning your dream wedding theme and style, you may have overlooked the small details and decorations that must be budgeted too. These additional decorations may include table runners, candles, place cards, escort cards, and other small stationery pieces. While these things may still add up as the wedding preparations progress, it is best to allot a budget for them.
5. Thank you notes
When all the merriments and well wishes have been said and done, giving thanks to your guests who spent their time and resources for you is always a good idea. You want to thank them appropriately and everyone knows a thank you note in the mail is the way to do it. Thank you notes typically aren’t very expensive, but they do cost something, so they should be in your budget.
We at Mimi Ebichi Events take pride in treating our services as a wedding investment. We are committed to bringing blissful wedding celebrations to our valuable clients through our artistry, craft, and wedding planning experiences seasoned through the years. Book a FREE consultation with us today and let’s start this year by planning your wedding!
There is no doubt that the pandemic has created a significant impact on the wedding industry today. Emerging trends and new wedding arrangements have come to life. With the health restrictions in place, most couples now prefer an intimate, romantic wedding over a grand, dreamy one. If you are considering a small-sized wedding for 2022, continue scrolling as we walk you through some of the tried and tested tips to plan for an intimate wedding in 2022
1. Finalize the guest list
Couples who choose to do an intimate wedding must plan their wedding guest list strategically. This means that you have to consider streamlining your guest size by limiting the attendees to your immediate family members and closest friends. A strategic way to do this is to create 2 versions of your guest list – one for drafting all the possible guests without considering the ideal guest count first. From there, create another version that already considers downsizing the guest number. This helps you carefully eliminate and select the people who can attend and those who can watch the live stream instead – yep, it’s another option you can consider!
2. Personalize your style
Since this is an intimate romantic wedding, why not grab the chance and make it a little extra personal? Most couples prefer to do an intimate wedding mainly because it leaves ample room for authenticity in style and aesthetics. Make your intimate wedding a reflection of you as a couple!
As it goes without saying, considering the size of your chosen wedding venue is equally important to decide to have an intimate wedding for 2022. With COVID restrictions in place, choosing the right wedding venue for your ceremony and reception has to be large enough to accommodate all your guests while still observing the proper health protocols.
4. Play and explore with seating arrangements
As mentioned earlier, having an intimate wedding in 2022 leaves you more room to play with and explore your creativity – yes, even with the seating arrangements. You might want to consider having an extra-large round table (that’s appropriate for social distancing, of course) for 10-20 guests to fill more space. Or, you could have smaller tables with fewer guests with which you can still interact during dinner. The choice is totally up to you!
5. Enjoy and embrace the moment
And lastly, we highly recommend you simply enjoy and embrace your big day! One thing about having an intimate wedding is that it allows you to bond and interact with your guests at a more personal level – so take this chance to do so! You deserve to have an immeasurably memorable day with all the months of preparation and investment in your wedding.
We at Mimi Ebichi Events take pride in treating our services as a wedding investment. We are committed to bringing blissful wedding celebrations to our valuable clients through our artistry, craft, and wedding planning experiences seasoned through the years. Book a FREE consultation with us today and let’s start this year by planning your wedding!
Choosing the right wedding vendors is no easy task. For most couples, it takes a couple of weeks, months even, on selecting the right wedding supplier and vendor for them. Thus, picking the right wedding caterer is no different at all. Since food is the total crowd-pleaser of any wedding, it is very crucial in the whole wedding preparation process. But don’t fret! Here are some tips on how to spot a reliable wedding caterer.
1. Wedding Venue Package
If your chosen wedding venue already comes with an in-house caterer, then this part would be easier for you. However, the downside of settling to a wedding venue and caterer package is that you have lesser room for negotiation. While your wedding reception comes with a venue-caterer package deal, you could still work your way around getting a nice discount or extras. Since cash is beloved by all, you could politely ask your caterer if they offer some valuable discounts or extras for clients like you who are willing to pay in full!
2. Compare, compare, compare
It never hurts to come up with a considerable list of preferred caterers. This will allow you to carefully weigh in the pros and cons of each caterer on your list; especially in terms of their package deals, the quantity of service, the scope of service, and quality of food above all. The easiest way to do this is to interview them and do initial research by visiting their website. This would help you build up your expectations towards the particular caterer.
3. Finalize your budget
The general rule is to never consider interviewing any caterer without a set budget and final guest list. All caterers would gladly offer you a package that would suit your guest count and budget, so it is best for both parties to meet at a common ground. This way, it would be easier for you to negotiate and even compare which caterer offers the best package for your needs.
4. Food tasting is a must!
Before signing the contract with your chosen caterer, make sure to have a food tasting first. It goes without saying that no matter how good the deal was, the quality will always be the real deal. Consider your caterer as one of your wedding investments that require time and careful planning. Remember that the food in your reception will always be the crowd-pleaser.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we are proud of our commitment and dedication to providing the quality of service that our clients deserve. We put value in our clients’ investment in hiring a wedding planner by giving them the best and memorable wedding experience ever. Let us be a part of your dream wedding by signing up for our FREE consultation today!
