Let's Get It Started Event Planning

I love to design events and make my client’s vision come to life!

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Amanda Ramsey and I live in the metro Atlanta area. From a very young age, I discovered that I wanted to make an “event” out of everything. I’d gather my stuffed animals around the table and drag my twin sister in the room and have a party to celebrate my stuffed animals birthday. Or I’d get the neighborhood kids together to make friendship bracelets for “Friendship Day”. Needless to say, that passion grew with me into adulthood. I love lists and organization. I love to design events and make my client’s vision come to life!

How did you become a wedding planner?

In my early 20’s I began to “help” friends and family plan and organize their children’s Birthday parties, and that escalated to helping friends or friends. I had also been planning and organizing office events here and there. I’d often times get comments like “You should be an event planner” or “this is the best party I’ve been to”. Naturally, that got me thinking that maybe I could do this for a living. Not only is it something I love to do, but it’s something I can see myself doing for a long time. I like most about my job when friends and family members of the bride and/or groom stop me to tell me what a wonderful job I've done. It really makes me feel that all the long hours that were spent are really worth it. It's a great feeling. With support and encouragement from my family, I started my little business.

What are the most common questions that couples ask you at the first introductory appointment?

As with anything, people want to know the cost involved. Even before I have my initial consultation with the couple, I give them my package pricing. But I am also sure to let them know that I can customize a package that is just right for them. You want your couples to feel comfortable with not only what they are spending, but also knowing that they will be taken care of and not have to stress about their special day. I find that couples are most concerned with:

• 1. Venue
• 2. Catering
• 3. Is a tie between music and photography. Couples want their guests to have FUN!

If anything, I highly suggest a "Day of Coordinator" so that no one but ME is running around crazy on the day of the wedding!

Why should a couple hire a wedding planner?

A lot of times a bride and/or groom will feel that they can handle all of the planning themselves. And for those who can..."cheers"! Couples don't realize how much stress this puts on family and friends to "get the job done right" and those family and friends end up not being able to enjoy the actual wedding or days leading up to it. If anything, I highly suggest a "Day of Coordinator" so that no one but ME is running around crazy on the day of the wedding!

Why is planning a wedding so stressful?

Simply because you want your guests to have a great time and why wouldn't that be stressful? You want to make sure everything is just right. Great location, great food, great music and all the other awesome things that can be planned for the "Big Day"! Having to keep track of when and where your vendors are or will be and making sure your guests are comfortable and ready when you are can make for a very stressful day!

What are your best expert wedding planning tips?

Don't be afraid to ask for help! If you decide you do not want full planning assistance, at least hire a day of coordinator.

How can we make a low-key wedding memorable?

Great food and good music make for an amazing time to be had by all!

How do wedding planners charge?

What was the most memorable wedding you planned?

This past November, I planned a wedding for an amazing couple that was more like a "Fall Festival" than a wedding. We had Caricatures, Smore Station, VW Photo Booth Bus and Llamas!

While there is something special about every wedding I plan. This past November, I planned a wedding for an amazing couple that was more like a "Fall Festival" than a wedding. Caricatures, Smore Station, VW Photo Booth Bus and Llamas! Yes, you read that right...Llamas. It was a very fun day and bar far my favorite.

Was there ever a time you had to improvise?

ALL the time. I learn a lesson from it each time as well. One couple who had made their own cake didn't think to bring the cake plates and I had to make a quick run to the store to grab some. At another wedding, the photographer's flash ran out of battery and I made a quick store run for that too! Now I keep extra cake plates and batteries along with a few other items in my "kit" that I bring to each wedding. Thankfully none have been catastrophic. I find that if I, as a planner, keep calm, it tends to keep the couple calm as well!