Her Big Day: Meet Wedding Planner Jessy Jule

Image source: Weddings with Love

As our Wedding Planning workshop is just around the corner, we wanted to reach out to wedding and events planner Jessy Jule and pick her brains on her role as a wedding planner and what tips she would offer the bride embarking on the wedding planning journey! Jessy Jule's business is located in Milton Keynes and London and she has been in the events industry for four years now. A year and a half ago she decided to focus on and develop her skills further within the weddings industry. Here's what she had to say about wedding planning for the cultural bride:

Her Big Day: What do you love most about working with brides on their big day?

Jessy Jules: Personally, I love the satisfaction and that proud moment at the end of the wedding knowing that the Bride (and her groom) are happy and pleased with your services. Despite the reality of how challenging and stressful it can be, it feels great to be trusted on such a significant special day and how you not only end up with a successful wedding but also a great relationship with the bride that can extend beyond the wedding.

HBD: For cultural brides and weddings, what would you say tends to be the hardest part about planning?

JJ: When it comes to cultural/traditional weddings, I believe the most challenging part is having to plan under the influence and input of family members. This is due to the fact that the ceremonies are very much family based (you may hear of the saying that the traditional wedding is for the family and not necessarily the couple) so family members tend to have a lot to say during the planning stage. For example, the location, the setting, the timing, guests etc.

This can cause some issues when some decisions need to be made from a more logical and professional perspective.

HBD: What is the role of a wedding/event planner and how do they work with the bride and/or family?

JJ: A wedding planner’s role is to stand as the professional, organised and neutral person who takes on the responsibility of planning the wedding. The list of tasks they must handle tend to always vary due to what their client requires. Generally, they would need to research into venues, vendors, manage the budget, arrange and attend meetings with the bride (and family)… the list goes on!

HBD: How important would you say it is to have a wedding/event planner for your big day? Do you have any stories of how having one or not having one made an impact on a bride?

JJ: I personally think that it is very important to have a wedding planner for your wedding day. Mainly because this day will only come once and it is one of the biggest and most special days of your life so you do not want to take any risks or end up as a stressful, dissatisfied bride on your big day.

It is also important to budget and manage your set budget during the planning process. After the day is over, you have till death do us part to live! So it is imperative to ensure that you have someone that can support you and advise you on how best to spend your money during the course of planning.

I have come across many brides who didn't have a wedding planner and the common end result is seeing her stressed out about one thing or the other on the night before the wedding! I remember a bride who hadn’t given her DJ the song list for her entrances and she was absolutely devastated to the point where she just wanted to abruptly walk in. However, if the bride is someone who is organized and has the ability to balance being the planner and the bride all in one, then it can also work out perfectly.

HBD: How soon should a bride start searching for a wedding/event planner?

JJ: From the moment the bride and groom have saved enough money and are happy to begin planning, that is when they should start searching for their planner.

HBD: Is there anything the bride should know or consider when searching for a wedding/event planner?

JJ: I would recommend every bride-to-be to consider their budget and what their requirements of the planner would be. They should also consider how much experience and knowledge the planner has within weddings as it’ll give you some insight as to whether they would do a good job or be a good fit for you.

HBD: Any priority or pressing questions the bride should ask the planner before booking?

JJ: Do they have a portfolio/testimonials of past weddings they have worked on? What packages and services do they offer/provide? How much do they charge? Do they have any experience with cultural weddings?

HBD: Any advice for the bride who has yet to begin the wedding planning process?

JJ: My advice would be to make sure you have a good, realistic idea of what you want for your wedding that fits within your budget to avoid any disappointments when you reach the planning process. So attend wedding shows, read wedding magazines and blogs, check out wedding platforms on social media, etc. in order to gain some inspiration, and tips along the way.

Also, ensure that you set enough time for the wedding planning. The last thing you want is to be stressed out and disappointed at the fact that the venue you want is unavailable on your date. Lastly, remember to also include your husband-to-be in your decision making and researching. After all it is his wedding as much as it is yours!

HBD: Thank you so much, Jessy for taking the time to share with our brides to be! xoxo

Bellas, if you're in the Seattle area, join us at our wedding planning workshop on June 26th, we would LOVE to see you all there! Check out more details on our Facebook event page here!