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Wedding at Oaks Manor

5 Tips from a Wedding Planner

We’re going to keep it real with you, planning your big day is joyful, but also stressful. We sat with an experienced wedding planner to gather the best tips and hear about couples’ choices to help you on your wedding day. We talked to wedding planner Lauren LaGreca to share tips and recommendations about popular wedding questions! Lauren planned and executed over 500 events during her career, so we couldn’t wait to hear her best tips and tricks and some unique features at her wedding.

Should I Hire a Wedding Planner?

If you are asking yourself this, you are not alone! Many people struggle with the decision to hire a wedding planner. A wedding planner’s best service is advocating for the couple. This looks like reaching out to venues and ensuring they can provide everything the couple wants and needs, helping find unique themed pieces for the event, managing large guest lists or seat-planning problems, keeping the planning rolling while you are away or at work, and staying on track with what you want among a sea of family and friends’ opinions. A wedding planner can also help throughout the day of the wedding! Think assisting guests in finding their seats, helping guide transition times between areas or venues, or solving day-of problems before you notice they are there. This allows you to focus on enjoying your wedding day and having a helping hand when making game-time decisions. Ultimately, the decision is yours! It depends on how much time you have to plan, tour venues, and interview vendors. A wedding planner can cut that time in half. Oaks Manor Photo

What Vendor Should I Hire First?

One of the difficulties of planning a wedding is the seemingly endless options, choices, and opportunities. Although having many options is wonderful, sometimes a blank slate makes it challenging to make decisions: there are too many possibilities! Having limitations or certain features defined will make designing your wedding much easier. Lauren’s answer is to secure your venue first! The venue is the knot that ties all the strings together. Your venue will have specific limitations and features that will shape the wedding. For example, once you have your venue, you will know how many guests can attend your wedding, which helps narrow down the guest list. You can choose a catering service depending on the venue’s kitchen capabilities. You will know the scenery and your favourite spots on the campus, which will help you book a photographer based on the style of photography you want, or the locations you want to be pictured in. Venues can be booked far in advance, especially if they are a wedding destination. This is a reason in itself to book the venue first.

Do I Need Entertainment at My Wedding?

When we asked Lauren what she would suggest is a non-negotiable feature at a wedding, she said, “Professional entertainment! I often hear couples wondering if they could do the music or entertainment themselves, or have a friend be the DJ. I understand why people want to do it themselves. They want specific songs or a specific style of music.” “I suggest professional entertainment because playing music at a wedding is difficult. First, you need the equipment and the knowledge to use it. Then, you need someone to dedicate the whole night to playing music, which can be difficult for a guest to do. They may have something go wrong without any way to fix it. Work with a DJ who will allow you to create a playlist, mix it for you, and then play it on your wedding night! If you want live music, talk to a band about what you want to hear, or anything you do not want them to play. Adding entertainment responsibilities will stress anyone out, so I suggest working with a vendor on this one.” If you are looking for wedding day tips on a budget, consider creating a playlist for the cocktail hour and reserving your live entertainment for the reception.

blowing out candles at a reception

Lauren LaGreca blows out candles on her birthday cake.

Unique Wedding Ideas from Real Couples

The best moments at a wedding often come from moments that speak directly to the couple’s relationship. We asked Lauren if she and her husband had any unique wedding ideas at their wedding, and here is her answer.

“My husband Kris and I got married on my birthday! I wanted our anniversary around my birthday so we have a special time of year to celebrate the significant milestones together. To celebrate, we had two cakes. One was for the wedding, but the other was my birthday cake. I got to blow out my candles while surrounded by all the family and friends I love on one of the most important days of our relationship! So yeah, it worked out really well.”

Final Wedding Advice from Planners

We wanted to finish off with a few final wedding tips for brides and grooms!

  • Stay flexible. Things may not go 100% as planned, and that’s okay. Having a plan B will save you from last-minute surprises.
  • Trust your team. You hired your vendors for a reason—let them take care of you.
  • Take it all in. Set aside a few minutes with your partner during the day to pause and be present.
  • Good food, flow, and entertainment will make a big impact!
  • Do your thing! Create creative and unique memories for your relationship, even if they are a little out of the wedding standard.

Plan Your Event at Oaks Manor

At Oaks Manor, we can offer wedding space for up to 180 guests, offer outdoor ceremonies, and have a brand new carriage house that is perfect for cocktail hour. Get in touch with our team, and we will set up a time to take a tour.

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snacks catered for an event at Oaks Manor

How to Create a Vendor List from Scratch

To start building your vendor list, begin with a list of wedding vendors that are most essential to your vision. At Oaks Manor, couples often bring in their own:

  • Caterers and bartenders
  • Florists and decorators
  • Musicians or DJs
  • Photographers and videographers
  • Officiants
  • Hair and makeup teams
  • Rental companies for furniture, tents, or décor

    You can use a vendor list template, a spreadsheet, a wedding planning app, or even a shared Google Document to track key details. Be sure to include names, contact info, arrival/setup times, and payment deadlines. Your event vendor list doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to be clear, accessible, and shared with the people who need it.

    Choosing the Right Vendors for an Estate Wedding

    Since Oaks Manor is only a host location, we don’t lock you into a preferred vendor list. That means you’re free to work with the professionals you love most and build a day that reflects your style, priorities, and budget. 

    Still, the best vendors are those who understand you, your style, your pace, and your goals. Set up calls, read reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask, “Have you worked at an event venue like this before?” The right team will be just as excited as you are to bring your ideas to life.

    Best Practices for a Vendor List 

    As you finalize your list of vendors for an event, consider the following tips.

    1. Keep everything in one place. Whether it’s digital or on paper, your vendor list should include full names, phone numbers, email addresses, contracts, and notes regarding responsibilities.
    2. Share your timeline. Your vendors should know when they can arrive, when they need to be finished, and where they will be setting up. Oaks Manor’s flexibility makes this easy; we offer extended access for setup and breakdown.
    3. Confirm details in writing. A well-organized vendor contact list is your insurance against miscommunication.
    4. Stay in touch. A quick check-in with each vendor a week before your wedding helps avoid last-minute surprises.

    Maintaining clear communication and records of conversations will help you keep track of your plans and ensure everything is clear for you and your vendors.

    FAQ’s

    Seeking more information on creating a vendor list? See the frequently asked questions below or contact our team, and we will be happy to help!

    Why is a vendor list important?

    A vendor list helps you stay organized, ensures vendors know where and when to appear, and provides everyone with a clear point of contact. 

    When you’re managing an event as unique as a wedding at a private estate, that level of coordination can make all the difference.

    What is a Vendor List?

    A document that keeps track of all the professionals and services involved in your event. Including how to contact them, dates, prices, arrival and departure times, legal information, important details or conversations, and any other relevant information you need to keep track of for your event. 

    How to Create a Vendor List?

    This is your all-in-one organizer. Your vendor list should include each vendor’s business name, contact person, phone number & email, arrival/setup times, contract status, remaining balance due, important conversations, legal agreements, and any other relevant details you want to remember. Keep it somewhere accessible, such as a shared Google Sheet, a wedding planning app, or a printed folder that you bring to the venue.

    Plan Your Event at Oaks Manor

    At Oaks Manor, we offer space for up to 180 guests, provide outdoor ceremonies, and feature a brand-new carriage house that is perfect for cocktail hour. Please get in touch with our team, and we will arrange a time for you to take a tour.