March 4, 2025 • 21 mins
Dive into the world of wedding planning as we explore the crucial distinctions between full-service and day-of coordination in our latest podcast episode. Join me, Marco Buenrostro, alongside wedding expert Katy from Scarlet Rose, as we dissect the intricacies of planning your dream wedding. If you've ever wondered whether to go with a full-service planner or a day-of coordinator, this episode is packed with valuable insights and eye-opening stories.
We discuss why a full-service planner can make all the difference in ensuring your wedding day flows seamlessly, while also addressing the misconceptions surrounding the ever popular day-of coordination. Katy shares personal anecdotes from her extensive experience in events, including that time when a food truck didn’t show up, leaving a couple in a desperate situation. This anecdote serves as a powerful reminder of why understanding your vendor choices is paramount.
Budgeting for a wedding can be overwhelming, especially when seeking the perfect planner. We provide practical advice that balances quality with your financial goals, emphasizing that investing in professional help can save you time, stress, and potential setbacks on your big day.
Perfect for couples planning their wedding, wedding professionals, and anyone interested in the events industry, this episode will leave you feeling more equipped and educated about making informed planning decisions. So grab your favorite drink, tune in, and let's get this planning party started! Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others discover this valuable content!
If you enjoyed this episode, hit that subscribe button and drop us a review! We’d love to hear what you think!
Want us to chat with your favorite vendor? We’d love to! Shoot us an email at marco@tipsyguest.com and let us know who you want to hear from! Your top picks could be the stars of our next episode!
FOLLOW US:
https://www.tiktok.com/@tipsyguestpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thetipsyguestpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/@TheTipsyGuestPodcast
https://www.pinterest.com/tipsyguest/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Tipsy Guest Podcast.
I am your host, marcoBuenrostro, and every week I'm
here with the top industryexperts, amazing clients and all
my vendor BFFs to bring you thebest tips, advice and juicy
behind-the-scenes stories tomake wedding and event planning
a breeze.
So grab your favorite drink andlet's get this party started.
(00:26):
Hey guys, welcome back to thetipsy guest.
I am Marco, your host, and I'mso excited to have Katie again
from Scarlet Rose.
You asked for her and she isback.
Oh my God, always exciting tohave you.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
It's so good to be here, and with more wine.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, cheers,it's always so exciting to have
you.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
It's so good to be here, and with more wine.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, cheers,it's always so cool to have you
because I feel like we can talk.
Hold on, I feel like we cantalk for hours and hours and
hours, but we just got to throweverything into a 20 minute
episode.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
I know which is hard to do.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
It's hard but it's a good thing, because that way I
can have you again.
Yeah, anytime you need to come,anyway.
So today we are going to betalking about a topic that I've
actually seen you posted aboutit on social media.
She's very dramatic, guys.
I know no, but it's.
I mean it makes sense.
(01:22):
So today we're going to betalking about the difference
between a full service weddingplanner versus a month off or a
day off, or is there even such athing as a week off, like how
do you hope you're the expert?
Talk to me about it.
I feel like full service thebest way to describe it is.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
You know we're literally doing everything for
you, right From hiring yourvendors to keeping track of your
RSVPs, to sending out yourinvitations and, you know,
delivering your welcome giftsand stuff.
I mean like it's conciergelevel of service.
(02:01):
We're doing all the things andsome people really need that
because they don't have the timenor the energy.
They don't want to.
Perfectly fine, I pay forservices of things that I don't
want to do all day long, so Iwould pay for something like
this if I didn't want to.
But I think where it gets alittle sticky sometimes is
people think that day of isstill a thing right and and it's
(02:23):
like blogs or at certainwebsites that say like, oh, a
day of is still a thing right.
And it's like blogs or it'scertain websites that say like,
oh, a day of coordinator.
And they're the same ones thattell you your wedding.
The average wedding is $30,000.
Spoiler alert it's not.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
I was going to say who are we talking about?
I mean, let's talk shit.
Who are you talking about?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
It is a website platform that I no longer
advertise with, and you can getsome great things from the not,
but it's just you know.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
They're not like I mean, yeah, some of their stuff
is okay, but some of the stuffis not realistic.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
No, it's not, and I think it's.
Honestly.
I think it sets us back alittle bit right.
Honestly, I think it sets usback a little bit right.
I think it sets us back as anindustry and and vendors as far
as we're trying to elevate whatwe do and elevate our couple's
experience and the clientexperience, and we can't do that
if every person sends me anemail that says I just need
someone for the day.
My ceremony's at four.
(03:19):
We're ending at 11.
What's your pricing like?
You don't value the servicethen.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yeah, but, and you know, like perfect example right
there, I mean, at least with us, you know, with MVP Photo Booth
, every quote, every proposalthat we send out to couples are
customized to each individualscenario, right, I mean?
So they can't just say, oh,ceremony is going to start at
this time, this at this time,it's going to end this, because
the timeline never goesaccording to plan.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
No, right, no.
And I mean you have to thinklike, as a couple, you've been
spending months or yearsplanning this day.
That's so special and you haveall these people in one room for
the first and probably onlytime ever and you're just going
to give it to somebody who'sgoing to step in on the day or
two days before or a week beforeand think that they can just
get in your head and execute allof it like it's just not
(04:07):
possible and I guess, like,sometimes it's a little bit, um,
it could be a little bitconfusing for us vendors, you
know, with with somebody that'sjust taking care of the wedding
the day off, because normally Imean, we communicate, the
planner communicates with usvendors, giving us, you know,
the timeline, the, the floorlayout.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
You know we talk to you guys throughout the process
of.
So when it's somebody that justcomes the day, all you know
that just shows up to the to theday of the wedding, like
there's if it's someone that wehaven't worked with, there's
like yeah, like like you know,sometimes couples and I know
sometimes you want to save moneyand yeah, you do have somebody
oh, you know my cousin is gonnado it, or my friend, you know,
(04:47):
she's starting a planningcompany.
You know it's hard sometimesbecause there's not that
communication with vendors andthe and the planner or the
coordinator, so it makes it hardfor everyone it does and I
don't want to knock the factthat you know again, weddings
are expensive, don't get mewrong, right.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Fact that you know again, weddings are expensive,
don't get me wrong, right,they're super expensive and
thank God I got married all theyears ago.
I did so.
I don't have to spend the moneythat I would probably spend
right now.
But you know, there are a widerange of incredible people in
their profession at a differentlike, various price points,
right, like you know, when youstarted your photo booth company
, I'm sure you charged afraction of what you do now and
(05:25):
same for planning, right, and sothere's nothing wrong with
hiring someone who still isreputable, has a legitimate
business, cares so much and putsall of the time and effort into
it.
And in my, you know, professionis at least a month of planner,
and it's okay if they cost lessthan others because they're
newer.
But I mean, you're doing whatyou need to do to protect
(05:46):
yourself as a couple.
Yeah, and that is definitely ahot topic.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
I mean vendors pretty much giving their services away
, but that's I mean that that'sa topic for a different episode.
You know, and it's somethingthat we, and of course we
understand that there's a budgetfor every couple I mean every,
and it's something that we, andof course, we understand, that
there's a budget for everycouple.
I mean every couple is going tohave a different budget,
different priorities.
So we definitely understand,you know, that you are going to
(06:12):
hire whoever is within yourbudget.
But you got to understand, youknow, going with the cheaper
option is not always the bestway to go.
No, so I guess this is somesomething where you guys also
can come in and make thoserecommendations, because you're
the ones that have.
I mean, you're right, you'vebeen doing this for such a long
(06:32):
time, for sure.
So you obviously want to makesure that your couple is going
to have a, an unforgettable day,and I mean stress-free.
I always hear from frompotential clients that they're
like, hey, we went with a cheapphoto booth and then, like I
don't know, three days beforethe wedding, they're like Marco,
the photo booth company is MIA,we can't find them.
(06:54):
Like they're not responding,like what do we do.
Are you available?
Yeah, so it's like you know,like if you go the cheap route,
sometimes it's not the best,because then either they go MIA
or they don't deliver and thenyou end up it ends up costing
you more.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
I have a horror story .
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Oh my goodness, tell me.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I think I'm warm just thinking about it.
It was terrible.
So it was early on in my career.
Right, yeah, you'll want winefor this.
It was early on in my careerand I was doing a wedding and
the clients hired a.
I want to say I don't know ifthey were a food truck, but it
was like a taco truck or tacocompany right, that sounds so
good right now.
All right, delicious right, butnot the way it ended up, and so
(07:37):
they hired this company, if youcan even call it that, I don't
know, but they hired them and itwas one of those things.
They didn't really have acontract right?
Here's my invoice, this is whatI'm having.
So we think and I, because,again you hire at least a
minimum of a month of right, alevel of service we're trying to
confirm their levels of serviceand saying, hey, they're
(07:58):
getting married on Sunday.
I've got you down for this time.
Will you be there?
Right?
Here's the timeline.
Here's the layout.
Couldn't get a hold of thisperson, right?
I tried emailing, I triedcalling them, I tried texting,
like couldn't get a hold of them.
Leading up to the day.
Finally got a hold of them, Ithink like two or three days
before the wedding.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Which is scary.
Usually it's at least two weeksout.
And so finally got a hold ofthem, great, on wedding day they
didn't show up when they weresupposed to, right.
So I'm like, okay, well, you'rea little bit delayed,
something's happening, that'sfine, getting a little late.
And then we're getting toceremony and they're still not
there.
The caterer, what?
No, still not there.
(08:37):
And so I called and I was like,hi, just checking in everything,
okay.
And then it was like it's justa story after story of, oh,
something happened, flat tire,and also I think they were
declining my calls, which wasalso a huge red flag.
But so, whether you're on thephone or texting, but had a flat
tire, I'm like, okay, great,you could still come, and then
(08:59):
we'll, we'll just.
Again, this is why you hire aprofessional, right, we'll,
we'll do.
They had their own food forcocktail hour.
We'll switch.
And do you know, we'll getcocktail hour.
Maybe we'll cut the cake firstand then we'll go into dinner.
Like, still, come and show up,I'm sure they would like their
dinner, right.
And it got to the point,honestly, marco, that I had to
ask him like, are you evencoming?
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Like, just shoot me straight Are you going to be?
Speaker 2 (09:19):
here and the answer was no.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
What.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yes.
So this caterer did not show upto the client's wedding and it
was in a small town in centralTexas on a Sunday where the town
, like, shut down at probablyseven o'clock.
So I mean, there's, what do youdo, right?
So, again, you, you, you thankGod that you hired somebody who
is this is now my problem andnot theirs.
(09:43):
So I know it's probably not youknow what people would want
forever, but it was the onlyoption.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Pizza.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yes, I called the Domino's from the town next door
because there's none in thistiny town Called the Domino's
from the town next door andbegged them to deliver outside
of their radius, had to get thefather of the bride's credit
card and be like I'm going toorder 20 pizzas, and we did
credit card and be like I'mgonna order 20 pizzas and we did
(10:10):
.
We just shifted everything.
We had some snacks for cocktailhour.
My goodness, they cut their cakeearly, they did all the
formalities and then and I tellmyself this is gonna be a really
funny story for them down theline, right like you're gonna be
like oh my god, remember how wehad pizza at our wedding but
I'm sure she was freaking orthey were freaking out terrible.
I felt so bad them and I didn'teven get to break the news to
them, like one of their aunt'ssecond cousins, I don't know
(10:31):
told them before I even got to,so I just watched like the color
drain from their faces.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
But that is exactly what happens when you are
dealing with people that are notactual companies.
And I guess a pro tip herealways make sure that you have a
signed contract, always, you,you know, because there's
there's people, I guess, in thiscase.
So I guess I want to know more,like what?
I I'm sure they had alreadybeen paid in full, like what
(10:57):
happens to this taco truck.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I don't think that they had been paid in full and,
to be honest, it wasn't, like itdidn't cost a ton.
So then again it goes back tolike you get what you pay for,
right?
So if you don't value food onyour wedding day, perfectly fine
, if you don't care that muchabout it, but still, like you're
hiring someone who isn'tcharging very much, doesn't have
a true contract.
Um, if I remember correctlyagain, this was many, many years
(11:19):
ago, I think that the coupleended up trying to reach out to
that company after the weddingto kind of sort things out and
get the money.
And I I was like, even thoughthey were month up for me, I
said, okay, whatever you need,like if you need me to write an
email or like recount myexperience with them, I'm happy
to do that.
But I know that they werefighting to get at least their
deposit back.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Yeah, and you know, and it's always a red flag
whenever the vendor tells youthat there's no need for a
contract, or I think one of thebiggest red flags for me is, oh,
you can just pay us a day ofthe event.
That to me it's crazy, becauseI've I've gotten people that
they're like hey, uh, we'regonna pay you the deposit, but
then we'll pay you the rest ofthe day of the event.
(12:00):
I'm like, no, I'm like, I havemy.
You know there's no, like we,at least, for me, we get paid 30
days before the event.
Right, you know they pay adeposit whenever they hire us
and then everything is due 30days before the wedding or event
in general, because we know,you know, that things can come
up and if they end up canceling,then at least you know we are,
(12:22):
we're protected in a way versusor in this case, you know, they
all pay us a day of the event.
So they, they had nothing tolose.
Really, the taco company, Imean, they were just.
That's just so incredible to meit was.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It was a moment that I will never forget, because you
just have to kind of put yourhat on and go, okay, how are we
going to do this?
Like what are, what are wegoing to do next, what are our
options?
Right, and so you kind of getinto that mindset of like, okay,
how can we, what can we do?
Do I have time to run to thelocal grocery store?
Like, what are, what are wegoing to put together?
For these people so thankfullyagain shout out to domino's in
(12:58):
that town.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
I love domino well, I love Domino's.
Oh my God, it's so good.
Maybe they'll sponsor thisepisode, I know, are you
listening?
Domino's yeah, somebody thatworks at Domino's, we appreciate
you, oh my gosh, but that'sagain you know.
Going back to the whole, youknow, hire a professional
because you were able to, youknow, to fix the problem on the
(13:19):
spot.
And I feel like another of theissues that we come across
whenever it's a a day ofcoordinator is the timeline.
I mean, there's always problemswith the timeline and I just
feel like a day of coordinatordoesn't have, I guess, I guess
you, you tell me, when it's aday of coordinator, who works on
the timeline?
Is it the couple?
Speaker 2 (13:39):
and then they just give it to the to the day of
person I would imagine rightagain, I don't live by those
rules, so I I don't know howthey do that and I think that
that's terrifying and scarybecause, again, they don't know
what they don't know yeah like.
So they don't know the best wayto do that or how to you know
put that together, and so I mean, yes, a day.
I would imagine that's how thatwould happen, but no for for a
(14:01):
timeline like that's for us atleast, like our base level of
service will always start.
Honestly, our first email goesout to them two months before
the wedding Because everyone isbusy, right, like I've got to
work around their schedule to doa final walkthrough.
We've got to gather all thecontracts because we will review
those right.
We're going to make thetimeline, the floor plan,
confirm all your vendors.
That takes time and so that'snothing that can even be done in
(14:23):
a week or two weeks you know,so, at a minimum for anyone
listening, at least hireyourself like a month of.
A lot of us call it weddingmanagement, event management.
It would save you so muchheadache down the road.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Honestly I can just imagine, and whenever you guys
work at the at the weddings, isthere, is it one planner that
you sent to the wedding?
Is it two, is it or it dependson the size of the wedding?
How does that work?
Speaker 2 (14:49):
we always do two.
I mean, when I started in thisindustry seven years ago, I did
a lot of weddings by myself.
I was younger then and a littlemore energetic, perhaps, and
naive.
Maybe I remember doing awedding by myself because that's
what I did and it was at um.
Here in san antonio is at thetobin center for the performing
arts massive event venue.
(15:09):
I mean there were like 275guests and I just I just you the
amount of miles I must havewalked that day.
It was a great wedding, um, butno, for us at least.
We will always have a minimumof two people, because again,
you can't be in two places atonce.
Right so, if I'm lining up mycouple and their bridal wedding,
um, but no, for us at least, wewill always have a minimum of
two people, because again, youcan't be in two places at once
right so if I'm lining up mycouple and their bridal party
and all the things and somethingis happening, or a vendor has a
(15:31):
question that's like superimportant and needs to be
answered now, or something'shappening and chaotic, we can
kind of divide and conquer right.
So we'll always have to,regardless of the guest, count
more if production requires it.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Okay, okay.
So I guess it's time for atipsy story.
I want to hear about a time ifyou even have one that you had
to deal with.
I mean a couple, either thebride, the groom Because I've
always said and we had a story,you know, where the groom was
(16:05):
like super drunk by the timethey came to the photo booth.
I mean, the bride hired me withsomething specific in mind.
She was like hey, Marco, I'mhiring you with the 360 photo
booth because I want thisspecific video.
And she sent me a sample of avideo and she's like can you do
this?
And I'm like well, it's not me,I'm providing the camera, can
you do this?
And I'm like well, it's not me,I'm providing the camera, can
you do this?
Right, you know it was where,like you know, they're like
(16:26):
kissing and then he like dipsher and and it looks really cool
with the 360 video.
I'm like, well, can you make ithappen?
So then, by the time that wewere there and the and you know,
the groom yeah, well, she wasalready at the photo booth and
we were waiting on the groom,the groom by that time he was
already drunk.
So when he came to the photobooth.
He even like fell before heeven made it to the photo booth.
(16:49):
He came running and then,before he even made it to the
booth, he just like slipped andI mean we were able to make the
video that she wanted, but Ifeel like she would have wanted
something more amazing, right.
But I feel like she would havewanted something more amazing,
right, because she really had avision of that video and it
didn't really work because hewas already a little bit too
drunk yes.
(17:10):
Have you ever had anythinghappen like that where you know
by the time that you get startedBecause they've been drinking
all day as they're getting ready?
Have you ever had to deal withsomething like that where the
bride or the groom or somebodyin the wedding party is like
super drunk?
Yeah, I know last time youmentioned about the groomsman
that was just passed out in theparking lot.
Yeah, but let's, I guess, let'ssay the bride or the groom.
Have you ever had to deal withsomething like that?
Speaker 2 (17:32):
um, oh, I'm sure I have.
I will say we had this is likea tipsy story but it was like
lighthearted, still and fun.
We had a groom that he wasdefinitely more reserved.
He portrayed himself as morereserved.
He did not seem more reservedto me, but he portrayed himself
as more reserved and he was verylike anxious and excited and
(17:54):
nervous to marry his wife and hewas drinking all day long and I
remember going and talking tothem and pinning on boutonnieres
and just like I mean you couldsmell the moment you walked into
the space like, oh, like youneed a Altoid, my friend right
and but it it made him the otherside, just so emotional and so
(18:14):
just sweet.
So I don't know, looking backon that, if he thought, oh my
gosh, what did I just like makemyself?
Because he got up there andthey did a speech and it was
like a thank you speech and Idon't know if they even meant to
do a thank you speech.
You know how like, usually,like the maid of honor and best
man give a toast.
And sometimes the couple sayssomething too.
I don't know if they weresupposed to say something or if
(18:35):
he just took it upon himself.
I don't know that what they hadworked out with each other, to
be honest at that point, but Imean he must have stood up on
that stage and talked for 15minutes.
Oh my goodness, no lie, and itwas just over and over the same
things, but it was just again.
He was very past the point oftipsy, but it was at least cute
(18:55):
because he was grateful right,he was just like emotional and
just thankful for all of thepeople in their lives and
everyone who had come and hiswife just kept like rubbing his
back and was like she knew, sheknew it's time to go now.
And they were just.
I mean, they were sweet, so itwas a tipsy story, but you know,
but a cute one, yeah, at leasthe was a nice tipsy person.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
All right, all right.
Well, katie, we are running outof time.
Thank you again for being withus today.
I guess, just to kind of youknow, right before we go, any
(19:39):
advice.
You know, I know we talkedabout it.
You know, sometimes it's basedon budget, sometimes it's based
on priorities.
Would you give our couples thatare listening on going back to
day off, month off, week off orfull service?
Um, what's your, I guess, whatis your best advice?
If, let's say, for example,budget is an issue?
Speaker 2 (19:53):
yeah, I think, if budget is an issue, again, I
would go towards a minimum of amonth of planner.
Right, go towards a minimum of amonth of planner.
If budget is an issue, knowthat even if you're paying a
premium for that planner right,if they are higher in your
market there is so muchexperience and knowledge that
(20:13):
comes with that and it mightstill be a lot of resources,
right.
So you know, even though it's amonth of and they charge a
little bit higher in theirmarket, they might give you
other tools and resources tohelp make that experience a
little bit easier.
So I mean, do your research, doyour homework, ask all of the
questions right that you and andbe open with them on your
(20:33):
priorities and what matters toyou, because I know like I never
want to oversell a couple,right, if someone comes to me
and says they want full service,but I know their budget really
doesn't allow for that, we'lltalk them into a package that
makes a little bit more sense.
So I think just open and honestcommunication is probably the
best thing you could do.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yeah, okay.
Well, there you have it.
That is a Tipsy Guest.
Pro tip yeah, and Katie, pleaseremind our listeners.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Yeah, so we are at Scarlet Rose Events or at
Scarlet Rose Collective.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
There you have it.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday.
We'll see you next time.
Bye.
Thanks for listening to theTipsy Guest Podcast.
If you know someone who couldbenefit from these tips, spread
the love and share it with them.
Don't forget to subscribe andleave a review.
Next round's on us, same time,same place, cheers.
(21:24):
This podcast is brought to youby MVP Photo Booth, the number
one photo booth rental companyin San Antonio, austin and
Central Texas.
Welcome to the Tipsy Guest Podcast.
I am your host, marcoBuenrostro, and every week I'm
here with the top industryexperts, amazing clients and all
my vendor BFFs to bring you thebest tips, advice and juicy
behind-the-scenes stories tomake wedding and event planning
a breeze.
So grab your favorite drink andlet's get this party started.
(00:26):
Hey guys, welcome back to thetipsy guest.
I am Marco, your host, and I'mso excited to have Katie again
from Scarlet Rose.
You asked for her and she isback.
Oh my God, always exciting tohave you.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
It's so good to be here, and with more wine.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, cheers,it's always so exciting to have
you.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
It's so good to be here, and with more wine.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, cheers,it's always so cool to have you
because I feel like we can talk.
Hold on, I feel like we cantalk for hours and hours and
hours, but we just got to throweverything into a 20 minute
episode.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
I know which is hard to do.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
It's hard but it's a good thing, because that way I
can have you again.
Yeah, anytime you need to come,anyway.
So today we are going to betalking about a topic that I've
actually seen you posted aboutit on social media.
She's very dramatic, guys.
I know no, but it's.
I mean it makes sense.
(01:22):
So today we're going to betalking about the difference
between a full service weddingplanner versus a month off or a
day off, or is there even such athing as a week off, like how
do you hope you're the expert?
Talk to me about it.
I feel like full service thebest way to describe it is.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
You know we're literally doing everything for
you, right From hiring yourvendors to keeping track of your
RSVPs, to sending out yourinvitations and, you know,
delivering your welcome giftsand stuff.
I mean like it's conciergelevel of service.
(02:01):
We're doing all the things andsome people really need that
because they don't have the timenor the energy.
They don't want to.
Perfectly fine, I pay forservices of things that I don't
want to do all day long, so Iwould pay for something like
this if I didn't want to.
But I think where it gets alittle sticky sometimes is
people think that day of isstill a thing right and and it's
(02:23):
like blogs or at certainwebsites that say like, oh, a
day of is still a thing right.
And it's like blogs or it'scertain websites that say like,
oh, a day of coordinator.
And they're the same ones thattell you your wedding.
The average wedding is $30,000.
Spoiler alert it's not.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
I was going to say who are we talking about?
I mean, let's talk shit.
Who are you talking about?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
It is a website platform that I no longer
advertise with, and you can getsome great things from the not,
but it's just you know.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
They're not like I mean, yeah, some of their stuff
is okay, but some of the stuffis not realistic.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
No, it's not, and I think it's.
Honestly.
I think it sets us back alittle bit right.
Honestly, I think it sets usback a little bit right.
I think it sets us back as anindustry and and vendors as far
as we're trying to elevate whatwe do and elevate our couple's
experience and the clientexperience, and we can't do that
if every person sends me anemail that says I just need
someone for the day.
My ceremony's at four.
(03:19):
We're ending at 11.
What's your pricing like?
You don't value the servicethen.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yeah, but, and you know, like perfect example right
there, I mean, at least with us, you know, with MVP Photo Booth
, every quote, every proposalthat we send out to couples are
customized to each individualscenario, right, I mean?
So they can't just say, oh,ceremony is going to start at
this time, this at this time,it's going to end this, because
the timeline never goesaccording to plan.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
No, right, no.
And I mean you have to thinklike, as a couple, you've been
spending months or yearsplanning this day.
That's so special and you haveall these people in one room for
the first and probably onlytime ever and you're just going
to give it to somebody who'sgoing to step in on the day or
two days before or a week beforeand think that they can just
get in your head and execute allof it like it's just not
(04:07):
possible and I guess, like,sometimes it's a little bit, um,
it could be a little bitconfusing for us vendors, you
know, with with somebody that'sjust taking care of the wedding
the day off, because normally Imean, we communicate, the
planner communicates with usvendors, giving us, you know,
the timeline, the, the floorlayout.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
You know we talk to you guys throughout the process
of.
So when it's somebody that justcomes the day, all you know
that just shows up to the to theday of the wedding, like
there's if it's someone that wehaven't worked with, there's
like yeah, like like you know,sometimes couples and I know
sometimes you want to save moneyand yeah, you do have somebody
oh, you know my cousin is gonnado it, or my friend, you know,
(04:47):
she's starting a planningcompany.
You know it's hard sometimesbecause there's not that
communication with vendors andthe and the planner or the
coordinator, so it makes it hardfor everyone it does and I
don't want to knock the factthat you know again, weddings
are expensive, don't get mewrong, right.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Fact that you know again, weddings are expensive,
don't get me wrong, right,they're super expensive and
thank God I got married all theyears ago.
I did so.
I don't have to spend the moneythat I would probably spend
right now.
But you know, there are a widerange of incredible people in
their profession at a differentlike, various price points,
right, like you know, when youstarted your photo booth company
, I'm sure you charged afraction of what you do now and
(05:25):
same for planning, right, and sothere's nothing wrong with
hiring someone who still isreputable, has a legitimate
business, cares so much and putsall of the time and effort into
it.
And in my, you know, professionis at least a month of planner,
and it's okay if they cost lessthan others because they're
newer.
But I mean, you're doing whatyou need to do to protect
(05:46):
yourself as a couple.
Yeah, and that is definitely ahot topic.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
I mean vendors pretty much giving their services away
, but that's I mean that that'sa topic for a different episode.
You know, and it's somethingthat we, and of course we
understand that there's a budgetfor every couple I mean every,
and it's something that we, andof course, we understand, that
there's a budget for everycouple.
I mean every couple is going tohave a different budget,
different priorities.
So we definitely understand,you know, that you are going to
(06:12):
hire whoever is within yourbudget.
But you got to understand, youknow, going with the cheaper
option is not always the bestway to go.
No, so I guess this is somesomething where you guys also
can come in and make thoserecommendations, because you're
the ones that have.
I mean, you're right, you'vebeen doing this for such a long
(06:32):
time, for sure.
So you obviously want to makesure that your couple is going
to have a, an unforgettable day,and I mean stress-free.
I always hear from frompotential clients that they're
like, hey, we went with a cheapphoto booth and then, like I
don't know, three days beforethe wedding, they're like Marco,
the photo booth company is MIA,we can't find them.
(06:54):
Like they're not responding,like what do we do.
Are you available?
Yeah, so it's like you know,like if you go the cheap route,
sometimes it's not the best,because then either they go MIA
or they don't deliver and thenyou end up it ends up costing
you more.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
I have a horror story .
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Oh my goodness, tell me.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I think I'm warm just thinking about it.
It was terrible.
So it was early on in my career.
Right, yeah, you'll want winefor this.
It was early on in my careerand I was doing a wedding and
the clients hired a.
I want to say I don't know ifthey were a food truck, but it
was like a taco truck or tacocompany right, that sounds so
good right now.
All right, delicious right, butnot the way it ended up, and so
(07:37):
they hired this company, if youcan even call it that, I don't
know, but they hired them and itwas one of those things.
They didn't really have acontract right?
Here's my invoice, this is whatI'm having.
So we think and I, because,again you hire at least a
minimum of a month of right, alevel of service we're trying to
confirm their levels of serviceand saying, hey, they're
(07:58):
getting married on Sunday.
I've got you down for this time.
Will you be there?
Right?
Here's the timeline.
Here's the layout.
Couldn't get a hold of thisperson, right?
I tried emailing, I triedcalling them, I tried texting,
like couldn't get a hold of them.
Leading up to the day.
Finally got a hold of them, Ithink like two or three days
before the wedding.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Which is scary.
Usually it's at least two weeksout.
And so finally got a hold ofthem, great, on wedding day they
didn't show up when they weresupposed to, right.
So I'm like, okay, well, you'rea little bit delayed,
something's happening, that'sfine, getting a little late.
And then we're getting toceremony and they're still not
there.
The caterer, what?
No, still not there.
(08:37):
And so I called and I was like,hi, just checking in everything,
okay.
And then it was like it's justa story after story of, oh,
something happened, flat tire,and also I think they were
declining my calls, which wasalso a huge red flag.
But so, whether you're on thephone or texting, but had a flat
tire, I'm like, okay, great,you could still come, and then
(08:59):
we'll, we'll just.
Again, this is why you hire aprofessional, right, we'll,
we'll do.
They had their own food forcocktail hour.
We'll switch.
And do you know, we'll getcocktail hour.
Maybe we'll cut the cake firstand then we'll go into dinner.
Like, still, come and show up,I'm sure they would like their
dinner, right.
And it got to the point,honestly, marco, that I had to
ask him like, are you evencoming?
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Like, just shoot me straight Are you going to be?
Speaker 2 (09:19):
here and the answer was no.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
What.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yes.
So this caterer did not show upto the client's wedding and it
was in a small town in centralTexas on a Sunday where the town
, like, shut down at probablyseven o'clock.
So I mean, there's, what do youdo, right?
So, again, you, you, you thankGod that you hired somebody who
is this is now my problem andnot theirs.
(09:43):
So I know it's probably not youknow what people would want
forever, but it was the onlyoption.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Pizza.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yes, I called the Domino's from the town next door
because there's none in thistiny town Called the Domino's
from the town next door andbegged them to deliver outside
of their radius, had to get thefather of the bride's credit
card and be like I'm going toorder 20 pizzas, and we did
credit card and be like I'mgonna order 20 pizzas and we did
(10:10):
.
We just shifted everything.
We had some snacks for cocktailhour.
My goodness, they cut their cakeearly, they did all the
formalities and then and I tellmyself this is gonna be a really
funny story for them down theline, right like you're gonna be
like oh my god, remember how wehad pizza at our wedding but
I'm sure she was freaking orthey were freaking out terrible.
I felt so bad them and I didn'teven get to break the news to
them, like one of their aunt'ssecond cousins, I don't know
(10:31):
told them before I even got to,so I just watched like the color
drain from their faces.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
But that is exactly what happens when you are
dealing with people that are notactual companies.
And I guess a pro tip herealways make sure that you have a
signed contract, always, you,you know, because there's
there's people, I guess, in thiscase.
So I guess I want to know more,like what?
I I'm sure they had alreadybeen paid in full, like what
(10:57):
happens to this taco truck.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I don't think that they had been paid in full and,
to be honest, it wasn't, like itdidn't cost a ton.
So then again it goes back tolike you get what you pay for,
right?
So if you don't value food onyour wedding day, perfectly fine
, if you don't care that muchabout it, but still, like you're
hiring someone who isn'tcharging very much, doesn't have
a true contract.
Um, if I remember correctlyagain, this was many, many years
(11:19):
ago, I think that the coupleended up trying to reach out to
that company after the weddingto kind of sort things out and
get the money.
And I I was like, even thoughthey were month up for me, I
said, okay, whatever you need,like if you need me to write an
email or like recount myexperience with them, I'm happy
to do that.
But I know that they werefighting to get at least their
deposit back.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Yeah, and you know, and it's always a red flag
whenever the vendor tells youthat there's no need for a
contract, or I think one of thebiggest red flags for me is, oh,
you can just pay us a day ofthe event.
That to me it's crazy, becauseI've I've gotten people that
they're like hey, uh, we'regonna pay you the deposit, but
then we'll pay you the rest ofthe day of the event.
(12:00):
I'm like, no, I'm like, I havemy.
You know there's no, like we,at least, for me, we get paid 30
days before the event.
Right, you know they pay adeposit whenever they hire us
and then everything is due 30days before the wedding or event
in general, because we know,you know, that things can come
up and if they end up canceling,then at least you know we are,
(12:22):
we're protected in a way versusor in this case, you know, they
all pay us a day of the event.
So they, they had nothing tolose.
Really, the taco company, Imean, they were just.
That's just so incredible to meit was.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It was a moment that I will never forget, because you
just have to kind of put yourhat on and go, okay, how are we
going to do this?
Like what are, what are wegoing to do next, what are our
options?
Right, and so you kind of getinto that mindset of like, okay,
how can we, what can we do?
Do I have time to run to thelocal grocery store?
Like, what are, what are wegoing to put together?
For these people so thankfullyagain shout out to domino's in
(12:58):
that town.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
I love domino well, I love Domino's.
Oh my God, it's so good.
Maybe they'll sponsor thisepisode, I know, are you
listening?
Domino's yeah, somebody thatworks at Domino's, we appreciate
you, oh my gosh, but that'sagain you know.
Going back to the whole, youknow, hire a professional
because you were able to, youknow, to fix the problem on the
(13:19):
spot.
And I feel like another of theissues that we come across
whenever it's a a day ofcoordinator is the timeline.
I mean, there's always problemswith the timeline and I just
feel like a day of coordinatordoesn't have, I guess, I guess
you, you tell me, when it's aday of coordinator, who works on
the timeline?
Is it the couple?
Speaker 2 (13:39):
and then they just give it to the to the day of
person I would imagine rightagain, I don't live by those
rules, so I I don't know howthey do that and I think that
that's terrifying and scarybecause, again, they don't know
what they don't know yeah like.
So they don't know the best wayto do that or how to you know
put that together, and so I mean, yes, a day.
I would imagine that's how thatwould happen, but no for for a
(14:01):
timeline like that's for us atleast, like our base level of
service will always start.
Honestly, our first email goesout to them two months before
the wedding Because everyone isbusy, right, like I've got to
work around their schedule to doa final walkthrough.
We've got to gather all thecontracts because we will review
those right.
We're going to make thetimeline, the floor plan,
confirm all your vendors.
That takes time and so that'snothing that can even be done in
(14:23):
a week or two weeks you know,so, at a minimum for anyone
listening, at least hireyourself like a month of.
A lot of us call it weddingmanagement, event management.
It would save you so muchheadache down the road.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Honestly I can just imagine, and whenever you guys
work at the at the weddings, isthere, is it one planner that
you sent to the wedding?
Is it two, is it or it dependson the size of the wedding?
How does that work?
Speaker 2 (14:49):
we always do two.
I mean, when I started in thisindustry seven years ago, I did
a lot of weddings by myself.
I was younger then and a littlemore energetic, perhaps, and
naive.
Maybe I remember doing awedding by myself because that's
what I did and it was at um.
Here in san antonio is at thetobin center for the performing
arts massive event venue.
(15:09):
I mean there were like 275guests and I just I just you the
amount of miles I must havewalked that day.
It was a great wedding, um, butno, for us at least.
We will always have a minimumof two people, because again,
you can't be in two places atonce.
Right so, if I'm lining up mycouple and their bridal wedding,
um, but no, for us at least, wewill always have a minimum of
two people, because again, youcan't be in two places at once
right so if I'm lining up mycouple and their bridal party
and all the things and somethingis happening, or a vendor has a
(15:31):
question that's like superimportant and needs to be
answered now, or something'shappening and chaotic, we can
kind of divide and conquer right.
So we'll always have to,regardless of the guest, count
more if production requires it.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Okay, okay.
So I guess it's time for atipsy story.
I want to hear about a time ifyou even have one that you had
to deal with.
I mean a couple, either thebride, the groom Because I've
always said and we had a story,you know, where the groom was
(16:05):
like super drunk by the timethey came to the photo booth.
I mean, the bride hired me withsomething specific in mind.
She was like hey, Marco, I'mhiring you with the 360 photo
booth because I want thisspecific video.
And she sent me a sample of avideo and she's like can you do
this?
And I'm like well, it's not me,I'm providing the camera, can
you do this?
And I'm like well, it's not me,I'm providing the camera, can
you do this?
Right, you know it was where,like you know, they're like
(16:26):
kissing and then he like dipsher and and it looks really cool
with the 360 video.
I'm like, well, can you make ithappen?
So then, by the time that wewere there and the and you know,
the groom yeah, well, she wasalready at the photo booth and
we were waiting on the groom,the groom by that time he was
already drunk.
So when he came to the photobooth.
He even like fell before heeven made it to the photo booth.
(16:49):
He came running and then,before he even made it to the
booth, he just like slipped andI mean we were able to make the
video that she wanted, but Ifeel like she would have wanted
something more amazing, right.
But I feel like she would havewanted something more amazing,
right, because she really had avision of that video and it
didn't really work because hewas already a little bit too
drunk yes.
(17:10):
Have you ever had anythinghappen like that where you know
by the time that you get startedBecause they've been drinking
all day as they're getting ready?
Have you ever had to deal withsomething like that where the
bride or the groom or somebodyin the wedding party is like
super drunk?
Yeah, I know last time youmentioned about the groomsman
that was just passed out in theparking lot.
Yeah, but let's, I guess, let'ssay the bride or the groom.
Have you ever had to deal withsomething like that?
Speaker 2 (17:32):
um, oh, I'm sure I have.
I will say we had this is likea tipsy story but it was like
lighthearted, still and fun.
We had a groom that he wasdefinitely more reserved.
He portrayed himself as morereserved.
He did not seem more reservedto me, but he portrayed himself
as more reserved and he was verylike anxious and excited and
(17:54):
nervous to marry his wife and hewas drinking all day long and I
remember going and talking tothem and pinning on boutonnieres
and just like I mean you couldsmell the moment you walked into
the space like, oh, like youneed a Altoid, my friend right
and but it it made him the otherside, just so emotional and so
(18:14):
just sweet.
So I don't know, looking backon that, if he thought, oh my
gosh, what did I just like makemyself?
Because he got up there andthey did a speech and it was
like a thank you speech and Idon't know if they even meant to
do a thank you speech.
You know how like, usually,like the maid of honor and best
man give a toast.
And sometimes the couple sayssomething too.
I don't know if they weresupposed to say something or if
(18:35):
he just took it upon himself.
I don't know that what they hadworked out with each other, to
be honest at that point, but Imean he must have stood up on
that stage and talked for 15minutes.
Oh my goodness, no lie, and itwas just over and over the same
things, but it was just again.
He was very past the point oftipsy, but it was at least cute
(18:55):
because he was grateful right,he was just like emotional and
just thankful for all of thepeople in their lives and
everyone who had come and hiswife just kept like rubbing his
back and was like she knew, sheknew it's time to go now.
And they were just.
I mean, they were sweet, so itwas a tipsy story, but you know,
but a cute one, yeah, at leasthe was a nice tipsy person.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
All right, all right.
Well, katie, we are running outof time.
Thank you again for being withus today.
I guess, just to kind of youknow, right before we go, any
(19:39):
advice.
You know, I know we talkedabout it.
You know, sometimes it's basedon budget, sometimes it's based
on priorities.
Would you give our couples thatare listening on going back to
day off, month off, week off orfull service?
Um, what's your, I guess, whatis your best advice?
If, let's say, for example,budget is an issue?
Speaker 2 (19:53):
yeah, I think, if budget is an issue, again, I
would go towards a minimum of amonth of planner.
Right, go towards a minimum of amonth of planner.
If budget is an issue, knowthat even if you're paying a
premium for that planner right,if they are higher in your
market there is so muchexperience and knowledge that
(20:13):
comes with that and it mightstill be a lot of resources,
right.
So you know, even though it's amonth of and they charge a
little bit higher in theirmarket, they might give you
other tools and resources tohelp make that experience a
little bit easier.
So I mean, do your research, doyour homework, ask all of the
questions right that you and andbe open with them on your
(20:33):
priorities and what matters toyou, because I know like I never
want to oversell a couple,right, if someone comes to me
and says they want full service,but I know their budget really
doesn't allow for that, we'lltalk them into a package that
makes a little bit more sense.
So I think just open and honestcommunication is probably the
best thing you could do.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yeah, okay.
Well, there you have it.
That is a Tipsy Guest.
Pro tip yeah, and Katie, pleaseremind our listeners.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Yeah, so we are at Scarlet Rose Events or at
Scarlet Rose Collective.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
There you have it.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday.
We'll see you next time.
Bye.
Thanks for listening to theTipsy Guest Podcast.
If you know someone who couldbenefit from these tips, spread
the love and share it with them.
Don't forget to subscribe andleave a review.
Next round's on us, same time,same place, cheers.
(21:24):
This podcast is brought to youby MVP Photo Booth, the number
one photo booth rental companyin San Antonio, austin and
Central Texas.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!