Today we’re featuring an interview with Omaha wedding planner Mindell Rethwisch. Her background in interior design, along with her expertise in event planning, have helped her to plan and create some of the most beautiful weddings in Omaha. Mindell shares with us some of her best wedding planning advice and breaks down the different options for including a wedding planner in your planning process.
What inspired you to become a Wedding Planner?
I had planned weddings and events for catering companies, venues and hotels and loved it. Weddings were always my favorite, of course. I get a huge rush in planning the most important day (thus far) in a bride and groom’s life. There’s nothing better than helping make that day perfect for them.
I bring fun. A lot of people view planning a large event as difficult, time consuming and stressful. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and I think that shows. I also have a degree in interior design which helps tremendously with overall asthetics and attention to detail.
I always tell my clients to put as much of themselves in to their wedding as possible. After all, we are there to celebrate them. The main theme of a wedding is always THE WEDDING but if you can establish your own personal theme (vintage whimsy, classical elegance, shabby chic, etc) it makes it easier to stay on track and have a cohesive event design.
Something should be happening every 30 minutes (give or take) If this isn’t happening, your guests are bored.
Definitely! Every client I’ve had has fallen in to the following three categories:
Full planning – starting from square one with the venue. Choosing vendors, scheduling and attending all meetings, developing wedding theme/style, timeline, rehearsal and day-of coordination.
Middle of the road – some planning might be done, a few vendors chosen, an idea of style and theme. Usually this is the point where my clients tell me they start to feel overwhelmed. A planner can step in and bring it all together complete with rehearsal and day-of coordination.
Day-of Planning – mainly focusing on rehearsal and day-of coordination. You might meet a few times before the big day to exchange the list vendors and develop a timeline but the bulk of the planning is done. This really helps the clients enjoy the day they have worked so hard to plan.
Find what works for you.
Only spend on what’s important to you. Let’s face it, there are plenty of pieces to a wedding that aren’t necessary :) If it’s not important to you, don’t spend time or money on it. More obvious ways… choose an off season date, pick a Friday, select a venue that has the basics already (tables, chairs, china, linens, etc) as well as style.
Photography! It lasts forever. 1 year from now, 10 years from now, 50 years from now… you won’t have the flowers or that cake, but you’ll have pictures that captured it all.
Make it personal. If this one event speaks nothing of the two of you, then what’s the point?
Wedding Planner: Mindell Rethwisch | Email: mindelllea@hotmail.com
Photography: Dana Damewood Photography
