I have been wanting to start a blog column that addresses a lot of the questions I get from potential and current clients. This Lovestru.ck “FAQ” column would cover pricing methods, planning processes, client interactions, vendors, etc.

As you can tell from my long blogging absence, my time has been booked up with planning and designing weddings as well as remodeling our home. When I came across Kathy Remero’s post about the differences between a manager and a planner – I knew I had to share this valuable information with all of my readers. I highlighted some of Kathy’s key points below, but please read her entire post here.

The Differences Between a Manager and a Planner (excerpts from Kathy Remero)

One of the things I love most about working in the wedding industry is that it is filled with unbelievable talent and people with remarkable dedication. That said, experience has shown me that most of our talents are not interchangeable. Personally, I find it interesting–and also disappointing– when I hear a prospective bride call in and say she has booked a venue that “comes with a planner”. While I understand that the role of a banquet manager is a very important one, there is a significant difference between a manager and a planner, one that must be well defined.

I find it misleading when roles are not clarified, and the word “planner” is used so loosely. In the spirit of total transparency, I want to use today’s post to help clarify a few misconceptions:

The number one misconception is that banquet managers work for you. The reality is that they are hired by the venue to perform tasks that allow them to make sure that the event runs smoothly on behalf of the venue, but they are not there to assist you in your overall wedding decision process.

A site coordinator’s main responsibilities involve keeping track of time during your events, ensuring proper set up as established by the bride or planner, managing the wait staff, catering liaison, and other venue-elated tasks that are pivotal to the success of the event. Planners on the other hand, are there with you every step of the way. From the moment we meet to the moment you walk down the aisle. We orchestrate all of your details, manage your vendors, create and manage budgets and timelines, assist with contract negotiations, manage the venue selection process, and other countless important details.

I packaged the candy (sour lips, cinnamon hearts, toffee bites, and chocolate-covered caramels) in heart-shaped parchment paper that I sewed with bright pink thread.

Rich’s grandparents gave us the new Smitten Kitchen cookbook for Christmas, and this project gave me the opportunity to try out the Brownie Roll Out Cookies listed among other the mouth-watering recipes in the book. The recipe was incredibly simple, and I piped some strawberry frosting between two mini-heart brownies to make them a little more festive.

I’m Hungry: Snoball Cookies from Olive Us on Vimeo.

Rue is a fabulous online lifestyle magazine that provides countless inspiration for home furnishings, attire, and entertaining. And after over two years of creating bi-monthly magazines, they asked me to develop a brand new website dedicated to delivering daily sources for all things inspiring. I am so incredibly happy with the end result. The site is already jam-packed with great articles, so carve out some time today to dig in and enjoy the new site!

A big thank you to Crystal and Maia for being so great to work with!

I need to do some Holiday baking this weekend… Have a lovely weekend. See you on Monday!

• I’ll take one of each of these cozy gifts
• Love Coco Kelly’s Holiday Outfit
• Swwwiiinnnggg
• If Rich and I were to get a dog, we’d probably get one of these
• If this is 40…. wow!

• Greentastic Gift Guide
• A glittery shoe guide
• Effortless attire
• Bear friends
• These gold lamps are fantastic
• How cute are these mini envelopes!?!

Enjoy this week’s wedding awards!