When my wife and I got engaged in 2019, we had been so excited about celebrating with our friends and loved ones from across the globe. With her family in Japan, and mine in France, our nuptials always promised to be a large, international even...t.
Wedding planning is new to most of us who undertake it, and overwhelming during the best of times - then insert the uncertainty of post 2020 and the process seems insurmountable.
Not only were we no longer able to celebrate with our family and friends as originally planned, but with the ongoing and long-lasting impact of the pandemic, even securing small venues proved to be truly difficult all the way up to only a few mere months out from our intended wedding date in September 2021.
With plans and regulations continuing to make securing anything solid seem remotely possible, my wife and I were feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how we would possibly make our big day feel special and connected.
It was at this point when we felt like all of our options were slipping through our fingers, and after a grueling year that was 2020 it felt difficult to imagine being able to put something together that would feel celebratory. It was then that we finally decided to seek assistance from seasoned experts - cue Erica and Alana at one15events.
From the first video session we immediately felt at ease and that we had chosen the right partners to help us re-organize, remain calm, and make all the right decisions to help make our wedding day as unforgettable as the current situation would allow. Erica and Alana struck a perfect balance of expressing acute professional expertise and command of the planning process, all while remaining highly personable, friendly, and collaborative. This was exactly the type of assistance we had needed but didn't even know it.
Given the extremely short time window left before our big day, we opted for the 'day of coordination package.' Despite the short notice and frantic state my wife and I had found ourselves in, Erica and Alana provided immediate and countless creative alternative solutions for all our hurdles, ensured we always knew what tasks had to be decided upon next as the process moved along, and always managed to keep all the details - even the smallest easily forgettable minutia - organized and on schedule. Our biggest three lessons which we would happily share with others who are in this process is: ' 1, Get a planner, 2, get a good one, and 3, make it Erica and Alana at One15.'
Erica and Alana were attentive and always strove to source sustainable options, and small woman owned businesses. To help us feel connected with our family and friends abroad, Erica and Alana went above and beyond and helped us send tiny little parcels with hand written letters before the wedding, as well as helped us coordinate an entire live stream from a single phone device.
On the day Erica and Alana's team saved the day in so many ways - from last minute coffee and breakfast for the bride and hair and make-up team, to tissues when my wife and I could not get through our vows without a seemingly endless stream of happy tears - and even arranging transport for my in-laws at the end of the event.
I will never be able to fully express our gratitude to Erica and Alana for making the most important day of our lives an absolutely smashing success.