For all the brides to be:

My husband and I had decided on a location even before the official engagement. Sounds different? Well, nothing about our engagement was normal. We live in Los Angeles and decided to get married in Scott’s hometown of Michigan. That’s where Chantelle stepped in. She and I had been acquaintances for years, but little did I know how involved we’d become when she agreed to become our wedding planner. Looking back, I cannot imagine having gone through the experience without her knowledge and support. I’ll fully admit, I am not the type of person who dreamt of getting married or who relishes in details. Who knew that you should start looking for a wedding site one year prior of the wedding? Chantelle did.

I began a search online and she helped map sites in Michigan (prior to the wedding, she had never been to Michigan). After the wedding, I think she knew Michigan better than most people who were born and raised there. She knew which questions to ask. Questions I would never have thought of. She knew how to order and arrange the invitations. She knew how to deal with the hotel managers, reception managers, which questions to ask the cake lady, the lingo with the florist. What’s a long and low? Chantelle knew. She confirmed again and again all the vendors, number of guests, time of ceremony and more. I thought I could do most of it, but with all the stress of the event and the thought of having all those guests and thinking of staying within our budget without sacrificing our vision – it becomes at times overwhelming and I tend to shut down. In the end, she saved me money. She knew what I needed and knew what I didn’t need. She thinks ahead and in the world of wedding planning, thinking ahead can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. That’s where the wedding planner does her magic. She makes all those decisions you’d rather not think about. All the things you don’t want to do, especially the last month before the wedding when you are overwhelmed and family and friends are helpful, but you begin to realize they have their own lives and their own full-time jobs. And honestly, it’s your wedding day, you are excited….and people are happy for you, but as a future bride, it’s on your mind 24/7. You want to talk about what you were thinking about at 4AM, 6AM – because I was up at all times of the night wondering if I had remembered to talk to the pastor or confirmed with the flower girl’s mother about which shoes to wear. Guess what? Chantelle was always 2 steps ahead of me. Chantelle loves weddings. She wanted to help us. She was always so willing.

Chantelle ended up saving an incredibly special moment on the wedding day. Scott and I had spent hours with friends and family collecting childhood pictures for a montage on our wedding day. It was perfectly set to music and in perfect order, but at the last minute, my maid-of honor noticed the montage would not work with the laptop we had. Chantelle quickly sent her assistant back to the hotel to grab her own personal laptop and everything went off perfectly – without us knowing the problem even existed. That montage was a very sweet moment and that is how I remember our wedding day...many special moments in a night. It’s an entire day, but you remember highlights and when a wedding coordinator can help make those sweet memories happen, that is priceless. I also was surprised at how emotional weddings can be for all involved and invited. Everyone wants to be near the bride and groom and certain family members are always difficult. Weddings magnify everything! Chantelle expertly knew what to say and what to do in her gentle, direct manner. For that alone – I am indebted to Chantelle for life.

After seeing a wedding that Chantelle has coordinated, you can never attend a wedding and view it the same way. Our wedding night proceeded smoothly like a well-directed play. We wanted the perfect wedding…and Chantelle gave us our perfect wedding. I wish you the same. Feel free to contact me if you need any referrals or questions answered.

Daisy Galvis
daisy.galvis@disney.com