Consultants

If you’re in the early stages of planning your wedding, chances are you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the decisions you have to make over the next couple of months. Sure, you can do it on your own, but why not alleviate some of the stress by turning to a local expert?
Not only are wedding planners in the High South knowledgeable and experienced in orchestrating special events, they’re connected to an expansive variety of local vendors in the area. If that’s the kind of expertise you’re looking for, call them up today and set up an appointment to get started on planning your perfect day.
We got together with two of the area’s premier wedding planners for a Q-and-A session that will help you hash out your concerns and start the planning process on the right foot.
Meet Elizabeth Hempfling, owner and principal planner at Events by Elizabeth Ashley, and Meris Gantt, lead planner for The Whole Shebang event services. They’re both board members for the local event services network, High South Event Professionals, and they’re both here to help you every step of the way.
Here’s what they have to say about their roles in the local wedding industry:

What does a consultant do?
Elizabeth: “The primary responsibility of a wedding consultant is to take care of the client and their overall needs and wishes. It is their role to create bonds and communicate on the back end so that everything results in happy clients, happy vendors and a successful event.”
Meris: “Wedding consultants are here to make the planning process as enjoyable as the wedding itself. It’s all about knowing the client well enough to be able to read their mind, know what they want, and make decisions on their behalf without having to bother them with all of the tiny details.”

Why should I hire a consultant?
Elizabeth: “As consultants, we are heavily involved in the wedding industry itself and we work hand-in-hand with our local vendors. We can handle the logistics of bringing all of the elements together. We can help you with things you might not even be thinking about, like which caterer would be the best for your venue and which photographers know the best overlooks and the best time of day for lighting. Planners give you valuable insight because this is what we do every day and we have the connections to do it. And, we’re awesome.”
Meris: “Most of our clients live out of town and have no idea who to hire for a High Country wedding. Wedding consultants can help couples navigate the confusing world of local venues and vendors to ensure they get lined up with the right team that fits their style and budget.”

Why should I get married in the High South?
Elizabeth: “Visually, with the majestic beauty all around us, everything is so gorgeous. I’ve lived here my whole life, so I can also say that we have some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.”
Meris: “Aside from the gorgeous weather, cool summers, and pastoral setting, the High Country is a warm and inviting community. The feedback I get from clients is about how impressed they are that all of the wedding vendors up here are team players — always willing to pull together to make every event a success,” Gantt said. “I think we have a really unique group of professionals up here that are hardworking, honest, and always put the client first.”

What’s the most important piece of advice you have for brides planning mountain weddings in our area?
Elizabeth: “Really give a lot of consideration to the time of year that’s best for you and make sure that you hire professionals that will work as a team to take care of you. Also, make sure you have fun. Enjoy the process, because you’ll only get to do this once. It really needs to be special so you can walk away with good memories.”
Meris: “Have a rock solid bad weather plan. I know we all want a perfect, sunshiny wedding day — believe me, that’s what we want, too. But, when that doesn’t happen, we want to have a plan B that still puts a smile on every face.”