Transcription
VowsBAKERSFIELD LIFE 2012GUIDE TO A PERFECT WEDDING
VOWSWeddingtrends‘Fairy godmother’ hasmade a difference forlocal brides with herday-of businessCompiled by Gene GaraygordobilPhotos by Jessica FreyWhen it comes to weddings, every couplewants something different. While some maynot strive to carry out the trends in this industry, others do. For those who can’t decidewhether they should have their weddingoutdoors or what food to serve, that’s where aspecial day-of coordinator falls into place.Being the busy “fairy godmother” thatshe is, Colleen Bauer took time from a bigLas Vegas wedding to discuss wedding trendsshe’s seen while running Fairy Godmother,where she’s a wedding day-of coordinator.Bauer called from the Bellagio hotel inLas Vegas as she was getting ready for a wedding, which included 150 guests and a brideshe’s worked with for a year.Her wedding coordinating business is apart-time job because her full-time professionis as deposit relationship manager/vice president for Rabobank where she works withhigh-network customers from Bakersfield toFresno — among many other duties, she said.Working on weekends means that itdoesn’t interfere with her career. It’s something she loves to do, and she didn’t wantto give it up, Bauer said. So that’s why shechose the day-of coordinator idea.“You are not going to all the weddingrelated appointments, but you are there forthe entire wedding, which are mostly onweekends,” she said. “We orchestrate and assist, so the bride and her mom can step backand relax on that very important day.”Prior to creating her wedding coordinating business she started two years ago, shedid party and event planning for eight years.Her first year with Fairy Godmother,she did 23 weddings. She doubled that thefollowing year. Her business includes sevenpeople, four wedding coordinators and threeassistants. All weddings get a coordinator and26 Bakersfield Life 2012 VowsNeutral colors are making acomeback in weddings.
before jumping into the day-of coordinatingbusiness, including calling the local bridalassociation, researching bigger metro areasand checking the competition. Every detailwas taken into account, even the name andmarketing merchandise, like the little fairy onher business cards.“During our events, they may not remember our names, but they are always lookingfor the ‘fairy godmother,’” she said.Here are some trends that she has noticedduring the past several months:More brides arechoosing lace.an assistant.And she never gets bored because everywedding is different.“We always do a follow-up with the brideto find out their experience,” she said. “It’s afun business.”Bauer admitted she did her homeworkMore moms are hiring wedding coordinators/planners“That’s because moms don’t want towork at their daughters’ weddings,” she said.“Many times, moms end up doing all thework. And someone has to be in charge of thewedding, so that’s us.”In some cases, Bauer doesn’t meet thebride until the day of the wedding becauseshe is just working with the mom.“Our last three appointments have beenwith a mom,” she said. “They want to havefun and enjoy the wedding, not work it.”Changing of rooms“They are getting married in one area,moving guests to another area for cocktails,music and hors d’oeuvres, then move to thereception site for dinner,” she said. “Theneveryone moves to a club room that changesthe feeling, with a dance floor, music and thecake.”Bauer said it makes it more interesting forguests. Sometimes, it is just changing roomsat the same overall location.One wedding she worked on started atthe church, went to a home’s front patio, thento the back yard and finally to a game room,which became the club room. “It’s prettycool,” she said.More brides are going with lace“This is something I am real excitedabout. For years, brides dresses have beensleeveless. Now, there is a lot of lace comingback, including lace bolero jackets.Retro weddingsBrides are going for that retro-style 1950slook, with pillbox hats, shorter weddingdresses. “It’s more of a vintage look, andsome even theme weddings around that retrostyle.Family-style food serviceThis involves long family-style tables anddinners with food in the middle, much like aContinued on page 28Bakersfield Life 2012 Vows 27
VOWSContinued from page 27Basque restaurant, which makes for a moreinviting setting.“It is more family-friendly, yet it can stillbe pretty and elegant,” Bauer said. “It has adifferent feel to it.”Goodnight stationsThese are popping up because thereare big lulls of time in which guests don’teat. Dinner is usually served at 6 p.m., andbesides a bit of cake, there is nothing morefor the wedding, which sometimes end at 11or 12 at night, Bauer said.“Some weddings bring in snacks around9 or 9:30 p.m.,” she said. “One bride I amworking with is planning a to-go bag, with alittle dessert to go.”Themed weddings“These are things that they are into,” shesaid. One bride really liked rock and roll, another had a black and white theme, throughout the entire wedding.Themed weddings are becomingmore imaginative.Grooms are more involved“More grooms are coming to meetings,involved in color selection and cake testing. Vendors have done a good job makinggrooms comfortable coming to appointments.”Brides feel better because it’s nice tohave a partner through the entire process. ButBauer tries to coach brides not to discloseevery detail and to keep it simple.“When guys are involved, they are notjust a guest at their own wedding.”Most grooms feel strongly about thingsthat are important and exciting to them, sheadded.What the groom is wearing“I’m seeing more suits and less tuxes,”Bauer said. “Fancy ties, with colored suspenders.”Two wedding dresses“We are seeing the bride start out witha fancy ball-type gown, then changing intomore of a cocktail-style wedding dress, whichis easier to dance in,” Bauer said.“You see a lot of that on TV, it hasn’tcaught on in Bakersfield,” she said. “I’ve hadone in Vegas, I have a second bride doing it.It’s usually more comfortable for the bride,and it is something different for the guests,too.”Twice As Nice!Weddings . Receptions . Private PartiesShowers . Concerts . Corporate EventsDay Retreats . Luncheons . Any Special EventFull Packages Including Tables, Chairs, Security and Morewww.theMetroGalleries.com . Lifeand get 200 off!28 Bakersfield Life 2012 VowsGardenstheAT MILL CREEK
Outdoor weddings are popular, especially in the fall.More outdoor weddings“In Bakersfield, we have great weather most of the year,” Bauersaid. “So we have outdoor weddings in May and June, and they arereally huge in late September, lots in October and some in November.”Neutral colors“With spring coming up, a lot of brides are choosing colors thatare neutrals, making a statement with taupe, champagne and mossgreen.”COUNTRY CLUB SETTING AND STYLE WITHOUT COUNTRY CLUB PRICING!“Why stress overYour to-do list?Errands, Shopping, Tasks & MoreBrowse list of services at MYERRANDGIRL.COMCALL TODAY for 10 off YOUR first service: 661.809.9001Let Caesar’s Cateryour Wedding!We offer: Tri-Tip, Deep Pit,Chicken, Ham, Salads,Vegetable Trays, Sandwichtrays and more.Proudly serving Bakersfieldfor the past 40 years!TO GET A FREE WEDDING PLANNER, VISIT OUR WEBSITE5201 Riverlakes Drive Bakersfield, CA 93312 (661) 587-LINKSwww.riverlakesgc.comCall us for a quote:2828 Niles St. (661) 873-02709500 Brimhall Rd. (661) 588-7004Bakersfield Life 2012 Vows 29
Las Vegas wedding to discuss wedding trends she's seen while running Fairy Godmother, where she's a wedding day-of coordinator. Bauer called from the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas as she was getting ready for a wed-ding, which included 150 guests and a bride she's worked with for a year. Her wedding coordinating business is a
