Hey everyone!!  I am still in maaaaaajor recovery mode after an intensely packed wedding weekend, but I am bursting with joy and gratitude beneath all these sore and achy muscles!  The thank you texts and voicemails I’ve received in the last few days have been such a blessing!

Today I wanted to start a new type of post called [hour-by-hour weddings].  I thought it would be fun to share how a wedding day unfolds by the hour, with brief descriptions and photos along the way.  I purposely did not shoot lots of details because I want to save that reveal for professional photos!  😉  I hope it is helpful to those of you who may be planning weddings and are curious about how a wedding day plays out.  It is also probably eye-opening to those who wonder about what I do on a wedding day; it’s not exactly the glamorous job you might imagine.  😉  All that said, I truly love what I do and I know it shows.  My favorite compliment of the night on Sunday was from a waiter who told me, “Every time I see you, you’re smiling!  I’ve never seen a wedding planner who is so happy!”  It cracked me up but I know a cheerful attitude and some hustling always goes far on a long (20 hour, in this case!) wedding day.

Here’s a look at Jill & Sep’s gorgeous day, hour-by-hour:

Site: Saddlerock Ranch, my home away from home!

8:00a – Classic Party Rentals is ready to roll!

9:00a – ceremony lawn, awaiting set-up

9:30a – dressed down in cargos, an embroidered Anthropologie tunic + my fav old Converse for install.  Bride Jill said to me upon arrival, “I think this is the most casual I’ve ever seen you dressed!”

10:00a – building a cocktail kitchen on the lower lawn for a more efficient service!

11:00a – {found} vintage rentals on-site = gonna be a beautiful day!  Jeni has an amazing team.

11:12a – sending a little hello to my sweet bride!

From 12 noon – 1p, I picked up lunch for my team + the security guys and we ate, unpacked décor and staged the favor table. 😉

2:00p – chairs all set in perfectly curved rows

3:00p – two of my favorite ladies: Becky & Holly of Hollyflora, beautifying everything in sight!  Gasping over those peonies + dahlias…

4:00p – using gorgeous furniture from {found} rentals to display kippot and programs.  I added a pillow to the chair later! 😉

4:30p – Anna and Michy… my stylish & beautiful team!

5:00p – ceremony set-up! florals by my dear friends from Hollyflora

6:00p – sending a stunning bride down the aisle // she met her parents at the back row of chairs

6:30p – a mouth-watering crostini station by Heirloom LA

6:30p – outrageously scrumptious & beautiful fish and chips being tray-passed

7:00p – faraway view of cocktail hour

7:30p – soundcheck + final touches on the dinner area during cocktail hour

8:00p – band ready to welcome guests for dinner

My phone died at this point, so from 8:00-10p I don’t have fun pics to share!  I participated in a Bollywood flash mob performance (woohoo!), there was a joyful hora, and a fabulous meal by Heirloom LA featuring wild salmon, jidori chicken, and a wild mushroom pappardelle that I’m still dreaming about…

11:00p – post dinner service selfie in the kitchen with the one & only Chef Matt Poley of Heirloom LA // cracking up because catering captain Dennis tried taking 7 pics of us and each one was blurry, hence the one-arm shot! haha

12:00a hour – packed dancefloor courtesy of the AMAZING J.B. Project

From 1:00-3:30a, we were taking care of strike: tearing down, packing up, reviewing the inventory, loading it up, etc. etc.!  No photos 🙂

3:32a – packed and ready to roll out 😉

When all was said and done, I was out working for 20 hours before my head hit the pillow!  I had lots of fun chronicling the day this way and I look forward to sharing more hour-by-hour weddings with you soon.

For now, it goes without saying that I am taking things easy on my body.  I am catching up with emails & blogs over the next few days so thank you for your patience!  Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday, loves!