Aloha!!
We are starting a new feature for our blog. So many times when we meet with couples they ask for some recommendations. It could be for a coordinator, a cater, a photographer, a DJ, Etc.... I really enjoying meeting new vendors myself and when I admire someones work I will pass their names onto my clients.
Our new feature is to interview these vendors we work with and some that we may have come in contact with but do not know really well. I am really excited to be able to pass this information onto all of you and hope that it helps in planning your very special event.
Our first vendor is Katy Castillo with Katy Castillo Weddings. She is not only a very talented coordinator but she is a close friend of mine. We met through the business 2 years ago and have been working with each other ever since.
I had the chance to sit down with her and talk in detail about her business and what is important to her.
Katy Castillo Weddings
808.744.9519
http://www.katycastillo.com/
Serving the island of Oahu
Vikki: What is your style of wedding coordinating?
Katy: My style is classic, timeless, with a focus on design details.
Vikki: Can you describe a little about your coordinating services?
Katy: I offer personal service, one on one coordinating. I am also proud to offer Eco friendly wedding options.
Vikki: Do you have a favorite location for weddings/receptions?
Katy: I have quite a few but 2 of my favorites are The Bayer Estate and The Halekulani Hotel's Hau Terrace. They are both very beautiful.
Vikki: How far in advance before the wedding should a couple contact you?
Katy: As soon as they pick their date. Its always better to contact us sooner then later.
Vikki: What information should couple have ready when they first contact you?
Katy: There are a few things that couples should do before contacting me
-Have a date set.
-Have a general idea of how they want their wedding to be. And what I mean is as a couple they need to have talked about what they envision their wedding to be. And what they expect from me as the coordinator for their special day.
Vikki: What can you suggest to couples when they are choosing color/theme of their wedding?
Katy: They need to keep in mind the time of year. Even in Hawaii we have certain "seasons" meaning, not everything is readily available all year. One important thing to think about is daily inspirations of their life together, hobbies and what may interest them. This is how they can make their wedding more personal and unique.
Vikki: What can a couple expect from you throughout the planning process?
Katy: They can expect I will be their advocate. A lot of couples are not sure what to do. They have never planned a wedding before. This is a unique experience for them and it can get overwhelming. I am going to give them the whole picture so as a couple they can make the best decisions. The most important thing I am going to give them is honesty. That is very important to me and how I run my business.
Vikki: Do you prefer a couple who takes the backseat in planning or ones that are fully involved?
Katy: Actually, I like both. Some couples are working professionals and do not have time to do any planning so this is where I come in and help them. Its makes their life a lot easier. I also deal with a lot of destination couples who can not be here to plan anything so again this is where I come in and can help them with everything. Then their are our local couples who need guidance and advice but like to do planning themselves. I enjoy to guide couple in the right direction and just want them to enjoy this process and have fun.
Vikki: (This is a big obstacle couples have and one thing I hear a lot during tastings.)
What advice can you give couples when they are faced with the challenge of whether to have children or not to have children at their wedding?
Katy: This is a good question and can be a touchy subject. There are a few options for couples when it comes to this. Sometimes there is not much you can do when you have family that have children, especially if they are coming from out of town. There are babysitting companies you can rent for the night to watch the children. They will come to your hotel and take care of the kids.
Sometimes it is out of your hands and the children will be attending but there is a great book that would make a good gift. Sara F. Shacter has published a wonderful children's book. Its called Heading to the Wedding. This has been written to educate young children about what a wedding is like and how to behave.
The book centers around a young boy and girl who think of gatherings as parties where they can dress up and have fun. But they learn how to enjoy themselves and respect the special day of the bride and groom. The book also includes a glossary of wedding words.
Vikki: Do you suggest a couple start a wedding website? And if so which one do you like?
Katy: Yes I do suggest it. I think its a great idea. I really like mywedding.com and they have free websites.
Vikki: Last but not least our last question! This has been a lot of fun.
What makes you different from other wedding coordinators?
Katy: Honestly, every coordinator is different in their own way. There are no 2 alike. I am different because I am me. I want my couples to click and match with me and my style. It is truly an honor to be a part of each couples special day. I never forget my couples and always wish them well for a long, wonderful future.
Vikki: Is there anything else you want to add?
Katy: We are booking for 2010. We are looking forward to helping you with your special day.
Well that concludes our interview with Katy. I want to thank her for taking the time to talk to me so my clients can get to know her better. Contact her anytime for help with your wedding. Remember she also has Eco friendly options for your wedding!
Until next week when we will interview another favorite vendor of ours!
Have a good day
No comments:
Post a Comment