COMMON                                QUESTIONS

WHY CHOOSE THE INVISIBLE HOSTESS?​

 

"I emailed all my friends asking them what is the most important thing I should make sure I do for my wedding." 

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"Half responded with, 'A wedding coordinator was the best money I spent, and the other half said, I should have gotten a wedding coordinator.'"

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-2011 Client, Rebecca

 

You only have one shot to get this day right, so why leave it to chance on well meaning friends and family when hiring a coordinator will guarantee a smooth event? 

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Hiring a professional means having a set of eyes and ears to double check the work you've already done as well as think about questions that may never cross your mind until it's too late.  There is so much detail to collect and manage we create wedding booklets for our clients containing every event detail.

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Want to know more about Sheena, Afton, Natasha, Jocelyn and Mary?  Read About Us.

 

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WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COORDINATORS?

 

AWARD-WINNING :: We are the only Wedding Coordinator in WA state that has won Best of Bride five times, let alone 5 consecutive years! This award is determined by our clients and ultimately our peers, which we believe is a statement to our mission to collaborate and work well with our clients and our industry mates.

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LONGEVITY & EXPERIENCE :: 2015 wrapped up our 10th wedding season as a company!  We're not just starting out and we're not "learning" on your wedding.  We bring experience, maturity, sophistication and loads of past lessons to your wedding planning process.  If, after 10 wedding seasons we're still learning little tips and tricks every weekend, imagine what a lesser experienced coordinator is figuring out on your dime.

 

WELL-ROUNDED BACKGROUND :: The Invisible Hostess is a logistics management team.  Outside of the coordination, we have team members who staff and bartend weddings multiple times a weekend.  Because we have intimate knowledge of event flow, room flips and f&b services, this carries over into your coordinator's realm of expertise.  We don't just see a wedding aesthetically, but we examine the blueprint of your day, going over the plans with a fine toothed comb.  Also, if your wedding requires more manpower, we don't have to outsource the help.  Licensed and insured staff and bartending professionals are at our disposal.

 

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WHAT IS SEATTLE BRIDE'S BEST OF BRIDE AWARD ABOUT?

 

Thank you for asking!  Every year Seattle Bride Magazine puts out the Best of Bride issue which features wedding industry professionals that are the best in their category.  Winners are decided by past clients and ultimately by their peers. We won our first Best Day-of Coordination award in 2011 and we have won this honor four years running.  No other coordinator has ever done this.  We are incredibly humbled and honored that our peers continue to support us and affirm what we love to do.  

 

Not coordination related, but award related, our Bartenders have won Best Bar service since the unveiling of the category for three years running. We couldn't be prouder of our team and are always working to live up to this amazing honor. 

 

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I SEE THERE ARE FIVE OF YOU.  HOW CAN I KNOW I'M GETTING THE SAME SERVICE NO MATTER WHO I WORK WITH?

 

It's true, Sheena is the owner, Afton came on board a few years later and Natasha joined our coordination team in 2013 and then Mary and Jocelyn were asked to join the ranks after an impressive 2014 season.  It's hard not to assume "First string, second string... etc."  Let us assure you this is not the case and here's why:

 

• ​​Our process is systematized.  We like to think we've "Starbucks'd" our services.  Meaning, no matter who you work with, your experience is the same.  We accomplish this by standardizing our forms, our work flow right down to our email verbiage and communication style.  The only variable is our personalities.  With that said, the five of us are outgoing, friendly, take charge, but also collaborative.  True, we bring different backgrounds to the table, but that also means you have access to five professionals' knowledge instead of one.

 

• It took 8 years to add a third coordinator, and another 2 years to grow the team again. As owner, Sheena takes her company's brand and reputation seriously.  She wants "clones" of herself in these coordinator roles.  While we're obviously our own individuals, we have the common goal of your satisfaction and work in like minded ways.​   

 

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WHO BENEFITS FROM YOUR SERVICE?

 

We work with couples that want to plan and orchestrate their wedding up to a certain point, and then let go of the details, as the wedding gets closer.  We work with couples that understand the level of work it takes to ensure your logistics and details happen.  We work with couples that know unexpected surprises happen at every single wedding, and they want a person they can count on to handle it.  We work with couples who value the idea of being 100% present in their day.  

 

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WHAT DO YOUR COORDINATION SERVICES ENTAIL?

 

Click here to view our service offerings.

 

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WHY DID YOU RENAME YOUR SERVICES TO "FINAL DAY AND DAY-OF COORDINATION?"

 

We haven't been shy about our opinion of the title of "Day-of Coordination" for the type of service we provide, but unfortunately it is the standard name applied to anyone who isn't "Full Planning."  

 

After consulting with past clients who repeatedly told us, "You're really more than day-of," and comparing packages with peers around the country, we agreed that the term "Final Planning + Day-of Coordination" accurately describes the breadth of what we provide.

 

The coordination package we've been awarded for and have been offering for the last 4 years is exactly the same.  Now it just has a title worthy of what it truly is.

 

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MAY WE MEET BEFORE BOOKING?

 

Oh yes, we prefer it!  This is a personal choice and we want you to be comfortable with us before moving forward.  We like meeting at our floating (!) office on North Lake Union.

 

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COORDINATOR AND A HOSTESS?

 

A Hostess/Host focuses on the F&B portion of your day, and has no responsibility with keeping tabs on other vendors or managing the event as a whole. A Hostess will follow your timeline, but is NOT your event point person.

 

A Coordinator, however, is involved, hands on and in charge the entire wedding day. She has connected with all of your vendors prior to the wedding and is a clear point person for the execution of the day. On the flip side, she's not bussing dishes like your Hostess would be.

 

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I'M REALLY ORGANIZED AND LIKE PLANNING.  DO I REALLY NEED A YOUR FINAL PLANNING AND DAY-OF COORDINATION SERVICE?

 

You are our client profile.  All of our clients who plan their own weddings, are fairly organized and feel like everything is already wrapped up.  What our clients depend on us for is to take all of their hard work, translate and confirm with all the players in their day, and make sure their labor of love was not in vain.

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We've been fine tuning our package since 2006. We know just what it takes to ensure what we believe is a successfully ran event.  Weddings, no matter the size or complexity, have a similar formula which requires the same amount of logistic and communication work.  True, 15 vendors will take more time than 2, but the level of dedication is the same. 

 

Even though you've done the preliminary leg-work, once we step in, we submerge ourselves in the details investing roughly 40 hours per wedding.

 

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MY CEREMONY IS OCCURING ELSEWHERE AND I'M ONLY HAVE A RECEPTION.  DOES THIS REDUCE YOUR DAY-OF FEE?

 

This is not an uncommon question and the short answer is, yes, it can reduce the rate.  The longer answer is that ceremonies are probably the shortest piece of what we do.  Not doing a ceremony saves us about 4 hours of actual work and eliminates one vendor we assist in managing (the officiant).  The rest of your wedding day is largely about the reception and all of the players in that event.

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If a ceremony is taking place on the same day as the wedding, no matter if it's at a different venue (i.e. church and reception hall), removing ceremony coordination is not an option.  The reasoning behind this is that your vendors, family and guests assume we know ALL aspects of your day and when we are asked questions revolving around the ceremony that we can't answer, it makes us look unprepared.  To assure a seamless day, we require to be a part of all wedding events on the day of.  We understand some places of worship require you to use their coordinator for the service and we respect that.  Let us tell you how we can still assist you while not getting in their way.

 

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DO YOU TAKE ON DESTINATION WEDDINGS?

 

Yes, we do!  What qualifies a "destination wedding?" If your wedding is taking place at a regional resort we consider this to be an Northwest Destination wedding and require two night’s accommodations for your coordinator and her assistant. This would mean one room with two beds for the night of the rehearsal and the night of the wedding. Additional nights may be required if there is an extra day between these two events (i.e. Thursday rehearsal and Saturday Wedding). If your wedding is taking place not at a resort, but where accommodations still need to be arranged, you will be invoiced for two nights at the average cost of a three-star hotel for that area and your coordinator will arrange her own accomodations.

 

A flat travel fee of $500 will be applied to cover all travel and time involved in getting and staying at your destination.  This fee does not cover site visits outside of the wedding weekend.  For additional site visits, a $50/hr travel fee applies.  

 

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HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH YOUR PRICING?

 

There are things that can only be learned with 25 accumulated years of experience.  We also make ourselves completely accessible to you, and respond within 24 hours of your emails and calls from the moment you book.  We're readily referred and awarded for a reason. Experience equates smooth experiences.  Our price is determined by an equation of industry standard + reputation + experience. 

 

View our rates and services here.

 

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HOW DO PAYMENT TERMS WORK?

 

We accept checks and credit cards.  We split your payments into two installments.  Half of the balance is due when booking and the other half is due 14 days before the wedding.  If need be, we can discuss other options as well.

 

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WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

 

Cancellations or date moves 12-months or less from the contracted date result in forfeited deposit.  

 

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WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

 

We prefer check, but also accept credit card.

 

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MAY WE CONTACT PAST CLIENTS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE?

 

Absolutely!  Upon request we can provide information to connect with past clients and hear their stories.  You can also see many of our testimonies on our "reputation" page.

 

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DO YOU HAVE PAYMENT PLANS OR ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?

 

We accept credit cards and your payments are split into two installments.  Your 50% advance is due upon booking and the remaining balance is due two weeks prior to the wedding date.

 

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CAN WE MEET IN PERSON BEFORE I BOOK?

 

Please contact us for your complimentary "getting acquainted" meeting.  We can discuss your wedding vision, how you need help, and learn how our services fit into your day.

 

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I HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE REQUESTING A MEETING.  MAY I CALL YOU?

 

You can call our office at 206.227.8572.  If you would like pricing information or further details about what we do, email sheena@theinvisiblehostess.com.  If you do call our office and leave a message, please leave your phone number and your email address along with your wedding date.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

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