Hotels as a One-Stop Wedding Center

Want to plan a beautiful wedding but don't have the time to run from vendor to vendor? A hotel just might be the answer. Hotels offer "one-stop" wedding planner for brides who are interested in arranging the wedding of their dreams but don't have the time to track down vendors. Recently Lovetripper interviewed Kristin Bedwell, Senior Catering Sales Manager at Atlanta's Renaissance Waverly, for her tips on using a hotel as a one-stop wedding center.

Are you seeing a growing demand for "one stop shopping" by brides who want to make all their arrangements through one person? What are the benefits of this arrangement?

Absolutely! Many brides are juggling a career, family, school, and wedding plans all at the same time, so one stop shopping is becoming increasingly more important. At the Renaissance Waverly Hotel, the exciting feature of our Joy-Your Dream Wedding package is that we've thought of everything, including a limousine ride, ice carving, chair covers and linens, cocktail hour, dinner reception, wedding cake, bridal room with champagne and strawberries, and discounts for guest accommodations. We also require that our sales and event managers, who work with weddings, become Certified Wedding Specialists, so that we are able to expertly assist with every detail.

Brides benefit from a one-stop shop because they have one point of contact to arrange so many details, saving a tremendous amount of time. Instead of calling a limousine driver, cater, baker, linen company, and ice carving company, they simply call their event manager and know that it is being taken care of from start to finish. For services that are not included in our package, such as photography, we offer suggestions for professionals who we have worked with and trust to take care of their every need.

When a bride talks with you for the first time, what questions do you typically ask her?

The first time that I speak with a bride, I try to collect as much information as possible, so that we can not only meet their needs, but exceed their expectations. It is important to have a general idea of how many people they are inviting, what dates they are considering (being flexible is recommended), whether they prefer an evening or afternoon event, and a general idea of what budget they would like to stay within.

What questions should a bride come prepared to ask you during your first meeting?

During our first meeting, I try to answer their questions before they need to ask them, but I would recommend that brides come prepared to describe their dream event, even if they don't know everything that they want. If they've always dreamed of a lakeside reception, it's helpful to know that up front. Even though we aren't lakeside, I can recommend other facilities, such as the Renaissance Pine Isle Resort at Lake Lanier. Knowing the couple's three most important objectives can assist me to making their dreams come true by focusing on what is most important to them.

How can one stop shopping for wedding vendors assist brides with an eye on the budget?

One-stop shopping can assist brides with an eye on the budget if they are able to utilize the resources that vendors have available. The Renaissance Waverly Hotel is able to include so many items in our package at a wonderful price because we have established relationships over time and many vendors offer discounts based on our long term relationship and volume of business. Most brides are planning an event for the first time, and they aren't sure which vendor to use, so they spend an exurbanite amount of time researching and visiting multiple vendors. If they are able to utilize a one-stop shop, they are able to save time and money throughout the planning process.

 

Click here for an interview with Kristin
about weddings at Atlanta's Renaissance Waverly

Photos courtesy Renaissance Waverly

To plan a Marriott wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.