We love, love, loved Sarah and the whole Pollyanna Events team. We were exactly the couple you'd…read morethink wouldn't need a planner -- our wedding was intimate and relaxed, we had incredible family support, and we were lucky enough to share a really clear vision for the day that we were willing to work for. Never mind that we're both detail-oriented with tons of event exposure. But all of that is exactly why we ended up needing someone with us in the home stretch -- so we and everyone we love could just enjoy the experience and focus on having an incredible time together.
From the moment we met Sarah, it was clear how great she was. Her energy is both calming and competent, she got us and our style right away, she had useful input for us before we even officially contracted her, and she had methods in place (timelines, collaborative spreadsheets, day-of checklists, and a lot more) that she quickly customized to us, which instantly made everything feel more manageable. And though she had a long list of fantastic vendors for every taste, budget, and imaginable location, she also went out of her way to work with the folks we'd already chosen, especially our non-traditional venues, which were wonderful but not necessarily set up for weddings.
It was a huge advantage to have Sarah in our corner in the weeks leading up to our wedding, from nudging vendors on final details to helping us handle what could've been real problems at the last-minute. When our hair stylist had to cancel, for instance, she connected with someone at the salon where she gets her own hair cut and ended up finding us a replacement so good that I still see her to get my hair done.
But where Sarah and her team made an unforgettable difference was in the days leading up to the wedding and on the day itself. It's so easy after you've put so much effort into this one weekend to get obsessed with making sure it all goes to plan. The reality, though, is that little things are always going to go wrong. And maybe even more important than that, if you spend your time worrying about -- or trying to fix -- them, you're going to miss out on the big, awesome thing that is your wedding day.
Thanks to Sarah, we didn't even hear about the little hiccups -- a key guest stuck in traffic, a backup in the kitchen, etc. -- till our wedding was long over. And Sarah was such a centering presence from the second the day started that we didn't once check or think about the time, yet ended up having enough wiggle room in our schedule to stop in for a drink (wedding dress and all) at our favorite local spot. From then on, I just remember having fun.
Here's the truth: For a wedding to feel effortless -- which is what we all hope for -- takes a *ton* of work. Most of us are willing to put the work in, I think, but it's only worth it if you actually get to enjoy the experience of getting married. That's what Sarah and her team make possible. It isn't something that can happen just bringing a planner in day-of -- that person would barely have a chance to build a relationship with you, let alone all your vendors. And it definitely doesn't happen with all planners; having had occasion to hire planners for other big events outside of New York City, I can't overstate how valuable Sarah's empathy, her unique and personal touch, and her strong sense of initiative and accountability are.
Honestly, I worried that I'd be one of those unbearable brides with insane standards -- because I'm constantly involved with professional events in my regular life -- but Sarah met and exceeded every expectation. And beyond all that, she just added an air of ease and joy to the planning process that made such an impression on us. Sarah and her team made us feel like they were as invested in our wedding as we were, and that means the world when you're getting married.
