Meet the planner: All of the Above Weddings + Events | A Fargo-Moorhead Wedding Vendor Spotlight
Rachel of all of the above weddings + events
Planning a wedding Can feel overwhelming, but having the right people in your corner can make all the difference.
welcome to the first installment of my fargo-moorhead wedding vendor spotlight series, where i’ll be getting to know the talented vendors who help bring wedding days to life throughout the area.
as a wedding photographer I get to work alongside so many different vendors on wedding days, and i wanted to create a space where couples can learn more about the people behind the businesses they may be considering for their own celebrations.
for my first spotlight, i’m excited to introduce rachel from all of the above weddings + events!
from wedding planning and coordination to decor setup and teardown, all of the above weddings + events offers services designed to help couples enjoy their wedding day without having to worry about every little detail.
so, let’s get to know rachel!
How It All Started
Rachel’s journey into the wedding industry actually started because of a friend.
she began her wedding career in Colorado where she lived for about two and a half years. her friend lauren, who is also a wedding coordinator, was short staffed for a wedding and asked rachel if she could help.
after working that one wedding, rachel knew she had found something special.
“After working just one wedding, i knew i had to get into the industry!”
while wedding planning and coordination can be a lot of work, rachel says she has so much fun doing it and can’t imagine herself doing anything else.
her favorite part? helping couples make their wedding dreams come true.
and honestly, i think that’s exactly what you want to hear from the person helping bring your wedding day together.
When Should You Hire a Wedding Planner?
If you’re newly engaged and wondering when you should start looking for a planner, rachel’s advice is simple:
The sooner, the better.
She recommends making your wedding planner or coordinator one of the first key vendors you look for, whether you’re interested in full service planning or simply want a day of coordinator.
booking early not only helps you secure your preferred wedding date, but it also means you have someone experienced in your corner throughout the planning process.
and if you’ve ever looked at a wedding planning checklist and thought “how am i supposed to keep track of all of this?”, having a professional to help may be exactly what you need.
The Wedding Expense Couples Often Forget
Wedding budgets have a way of adding up quickly, and there are always a few expenses that can sneak up on couples.
one rachel says couples often forget to budget for?
Accommodations.
If you’re having out of town guests- or even if your wedding party will be staying nearby, hotel and airbnb costs can become a significant part of the overall weekend.
rachel recommends thinking about accommodations early in the planning process.
for couples who book full service planning with all of the above, she helps arrange a hotel block during the beginning stages of planning. this gives out of town guests a convenient place to stay and can help them take advantage of a romm block discount.
it’s one of those details that may not be the most exciting part of wedding planning, but it’s definitely something worth thinking about early!
Want a Less Rushed Wedding Day? Leave Room in Your Timeline.
One of rachel’s biggest pieces of wedding day advice is something i think every couple should hear:
Build downtime into your timeline.
Wedding days can easily become a series of back to back activities- getting ready, first looks, portraits, family photos, bridal party photos, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner speeches, dances, and everything in between/
when there isn’t any breathing room, even a small delay can make the entire day feel rushed.
rachel recommends leaving some wiggle room in your timeline instead.
that extra time gives you space for unexpected things that come up throughout the day and, most importantly, gives your a chance to actually enjoy your wedding.
as a photographer, this is advice i totally agree with. A timeline doesn’t have to be packed from beginning to end to make your wedding meaningful. sometimes the moments in between are some of the best ones.
happy newlywed couple sharing a candid moment together on their wedding day
What Makes a Wedding Truly Timeless?
wHEN ASKED ABOUT WEDDING TRENDS THAT NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE, RACHEL HAD AN ANSWER I ABSOLUTELY LOVED.
FOR HER, IT’S NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT A SPECIFIC COLOR PALETTE, CENTERPIECE, DRESS STYLE, OR PINTEREST TREND.
IT’S ABOUT MAKING YOUR WEDDING FEEL LIKE YOU.
SHE LOVES SEEING PERSONAL DETAILS INCORPORATED INTO WEDDINGS BECAUSE THOSE ARE OFTEN THE THINGS THAT STAND OUT THE MOST.
AND I COULDN’T AGREE MORE.
YOUR WEDDING DOESN’T HAVE TO LOOK EXACTLY LIKE SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING ON PINTEREST. THE DETAILS THAT TELL YOUR STORY ARE THE THINGS YOU’LL REMEMBER YEARS FROM NOW.
One of Her Most Unique Weddings: A Brunch Wedding
one of the most unique weddings rachel has helped with was a brunch wedding at a botanical garden in denver, colorado.
and it sounds absolutely adorable.
instead of a traditional wedding reception, the couple had a pancake and waffle bar along with a mimosa bar.
but what really made the wedding personal was the groom.
he was an author, so the couple incorporated books he had published throughout his career into their centerpieces and guest favors.
talk about a meaningful wedding detail!
it was a fun departure from a traditional wedding day, while still feeling incredibly personal to the couple.
im always here for a wedding that breaks the traditional rules in a way that actually feels like the couple.
Getting Married in Fargo- Moorhead? Don’t Forget About the Weather.
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony or reception in the FARGO-MOORHEAD AREA, RACHEL HAS ONE VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE:
HAVE A SOLID WEATHER BACKUP PLAN.
THE MIDWEST WEATHER CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE, SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO THINK BEYOND SIMPLY HAVING A TENT.
RACHEL RECOMMENDS CONSIDERING THINGS LIKE DETACHABLE TENT SIDES and having umbrellas available for guests during the ceremony.
having a backup plan doesn’t mean you have to expect the worst.
it simply means you can enjoy your wedding day a little more knowing that you’ve already prepared for whatever the weather decides to do.
outdoor wedding reception setup with a stylish tent
One Thing Every Couple Should Do the Morning of Their Wedding
eat!!
It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly easy to forget.
between getting ready, hair and makeup, photos, family member arriving, and the excitement of the day, couples can go hours without realizing they haven’t eaten.
Rachel recommends having small snacks throughout the morning and before the ceremony so you don’t end up feeling sick or lightheaded.
your wedding day is a marathon, not a sprint-so fuel yourself!!
A Pinterest Trend That Takes More Work Than You Think
Minimal floral bud vases are gorgeous.
but according to rachel, they’re also one of those pinterest trends that can take way longer to set up than you might expect.
having lots of small bud vases with minimal florals create a beautiful, delicate tablescape, but fulling and arranging all of those individual vases can become a surprisingly time consuming take.
it’s absolutely doable, but rachel recommends planning ahead and having a team of people available to help with setup.
another great reminder that sometimes the simplest looking wedding details aren’t necessarily the simplest to execute!
A New Service from All of the Above Weddings + Events
All of the above recently launched a new service that could be perfect for couples who have their wedding decor planned but don’t necessarily need full service planning.
decor set up + tear down allows couples to have a professional team execute their decor vision so they, or their family members, don’t have to spend the wedding day setting up and cleaning everything afterward.
the package includes up to four hours of setup before the ceremony, with the team returning after the celebration has started to handle teardown.
it can also be added onto any of their other packages.
i love this idea because so many couples have a vision for their wedding decor and are perfectly capable of planning it themselves, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they want their family and friends spending the wedding day putting up centerpieces together or cleaning up at the end of the night.
sometimes the best wedding day investment is simply getting to be a guest at your own wedding.
Meet All of the Above Weddings + Events
whether you’re looking for full service wedding planning, day of coordination, or help bringing your decor vision to life, all of the above weddings + events offers a variety of options for couples.
you can learn more about rachel and her services at [ All of the above weddings + events ].
Instagram + tiktok: @alloftheabovemn
website: all of the above weddings + events
phone: 218-234-2015
email: rachel@alloftheabovemn.com
Final Thoughts
one of my favorite things about working in the wedding industry is seeing just how many people come together to make one wedding day happen.
from planners and coordinators to florists, venues, djs, makeup artists, caterers, and photographers, ebery vendor brings something different to the table.
that’s exactly why i wanted to start this series.
i want to introduce you to the talented wedding professionals working throughout the fargo-moorhead and beyond, while giving engaged couples a chance to learn more about the people they may trust on one of the biggest days of their lives.
a huge thank you to rachel from all of the above weddings + events FOR BEING THE VERY FIRST VENDOR FWATURED IN MY SERIES!
AND IF YOU’RE CURRENTLY PLANNING YOUR FARGO-MOORHEAD WEDING, I HOPE YOU’LL STICK AROUND FOR THE NEXT SPOTLIGHT. THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING LOCAL WEDDING PROFESSIONALS TO INTRODUCE YOU TO.
Planning a Fargo-Moorhead Wedding?
If you’re currently planning your wedding and looking for a photographer who wants to capture the big moments and all the weird, emotional, in between ones, i’d love to hear from you.
Inquire about your wedding ➜ https://www.outofthedarkphoto.com/contact