Handle All The Details

Handle All The Details

FROM THE BRIDE

“It was a Friday night after work,” says Jennifer Dodson, who met Nahil Bayrasli in Midtown Manhattan seven years earlier. “I got to his apartment and there he was with flowers and the ring. We celebrated with dinner and then called our families.”

They’re both in financial services and have very busy work schedules. “The thought of planning a wedding was overwhelming to us. We needed a planner who could help us find the right vendors and handle all the negotiations.”

Jen researched and interviewed about 10 planners. “A lot of them were with large companies. I felt they would cover the bases, but in those larger companies, I didn’t feel they were as invested in me and my vision.

“When I met Jackie at Busy Bride, I felt we had a lot in common. We come from similar backgrounds and I liked that she had been in a career previously but left because she felt so passionate about what she does now. I thought she was also very flexible and well-priced."

“Once we picked the Rainbow Room as our venue, we felt strongly about keeping a budget and Jackie was very good at helping us stay on track. She also responded promptly to all my emails and calls. Sometimes I would wake up in a panic in the middle of the night with a nightmare about the wedding and send her an email and she would respond by 5 am. She went above and beyond.

“If you want a planner,” says Jen, “look for someone who fits your personality. It’s also important to know what you need from your planner. I needed someone to be organized for me. Jackie was able to keep everything on track.”

Having your planner there on the day of your wedding is also key. “The day of, Jackie and her team were absolutely amazing. I could not have asked for the day to go better.”

Reflecting on the best advice she got for her wedding, Jen says, “It’s your wedding, so focus on what is most important to you and also take time throughout the day to be in the moment.”

FROM THE WEDDING PLANNER

“To help Jen and Nahil have the perfect wedding day” says Jackie Travers of Busy Bride Planning + Consulting, “I had to create and execute a seamless, stress-free wedding day timeline and assist in securing the perfect team of vendors to fit their vision and budget.”

Jackie tells us that successful wedding planning depends on, “attention to detail and organization, clear communication between vendors and the couple, and most importantly, putting together the best team of wedding vendors.”

Jen and Nahil wanted their pre-ceremony photos at iconic locations around New York City, such as Central Park, Bryant Park, Grand Central, and Rockefeller Plaza. “The United Nations General Assembly was in town and New York was faced with numerous street closures and traffic delays. With only a few hours for the photo shoot, a perfectly planned timeline was crucial to the day’s success.”

The couple also wanted a non-stop dance party and assistance in executing some of their personal touches. Jackie recommended starting their entertainment search with Hank Lane Music. Jen and Nahil hired the Bobby Attiko Band and were not disappointed. “The party did not stop!” To incorporate the groom’s Turkish background, they asked the band to mix in Turkish dance sets – “the crowd went wild!”

Jen and Nahil added other personal touches to their wedding, such as black and white cookie favors from their favorite bakery, Melita Bakery in the Bronx, and pizza for their after-party, delivered from their favorite Brooklyn pizzeria, Enzo’s Pizza.

Busy Bride does not accept referral fees. “That gives our couples an extra level of confidence in our recommendations,” says Jackie, who has been a planner for as long as she can remember.

Growing up, she created detailed itineraries for family vacations, reunions, and birthday parties for her family, friends, and neighbors. “Even after a detour to law school, I naturally veered toward planning and joined a Manhattan law firm where I advised clients on estate planning.”

But it wasn’t until she began planning her own wedding that she realized her obsession with all things wedding. “I enjoyed negotiating to obtain the best prices. I delighted in researching every detail and preparing a timeline and master plan to bring it all together.

“In the end, I planned my own fairy tale wedding that I was honored to have featured in Manhattan Bride magazine. In sharing my interest in weddings with recently engaged couples, I realized that I had a skill – one that I had been developing for many years. After three years of practicing law, I decided to turn my passion for wedding planning into a full-time career and Busy Bride Planning + Consulting was born!

“Helping couples plan their weddings is extremely rewarding, and I work tirelessly to ensure that enthusiasm is reflected in every event I have the privilege of orchestrating. After months of planning and hard work, I love seeing the wedding couple completely wrapped up in the joy of their celebration.”

Busy Bride Planning + Consulting, 646.941.0349, [email protected], www.busybride.com