STEPHANIE AND RICK WILLIAMSON
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 6:58PM 
Stephanie and Rick were married this past September 21st at The Louisville Zoo’s Oasis Tent. Their theme and colors were "Whimsical Elegance with tangerine, fuchsia and lemon." Stephanie has shared advice and her recommendations from her wedding. Rick and Stephanie did choose some of our great SBC vendors: Shafox Weddings & Events, ICVideo, and Magnolia Photo Booth.
Please list vendors
Videographer: ICVideo
Wedding Planner: ShaFox Weddings and Events
Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth
Please enjoy Stephanie's interview with SBC!!
Stephanie
Rick and I met through my Big Sister in sorority, Shawna. They were friends from high school and one night she took me out to meet her friends outside of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Rick was one of them. We were friends for 2 years before realizing we had a spark between us and started dating officially!
SBC: How far out in advance did you start planning your wedding and why did you decide to hire a wedding planner?
Stephanie: I started planning our wedding before Rick officially proposed! Taboo, right?! Nah, a lot brides do it, if they know the engagement is coming. Once Rick proposed on October 23, 2008, we started booking the big vendors immediately. We had the photographer, venue, caterer and my dress done by early January 2009. As the months went on, I realized I needed a Day of Coordinator and that’s when we found Katie at Shafox Weddings and Events. We booked her for our Month of Coordinator and it was one of the best decisions we made!
SBC: What impressed you about Shafox Weddings and Events?
Stephanie: Where to start?! I looked at their website first and when I saw each of the consultants backgrounds and experience I knew I was at the right place. Our first meeting with Katie and Ellen was so fabulous! They had great ideas, listened to what we wanted, provided easy organization and were always there for me by email, phone or text message. They let me be a hands on bride, but helped to ensure our day ran smoothly and flawlessly.
SBC: What Shafox weddings services were most valuable and helpful in your planning process?
Stephaine: We used them for Month Of Coordination and by that point I was in over my head with projects, bills and the big day approaching. The most valuable service they provided was piece of mind. Katie knew exactly what we wanted and executed it perfectly on our wedding day. She ran a tight ship with our vendors and everything was just perfect because she was there and handled the small details, allowing us to be a joyful bride and groom!
Katie with Shafox Weddings & Events:
Being apart of Stephanie and Rick’s wedding was truly an honor. I began my time with them a month before the wedding and Stephanie was already so organized! She put time in everything she worked on and every detail was hand created by the bride. Having their wedding at The Louisville Zoo was a perfect fit for the couple. They have a true love of animals and it came through with their event and on the day of their wedding, because they incorporated their beautiful dogs in their wedding pictures! When we were all together we were always laughing and having fun. It was such an enjoyable experience for me as a planner, because their positive energy made me want the very best for them. What I enjoyed most about the couple was their love for each other and their devotion to their new life together. Both the bride and groom attended each of our meetings and they both worked together with me to accomplish their dream wedding day. Congratulations to Stephanie and Rick!
SBC: Many brides do not budget for a wedding video, why did you choose to hire a wedding videographer?
Stephanie: Originally, we didn’t budget for one either! Then I saw wedding film on Weddingbee from a bride in LA and knew I wanted one too. The pure emotion that was caught on film is priceless. Pictures can tell a story, but a film can let you experience a story and make you feel like you’re there. I wanted to have something created that would tell the emotions of the day, that we could watch over and over and share with our loved ones.
SBC: Why did you choose ICVideo over all of the other competing videography companies?
Stephanie: Honestly, when I started to search for a videography company I didn’t know where to start. I had seen that Complete Music offered video services, but I also saw their demo and it wasn’t what we wanted – a tripod camcorder type feel. I asked Josh (photographer) if he knew anyone and he suggested ICVideo as one. After the first meeting, I was smitten. The different camera options, the personal mics and the editing I saw in the demo were exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a wedding film, not a wedding video. ICVideo was able to provide that!
Megan with ICVideo: Stephanie and Rick's wedding was so much fun to film. They were both so friendly, fun, and outgoing. I started at the salon with the girls watching them get ready while sipping champagne as they told me the story of how Stephanie and Rick meet. Preston was at that time with the guys filming them enjoying a bourbon tasting. After that we spent the rest of the afternoon capturing all the nervous energy and last minute details. The wedding and reception was a great time of friends and family members celebrating the beginning of the newlyweds life together.
Stephanie and Rick did get their complete ceremony, all key reception events, extended reception coverage, Blu-ray, and five highlights. Stephanie and Rick wrote us this great letter after receiving their DVD albums:
SBC: What advice do you have to give brides looking to hire their wedding vendors?
Stephanie: If your vendors know each other and have worked together before it’s a good sign! Almost all of our vendors knew each other and only sang the highest praises for one another. It was nice to know we picked vendors that other brides had obviously used time and time again and that our vendors recommended and spoke highly of our vendors.
SBC: What would you suggest as the one must have for brides on their wedding day?
Stephanie: I can only pick one?! I recommend pictures, film and a coordinator! In all seriousness, a bride needs to have someone on her wedding day who is running the show – whether she wants that to be her mom, her maid of honor, her cousin or a hired coordinator. Someone needs to know all the little details and be in charge so the bride and groom can sit back, relax and not worry about anything. It’s one of the biggest days of your life and the bride should not be the one to worry about napkins, guest complaints or why a vendor is running late.
SBC: Do you have any regrets?
Stephanie: My only regret is not dancing more! We felt obligated to visit each guest table since we didn’t have a receiving line. In hindsight, if a guest wanted to talk to us they could have found us! Hopefully, you only get married once, so party it up! Dance and have a good time with your friends, family and new husband. Don’t miss out on the Electric Slide because you’re making small talk with guests in the back of the room.
SBC: If there is anything that you would find helpful for brides please add.
Stephanie: Brides, it’s YOUR day. Do what you want, not what your parents, your future in-laws or your friends want. You will remember this day forever so make sure it’s your special day! And don’t sweat the small stuff during planning. We hand-made all of our invitations, save the dates and programs. We picked each detail from color to font and even personalized stamps. I have a feeling no one really noticed our stamps or our matching fonts. Things that seem big during the planning process won’t matter on your wedding day because you will be marrying the love of your life! My dress ripped while taking pictures and film footage on the carousel at the zoo. If you had told me before my wedding day, my dress was going to rip, I would have freaked out. But in that moment, it didn’t matter. It was fixable. I was with Rick, the love of my life, and nothing else mattered. I promise J
