You're engaged! Congratulations! As you begin planning your dream wedding, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing a wedding planner.

How can you be sure you're hiring the right person? Instagram, social proof, publications, and portfolios are very important. Moreso, however, is video. While still photos can be edited on any number of apps, video is much more difficult to manipulate and will show you how a wedding planner works in real time.

I began producing behind-the-scenes videos in 2018 so that my future couples could watch me work. I wanted them to see me move throughout the space. I wanted them to understand how I communicate with both my clients and my team. It was very important to me that my couples had an opportunity to really know me. Because as much as I love the pretty, it’s about the process - the journey that my clients and I go on together. One of the most important aspects of behind-the-scenes videos are timelapse sequences. Timelapse videos offer a unique perspective on the wedding planner's skills and expertise. They can show you how the planner organizes and coordinates the event, their attention to detail, their creativity and design skills, their problem-solving skills, their time management skills, their vendor coordination skills, and even their ability to create an atmosphere that reflects the couple's unique love story and personal values. Timelapse videos also show you the breath of transformation that a planner is capable of.

Here are some specific things to look for when watching a wedding timelapse video:

• Transformation: Does the venue undergo a large transformation? Does the design change the way that the space feels?

• Organization and efficiency: Does the setup, ceremony, and teardown processes flow smoothly? If visible, does the planner seem to be in control and well-prepared?

• Attention to detail: Do you see people ensuring that the decor items are arranged precisely? Are the table settings perfect? Are the floral arrangements placed beautifully?

• Creativity and design skills: Does the wedding space look cohesive and visually appealing? Does the planner have a good eye for color and design?

• Time management: Does the transformation happen smoothly, or are there large chunks of time that are “dead” with no activity happening? If so, that could indicate an issue with the organization.

A wedding planner or event designer who is skilled, experienced, and dedicated will be able to show their ability to design, produce, and reveal a space in a short period of time. If you care about transformation, art, and atmosphere, these videos should move you emotionally and make you want to learn more about the planner.

Timelapse videos should create a sense of shock and awe, elicit an emotional response, and have you leaning in…wanting to see more.

Below you will find a selection of timelapse videos that show you what is possible when you dare to see the world through a different lens and work with people who can bend the universe to your will. Each takes a raw space and turns it into something that never existed before now. Watch them (and more on YouTube), and let me know what you think.

XO - Andrea