Arden Photography interviews Alene Gamel of I DO! I DO! Wedding Planning

I have the privilege of shooting several wedding a year with Alene and she really knows where to set the bar for industry standards. A planner makes the day so much easier for everyone involved myself included.

I wanted to get a little Q&A time with Alene and graciously she obliged to my 10 question request.

1. What advice do you have for the newly engaged in selecting a wedding planner?
   There are several things to look for when choosing a planner. Look for their work. Is it consistently good? Have you seen them in magazines? Check references with past brides and vendors. Don’t just compare costs; Look for experience, reputation, and the planners ability to connect with you and your ideas. Remember, this is not a day you can do over, so go for the best, even if you have to get the smallest package, and you will be able to truly enjoy your day!

2. Outside of weddings…What do you love to do?
   I love to travel, sail, read, and dance!

3. Can you give our readers an insider’s tip. Something only a wedding pro would know about making their day perfect.
   Go over every detail three times with every vendor.

4. How did you get started in the wedding industry?
   When I was nineteen I had a good friend in LA that was a planner, she asked me to be her intern. The rest is history!

5. Share something not many people know about you.
   I love sharks! Cant wait for my next big adventure.. to see a Great White in the wild!

6. What is the funniest wedding moment you can recall?
   OH.. cant share any details…don’t want to get sued.. but it involved a bride’s dad.. naked!

7. What is your favorite color?
   Pink! I have loved pink since I was 3 years old!

8. What is your biggest wedding pet peeve?
   Vendors that are incompetent! That is why I love working with you.. you always know exactly what to do and when to do it.

9. If you could plan anyone in the worlds wedding who would it be and why?
   Well, after growing up in SoCal, I am not star struck.. So I cant wait to plan my daughters wedding. 

10. You have great fashion sense who is your favorite dress designer right now?
    wow.. that is so hard! I just know what I like when I see it.. feminine, a little sexy, and a little mystery.