Shop Wild Things is an amazing website that has incredible event décor. Many of their products are used on TV and high end Celebrity events. I don’t know where they find their products, but they have a great eye for the fabulous.
Their String curtains are amazing; you can use them to separate a section of the ballroom for lounge seating. Your guests can feel as if their in a chic lounge, but still be able to see the action.
The butterfly garland would look gorgeous draped around a floral centerpiece or hanging from your bridal bouquet.
Hang the beaded chandeliers outside along your ceremony path or a few from a large tree that may be used as a seating area.
You must check out their 4 foot bendable trees. These make for glamorous table centerpieces, especially in the winter when all that sparkles is popular.
The beaded curtains have many uses. They be cut and used to accent your centerpieces, similar to the gold tree image above or around floral centerpieces. They can be used to accent your alter or aisle (draping them as you would chiffon). Or as a backdrop for a photobooth.
Many of their products can also be used for home décor, they have these beautiful butterfly chandeliers that would be perfect in a little baby girls nursery.
Look around this wonderful site and get inspired, be creative and have fun.
I am always looking for great websites for wedding and event decor. Please feel free to send me your favorite websites.
Happy Shopping!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Lights, Camera Action!
I love a great wedding video and if you are going to invest in one, then do it right. Cinema Cake offers Hollywood Feature Film style editing. I first came across this company at an industry event in Philadelphia and I have to tell you they have not let me down. I love the cinematography. They offer same day edits which can be viewed during the wedding reception – a great idea to entertain those who won’t dance or drink.
Take notice of the Ceremony and interview voice overs that they use during their B-Roll (for those of you not in the industry - B-Roll is the extra shots of the city, venue, decor, etc..)
When choosing your video production team, ask for at least three different weddings videos to view. This will give you a great gauge of their work. Also, think about your favorite movies and what you like best about them, then talk to your video team and ask if they can do the filming and editing in a similar style (within reason - I'm sure you don't have a Hollywood budget)
Good luck!
Take notice of the Ceremony and interview voice overs that they use during their B-Roll (for those of you not in the industry - B-Roll is the extra shots of the city, venue, decor, etc..)
When choosing your video production team, ask for at least three different weddings videos to view. This will give you a great gauge of their work. Also, think about your favorite movies and what you like best about them, then talk to your video team and ask if they can do the filming and editing in a similar style (within reason - I'm sure you don't have a Hollywood budget)
Good luck!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Bridal Canvas
I recently came across a fabulous website for my bridal babes. Bridal Canvas is a fun website that lets you pull together images and music on a “canvas” that you can share on your facebook, twitter, or blog. Check it out.
You can also bring this to life by purchasing a large picture frame or cork board and printing out your photos and pasting them on. Add texture by adding other elements that are included in your wedding. Have this be a work in progress, as you find elements that you want included in your wedding add them to the board. After the wedding it will make for a great way to reminisce about your wedding planning days.
You can also bring this to life by purchasing a large picture frame or cork board and printing out your photos and pasting them on. Add texture by adding other elements that are included in your wedding. Have this be a work in progress, as you find elements that you want included in your wedding add them to the board. After the wedding it will make for a great way to reminisce about your wedding planning days.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Light On!
I can’t stress enough how important lighting is to any event - especially a wedding.
You can spend countless dollars minor details like disposable cameras, bathrooms baskets, ice carvings, etc… but nothing will ever compare to what lighting can do for an event. Lighting can transform a dull, bland room into a warm, inviting and exciting space. It has a big impact your guest’s mood. Have you ever gone into a ceremony space that was dimly lit, with candles everywhere and soft amber lighting surrounding the space. How do you think that makes you feel? Did you feel the romance? Lighting brings feelings to life.
I once did a ceremony room for a winter wonderland and used shades of blue to give you that winter sky effect. Without the blue lighting, it would have been a white snowy room, the blue gave the room just a touch of texture.
Lighting can also be a reflection of your personality. I once had a bride that was bigger than life. She was bubbly and loved pink. When you stepped into her wedding room, you knew right away who’s wedding it was and the feeling from the guest the entire night was that of the brides personality.
When planning your wedding, lighting should be something you include in your budget from the beginning. Set aside a minimum $500 and go from there. If budget is tight, sacrifice some of those minor details that no one will remember, you will be surprised at how easily those minor details quickly add up.
If your venue does not offer lighting, you can find local vendors that specialize in all things bright and beautiful: I recommend Synergetic Lighting and Sounds.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Littlest Bridesmaid
Flower Girls add a sense of youth, excitement and fun to a wedding ceremony. I absolutely love when the flower girl precedes the bride. It sends an image of a little girl imagining her wedding day, and when the bride comes out, there is that little girl all grown up.
There are so many gifts to give your flower girls, but one of my favorites is something custom as you would for yourself (the bride). A great idea is a custom headpiece for the flower girl. It doesn’t need to be extravagant, it can be whimsical, like a few little butterflies in her hair, or something young (yet dramatic) like a flower with a feather. You can do something that the little girl loves, like Hello Kitty barrettes. I guarantee the flower girl will love the extra touch and probably will wear it long after the wedding.
I have a friend that does awesome hair accessories for little girls. She is truly talented and I have never seen anything for little girls like what she makes. All of her items are Hand-Made and Absolutely Adorable. If you really want something unique and something your flower girl will love, check out this website and some of her wonderful work (my favorites):
Baby Bows and More
There are so many gifts to give your flower girls, but one of my favorites is something custom as you would for yourself (the bride). A great idea is a custom headpiece for the flower girl. It doesn’t need to be extravagant, it can be whimsical, like a few little butterflies in her hair, or something young (yet dramatic) like a flower with a feather. You can do something that the little girl loves, like Hello Kitty barrettes. I guarantee the flower girl will love the extra touch and probably will wear it long after the wedding.
I have a friend that does awesome hair accessories for little girls. She is truly talented and I have never seen anything for little girls like what she makes. All of her items are Hand-Made and Absolutely Adorable. If you really want something unique and something your flower girl will love, check out this website and some of her wonderful work (my favorites):
Baby Bows and More
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Top 6 Contracting Rules
When it comes to choosing your venue, the choices can be very overwhelming, especially because each venue offers so many varieties of services. Having been a Catering Manager for many years, I can tell you the top 6 tips when negotiating your venue contract.
1. Know your Budget: Having this number in your head will set a cap on what you want to spend and will also help you see what each venue is offering you for the same amount of money.
2. Disclose the Competition’s Secrets: Don’t be afraid to tell each venue what their competition is offering you, sometimes, they will be able to offer you the same or something comparable. It will also make them eager to win your business over the competition.
3. Tell Them Everything You Want Up Front: If you disclose your interest in additional upgrades (linen/char rentals, lighting enhancements, ice carvings, bar enhancements, etc.), they see dollar signs, and many times, because you are looking to spend, you can negotiate these prices up front, while you still have negotiating power. You don not want to commit to these items now, you want the option, and each price detailed on the contract.
4. Cancellation: Hopefully you won’t have to deal with it, but just in case, you want to read their cancellation clause and ask for any variation of the following clause: “In the event of cancellation 90 days or greater from the wedding date, should the venue be able to re-sell the date to any type of event, the venue agrees to refund deposit monies commensurate with the total spend of the new booking” In other words, if the new booking is spending the same or less than your guaranteed minimum, the venue agrees to give you the difference of the two numbers. Within 90 days is tough for any venue to resell to any type of event, but definitely ask for less time.
5. Know What You Are Committing To: Minimum Revenue Guarantees are a promise you make to the venue that guarantees a certain amount of money that you will spend with them. NEVER commit to a head count, commit to a DOLLAR amount. The head count should be due no sooner than two weeks prior, but try to negotiate up to 72 hours prior, trust me the guest count still changes this close in. Some Venues will only include the Food and Beverage in their Minimum Revenue Guarantee, others will include anything purchased thru them (linen, lighting, etc.). Finally, ask that any additional fees also be disclosed on the contract. Such fees include; room rental, staffing fees, additional power for the band, etc. If they say “There are no additional fees”, have them put it in the contract. You want EVERYTHING in writing so that there are no misunderstandings later. This protects both parties. Should they have any issues with putting anything in writing, then you may have to question the integrity of the venue.
6. Get Both Parties Signatures. A contract is not legally binding until both parties have signed. A representative from the venue needs to sign after you to completely execute the agreement. Always ask for a copy of the executed contract – and make sure you have ALL pages, not just the signed page.
Good Luck, and remember you can always email me with any questions on this or other topics.
1. Know your Budget: Having this number in your head will set a cap on what you want to spend and will also help you see what each venue is offering you for the same amount of money.
2. Disclose the Competition’s Secrets: Don’t be afraid to tell each venue what their competition is offering you, sometimes, they will be able to offer you the same or something comparable. It will also make them eager to win your business over the competition.
3. Tell Them Everything You Want Up Front: If you disclose your interest in additional upgrades (linen/char rentals, lighting enhancements, ice carvings, bar enhancements, etc.), they see dollar signs, and many times, because you are looking to spend, you can negotiate these prices up front, while you still have negotiating power. You don not want to commit to these items now, you want the option, and each price detailed on the contract.
4. Cancellation: Hopefully you won’t have to deal with it, but just in case, you want to read their cancellation clause and ask for any variation of the following clause: “In the event of cancellation 90 days or greater from the wedding date, should the venue be able to re-sell the date to any type of event, the venue agrees to refund deposit monies commensurate with the total spend of the new booking” In other words, if the new booking is spending the same or less than your guaranteed minimum, the venue agrees to give you the difference of the two numbers. Within 90 days is tough for any venue to resell to any type of event, but definitely ask for less time.
5. Know What You Are Committing To: Minimum Revenue Guarantees are a promise you make to the venue that guarantees a certain amount of money that you will spend with them. NEVER commit to a head count, commit to a DOLLAR amount. The head count should be due no sooner than two weeks prior, but try to negotiate up to 72 hours prior, trust me the guest count still changes this close in. Some Venues will only include the Food and Beverage in their Minimum Revenue Guarantee, others will include anything purchased thru them (linen, lighting, etc.). Finally, ask that any additional fees also be disclosed on the contract. Such fees include; room rental, staffing fees, additional power for the band, etc. If they say “There are no additional fees”, have them put it in the contract. You want EVERYTHING in writing so that there are no misunderstandings later. This protects both parties. Should they have any issues with putting anything in writing, then you may have to question the integrity of the venue.
6. Get Both Parties Signatures. A contract is not legally binding until both parties have signed. A representative from the venue needs to sign after you to completely execute the agreement. Always ask for a copy of the executed contract – and make sure you have ALL pages, not just the signed page.
Good Luck, and remember you can always email me with any questions on this or other topics.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
My Fair Wedding
I’ve had the privilege of working with David Tutera twice now, and I have to tell you, what a great guy!
If you’ve never heard of him, David Tutera has been in the industry over 20years and has planned events for A-list celebrities like, Barbara Walters, Starr Jones, Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, and so many more. He is truly talented and has become a leading expert in all things wedding and special events!
Last year, David premiered a great new TV show called My Fair Wedding on WeTV. He takes an ordinary bride with a modest budget and transforms her wedding day into a Platinum affair - all complimentary! He is really making dreams come true!
Season 2 just began this past Sunday with a Casino themed wedding and this next episode on June 13th features The Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown by Marriott. A hidden gem in Center City Philadelphia! Wait until you see what wonderful things David did for this bride!
Aires Every Sunday 10pm EST.
If you’ve never heard of him, David Tutera has been in the industry over 20years and has planned events for A-list celebrities like, Barbara Walters, Starr Jones, Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, and so many more. He is truly talented and has become a leading expert in all things wedding and special events!
Last year, David premiered a great new TV show called My Fair Wedding on WeTV. He takes an ordinary bride with a modest budget and transforms her wedding day into a Platinum affair - all complimentary! He is really making dreams come true!
Season 2 just began this past Sunday with a Casino themed wedding and this next episode on June 13th features The Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown by Marriott. A hidden gem in Center City Philadelphia! Wait until you see what wonderful things David did for this bride!
Aires Every Sunday 10pm EST.
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