09.23.08
Posted in News & Updates, Public Events, Special Promotions, Wedding & Event Planning
at 12:27 pm
by Leigh Peterson
You’re invited to attend Ohio’s largest Fall
bridal show in Northeast Ohio!
Sunday, October 19th
Embassy Suites
5800 Rockside Road, Independence
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Contact us for FREE tickets or you can purchase them at the door for $10.00.
If you pre-register with Today’s Bride they are only $5.00 at the door. Or, buy tickets online for 50% off!
To pre-register or purchase tickets go to www.todaysbrideshows.com
or call 330.670.9545 or 216.393.5677
See you at the show!
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09.11.08
Posted in Wedding & Event Planning
at 11:53 am
by Leigh Peterson
Today’s wedding tip comes from Ginny Sukenik, Certified Meeting Planner with GS Special Events, Ltd.
1. Meeting with each and every florist in the phonebook is an undertaking no sane person could handle. Pare down your list by doing brief phone interviews. Ask how many weddings each florist has a month, the size of their average wedding, their pricing structure and if a person is assigned to handle your account. This should shorten the list considerably.
2. In addition to seeing pictures of previous weddings each florist has done, ask to see flower samples.
3. Be honest about your budget and clearly outline your vision for wedding flowers in great detail. Show pictures of what you like as well as what you do not like. A good florist will find a balance between your wants and what you can afford.
4. Have your florist break down the price of each product or service in your package. This will be a menu from which you can then pick the items you want.
5. Be wary of floral designers who suggest several fragrances for the wedding. Too many scents cancel one another out. It is wiser to choose one or two fragrant groupings, such as lilacs or roses, that will delight the senses, but not overwhelm.
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07.15.08
Posted in Wedding & Event Planning
at 11:41 am
by Leigh Peterson
Found this very cute decorating idea on Jessica Del Vecchio’s Photography Blog.
You’ve seen stickers from your own photos before, but she shows us just how elegant they can look when printd in black and white (or sepia) and placed on votive candle holders.
They would also be great on invitations, thank you notes, or favors!
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05.28.08
Posted in Wedding & Event Planning
at 11:32 am
by Leigh Peterson
Our good friend Tricia Dever of “Always Eventful” Wedding and Event Planning sent us this small sample of many of her qualified tips to think about when you begin planning your wedding.
Flower Girls/Ring Bearers:
Kids are adorable as flower girls and ring bearers but they are also unpredictable. To alleviate the stress of, “will they go down the aisle,” have them go down the aisle AFTER the bridesmaids so they can watch others go first, but BEFORE the Maid of Honor – she can then sweep them down the aisle if they stall halfway down. The worst thing is for the brides walk to begin and all the guests are still looking at the Flower girl who is now sitting in the middle of the aisle!
Booking Vendors:
Many brides get engaged and decide that they must do a thousand things immediately. While it is true, that wedding planning can be stressful, it should be exciting too. First thing I recommend is to put together a tentative guestlist so you know how many guests you can expect and a preliminary budget so that you know about how much money you have to spend for each area of the wedding. Then start booking your major vendors first – that is the reception facility, ceremony location, photographer, videographer, musicians, florist…and wedding coordinator!
Making a WOW event:
It’s the details that people will remember – the personal guestbook, the menu cards, the toast given by the groom to his lovely bride. Another way to make a WOW event is in lighting – candles and colored lighting really make a reception facility pop!
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04.18.08
Posted in Wedding & Event Planning
at 11:14 am
by Leigh Peterson
Today’s Event Planning tip is courtesy of Valerie Kirkbride of Kirkbride’s Wedding Planning & Design.
Developing a central theme for your wedding is essential to holding a unique event. This idea is central to all of the amenities such as the food served, specialty drinks, colors, floral, decor, table names, and much more. Having trouble developing an idea? Think of your heritage, a place you enjoy traveling to, the style of stores you enjoy shopping at, eras of the past, favorite music and your personalities in general. Be careful not to go overboard though, as there is a fine line between cheesy and artistic!
A few examples of themes my clients have used and are using right now include Tuscan Italian, Fate and Destiny, Old Glam, Classic American Love Story, French Jazz Bistro and Russian Ice.
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02.29.08
Posted in Wedding & Event Planning
at 12:34 pm
by Leigh Peterson
Another of our favorite wedding planners, Amy Shipman, President of At Last Event Planning, wanted to share with us some of her tips for a bride who wants to be a little more creative than traiditional. Here are some ideas you may not have thought of before:
- The Unexpected- Give your guests something they don’t expect and you’ll leave a lasting impression on them. A customized out of towners gift basket with local flair is the perfect way to welcome your out of town guests. Or perhaps a late night snack–after hours of cocktails and dancing, they’ll appreciate the treat!
- Be Creative- Don’t be afraid to ask your caterer to come up with creative alternatives to the items we have all come to expect from a wedding dinner. Food can be an art form; utilizing local and seasonal products will infuse a more personal feel.
- Lighting Is Everything- In good lighting, everything and everyone looks better. Often under-utilized lighting can transform your wedding space into something magical or downright funky; from a room wash in a dramatic bold hue to hundreds of whimsical paper lanterns or a custom logo projected on the dance floor, the right touch of light will make all the difference.
- Eclectic Style-The days of all round tables with one style of centerpiece are gone and in its place are a mix of round, square and long tables as well as several different centerpiece designs meant to capture your attention and create the WOW factor we all crave.
- Go Green- In a world that is increasingly focused on conserving and the environment, use your wedding as an opportunity to share your love of the earth with your guests…from recycled and/or plantable invitations to organic/local food and sustainable centerpieces, you can create a naturally romantic event!
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02.15.08
Posted in Wedding & Event Planning
at 4:32 pm
by Leigh Peterson
We’ve contacted some of our favorite wedding planners and asked them to share a bit of their expertise with us.
Our first contributor is Gina Jokilehto-Schigel, owner of ShiShi Events. Gina has seen a lot of weddings from start to finish, and she wanted to share the top 5 tips she stresses with her own brides.
- Make it personal! Your wedding should be completely reflective of the two of you and not a reflection of things you think you should do because your mother, sister, or best friend wants you to. The more personal the wedding, the more memorable it becomes for your guests!
- Location, location, location! Choose a location that shows off your personalities. There are many fantastic venues to choose from in Cleveland and beyond, it’s just a matter of uncovering the perfect one for you!
- Know where to splurge and where to skimp. While choices like entertainment, photography, and food should be splurged on, other items can be skimped on based on your preferences and priorities without the event losing impact.
- Keep everything in perspective. Ideally, this will be the one and only time you plan your wedding – try to take everything in stride and enjoy the experience! Let the little things be just that – little things!
- If you’re going to give favors to your guests, make them edible. I can’t tell you how many couples rack their brains trying to think of a creative little trinket, and the truth is, if they can’t eat it, usually the money spent is wasted. Make your favors favorite treats of yours and they will be a huge hit with your guests!
Thank you Gina!
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