Wacky Wedding Planner

Ice Sculpture Centerpieces

I'm always on the lookout for creative and stylish ways to personalize weddings, so when I picked up the July/August issue of Special Events Magazine I was instantly drawn to the idea of individual ice sculptures on guest tables.  Even though the event featured in the magazine was a corporate fundraiser, ice sculpture centerpieces makes perfect sense for weddings as well.

Fete Perfection works with two of the most talented sculptors in the industry and I know if I asked, they would carve creations unique to the couple and the style of their wedding.  Of course the venue would have to be ideal for ice, so backyard tented weddings in July or August, not so.

I would also suggest having ice sculptures as centerpieces on about one third or one half of the guest tables.  Too much of a good thing is not a good thing.  I would suggest a mix of ice with floral and candlelight centerpieces. In addition, ice sculptures should be up-lit which adds drama and depth.

So next time we're either managing a tight budget or stylizing a wedding to fit the design and decor, I'm going to suggest ice sculpture centerpieces.  I think they'll be a big hit and certainly should be remembered long after the ice has melted.

We borrowed these images from the Events Department - thank you.

 

Signing a Wedding Card Landed Me in Court...

...is the headline of an article found in a London publication called Metro.  An office worker was arrested for burglary when her fingerprint was found on a wedding card she signed for a co-worker.  When the co-workers home was broken into, police investigating the break-in wrongly concluded the co-worker was responsible and arrested her at work.

Read here for the rest of the story. 

Thankfully, everyone in my office is married, but I wonder what I'll do when they start having babies?

Unbelievable Wedding Processional

I found this hysterical wedding entrance recently and thought "now these people know how to have fun" Check it out: JK Wedding Entrance

The best part, this couple married at a church in St. Paul, MN - congrats Jill and Kevin - you guys rock!

Destination Weddings - Budget Saving Tips

Why do destination weddings typically cost 40% less than the average local wedding?  Because, guest lists are typically much lower than local weddings.  I've had couples invite 150 guests but have 48 to 60 attend. Destination weddings by nature are smaller, intimate affairs and even though there are several events associated with the wedding, the savings can still be substantial.  Here are my suggestions for additional savings:

1. Plan your wedding in the off-season. Hotels and resorts greatly discount rooms to keep occupancy up. Personally, I love summer in the Caribbean because beaches are less crowded, the water is warmer and airfares are drastically reduced.  Great properties are willing to offer complimentary room upgrades as good public relations and wedding couples will often receive VIP treatment.
2. If you really want to leave the cold and snow be flexible with the month and week of your wedding.  For example, once you have narrowed your search down to two or three venues, make sure you let your sales managers know that you are willing to have your wedding during their slower weeks. Spring break or Easter is not slow time for destinations, but shortly after New Years, many resorts see a drastic decline in occupancy. 
3. Have a mid-week wedding.  Why not arrive on Sunday, get your legalities finalized on Monday, host a welcome reception on Tuesday, take a day off and then get married on Thursday?  Room rentals may be lowered or waived and food and beverage minimums are drastically reduced making your dream venue affordable on Thursday but out of reach on Saturday.
4. Use simple local decor for centerpieces - afterall isn't the ambiance for your wedding, the destination itself?
5. Hire live local entertainment.  Typically they charge up to 75% less than bands at home.
6. Make your food and beverage a cultural experience.  Find out what foods & beverages your destination is known for. Both will be more affordable, if it's abundant and easy to prepare.  It certainly will be fresher and offers a genuine local experience to your guests.
7. Wedding groups means revenue to properties.  Negotiate complimentary breakfasts or cocktail hour as an add-on for your guests.
8. Most couples host their wedding at the venue in which they are residing, therefore no transportation costs.
9. Bring your own photographer.  There are many excellent photographers wishing to break into destination weddings and will charge minimal fees or ask that their expenses are paid in order to gain experience and add to their portfolio.
10. Work with an experienced destination wedding specialist who already has all the resources and contacts at their fingertips.  This will save numerous phone calls and frustrations especially if you aren't used to "island" time. Also, they will have researched and read reviews of area destination weddings and can sort out "cookie cutter" weddings from those that truly are one-of-a-kind.
11. Contact the local Department of Tourism or Convention Bureau.  They can provide complimentary maps, entertainment guides and gifts for you to provide to your guests in their "welcome to our wedding" bags.
12. Consider VRBO or Vacation Rentals By Owner for weddings of 10 to 35 guests.  They offer fantastic, private accommodations usually under one roof, complete with housekeeping and private chef services.  These are private luxury homes or villas found all over the world.  I am a big fan of VRBO and have used this resource for my own family vacations.

Most guests appreciate the opportunity to plan their budget so they can make your destination wedding a vacation, so send Save-the-date invitations as early as possible and start working on a timeline.  What's a destination timeline like?  That's next...

Hiring a Wedding Planner - Questions to Ask

This is the first of a series of posts I hope will enlighten you as you plan your wedding.  Liene Stevens of Splendid Communications reminded me just today that education and information is an important aspect to planning a wedding and building trust with brides.  So regardless if Fete Perfection  has been hired or not, I hope that the information you receive from me will be invaluable, even if it's free.

If you have decided to hire a wedding planner for full service planning or day of coordination, scheduling an initial consultation is critical.  If possible, schedule this face-to-face rather than by phone.  There are times this may not be possible, especially if you are planning from another state but I recommend trying to coordinate a trip at the same time you begin your venue search.

Plan on spending a minimum of sixty to ninety minutes meeting.  Bring along a prepared list of questions and have your wedding planning notebook or organizer close by should you need to look for information or contracts.  After introductions, get comfortable and don't be shy about getting down to business. 

A thorough wedding planner will have done their own homework and perhaps may have provided a questionnaire or survey for completion in advance of your consultation.This will help them to know just a little about you before you arrive and hopefully can help to break the ice. I send my Budget Priorities Questionnaire and Bride & Groom Style Survey in anticipation of meeting potential clients so I know a little about them as a couple, their likes, dislikes, food preferences, personalities and budget priorities.

At this point in your consultation are you thinking "I can't get a word in edgewise" or "are you listening to what I'm saying?" If you find yourself in this position, I'm thinking she's not the planner for you.  Your planner should listen to your vision and dreams without taking over the conversation.  Communication and trust will be key over the next several months so building rapport early on is mandatory.

Here's my suggested list of questions to ask a potential planner:

• How many weddings have you planned?
• What do you enjoy the most out of your job?
• What do you like the least?
• Do you handle more than one wedding per day or per weekend?
• Who will be my lead Consultant/Planner.  What happens if they are sick or cannot be there on my wedding day?
• How do you help me manage my budget?
• Do you negotiate pricing and review vendor contracts?
• Do you accept kick-backs from vendors?
• What appointments do you attend with me?
• How many hours do you work on my wedding day?  Do you stay to the very end?  If not, why not?
• Do you belong to any associations?
• Will you be my advocate should I have a problem with a vendor?
• Can you counsel on etiquette and advise on matters of hot trends?

Finally, make sure you feel a genuine connection and that she understands your vision, challenges and budget.  Make sure too that she isn't bossy, critiques your ideas, has no references or will not sign a contract. After the planner has a clear understanding of your needs, she should prepare a proposal and send within 24 to 48 hours.

I hope you find benefit in this post and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Sherwood Forest and VADA Photography

My team from Fete Perfection and I were fortunate to be able to plan and coordinate another beautiful wedding at Sherwood Forest in Nisswa, MN.  Sherwood is the fine-dining restaurant owned by Grand View Lodge.  It's close to one hundred years old and so stunning with all its rough-hewn-peeled-log architecture and hand-laid two-story fireplace.

This was a great wedding in that the brides mother had fabulous instincts and design ideas that pulled together beautifully.  We brought linens from Linen Effects with us along with over 600 white chargers and red salad/dessert plates from Aarcee Classic Events. We used granny smith apples and lots of wrought iron and candlelight to pull everything together to complete the look of timeless elegance.

The couple was very adventurous and had all sorts of plans to depart the reception which, unfortunately, dampened the day but not their spirts.  They left in a small float plane immediately following their afternoon reception and flew off into the wild blue yonder.

The best part however was working with  one of my favorite photographer Biff Ulm of Vada Photography.  Biff has an eye for capturing details, emotion and personalities like no other. Click here to see the sneak peak of photos posted on Biff's blog.

We so enjoyed every element of Carolyn and Jeremy's wedding, thank you to the family for giving up the opportunity to be a part of such a special day.

Weddings and Clowns?

This article appeared in the Los Angeles Times today "Her Wedding Plans Include a Clown, His Don't" even though they're both 30, I'm thinking they're not ready for marriage.  What do you think?

Love, Love, Love...Linens!

Other than traveling for destination weddings and networking events, my last three weeks have been spent selecting BEAUTIFUL linens from my favorite rental companies, Linen Effects and Aarcee Classic Events. Russ Mohr of Linen Effects and Allison Munsell of Aarcee never cease to amaze me with their eye, taste and knack for pulling together fabulous looks even without the benefit of being at the venue or seeing the centerpieces.

Because I work with many brides who want specialty linens and personalized decor, I see a wide-range of selections and looks but no two are ever alike.  Even with the bride whose colors may center around brown and lime green, or vivid orange and eggplant, the looks created by Russ and Allison are completely unique to that bride. 

I'm always excited to attend linen selection appointments and so to better prepare yourself for such appointments, I have my cheatsheet on how to do your homework before selecting linens.

1.  If possible, obtain a room diagram of your venue showing table size, quantity and placement.  This will help to quantify linen needs and color schemes if using more than one type of linen.
2.  Know your budget.  The average specialty linen rents for $35 excluding delivery, tax and installation.
3.  Bring photos or magazines showing colors and looks you like.
4.  Bring fabric or ribbon samples if you are set on specific shades of "insert color here"
5.  Bring your florists proposal.  This will help the designers to coordinate or contrast the looks.
6.  Bring your camera...chances are your fiance will not care enough about linens to attend the appointment, but he will care enough to want to see photos.
7.  Speaking of an entourage, don't bring them.  The more groupies you have, the more opinons you get...afterall isn't that why they're there in the first place?  Bring mom, future mom or maid of honor but leave the rest at home.  Surprise them on the wedding day.
8.  Ask for fabric swatches.  Most companies readily supply samples which you can bring to your next floral appointment. 
9.  Don't be rushed.  Allow at least an hour to look at the various selections and samples provided.  One or two will jump out at you and the rest wil quietly fade into the woodwork. 
10. Finally, savor the moment - the hard part is done.