Creative Favors - we know how!

Ok, so everyone knows about the traditional bubbles, disposable cameras and candy as wedding favors, can we say boring? Think outside the box and give your guests something to remember your special day by!  Doing searches on the web on sites such as Favoraffair.com  and Elegantfavorideas.com are a great starting point.  We always tell our brides three points when selecting favors:

1: Reflect you and your fiance's relationship (your first date was apple picking - use potted apple cuttings in ornate and customized pots)

2: It is not something that only makes sense in pairs; candle and shot glasses have come and gone and unless you have a collection started, they look a little unfinished sitting on a shelf alone, if they make it that far...

3: You cannot please everyone. Don't stress out wondering if everyone is going to love it.  Even if you spent $490 a favor on a diamond shaving encrusted picture frame - there will be a handful of people who find it useless or will give it away.

You cannot make everyone happy but be sure to be proud of your choice!

In Lieu of donations are another great, simple way to give honor and meaning to your wedding while having your guests be part of a great cause.  Then each year you can continue donating and send cards to your guests annually thanking them for being part of your life and up-to-date status on the donations.

When your wedding has come and gone, your guests will be left with one thing and one thing alone, a memory. Help them to create the best one for years to come!

Here is to Wonderful Wedding Planning!

Shannon Marie Lach

Wedding & Social Event Director

The Events Company

Syracuse, New York

Chair Covers: Colors, Styles, Bows and more!

There are three design features most brides are concerned about when they walk into a raw venue: the color of the rug, the color of the walls and the chairs. Floors disappear when the tables are in place, walls can be altered and muted with ambient lighting and/or fabric draping. Chair covers are the element you can have the most fun with and will impact the look of the room most. There are hundreds of color combination ideas available, in various fabrics and styles - it is impossible to keep up sometimes!

The chair cover options are endless. See an event designer for all your options!

Here are some important tips to remember when creating a vision including chair covers:

• The size of the sash/tie: Some venues might offer only 4” wide ties, while design firms, such as the Events Company, have a standard 12” wide sashes. The look each kind gives varies greatly, so be sure to see what each option looks like and how it reflects your overall look. 12” sashes look fuller and can be tied in various ways, adding more visual interest to the table setting.

• Consider the table as a WHOLE: When meeting with a designer about chair covers, be sure to ask to see how it will look with your linen choice, napkin choice and place setting. Also consider what your centerpiece will include in terms of color and shape.

• See it yourself: Ask to see a mock table set up in the way you envision your table to look. I have countless brides who do a complete 180 when choosing chair covers after I work with them on the entire table design. That's OK! We want you to be thrilled and confident in your choices before the big day, so there are no surprises.

Ivory Spandex Chair Cover with Maize Sash. Photo by Meghan Thomas Photography

• Ask to see photos from previous events: A great chair cover (installed properly) should fit the chair, no legs showing, tight sash, no sagging fabric, and uniformity around an entire table. The last thing you want is your guests' chair covers to look disheveled before dinner ends.

Ivory and Celedon Chair Cover with sash. Photos on the left by Lisa Walsh Photography

No matter what your venue of vision, chair covers for your wedding should be a fun decision. If you are struggling with ideas, be sure to get in touch with an event designer in your area.

Best Wedding Wishes!
Shannon M. Lach

Add Life to the Party with LIGHTING!

When flipping through magazines or online albums, many of the venue photos that catch your eye have extensive lighting and various spotlighting to accentuate architectural elements or mask imperfections.  Lighting is a décor designer’s trick to making all your guests say “WOW” in any venue.

Lighting can range from simple uplighting using par cans around the perimeter of the space to elaborate treatments using intelligent lighting. Whichever you choose, you will have instant ambiance. 

Lighting can be used to accentuate wonderful architectural elements or hide a less than desirable wall color.

Brides love seeing their monogram on the dance floor - just know that once the dance floor is full of people it becomes a really bright light on bodies. If you want to have the monogram, use it for the walk-in Wow! and then turn it off or find another location to project that won't get 'interference.'

We've transitioned to LED lighting, which draws less power (which is better for the venues), offers unlimited color choices, and the ability to change colors through the course of the event. Gobos are used for projecting patterns and are great in adding texture to walls and floors.

Beauty & the Backdrop

With all eyes on you for an entire day, you want to look your best while sitting at your head table or maybe you're doing an intimate sweetheart table.  

Unfortunately, some venues have pre-placed wall art, service doors, or lighting fixtures right behind your head table distracting from the night’s beautiful focal point – which is you! The Solution; a sophisticated backdrop behind any head table will give the illusion of a customized room and the touch of elegance you deserve.

Come into our showroom and we will help you create a backdrop that is sure to make your guests say “WOW!” when they walk into your reception. It's YOUR day and a backdrop keeps YOU front and center.

The Gourmet Bride

Food is an important element of any event and today's bridal couples are putting food in the limelight. Whether you're adding a touch of whimsy, going for comfort, keeping it local, or tantalizing with exotic flavors, developing your menu can add to the experience of the celebration.

 Cotton Candy is showing up in unique ways not only for a fun dessert but in  hors d'oeuvres and entrees.

Comfort foods with a twist are a huge hit as well. One of my personal favorites is Lobster Mac n Cheese with truffle oil. Presentation can really make this special: on a small square plate, in a bit size portion on a ceramic spoon, or served in a martini glass.

Locally Grown is becoming a more common request. Think about serving it 'family style.' Bringing sustainable items into your centerpieces is a great way to continue the theme.

Maybe you have a favorite culinary destination or want to incorporate your family ethnicity. Introducing your guests to exotic flavors can create lasting memories.

Put it on a stick - you can put just about any food item on a stick and it suddenly turns into a great presentation and fun to eat.

Bridal Show Bliss!

Newly engaged bride? Feeling the excitement you are getting married this year Bride? Any type of Bride is welcome to come see The Events Company and all other creative, talented wedding professionals of the Wedding Studio @ 224 at this year's Driver's Village Bridal Show January 16, 2011 12-5pm!


Premiering for the first time, all of the partners will be represented and ready to show you what it means to create your perfect wedding!


We are seriously excited about being part of this monumental wedding moment in New York, and excited to meet all the bustling brides! So whether you need a wedding planner, limo, band, invitations, videographer, tents, DJ, photographer or flowers make sure you stop by the Wedding Studio lounge tomorrow 12-5pm.


ps: we will be 'announcing for the first time' our Wedding Studio booklet...be the first to see it!

Happy Planning!

Details Details

Wedding Planning is all about details, but more specifically YOUR details. Be sure to include character and flavor to your special day that reflects who you and your fiance are.

One of our Korean brides incorporated authentic Korean linens and Ukrainian food dishes to honor her and her fiances heritage.

Another bride went strawberry picking with her fiance the season before their wedding and froze the strawberries. For their reception, instead of the traditional cake, they had personal short bread cake for each person at the table and a bowl of the strawberries they picked together. A note was placed next to the bowl telling the story of their 'strawberry picking day' and guests loved the personal touch!

Whether it is grandmother's soup recipe, your aunts antique glass bottle collection or hand picked fruit, it is the little, personal touches guests appreciate and make your wedding unique!


Happy Wedding Planning!
(Photo by Maybn Ludke Photography)

Commandments for all Wedding Planners to Live by

Over the past 14 years of being in the event industry I've run into a number of prospective clients and vendors who cringe at the thought of an event planner or wedding planner. Based on past experience with a "planner" who didn't have a clue. The idea of being an 'event planner' seems fun and glamorous - but it's so much more than picking out pretty linens and centerpieces. 

Here's a great article from the National Conference Center blog  that every client looking for a great event professional should read. I couldn't agree more.

Heather Walrath, recent newlywed and featured blogger for Get Married, Weddzilla, WedAlert and The DC Ladies, as well as through her own blog, Bicoastal Bride describes what the ideal planner is for most brides.
She explains that choosing an ideal wedding planner will vary depending upon a bride’s vision for her day and what types of services she seeks. For example, does she seek a full-service designer to craft a specific look and feel for her event? Does she seek a day-of coordinator to manage the organizational and logistical aspects of her day? Here are the five commandments of an ideal planner from Heather’s perspective:

• Problem-Solver – Thou shall be a logical and practical thinker. The ideal wedding planner is a creative problem-solver, able to think and act quickly and rationally in the face of mishaps. She should assess risks and potential pitfalls well ahead of the big day, preparing backup plans and being well-prepared to confidently step in should anything go wrong, from weather snafus to snarky relatives.

• Firm Understanding – Thou shall get to know the client and handle the small details. The ideal wedding planner is detail-oriented yet also aware of the big picture. In addition to having a clear understanding of a couple’s theme and vibe for the day, she must be able to seamlessly track both large and small details, including vendor arrival times and setup needs, the placement of wedding items, seating arrangements, food allergies, VIP relatives, and so much more.

• Selfless Visions – Thou shall still allow the client to make their own decisions. The ideal wedding planner is patient and calm. She should listen and offer honest advice, while remembering that she is bringing the couple’s vision to life, rather than her own. Some brides come out of planning their weddings thinking they will also love planning weddings for others, often finding out after the fact that this is not the case. Advising another bride is very different than implementing your own desires.

• Are You “Connected?” – Thou shall already be active in the industry and community. The ideal wedding planner is well-connected and involved with the wedding community. She knows how to find the best resources and vendors, and is up to speed about the latest industry news and trends.
• Give It Your All – Thou shall remember to handle an event as you would want others to handle your own. The ideal wedding planner is positive and enthusiastic. A wedding day, and the months leading up it, often comprise the most exciting time of a couple’s life. A planner should share in their joy and truly go above and beyond, ensuring their day will be incredible from start to finish. 

 The Events Company team lives by all of these commandments.

Here Vendor Vendor!!

Getting the Most out of your Vendors

Choosing your vendors is a daunting task. How do you know they will fit your wedding vision? Consulting with your wedding planner first is the best way to find out which vendors will fit your personality and needs. Local wedding planners have access to endless providers and can recommend the best in the wedding biz. Vendors can make a wedding come alive- and we’ve got some tips for figuring out a way to get the most out of your selected vendors.

Build a relationship with your vendor:

The greatest thing about vendors is most of them have been in the business a long time, and have built their own professional relationships. If you have already worked with your wedding planner to select an incredible caterer, ask them for referrals to a florist. The wedding business is a small, small world- and the pros can tell you who to rely on- and who to avoid.

Determine their scope of services:

Some people are surprised to know that The Events Company does Fun Photo services as well as full service wedding planning. Make sure to ask your vendor exactly what their scope of services are, so that you don’t miss out on any awesome perks. Wedding planners are able to tell you which venues will even help set up place cards for you- or do a variety of miscellaneous tasks.

Figure out where your money is going:

Remember that you are hiring the best because they know how to spend your budget correctly to execute your dream wedding. One place brides try to save money is on their DJ – some services consist of hiring the company, not a specific individual. If you saw a DJ you liked at a friend wedding, get their company name and individual name and be request that specific person. Be sure to know EXACTLY who and WHAT is going on at your wedding.

Your wedding planner should provide you with a list of the day’s events and expectations. If you notice something is not to your liking, approach your wedding planner first to diffuse the situation. Be strong in what you want – there are vendors out there who will give you exactly what you envisioned!

Some of the best vendors in the industry book 2 years out, so be sure to contact them as soon as you think you might be interested. Your wedding planner should set up a meet and greet and if you like them, go for it! It will be a sense of relief to know you have crossed off something on your “Wedding To Do!”

Look for a future post for an entire “Wedding To Do!” list.

Happy Holidays!

Shannon

How to Avoid Wedding Stress

Avoiding Day-Of Snafus

With any brilliant plan, there are some things that happen the day of at your wedding that are unavoidable – bridesmaids dress tears a seam, you get make up on your gloves; someone cuts their finger on a pin, headaches! But never fear, we are here to give you some tricks of the trade to avoid those little disasters on your wedding day:

-Bride Survive Kit – any great wedding planner should have one automatically onsite, but to calm your fears, be sure to bring one yourself so you can add items you might like, such as Excedrin vs. Advil, specific feminine products or a favorite lotion! A few must haves: Mints, Pain Reliever, Nail Polish Remover, Facial Tissues, Deodorant, Tampons, Adhesive Bandages, Sewing Kit, Bobby Pins, Scissors, Safety Pins, Stain Remover, Double-Sided Hem Tape and Earring Backs.

-Having a wedding planner will deter any stress you might have that you will forget an important item, but to ease your stress make a personal checklist of everything you need and want to have on the big day. Be sure to share this list with your wedding planner who should in-turn present to anyone it affects, such as photographer, dj or caterer. An important item to remember: have your signed marriage license at your rehearsal!

-Let go of unrealistic expectations. Just like with your future husband, you have to decide to accept the good with the bad on your wedding day. A perfect wedding is exactly what you are going to get, no matter if it is executed in the EXACT way you had planned. The most important point is that you enjoy yourself, and be sure your guests are entertained! Practice prior to your wedding dealing with situations that do not completely go your way, or as you planned. Learn how to manage your stress and really take on the attitude if something goes wrong, “well there is nothing we can do about it now, no need to stress.”

-Unmet expectations from vendors. Always have a list of your vendors on hand. Your florist promises you red roses and delivers you white roses. This is where the wedding planner has expertise and an understanding of how to communicate directly with that vendor to trouble shoot every issue as it arises day of. Do not try to handle this situation yourself. Designate a bridesmaid to contact the vendor and express your disappointment as soon as you recognize it. Insist that vendor make every effort to right the wrong before the beginning of the event – and that is what you are expecting. Now is the hard part: If a problem cannot be solved immediately, forget about it. Well at least until the next business day after your wedding. So do not stress the day of your wedding or let the first words out of your mouth to guests be “the florist messed up”. Don’t even mention it. Enjoy your day.

Remember you are beautiful and everyone in that single room has gathered with their loved ones to see the joining of someone they care about and the person they love.

Shout out in the Newspaper!

STAPLES/KINSELLA

Published in Syracuse Post Standard on 12/12/2010

Bride Timeline: How much do I do?

Managing your time as a bride

Planning your own wedding can seem like the most glamorous job in the world: Picking out linens, browsing websites and building ideas. But before you jump off the deep end and into a sea of never-ending DIY Projects and phone calls with answering services, we have some key questions you should ask yourself before you start:

1. Can I set a definite deadline for completing this project?

There will be so much going on in the months leading up to your wedding, trust me. You might assign yourself a project, and then realize your schedule is completely booked up until the day of the wedding. So on top of the other commitments you have before the wedding- does this project make sense in your schedule?

2. What percent of my workday will go towards planning my wedding?

If you take on planning your own wedding, you must acknowledge you will sacrifice work time for planning time. Some vendors will only be open during your 9-5 job, and I’m sure you would much rather be planning a wedding than working on quarterly reports. Cut yourself a percentage of time during your work day- and stick to it. If you feel yourself spending way too much of your workday on bridal sites, it might be time to consider other options.

3. How will this project affect my stress level?

Let’s not forget that on top of your impending wedding, you are also supposed to be a happy and beautiful fiancée. A very important aspect to consider is your happiness level. If a project becomes so stressful that you aren’t having fun anymore, it is not worth it.

4. Will I be able to spend time with my loved ones?

The worst outcome of the pressures of planning is the effect it can have on your loved ones- especially your soon-to-be husband. If you find that your stress level, time commitments or anything else is causing you to neglect your mate or spew molten lava at him with your mouth- then it is time to reconsider. This wedding is for both of you- and when planning takes over your relationship- it cannot end well.

5. All in all: be smart, and make good choices.

Especially when it comes to centerpieces- because no one wants to see a Paper Mache centerpiece ;)