We were working on a 1940′s inspired wedding when we came across these SIMPLY GORGEOUS beaded curtains and chandeliers.  With proper lighting, these could easily transform a plain ballroom into an extravaganza, making it one of our new Favorites!

Due to copyright issues with photographs, the best way to view our new favorite is to go to www.shopwildthings.com
Check out their Event Planning page to see their products in all their splendor!

A Few Notes Regarding Ceiling Decor
It is important to check with your catering hall or banquet facility before considering ceiling or wall decor.  Most facilities require experienced, insured decorators to hang such decor.  But don’t be discouraged!  Most towns have decorators that can accomplish these seemingly large feats.  In fact, it will save you money and stress by having a professional help you out.  No climbing ladders on wedding day!

In my region of Northeast, Pennsylvania, I turn to Maggie from detailsbyMaggie for such amazing works of art.  We work together to create the look, and then I place my trust in Maggie’s skills and staff for implementing the design.   You can see examples of Maggie’s use of beaded curtains and chandeliers at the recent Platinum Ball.

Have you seen beaded curtains or chandeliers at event?  We’d love to see pictures and get your thoughts on this branch of event decor.

Specifically, we will be working on several themes for the blog including :

• Real Weddings and Events
• Recession Proofing Your Wedding
• Being Green without looking green
• Our Favorites
• Our Not-s0-Favorites

We hope that you like our new direction!  As always, we love to hear what you think and will continue to encourage feedback and comments.  Specific questions are also welcome!

Keep a look out as our new blog postings will be starting very  soon!

Jan

I wanted to clarify what he meant by this, as well as explain our vendor referral policy.  Firstly, anyone planning a wedding or event will save themselves money and heartache by doing a little research into different vendors.  Not everyone feels comfortable calling or hiring a wedding planner to do this for them.  The next best thing would be going to a different vendor that you feel comfortable with, say a DJ, photographer, or catering hall.  Ask this vendor if they can recommend someone within the wedding industry that they PERSONALLY worked with and that they would recommend you hire.  Sometimes, you will hear more about who NOT to hire, but it still helps you find the right vendor for you.

Regarding asking about kickbacks- don’t feel shy asking if someone is paying them to make the referral.  Some companies call them finder-fees, and others, like catering halls, have advertising connections and other incentives to refer a specific vendor, regardless if they live up to their standards or not. 

A wedding planner should never take money from a vendor as a kickback, nor should they charge you for their vendor referral list. 

Once you decide to call upon a new vendor, ask them for references.  If they cannot provide at least 2 different people to call, do not consider them a reputable vendor, and move on.  There are plenty more fish in the sea!

Finally, I would like to take a moment to discuss our policy (Attention 2 Perfection) on vendor referrals.  We would be glad to suggest a vendor free of charge.  However, we do not give out our entire vendor ‘list.’  We base our referrals on what your particular needs are.  For example, you are looking for a florist.  We work with many florists that all have different attributes and niches.  After learning what your needs are, we then advise you to call one or two that will fit your personal demands.  Voila!  We just saved you tons of time, and was able to give you a referral right from the get-go. 

As long as we are not making the phone calls, setting up, or going on appointments, our vendor referrals are free of charge.

Hope this gave you a little more insight into standard practices and our policies.  If you have any questions regarding this matter, do not hesitate to contact us!

It may be the “bride’s day,” but remember that you can’t get there alone. A wedding planner can be your advocate and your voice, especially when you’re not around. The key to a successful working relationship begins with finding the right person to join forces with as an invincible team. Once you’ve decided that you’d like to hand over some wedding tasks to a seasoned pro, you’ll need to schedule some phone or face-to-face consultations with a few in your area. These meetings should leave you with a clear idea of which planner best suits your needs and personality, so it’s best to come prepared with the right questions. Here’s what you need to know to find the perfect match.

1. The Know How - Does the wedding planner offer all the services you need? Come prepared with a list of things you’d like help with, and review your list together.

2. Money Talks – Does the planner’s service fees work within your budget, and is the planner able to commit to your total wedding budget while planning your event?

3. The Right Connections – Does the planner have a network of reliable professionals and can s/he refer you to those that match your style and budget?

4. Prime Negotiator - Will the planner be able to help you save on any aspects of your wedding – either by negotiating the best prices, scoring vendor discounts or obtaining added extras?

5. Etiquette Guru – Is the wedding planner knowledgeable on etiquette matters, and can s/he steer you in the right direction?

6. Trend Savvy - Is the planner in-the-know on the latest wedding trends and styles?

7. Straight Troubleshooter - Can the planner coordinate all logistics with vendors and the wedding party to ensure everything runs smoothly? With a professional on hand – you should be able to enjoy your day like a guest and leave the details to them. To give you an idea, this printable wedding planner can walk you through each wedding task that the professional should be able to handle.

8. Personality Plus – In the end, it’s all about a positive relationship and trust. Do you like this person? Try to get a sense for how well you think you’ll work together.

9. Always the Professional – Ask to see the planner’s business license, professional organization membership or any indication that s/he is a certified business professional and not just moonlighting as a wedding planner.

10. Seal of Approval - Ask to see reference letters. Be wary if s/he cannot provide any.

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About The Author

Cori Russell is editor-in-chief of Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a complete weddings and planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.

When I was asked my by building’s landlord to help plan and execute a fundraising event in our building, I was very excited.  When I said, “Yes,” I had no idea that the event was only 10 days away and in an unfinished, unfurnished space.  Long hours, late nights, and tons of help from Maggie at detailsbymaggie, we were able to execute a gorgeous gala.  I would like to share with you some of our challenges, and how we were able to, in Tim Gunn’s words, ‘Make It Work!”

BEFORE: When we first walked into the empty room, there were unpainted walls, dirty concrete floors, a basketball hoop, and no electricity.  

AFTER:  The fundraiser was a big success for the Alzheimer Association.  

The decor was our final touch. (To read more about our challenges and solutions, please read to the end of this post).  The Alzheimer colors, white and purple, were draped from the ceiling with just enough lighting to be functional yet cozy and intimate.  Candles and fresh flowers added the right amount of color to the tables.  Maggie’s final touch- the Gobo light with the Alzheimer’s gala theme “An Affair to Remember” was the cherry on top!

They were kind enough to send Maggie and I a few Thank You notes:

“Dear Jan: Without you and Maggie the Art Gala would have been less a gala and more just another function. Thank you for your generous spirit, hardwork, and sharing of your talent.  On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association, it was truly appreciated.”  – Barbara (Alzheimer Assoc.)

“Dear Jan & Maggie:  Many thanks to both of you for an outstanding job pulling together a remarkable event space for our Gala.  It was a pleasure meeting and working with both of you and I look forward to working together.” – Estella (Alzheimer Assoc).

“Dear Maggie:  One of my favorite moments when producing a play is that pause before the door is open- the house is ready- the stage is lit- and all is ready and you know the enjoyment that others will have because of what you have done.  I hope you and Jan shared that moment after all the draping and stringing of lights, and moving of tables… Thank you for all that you did!” - Barbara

Here are some of the specific challenges and solutions associated with this event.  I hope they help you with your next party or special event.

THE CHALLENGE:  Create a floor plan that worked.  We had two silent auctions, passed and stationary hors d’eourves, a wine bar, guest speakers, a sign in table, and a string trio.  We wanted people to come in and move through the space, bid on the auction items, and enjoy the entertainment and refreshments.

THE FLOW: To help with the accoustics of the room, we located the string trio in the middle of the space, against the wall.  The mic and podium were also in this centralized location to ensure all the attendees could see.

Putting the bar and a stationary hors d’eourves table at the rear of the room encouraged people to move entirely through the space. 

A combination of tall cocktail tables and short small tables and chairs ensured a great mix of conversation and comfort.  Having the two silent auctions set up in different locations, one at the front of the room, the other in the middle, gave participants a chance to breathe between bids, and relieve the possibility of a traffic jam.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RISE IN NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDINGS LEAVE COUPLES LITTLE CHOICE

Local Wedding Planner Becomes Ordained Minister To Keep Up With Demand

Forty Fort, PA

 As the owner of Attention 2 Perfection: Wedding & Event Planning Specialists, Jan Sokolowski has seen first-hand the growing need for alternatives to traditional clergy.  With more couples choosing outdoor and non-religious ceremonies, the availability of wedding celebrants is slim to none.  Most religions put restrictions and requirements on a couple, not allowing the freedom they seek for their very personal day.  The bride and groom then turn to state sanctioned officiants, such as a Justice of the Peace, but there are not enough to meet the demand.  To help clients and non-clients alike, Jan has become an ordained minister with the First Nation Ministry. 

Jan is available to perform non-denominational wedding services, including outdoor ceremonies.  She is able to marry any man and woman, regardless of religious beliefs or location of ceremony.  Her creativity and experience as a wedding planner makes each wedding unique, customizing each couple’s ceremony with any music, poetry, or readings that accurately reflect the bride and groom.  She is currently booking 2009 and 2010 weddings.

Attention 2 Perfection is a full-service wedding and event planning company serving all of NEPA and the Poconos.  The only planning company to have certified wedding & event planners on staff, Attention 2 Perfection offers customized services based on individual client needs and budget.  In addition to planning, they offer centerpiece rental, day-of coordination, etiquette advisement, event design, invitations, RSVP tracking, and now, wedding officiating services.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Jan Sokolowski at 570-817-8227, or email jan@attention2perfection.com

(Missed parts 1 or 2?  Summer Wedding Tips Parts 1 and 2)

#6 Vellum Overlays

Although printed vellum (aka translucent overlays) can be a beautiful addition to any piece of stationary, the ink tends to smudge in humid or hot weather.  Invitations with vellum are great, but you may want to reconsider having them on ceremony programs or menu cards.  Even if the ceremony or reception is air conditioned, people coming in have warm, sweaty fingers which can result in getting ink on their hands or even their clothes!

Carlson Craft Translucent (Vellum) Overlay

#7  Light Food

In Part 1 of the series, we discussed light colors and linens for Summer affairs.  It is important to follow this rule when deciding on the menu.  Whether you are customizing your entire menu from scratch, or choosing a package from a list of pre-selected items, it is important to remember the time of year. 

Just like November conjures up thoughts of turkey, gravy, and sweet potatoes, July makes your mouth water for lemonade, watermelon, and hot dogs.  Without turning your wedding into a backyard BBQ, don’t be afraid to work with your caterer to create a menu that fits the season.  People do not want to come in from the heat of the Summer to eat comfort foods.  Light fish, grilled chicken, and cold salads can help make your Summer wedding feel like Summer!

Just like your menu, your bar should accommodate the season.  Ask a local vineyard to help you pair refreshing Summer wines with your menu.  For your beer drinkers, consider offering light wheat ales with an orange slice as opposed to dark, heavy Lagers.  For cocktail hour, set-up a sophisticated, non-alcoholic lemonade stand.   Add iced tea and water to make a refreshing help-your-self bar at your outdoor ceremony!  Your guests will love it!

Photo Courtesy of Geoff White Photographers

#8  Light Drinks

What have you seen or experienced at Summer weddings?  Comments and stories are always welcome!

My Mantra:  Summer = Hot Weather

#4 Fondant vs. Butter cream (and other Summer cake ideas)

Talk to your cake baker about their concerns for the wedding cake.  If you have always wanted butter cream or cream cheese icing, you may need to bend a little to ensure a tasty desert.  Especially if you are having a tent reception, the type of cake is very important.  Fondant is a better choice for icing because it holds up much better in the heat.  Even the inside of the cake matters.  Strawberry filling, although indicative of Summer-time, may lose consistency within the cake. 

Amy Atlas Old Fashioned Wedding Candy Bar

As candy buffets gain popularity, I have seen a wide variety of candy used.  Some couples choose to do different candies of the same color.  My personal favorite was a nostalgic ‘penny’ candy bar, with wrapped candies from the days of corner candy stores.  Regardless of your candy buffet theme, keep in mind that chocolate melts (unless you’re an M&M of course!) and that guests do not want to take home a melted mess.  Choose hard tacks, jelly beans, gummies, and even lollipops to make your sweet expression of thanks.

My Mantra :   Summer = Hot Weather

Photo courtesy of www.variations.net

#1 Chivari Chairs

These chairs are a great alternative to heavy chair covers.  They come in a variety of colors, and are customizable with cushions and sashes.  They dress up an occasion, but in an airy way.  A must for Summer tent weddings!

#2 Light Colors

I just finished designing a beach theme wedding.  The bride chose deep, gray-blue bridesmaid dresses (Serene from David’s Bridal).  Remember- bridesmaid dresses do not have to perfectly match each linen in the wedding- feel free to get creative and experiment with coordinating colors.  Allowing that gorgeous blue color to represent the water, we chose shades of tan, peach, and coral to brighten the room.  It clearly has the beach in mind without being 100% literal.  The subtle shell and sand details help transend a ballroom into a seaside resort.  I look forward to posting pictures!

#3 Fan Programs

Carlson Craft Fan Favors

Wedding guests love when their well-being is kept in mind.  These fun fans make great programs for outdoor ceremonies.  Carlson Craft is just one company who offers these personalized favors that add a little extra Summer touch to your wedding.

No answer.

My mom and dad sat there with blank looks on their faces as they tried so hard to remember the rehearsal, the dinner, and other details about their wedding.  Now, my parents are not old by any means.  They both lead active lives and have full-time jobs working for the government.  Memory loss was not the issue.  It just didn’t matter enough to them to remember.

That got me thinking about what I do for a living.  I help couples plan each little detail of their wedding.  I see bride’s agonize over shades of lipstick or invitation seals.  And yes, couples even fight about where to hold the rehearsal dinner. 

This experience with my parents helped me realize that although it is my job to properly plan the wedding of my client’s dreams, it is also my job to remind them what the party is for in the first place.  It’s about love and commitment.  It’s about ‘Not Sweating the Small Stuff.’  After all, 30 years later, you probably won’t remember the tiny details, but you will have fond memories of the day you and your husband became one family.

PS:  My mom called her mother, sister, and cousin.  My dad called his sister and niece.  All of them remember being at the rehearsal dinner.  None of them remembered where it was.