My Wedding Wish

I like Boston, I really do but, what I like the best is that I can park outside of Boston and take the T in.  Not yesterday though, with over 50 lbs of candy, the jars, and candles there was no way I was going take the T.  I was forced to old school it since the easypass was in the other car but with my trusty GPS I headed out.  I think it only recalculated a total of 6 times but in my defense it was a confusing spot.  

ANYWAYS, I was there for the Wish Upon a Wedding Boston & New England Launch. This is something I've wanted to take part in for a long time.  As you may know, I have a set of vendors ready to grant a wish (& a few to spare), and I'm looking forward to making sure this is something that happens a lot here in CT and New England.  The issue was getting the word out to the right people when I started this and the Wish Upon a Wedding Organization is the right way to go about it.  

As a wish granter, we will be doing something we already do as wedding professionals.  We will be donating our skills for deserving couples to take a break for the illness and just enjoy life, and love.  I think it takes the right kind of wedding professional to do this, because it isn't about the money, or the time, or a pat on the back.  It is about a couple that deserves to have their moment with their family and friends.  This is a personal goal I'm going to be setting for myself and ESTOccasions, to AT LEAST do 2 Wish Upon a Wedding Weddings a year.  

Our cute and stylish blow pops
photographed by Jen Osojnicki.

To start off, myself along with David Long from DL Video Productions (who created last nights video, I will share as soon as I get the link) are hosting an event Engaged~Hartford at the Bushnell on August 11th.  It is open to anyone who is engaged and wants to have have a modern, trendy and chic approach to their wedding. There will be a few different speakers, food, drinks and more all for $5 a person.  The best part is that we are donating all ticket proceeds to the Wish Upon a Wedding Organization.  This way, start planning your dream wedding while helping someone else have their dream wedding.  

The ticket link will be up shortly and the best part, I'm using a paypal service which allows you to DONATE or GIFT your ticket price, which means no fees!  Hope to see you at Engaged~Hartford and if you need help on becoming a wish granter let me know. 

Wednesday Pic Pick

We LOVE doing the love & hates weekdays on our facebook page.  They have been a huge hit with all of you and thank you for all of the comments, the thoughts, the love and the hates.  Now every few days we are going to post a PIC PICK.  You need to tell us which one would you pick. Comment here on the blog or on facebook.  Your choice. 


Which would you pick to have your girls wear?  Or which would you like to wear?


PICK ONE

PICK TWO

Share your comments here or on FACEBOOK.  Thank you everyone.  Plus if you are having a hard time picking between two things, send it to us and we will post it for you, and you can take a peek at what people think.  THANK YOU

Vendor Wars

I often feel that couples pick vendors that speak to them and they never consider the fact that all these different types of vendors working together could be an issue.  There should never be an issue between vendors because they were all paid to do their job at the wedding and as long as they remain professional, the couple should be pleased. 


Though I've been noticing a ton of frustration from my social networking vendor friends about vendors working against each other instead of working together.  Seems like a lot of wasted energy that could be put towards making the couple's event successful. Being that we are in full wedding season, it has been back to back wedding, I've had the chance to see the good and the bad.  Great example of consideration was Kurt from Fun Factory DJ, saying he was going to play one more slow song to allow the photographer who had been banished to totally different room to eat his dinner, time to get back to photograph the father daughter dance. He could have continued with what was planned and never given it a second thought but he knew that the couple would miss out. The best part was that while I was fetching the photographer, no one knew that the DJ had planned one extra song. 


Now onto the bad, I had been given instructions by the family to make sure the vendors were able to eat throughout the event.  During a break in the line at the buffet station, the photographer quickly and quietly went through the line before the next table showed up.  Next before a new table went up, I sent the videographers through, (knowing they had been working with this family for close to 2 days of 10 plus hours, and needed to be fed). They went and sat on a rock outside the tent and ate quickly to ensure they could be back to work. Vendors quickly moved in and out never bothering a single guest.  Now our poor bartender who was hired by the family, and I WAS TOLD to make sure she eats before her shift ends is in line with guests all around her, and the catering manager YELLS at her that vendors shouldn't be in line with the guests. Talk about an awkward moment not just for the bartender but for the guests. 


As a planner, I attempt for vendors to get along, to remind them of the bigger picture.  Videographers and Photographers should work out a plan of attack when it comes to the wedding.  I loved hearing David from DL Video Productions once state that he tells photographers that take the first 30 seconds or minute of the first dance and then leave me the rest of the song to film them without flashes going off.  This way both vendors have shown off their talent, be professional and the couple WINS.


When you meet with your vendors (or have your planner do this) let them know you expect them to work together for the success of your wedding day!!  

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

I’m often asked how I become a planner and designer and where this passion has come from.  I always thought I had my answer but recently I realized it started sooner than I thought.

This passion has to have come from my mother. Granted I don’t think it was something she taught me but more like opened my eyes to it. She showed me ways to add just a touch of detail to a birthday present, or how to group together unlike items and make them seem as though they belong. And with a little extra effect, you could take something simple and make it timeless. I’ve taken this talent into my business.

One of the best gifts she gave me was my voice.  Though I’m sure there were times could have done without the voice, like my teenage years just to name a few. This determined voice that I have, keeps me moving forward always. One of the best uses I’ve found is speaking up for my clients needs.

Ema, (mother in Estonian) also showed me the importance of color, and set into place a fondness just for color, the combinations, the subtleness and how a story can come from these colors.  Our family photos are color coordinated, and certain holidays like Christmas are given a color scheme. I’m not speaking simple red and green, but how about sable & silver, charcoal & diamond, peach & copper and well I could go on.  This years combo is Birch and Fir  (I already have birch paper) There is a sense of satisfaction on finding the perfect wrapping paper or ribbon in the right color.  One of my favorite parts are when couples come to me with color combinations and we discuss what works with the space and for them as a couple.  

I do have to thank my mother because with her continued support for my family, and myself I am able to do what I do. There is such a comfort in knowing that my boys are in good hands when we work 12 hours on event day.  Plus as an added bonus I know she is building memories with my children, which will last them a lifetime.  Aitah.  (Thank you in Estonian)

Happy Mother’s Day

Venue vs Home Part I

Val McCormick

I'm often asked over and over and over again, which is cheaper, to host your own wedding at home or at a venue? We will be having a series of different blogs in the upcoming months demonstrating the pros and cons to both. 


I'm going to start with food, because well I have a love and hate with wedding food. During wedding season my main meal of weekends tend to be wedding dinners. In my years of being a planner, I've had countless servings of chicken, most pretty typical and a few beyond horrible.  One to the biggest differences is the control over what you serve and how much it will cost you when it comes to venue vs. home wedding.

The Sweetest Days

What I tend to find is that banquet halls, not all of them but the majority  have set packages.  Pick two of these 4 entrée choices, 4 passed appetizers, and one stationary table of crackers and cheese and it will cost you this much.  You can always upgrade and add another app, or another entrée from their list but of course this is a different higher priced package.  Now it is true that some cooks at venues are willing to create something off the list but it isn't typical, or it will cost you a great deal more.  I do give a lot of credit to certain venues because they have worked to create packages that are fresh and creative compared to what they use to serve.  

The Sweetest Days

One of the perks to a set venue is that you aren't renting chairs, tables, china and linens usually.  Though you should ask how much of your per person price is for those items and how much honestly goes towards the food. I think it is a good thing to know.

Val McCormick Photography

Now when you work with just a caterer who comes to your home, if you pick the right type of caterer you have a lot more control over the type of food you will be serving.  With the right company, they can create a menu around your culture,  certain loves, and allergies while staying within the budget you give them.  Things to remember are that you may be adding to your rental fees, staffing fees and even travel fees at times.   Make sure in your contract it is written out in a way you can understand, let them break up the food cost, staff cost and taxes and such.  One of the things I love is that you are honestly creating a menu that is your own. No one else is really ever going to have the exact same menu.  I need to say a few of my favorite caterers are Hop River Cafe and Gourmet Galley.  The food is amazing and they are cost effective without letting your guests know you were being cost effective.  

The Sweetest Days

Things to ask your venue and or your caterer is how much local food do they use, how creatively can they display your food, and what do they do with the left overs?? You should always have a tasting, no matter what.  It may sound good on paper but it may not taste good or look good. 


These are just a few things to ask and find out for yourself.  Having knowledge of knowing how the funds are being used will give you peace of mind.  That fact doesn't depend on if you use a venue or a caterer. 

Remembering your Day

Wedding day has come and gone and I often find that my couples say it happened so fast.  They swear we just started planning, discussing colors and picking dresses.  Then the next thing is saying "I do", feeding each other cake and dancing the night away.  What happens in between can seem like a blur.  Most them attempt to calmly await their wedding photographs and it can be seem like forever to most couples. When they finally do see the photographs, they are often reminded of great moments.  Some of course that they never saw, so now imagine if you had a movie of your wedding day.  

I've had the pleasure of seeing the difference between videography and cinematography thanks to DL Video Productions.  David Long, the mastermind behind DL Video Productions, not only loves what he does, he also has the talent to go along with the passion.  Recently my booth was next to his booth at the  CT Spring Bridal Event and I spent time watching his movies. They were amazing to watch, at times I couldn't look away.  It was missing the older style of videography, with fades, flashy graphics and things that end up being distracting instead of adding to the movie.  David makes a point to capture the day without invading the day, which is a preconceived notion for many, there is no CAMERA in your face or bright lights.  David uses the natural light, and nothing is staged.  He may recommend that a couple move towards a part of the venue that has great windows or a spot to have a private moment but this is only to high light the beauty of the day.  

Check out David's favorite movie so far...I'm sure it wasn't easy to pick.  I know I wasn't able too, hence the reason I made him pick. :)  Heather & Bobby's Winter wonderland wedding is breathtaking to watch. There are more to see on his blog.  It is worth joining his page on Facebook as well because David hosts Open Houses.  This is a chance to come meet the crew, see what they can do and of course receive a discount. They are about to have OPEN HOUSE WEEK!!! Bridal Open House at their Studio in Wilbraham MA - Go learn more about their Cinematography style and their packages.

April 7, 2011 6-8pm
April 9, 2011 2-4pm
May 5, 2011 6-8pm
Receive up to $500 off our packages if you book at the Open House. Call 413-374-9677 to R.S.V.P. or email david@dlvideoproductions.com

David and I are working on an upcoming event, details to follow soon.  DL Video Productions  will of course be at our Fall CT Bridal Event in November too.  

Wedding Tips in your Pocket

Our clients all know how to reach me, via phone, email, text and in person. We love offering them the comfort of having a wedding professional they can reach any time. I love taking a stressful moment and being able to give them an answer that relaxes them.  


Now for the time being we are offering a free wedding tip line!  That is right, a quick resource for you during your planning.  The WTIP (wedding tip)   Think, you are standing in the bridal shop, reading your contract and you have question. TEXT us!  Or maybe you have a bridal party issue, and need the best way to handle the issue, TEXT us! Don't know what to have your reader read during your ceremony?  TEXT us!  Simple, free and think of it as having a wedding planner in your pocket! Thank you to ESTOccasions & CT Bridal Event.

860-704-WTIP

                               9847

Remember normal text fees apply due to your own phone company service.  We add no fees, and we of course don't spam text. One free tip for each phone number.