Kate Parker Weddings Blog

Chicago Out of Town Welcome Basket- the ingredients

2010-06-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

We love making custom wedding welcome baskets for clients across the country and this past week we put together and shipped 25 baskets for a client getting married in Chicago! I wanted to show you the finished product and some some of the fantastic items that filled it!

First, this is the BEST caramel popcorn I've ever had in my life... In fact, we over ordered purposefully and we have a giant metal bucket full of this stuff in our office. Check out all of the amazing products Garrett Popcorn has to offer- a staple for a Chicago welcome basket.

When we started designing our line of out of town welcome baskets I knew I wanted a great coffee or tea in each of them.... we tried many many different companies and varieties and out of every city and state basket we offer, Metropolis Coffee is by far the best coffee I've ever tasted... great people to work with, great packaging, great all around and the coffee is amazing!!!

Finally, we always have a custom welcome map in each of our baskets which includes 5 points of interest of your choice. We used to have a graphic designer in our office so we were able to produce these on our own... Now that we don't have a graphic designer, I attempted to make the map on myself before quickly realizing I was way over my head in Adobe Illustrator and I had to call upon an expert to help finish the project... enter Gus and Ruby Letterpress.... Whitney and Sam graciously moved a few things around for us last week to tidy up and beautify this custom map for Maria and Sam! Thank goodness too, there's looks SO much cuter than mine did :)

There you have it, adding personalized and hand-selected products in our welcome baskets is one of the main reasons ours stand out. We think they're pretty well designed too, if we can say so ourselves! Happy planning! KP

To learn more about our line of Out of Town Welcome Baskets, check out our website! We always make new custom baskets for any city/state/wedding destination!

Getting your marriage license in New England

2010-06-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Now I don't want to throw any of my past clients under the bus, so I won't mention any names in this brief but very important post. I have had more than one client come to me the week or so before their wedding asking if they need to get a marriage license in order to get married. Perhaps I'm assuming people are more aware of their responsibilities than they actually are, but I'm writing this to tell you one thing YOU, the people getting married, are responsible for:

1. A marriage license. You can't just say you're married and it's official. Check with the state you're getting married in to find out their specific requirements. Every license has a small fee and some require blood tests, birth certificates, etc. Your wedding planner can't get your license for you, and it's literally the only legal document and most important part of getting married....

For our New England clients, here is a list of website for each state and their marriage license requirements to make it a bit easier for you:

Connecticut Requirements

Maine Requirements

Massachusetts Requirements

New Hampshire Requirements

Rhode Island Requirements

Vermont Requirements

For those reading this blog getting married outside of New England, here's the link to the entire list:

US Marriage Laws

DIY- Tissue Paper Flowers

2010-06-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

We have SUCH a fun rehearsal dinner/welcome BBQ for this weekend's wedding! One of our DIY projects for the event was making 200 over-sized tissue paper flowers to fill mason jars down the length of 8' banquet tables. This project TOTALLY brought me back to my 7th grade semi-formal where we made 1000 tissue paper flowers and hung them from the ceiling of the gym to recreate a 1950's prom theme. What's slightly more comical is that three of my male music major college graduates made the flowers for me this week and we wanted to share with you how to make them!

1. Select your tissue paper colors. We went with a multi-colored theme of royal blue, orange, pink, and purple.

2. Decide on the size of your tissue flowers. We took a 20" x 36" tissue paper sheet and cut it down the middle, length wise, creating two 10" x 36" long strips of tissue paper.

3. Decide on the scale of your flowers. We used 5 sheets of tissue paper per flower.

4. Fold the paper "petals". Folding back and forth, create a set of equal pleats down the entire length of your tissue paper strip.

5. Cinch the pleated paper in the middle of the strip. Using a pipe cleaner, twist tie, or wire of any kind, grab the center of your pleated strip and twist your wire until it's tight and you have a clear center.

6. GENTLY unpleat each of your tissue paper sheets. Start on one side and work your way to the other side of the flower. Try to get the paper as open and separated as possible, especially as you get close to the wire twist in the middle of the flower. The more tissue you can open up the more full your flower will look.

7. You have one completed tissue flower! You can add a stem using a pipe cleaner if you'd like, or make a full bouquet of these flowers! Enjoy the project!

KP

Destination Weddings- things to consider

2010-06-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Since we plan mostly New England weddings, with many of our clients coming from CA and NY, I thought I would mention a few of the things you should really consider when having a destination wedding.

The first is what actually defines a "destination wedding". In our opinion, any wedding that asks more than 50% of your guests to drive more than 3 hours in one direction is a destination wedding. Because of the distance, a significant amount of your guests will need to make travel plans which is one of the reasons a destination wedding requires more preparation.

In general, the most important thing to consider when planning a destination wedding is TIME. If you plan ahead you can reserve everything you need to reserve and you can communicate the appropriate information to ease the travel planning process for your guests.

Many couples plan their destination weddings around their guests' experience. They want to make things as easy as possible in terms of their guests' travel plans, and they want to provide as much information and activities for everyone to enjoy once they arrive for the wedding.

1. Overnight accommodations- we did just write about this and you can read the details here, but make sure you offer different price point options and room blocks if you can.

2. Transportation- if your wedding is in a remote location in general, and/or if your ceremony and reception are in two separate locations, consider offering transportation for your guests from their hotels to your ceremony and reception.

3. Save The Dates- creating a Save the Date is a major piece of the destination wedding puzzle. You can include as much information as you'd like in your Save the Date, including the wedding weekend schedule and accommodation and transportation information. Getting a Save the Date out to your guests at least 6 months before your wedding date gives them time to make the appropriate travel arrangements, as well as requesting any work days off for your wedding.

4. Wedding Website- in addition to your Save the Date, consider creating a wedding website to provide even more details about your wedding plans. This can include things to do for the weekend, specifically planned activities,- golf outings, tennis, kayaking, etc. and any additional accommodation or transportation information you didn't include in your printed Save the Date.

5. Welcome Baskets- yes, we make adorable out of town welcome baskets, but they really serve an important purpose. We try to fill them with local goodies and amenities for guests to enjoy but we ALWAYS include a local chamber of commerce map as well as a welcome letter from our clients and any additional schedule or itinerary they want to include. Something to consider including is any news on the day-after Brunch.

6. Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Reception- when planning a destination, many of our clients struggle with their rehearsal dinner planning as they know many of their guests have traveled large distances and many arrive the day before the wedding. Some clients decide to continue the tradition of their rehearsal dinner including only the members of the wedding party and their immediate families. Others decide to include out-of-towners after dinner for welcome drinks, and sometimes we create events where the entire guest list is invited to a welcome dinner the evening before the wedding. A great idea to include everyone, be prepared to adjust your budget according as feeding 80-100% of your guests is much more costly than your wedding party alone.

In the end, many of these considerations apply to a non-destination wedding, so plan in advance, keep your guests experience in mind, and happy planning!

KP

Out of Town Accommodations

2010-06-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

When we get hired to plan a wedding, 95% of our clients are planning a New England destination wedding. Because of this statistic, one of the first things we do for our clients is find them overnight accommodations for their guests. The quicker you can take care of this to-do item, the better, since there are many factors affected by these decisions. Here are a few things to think about when reserving your accommodations for your out of town guests:

1. ROOM BLOCKS- some hotels will offer room blocks that you can reserve and offer your guests. Often times there is a reduced room rate with your block, but that's not always the case. In the height of the summer season in New England, many hotels will offer you the courtesy of reserving rooms because they will otherwise sell out. Some hotels will require attrition on the room block which means you are required to fill a certain % of the total block, often times it's around 80%, and if you don't, you are responsible for paying for the rest of the rooms. Make sure you check in with your hotel to see how your block is filling up. Many hotels start their room blocks at 10 rooms and then will continue to add to it as you fill the rooms. If and when you reserve your room blocks, make sure you include the name of the block on your Save The Date or your wedding invitation to make it easier on your guests.

2. PRICING- we always suggest trying to get room blocks at three hotels around your wedding location that reflect three different price points to help your guests. Some people at your wedding might have just graduated college and don't have the means to spend $300/night for a hotel room. Some of your parents guests might want to make a mini-vacation out of it and splurge on their accommodations for the wedding. No matter the reason, try to find three different price points to make it as convenient as possible for your guests. One other thought, especially if you can't get a reduced rate for your room blocks, is to ask about a AAA or AARP rate. This can often be up to $10.00 cheaper than the going rate for hotel rooms.

3. STATIONERY- please try to take care of your guest accommodations as soon as you can in order to include this information in your Save the Date and/or Invitations. We suggest including the hotel name, address, phone, website, room block information and pricing if you have that information. Also consider including whether or not there is a 2-night minimum.

4. WELCOME BASKETS- if you'd like to include welcome baskets or welcome itineraries for your guests you will need to know where everyone is staying. Getting a room block at a hotel is the easiest way to keep track of your guests, since everyone will be in the same area. For the hotels that don't offer blocks, you will have to contact your guests directly to find out where they're staying. Write an email asking people to let you know where they're staying, include some sort of check box on your wedding website, or go old school and make a few phone calls.

5. TRANSPORTATION- similar to your welcome basket situation, you need to know how many guests are staying at each hotel in order to reserve the appropriate vehicles.

Getting this item checked off your list soon than later will help keep you organized and will help get your other vendors involved the information they need. Good luck with your planning and have a happy wedding!

Amy and Sean Get Married

2010-04-05T10:41:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! We are back in action here at the KPW blog. my Kate Parker Wedding has taken up a lot of our time (in a good way) If you want to check out our new online wedding resource, feel free to visit my Kate Parker Wedding! We are hoping to post once a week here on KPW to keep things going.For our first time back in a while, we thought we would post about one of the weddings we are planning in June!

This year we are planning a wedding for a fabulous couple who's style is rustic meets vintage meets something fun and new. We were so in love with their amazing stationery designs that we decided to have some fun! We took a mini photo shoot of the invitations, map, announcement, envelope, and also their flowers (minus the craspedia) to show off their amazing wedding design and awesome style.

This wedding has so many details, but in the best way there could be. There is baking twine wrapped around the invitations with two owls threaded through the twine and perched on the outside of the envelope. We have decided to continue the twine and owl design throughout the wedding and onto the napkins. By wrapping the napkins with baking twine and beading the owls through, we can keep the wedding design flowing, from invites to the reception! The couple also had the coolest stamp designed for them which is two little squirrels holding a heart. How awesome! The squirrel theme is quite venue appropriate since the couple is getting married at Rockywold Deephaven Camp in New Hampshire.

The color scheme for this wedding is something new, different, and very cool. The couple chose an aqua-ish blue, red and a perfect shade of yellow for their invitations. For the centerpieces we designed a terra cotta flower pot and found the perfect shade of blue to paint over it in order to match the wedding invitation colors. We then glazed it to get a nice, finished look. Another aspect of the table scape is the cool fabric that the couple picked out to go under the centerpieces and over the off white table linen. The floral and polka dot designs of these fabrics are in great shades of red, yellow, green, and and blue. A perfect mis-match of patterns that will go great with the wooden aspects of Rockywold.

We are also very excited and proud to say that one of our myKPW photographers, Studio Nouveau, is shooting this wedding!

Here is a photograph of the inside of the invitation. The map of Rockywold and the directions from North or South are a great addition to the invites that help guests out when planning how they are getting to the wedding.

Here is a Save-The-Date for Amy and Sean. Notice the baking twine at the top!

Here is the full set of the invitation. The pocket holds the invitation filled with info about the wedding, maps, what to wear, directions, and of course a place to RSVP. This invitation was printed on some pretty awesome paper that is made to look like tree bark. How cool!?

I love love love these owls (and the squirrels in the background)! The twine wrapped around the invitation was all done by hand by the bride. What dedication. I so appreciate the creative, skilled, hands on DIY kind of bride.

Hello Campers! This is the opening of the invitation, a welcome greeting from Amy and Sean, the bride and groom. You can see the little squirrel stamp at the top of the page, tying the inside of the envelope to the outside.

All of Amy and Sean's wedding stationery was designed and created by Strong Studio.

.written by allie.

Danielle and Matt- a details video

2009-07-21T07:49:00.001-07:00

Check out this great video from Maple Loft! Danielle and Matt had great weather last July and we really enjoyed looking back on these details. Thanks to Claris Photography for the fabulous pictures as well! Both vendors are members of the MY KPW family!

http://www.mapleloftstudios.com/DanielleMatt/

Check out Maple Loft
Check out Claris Photography

Calligraphy- what you need to know

2009-07-16T02:53:00.001-07:00

We have worked with some very talented calligraphers over the past several years and have had the pleasure of meeting some fresh new faces recently as well. It made me think about how many clients actually know about calligraphy and how beautiful and affective it can be to incorporate its cost into your overall paper products budget. Today we will review where you can use a calligrapher and the costs involved. Yes, you don't have to spend any money to have someone else write everything out for you but that can take hours and hours and your time is very valuable, so you might want to consider a calligrapher!

Calligraphy: n. the art of writing beautifully

There are a few ways to calligraph using different nibs- yes that's a technical term. Depending on the type of font, a calligrapher will use a different nib to create a thinner, more flourished font or a thicker, more chiseled font. Some fonts are so thin and delicate that an ink well can't be used and a calligrapher will use an actual pen to create the lines of the font.

Here are some examples of calligraphy in a more chiseled font:

The above two calligraphy samples provided by Calligraphy by Jennifer

Here's an example of a thin font that Jan has created:

The above three calligraphy samples provided by Jan Boyd Calligraphy

These simpler fonts would be great for a more casual wedding reception or maybe even a rehearsal dinner invitation.

For a more traditional, formal font, take a look at these options:

The above two calligraphy samples provided by Calligraphy by Jennifer

The above two calligraphy samples provided by Jan Boyd Calligraphy

The above the calligraphy samples provided by Ted Clausen Calligraphy

You can hire a calligrapher to take care of the following items:

Addressing Save the Dates
Addressing Invitations
Custom Invitations- they create one calligraphed invitation and send your printer a printable version
Place Cards
Escort Cards
Table Numbers
Addressing Thank You Cards
Specialty Signs- well wishes containers, signature drink menus
Custom Favor Tags
Custom Programs- they create one calligraphed program and send your printer a printable version
Custom Menus- they create one calligraphed menu and send your printer a printable version

Cost for each of these items greatly depends on each calligrapher, how many years experience they have, and usually the style of font you select. Here's a ballpark of what you might expect to pay for each of the above items:

Addressing Save the Dates-$1.25-$10.00 a piece for outer envelopes
Addressing Invitations- $1.25-$10.00 for the outer envelope, $3.00-$15.00 for outer and inner envelope sets
Custom Invitations- most calligraphers will charge a single flat fee of anywhere from $50-$150.00 for this artwork
Place Cards/Escort Cards- $.75-$1.95 depending on if the calligrapher includes just the guest name or adds the table number. Also if they have to calligraph an envelope and inner table number card that will be on the higher end of the price range.
Table Numbers- $5.00-$25.00 depending if the calligraph provides the paper and the level of detail of each table number
Addressing Thank You Cards- I HIGHLY recommend having this done for you so you don't have to deal with it after your wedding. The list is the same as your wedding acceptance list so send it to your calligrapher to not deal with the hassle! $1.25-$10.00 each envelope.
Specialty Signs- $5.00-$25.00 depending on the size of each sign and how many words need to be calligraphed
Custom Favor Tags- ask your calligrapher about this, their prices will vary
Custom Programs/Menus- similar to Custom invitation artwork, plan on anywhere from $50.00-$150.00

Now on to the timing of things..... you should schedule at least 2 if not 3 weeks for your calligrapher to get your invitations completed. They usually have specific ways they like to receive your lists, but excel or word documents are fairly popular and usually okay with most calligraphers. For place cards and escort cards most calligraphers can get those completed in 2 weeks. A rush fee can be applied to most orders to get them done in less time, and figure a 10-15% charge of your total bill in order to accommodate a shorter completion period.

Calligraphy is an added expense for sure, but it can be the finishing touch to all of your design elements- from your paper products, tabletop decor and even special extras. It saves you plenty of time too as it takes hours to write out everyone's addresses. Most of you who have attempted to write out 100 addresses know that after a while your handwriting doesn't look quite as good as it did when you started your project. Some people ask a family member or friend to address everything for them as well and although that would be very generous of that person, some people are very intimidated by such a task, worrying that it won't look perfect. So after all is said and done, consider working with a calligrapher to make your life easier and make your wedding design that much more special.

Here's a list of noteworthy calligraphers we either know or have worked with in the past and we HIGHLY reccomend:

Jan Boyd Calligraphy
Ted Clausen Calligraphy
Calligraphy by Jennifer
Laura Hooper Calligraphy

KPW product line has been blogged about!

2009-07-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am honored to share this great blog post about some of the KPW products we offer to our clients written by So Chic Events!

http://sochicevents.blogspot.com/2009/07/welcome-your-guests.html

Thanks so much Shelby for blogging about us!

Take a look at So Chic Events website when you have a chance at: www.sochicevents.com

Meet the ladies of KPW

2009-07-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to show you who you talk to when you call the KPW office. Kate Mann has been with KPW for a few years now and we just welcomed Liz Sullivan to the KPW family. Lola, VP of operations, has been on board for almost 4 years now. Sometimes it's nice to put a face to a name. Thank you to Emilie Sommer of Emilie Inc. Photography for taking such fabulous photos!

Kate Mann, wedding planner, graphic designer, welcome basket customer service

Liz Sullivan, wedding planner, MY KPW customer service

Lola Parker, VP of operations

Kate Parker Weddings

Kate Parker Flowers

MY Kate Parker Wedding

My Kate Parker Wedding: The Wedding Budget- Tents

2009-07-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

My Kate Parker Wedding: The Wedding Budget- Tents

How to make an Out of Town Welcome Basket- a tutorial

2009-07-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

We have expanded the Kate Parker Weddings brand to include a number of products, most notably our custom Out of Town Welcome Baskets. We have been blogged numerous times showing off our products and occasionally someone comments on how expensive our baskets cost. While OOT welcome baskets are often a DIY project for many brides, I wanted to show you our process so you get a better sense of how involved they can be from the ordering through shipping of each individual basket. We will ship to as many hotels as a client requests, contacting each hotel in advance to let them know our baskets are coming. In addition we send each box with a list of guests as to minimize any confusion. I hope this tutorial gives inspiration for the DIY brides and maybe even some expert secrets and tips of the trade! Enjoy.

The first step is laying out all of the containers and filling them with whatever filler the client has requested. We have a number of containers available on our website but are always open to finding the perfect item if a client is looking for something a little different. The same goes with our filler- paper shred, crinkle paper, tissue paper, natural burlap...you name it, we can find it!

Next we add the heaviest of the items, usually the waters. We use local water companies within New England and then we use Fiji waters for the rest of the country. Sometimes we have them next to one another, other times we will separate them to make room for other larger items.

For this Chatham, MA basket, we wanted to include a Cape Cod travel guide as well as a map of the area for each guest. We usually get this from the local Chamber of Commerce and often times we create custom welcome letters and maps for our clients.

Because this basket wasn't very tall we needed to roll up the map and local guide. It ended up being cuter this way!

A KPW welcome basket isn't complete without our signature medicine kit which includes Tylenol, Advil, and Pepto Bismol. You never know how traveling will treat your guests.

Here is a photo of a completed basket. We like to include the following in each of our baskets: A sweet snack, a salty snack, 2 waters, a medicine kit, chamber of commerce guides and map, and an adorable container with filler. Some clients like to add additional items, some like a few less.

Sometimes we have to put items together in order to accommodate the size of the basket. Here we are creating bags of salt water taffy.

Here we are making small 2 cup bags of the BEST caramel popcorn in the world, Garrett's Popcorn in Chicago... it is so fabulous!

When the baskets are completed they are lined up to check for symmetry and to double check all the contents are included in each basket.

Packing baskets is not an easy thing, since we have to make sure the contents don't move or get destroyed in transit... we like to start with a large 30"x30" box filled with some biodegradable packing peanuts.

Each basket is wrapped in bubble. We don't like to use cellophane for each basket- it's a waste of money and it's not easy for your guests to deal with.

Once the baskets are placed in the box they are covered in more peanuts and bubble wrap, ensuring their safe delivery to each hotel.

How to make a bouquet- a tutorial

2009-06-14T07:09:00.001-07:00

There is a LOT of labor involved in making a bouquet, especially for the bride. The size and shape have to be perfect, the flowers have to be the highest quality you can find, and the construction is very intricate. Then you have to add the usually complex ribbon wrapping to complete the look. I asked my floral designer to photograph the steps it takes to make a bridal bouquet and I wanted to share them with you. I hope this provides some insight to how much work is really involved in making beautiful personal flowers! Enjoy the tutorial!

1. Processing flowers: Flowers are ordered from numerous countries around the world and are delivered to the studio in large boxes. They are packed either in 10 stem bunches or if they're roses, they will be packed 25 to a sleeve. Each flower will have to be stripped of its leaves and thorns, cut and placed immediately in water to hydrate, and then they will be ready to use. Depending on the type and number of flowers you're working with, processing can take anywhere from an hour to one or two days.

2. Selecting the flowers: For a bridal bouquet, you can only use the very best blossoms. I usually like to over order my flowers by about 5% to guarantee we'll have a great selection to go through when it's time to pick the bride's flowers.

3. Creating the shape: Some bouquets are easier than others. If hydrangea is involved, it creates a base for the other flowers to be placed within. If you're using smaller blossoms- roses, tulips, lilacs, etc, they have to be individually placed to form a small cluster. Once you've gotten a base to work off of, you pick alternating types of flowers and place them around the bouquet in the open spaces, trying to keep the bouquet as evenly round as you can. Sometimes it's easier to wrap the bouquet in floral tape in multiple stages for better handling.

4. Completing the shape: Once you've used all the flowers you need, check the bouquet in a mirror to make sure it's completely round- or the shape you're trying to achieve. Sometimes I'll catch Kate Sauer- our floral designer- asking someone in the office to hold the bouquet to get an even better sense of its shape and size. If there's a gap somewhere, now is the time to fill it in with an additional flower.

5. Wrapping the bouquet: We like to use rubber bands first to get a nice tight grip on the stems. Next, we'll wrap in green floral tape to create the smooth surface the ribbon will cover. Finally, we will wrap the bouquet with ribbon, starting at the top of the stems and working our way to the bottom. We will always glue the end of the ribbon over and then attach it to the rest of the ribbon with pins. If there's a special ribbon embellishment- a ballet wrap or a simple overlay- we will attach that now as well.

6. Spray-down, storage, and presentation: I might be a little over the top when it comes to spraying flowers with water, but it is a policy in my studio to constantly keep our flowers hydrated both from their stems being in fresh water and by spraying the flower blossoms themselves. We keep all of our personal flowers in the cooler in vases of water and present our brides with their bouquets still in water until the last minute to keep them as fresh as possible. We always bring a towel to dry the stems off before everyone walks down the aisle.

Kate Parker Flowers
Kate Parker Weddings

Bands vs. DJs- a Band's perspective

2009-05-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Keyboard player Mark Shilansky of the Hip Pocket Orchestra in Boston,MA offers some great advice when deciding on your entertainment for your wedding.

Hip Pocket Orchestra
Music Mangement

Bands vs. DJs.
As a keyboard player who has been a full-time and sub member of some of New England's finest wedding bands (currently a member of Hip Pocket Orchestra, have played with Moment's Notice, Night Rhythm, Stardust), I'm obviously in favor of you hiring a band for your wedding or other event.

Our singers interact with the crowd, often dancing with guests and leading dance contests and the like. As instrumenalists we can interact, as well, upping the intensity as the dancing becomes more intense... having seen a band like Earth Wind and Fire live, I can tell you it's much more fun to dance to them live than in my living room. A couple gets an even more special feeling if a human being stands before them and sings their favorite song, than when a human being pushes a button on a CD player or an ipod. And, with a band like Hip Pocket that has choreography and great soloists, the members of the crowd who don't feel like dancing get treated to a concert.

Not to discount the value of DJs. They can play up-to-the-minute current stuff, and can also get crowds worked up. And I wouldn't recommend working a Bar Mitzvah without a DJ (and dancers) for the kids, as well as a band for the adults. But, if you have the money, it's worth the expense to have the extra warmth and energy a band can generate.

You need to choose a band that is capable of playing the music you want to hear, or is capable of playing the widest diversity of styles imaginable, to meet you and your guests' needs. Ask if the band plays specific tunes by specific artists; a good band almost always includes in its basic pricing one or two special requests, with more available at a small fee. Try and hear the band live to see if you want to spend several hours with them. And, back to the diversity issue: our band can play the latest tunes from the pop charts (we're currently seeing the dance floor fill up to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce, and Lady Ga Ga's "Just Dance"), and disco and 80's classics (EWF's "September" and, surprisingly, the novelty hit "Come On Eileen" are huge for us), but then play jazz and James Taylor for the cocktail and dinner sets, and even provide musicians for the ceremony.

So, thanks for reading, and consider weighing these options when choosing entertainment for your event! Congratulations!

Innovation meets A Very Unique Request

2009-05-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with Jen and Erik on their wedding last weekend at the Wequassett Resort on the Cape. I actually worked very closely with Jen's mother, Ronnie throughout the entire process, never meeting either the bride or her mom before the wedding. We did everything through emails and phone calls and Ronnie allowed me to design almost everything I wanted, with a few color and style parameters. One of the things I enjoyed most about working with Ronnie was her sense of humor. Kate Mann and I would be laughing out loud almost every time she sent us a new email. My favorite conversation about her flowers was preceded by an email from Ronnie asking for a special surprise for Jen. Jen and Erik have a dog named Tiegen, a Welsh Terrier. Ronnie thought it would be great to "include" Tiegen in the wedding festivities so she asked me to create a life-sized Tiegen for the place card table. Better yet, she asked that we used items that would give Tiegen her actual features and fur coloring, instead of a traditional flower topiary. Well, after saying YES as I always do, I had to figure out how to make this dog and get her to the Cape in one piece. After many KPW staff members' hard work and creativity, Jen and Erik loved see their dog at the wedding! Here is Tiegen before the ceremony.... ahh the things we do for our clients :)

Thanks to the fabulous Stacey Kane for taking the time to get me this image!

Bands vs. DJs- a DJ's perspective

2009-05-21T03:04:00.000-07:00

Image from Brown Photographic

Dave Dionne, a DJ in Maine who has been in the wedding industry for the past 23 years has given some great insight to this subject. Here's what he has to say about the ongoing discussion!

Dave Dionne

One of the great wedding debates is whether to have a band or a DJ at your wedding reception. In either case you’ll want to get an experienced wedding DJ or band! A really good wedding DJ will have quite a few advantages over a band.

Music:

The total number of songs available to a DJ has no limits (especially for those DJs using a laptop computer and having access to the internet). A music playlist for your cocktail hour, dinner and the dancing portion of the reception can easily be put together by your DJ. That means having music customized to your reception reflecting your tastes. Bands on the other hand are very limited in their potential song selections. They follow their playlist and are completely limited to the songs they know (and practice) as a band. Your DJ will supply music continuously throughout the reception. Bands are notorious for their breaks. There’s nothing worse for the party than the sudden silence that accompanies a band’s break!!

Emcee:

Your experienced wedding DJ will be an excellent master of ceremonies. With experience at wedding receptions comes the knowledge of how to keep things flowing and when to make specifics events (introductions, cutting of the cake, garter & bouquet toss, etc) run smoothly. Clear speech and command of the microphone will make each announcement easily heard and understood by everyone! I’ve known of many instances where even the best wedding band didn’t have a member of the band who was an effective emcee!

Cost:

Here’s where the DJ has yet another major advantage over a band, cost!!! Here in Maine an experienced wedding DJ will probably cost you around $1000-$1500 for a prime Saturday between May and October. The cost of an experienced wedding band will be three to four times as much!!!

Lighting- An essential design element

2009-05-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

After working on the Cape this past weekend with one of my favorite photographers, Stacey Kane, we were chatting about a few moments in the wedding that we wished I had used some lighting for. The ceremony was under a beautiful Sperry Tent at 6 pm so although it was still daylight, it was difficult to capture the remaining natural light because we had a "ceiling" over us. One of my favorite decor elements of the wedding was a life-sized sculpture of the bride and groom's dog, Tiegen. She was the showpiece for the place card table and unfortunately she was in a very dark part of the cocktail hour tent and wasn't given her full glory. So after thinking about all of the lighting we've used in the past, from our studio or from hiring our absolute favorite lighting company, SBL Lighting, I thought it would be helpful to show you some images of weddings that used lighting as an important design element as well as a few shots without lighting so you can see the difference. Enjoy the images!

SBL Lighting
The State Room
Belle Mer
Sperry Tents
Stacey Kane
Claris Photography
Nelson Hancock

The reception space in the middle of the afternoon.

Images by Claris Photography

Belle Mer with LED lighting elements in the ceiling an on the dance floor.

A stunningly dramatic cake during the day.

An image of the cake with lighting from SBL Lighting.

The entrance to the State Room with lighting elements to add drama and the client's color palate.

Images by Stacey Kane

The State Room reception before it was evening.

Uplighting in pinks and oranges with round paper lanterns

Image by Nelson Hancock

A shot from outside a Sperry tent with uplighting in oranges and deeps reds.

Image by Stacey Kane

Vendor Interview Series No. 16, Julie Dunfey for the White Apron

2009-05-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

Julie might be one of my favorite vendors although I've only done a few weddings with her and her staff. Their food is unbelievable, their staff is incredibly easy to work with, and Julie is basically a complete riot to hang out with and I spend just as much time laughing as I do setting up the reception! Take a look at some of her photos and enjoy the interview!

Julie Dunfey for the White Apron

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

JD: Planning the menu. It's a curious thing. Usually when we are clearing dinner or cutting the cake I will try to figure out "why did that one work so well?" or "what would I change to make that better?" It always goes back to the menu planning. The perfect menu, makes the perfect reception.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

JD: The fun behind the scenes. I know I should say "oh the happiness of the bride", or love this or that. But we do have a lot of fun. I also know the guests are fascinated in the goings on behind the curtain. We strive to keep it seamless and get to that glass of wine at the end of the night.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

JD: That we have some super secret store where we get food cheap or free. And that our food cost is just what we spend or don't spend at that super secret store.

KP: How did you get into the wedding business?

JD: I started catering on boats(20 years ago). That led to catering weddings on boats a short step to land.

KP: Tell me one vendor other than in your industry that you highly recommend. Why?

JD: Kate Parker. I swear I say this all the time "That girl makes me look good"

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious?

JD: At the cutting of the cake the grooms turn to feed the bride and he grabs about 1/2 the 2nd tier of the cake with his hand and smashes into her entire face, She slaps him so hard across the face, I have never seen a quite settle over 200 guests like that.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

JD: None, I would only do this part. All the other jobs don't look as fun.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

JD: I can't speak for my peers and what they offer. I feel that it goes back to the planning. If I let a client persuades me as to an amount of appetizers, or they don't eat sweets so their guest won't either. I need to bring to the table 20 years of "this is how much people eat" If I haven't made that clear and I get to the event with "not enough" the only one that looks bad is me. So I make sure that doesn't happen. I always have extra and take it on the chin(my pocket) if I have made an error in planning.

Vendor Series Interview No. 15, Arie Kidder Custom Cakes

2009-05-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

I met Arie at the Expert Panel meeting for Seacoast Bride Magazine this winter and she graciously brought us some cake samples to enjoy... what talent she has, in both baking and designing her cakes. Check out her website and enjoy the interview!

Arie Kidder Custom Cakes

Arie Kidder

Some of her incredible creations!

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

AK: My favorite part of the wedding process is collaborating with the bride and groom on the flavors and design of their wedding cake. I most enjoy having the opportunity to bring my experience to the table and feature their unique personalities and tastes in my work.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

AK: I love being able to contribute to a couple's very special day, plus it is such a happy occassion (the wedding)!

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

AK: The biggest misconception about wedding cakes is that it is "easy" to do. Having your cousin or aunt make the cake may sound like a great idea, but then I get the frantic last minute call when the relative backs out or the bride suddenly loses faith in their abilities! Go ahead and let your relatives make a children's birthday cake, but your wedding cake is a one-shot-deal. Leave it to a professional!

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

AK: I started decorating cakes as a young girl in my grandmother's bakeshop. As I got older and better at it, my grandmother let me work there and decorate all the birthday cake orders. Not long after, it made sense to handle wedding cakes too. After culinary school, I sought out to train specifically in the field.

KP: Tell me one vendor other than in your industry that you highly reccomend. Why?

AK: I wish I could recommend more than just one wedding vendor! We who are in the wedding industry, love what we do, and just hope to make a living doing it. Support local vendors, especially the small ones who really take pride in their work!

KP: Tell me one vendor in you industry that you highly reccomend. Why?

AK For wedding cakes in the Seacoast area, I like the work of Owen from Confection Art. I also like Owen himself! He is very talented.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious.

AK: One of my favorite wedding stories is this: When I was pregnant with my youngest child (now 4), I had been careful to schedule my last cake order well in advance of my due date. Well, the baby decided to arrive 6 weeks earlier than planned, and caught me with a wedding cake that was not quite finished! As I was recovering from an emergency c-section surgery and on morphine, all I could talk about was my cake! Luckilly, my husband who also has a culinary degree, had seen me make hundreds of cakes, and was brave enough to take on the job of finishing it! The cake was not exactly what it should have been, but it still turned out beautiful, and the bride's family was so understanding of the situation. The best happy ending was that we had a healthy baby girl!

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

AK: I dont think I can choose a field I dont want to work in, but I do know I do not have the patience of professional photographers. The amount of time they put in during (photographing) the event is just the tip of the iceberg. People do not know how much time they put in after the event, going through all the photos and editing. I have much respect for the Photography field.

KP: What differentiates you from your other industry peers?

AK: To differentiate myself in my field, I really take pride in putting my best work forward. The cake has to be fresh and delicious, and the decorations and details have to be perfect. It helps that I am a perfectionist!

Bands vs. DJs- a Band's perspective

2009-05-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here's another expert's opinion on music for your reception.

Amy Serrago of Nite-Time band in NYC agrees that if you can afford it, having both the band and DJ is the best of both worlds! Check out their website for more information on Nite-Time!

Nite-Time band

A live band brings an air of excitement to any event. There is something about watching and listening to live people making music right in front of you that takes the whole experience up a notch, and your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. A professional event band should be able to cover all types of music, but this is an especially great choice if you are into rock, swing, Motown, alternative, and genres generally utilizing live instruments to create their sound. If your fiance proposed to you at a Bruce Springsteen concert, trust me, you’re band people.

However, if you are into club music, hip hop or techno, and you and your fiance never miss a Saturday night out at the club, then a DJ might be a better fit for you. A great DJ can play his or her turntables like an instrument, and this way you will know exactly what the songs are going to sound like. If you practiced your first dance to the CD for all of those months, you can dance it exactly the same way that night.

I agree with Anne about price, a live band costs considerably more than a dj - we have more people to pay. However, I disagree with her statement that "most bands can't play from grandma's era to today's top hits" a professional event band can and has to play music from all eras. If you find one that can't, you should keep looking.

Of course, for the bride that wants it all, you can always hire one of each and have them trade off, or start with band, end with dj. I find that to be a fun night. We've been asked to "dj" certain songs or sets of songs. We can save people a little money that way too, by letting the musicians go early and then turning on the tunes through our system. We can custom design playlists and music packages for all tastes, styles and almost all budgets.

My husband and I started running Nite-Time - New York City's Premier Party Band! in 2002. We serve NYC and the tri-state area. We opened a Hudson Valley office in 2007 and are starting to get more work in that area as well as some in New England. We have a combined experience in the wedding/event music business of 42 years, and we're not even that old! We both got started very young, I guess.

Bands Vs. DJ's- A DJ's perspective- Anne Turgeon, All 4 you DJ in Rhode Island

2009-05-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

Recently I joined BridalTweet.com, a new community for wedding vendors and brides to discuss everything about weddings. I met a Rhode Island based DJ, Anne Turgeon and asked her to chime in with her two cents on this subject. Here's what she had to say:

We always tell our brides and grooms that if they can afford a great wedding band, then go for it! A band offers a certain excitement that a DJ can't. But, at least in our area, a great wedding band can run 5 or 6 times the price of a DJ. It all depends on the size of your entertainment budget.

However, we hear more couples say that they want to hear songs they love at their wedding. When a great song starts to play, you see people rushing for the dance floor, and dancing and singing along with their friends and family to songs they love. Brides want to dance with their Dad to a song that has meaning for them, they way they remember it. And, of course, there's the variety. Most bands can't play from grandma's era to today's top hits. We can also provide those ethnic songs or specialty dance tunes that a band can't.

I certainly agree with Anne in terms of the actual artist performing a special song. I have heard bands from across the country, some costing upwards of 50k, and I still think there's nothing like the original artist. In terms of versatility, I have seen a lot of bands who know the realm of the 50'-70's really well and then the 80's to Top 40 gets a little challenging. There are SO many songs for them to learn, especially with new hits coming out almost every week. I would suggest finding a band that caterers to the most popular style you're looking for and then consider even hiring a DJ for band breaks and maybe the last hour of the event so you can get the most out of your band and you can also enjoy the original versions of some of your favorites songs. To have the excitement factor of a band and the ability to hear original versions of your special songs is a great combination! Thanks Anne for your insights!

Check our Anne's website, www.all4youdj.com to learn more about her services. Based in RI, Anne travels throughout New England for weddings and other events!

A Fall 2008 Martha's Vineyard Wedding

2009-04-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

We had SUCH a great time on MV and Chappy for our clients Serena and Ted. Although this wedding involved more planning than any other wedding we have ever coordinated- especially in the realm of transportation- we had a blast with both their families and friends and were so happy to be a part of their wedding week.

The wedding events really started on Wednesday, and we have photos of Thursday's Welcome Lobster Bake and the Wedding on Saturday. Here are the fabulous vendors we worked with on MV:

Planning: KPW
Floral and Event Design for the wedding: KPW
Florals for the Welcome Clambake: Flowers on the Vineyard
Event Design for the Welcome Clambake: KPW
Photography: Nelson Hancock Photography
Catering: Jaime Hamlin and Sons Catering
Tents: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals
Lighting: ProtekMV
Rentals: Be Our Guest available through KPW

Linens: Indigo Moon available through KPW
Ceremony and Cocktail Music: High Range available through CREA
Reception Music: Pete Saunders Orchestra available through Hank Lane Music and Productions and Ryan Parker, DJ
Wedding Cake: Val's Cakes
Favors: Truffles for a Cause
Restroom Trailers: C&S Portable Restrooms

A festive yet casual themed Lobster Bake. Custom stained picnic tables and benches adorned with nautical striped runners completed with multiple colored star lanterns.

Corn Hole- a game I was unfamiliar with until this wedding, is hysterically fun and very addictive!

All of the adirondack furniture was custom stained and created for this wedding by Be Our Guest. Custom cushions were made from Indigo Moon Linens.

The Wedding Ceremony and Reception- All white ceremony flowers followed by all white linens at the reception with orange, magenta and red flowers.

Serena and Ted created a few of these adorable wooden signs throughout the property.

Staying with the theme, we ordered pink and orange parasols for the ceremony.

High Range- FABULOUS blue grass band serenading guests prior to the ceremony.

Our famous Flip Flop Valets!

We brought out the flooring used in the dining tent to create a platform and aisle for the bride and groom. Simple white-washed planters filled with all white hydrangea, larkspur and beach grass completed the ceremony design.

Bride's bouquet consisted of pink mokara orchids, poison roses, orange mini callas, black baccara roses, dark milva roses. The bridesmaids bouquets consisted of white garden roses, white dendrobium orchids, white spray roses, white hydrangea, and white mini callas.

The wedding cake was covered in orange and pink mokara orchids with a chocolate branch effect on the bottom of each tier.

Custom orange titan silk napkin ring with a covered button.

Truffles for a cause favors were placed on a bed of pink hydrangea.

The dining tent prior to guests arriving.

The centerpieces varied from a single multi-colored arrangement to three separate vases containing one color and type of flower. All vases were double banded in orange and pink taffeta ribbon.

KPW classic paper lantern installation complete with pink uplighting on the tent ceiling.

Luminaria bags were placed to help lead guests to the restroom trailers.

A view from outside the two dinner tents in the evening.

Podcast Episode 1 -- The Guest Experience

2009-04-29T15:59:00.001-07:00

Take a listen to the first of many podcasts! Today we're discussing the many ways to enhance your wedding guests experience.

theguestexperience.mp3

Why should brides hire professionals...

2009-04-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Photo by John Santerre for David Murray Weddings

I know this sounds like an obvious subject, but there are many brides who do not understand the importance of hiring professional wedding vendors and how each vendor should be treated once they've been hired. I thought I would explain why brides should hire professional vendors and what the BRIDE's role should be once she's hired them.

1. You are hiring professionals because as a bride, you are NOT a part of the wedding industry. We understand how everything works, what things should cost, how to schedule our services, what to expect and how to deal with the unexpected... the list goes on and on. If you take the time to find the right vendor for your style, price range, and overall esthetic, you will create a fantastic team of individual to help guide you through an often difficult and stressful wedding planning process.

2. With all of this being said, I want to reiterate again, you are NOT a part of the wedding industry. If you decide to hire a vendor after doing your research, please let them do their jobs. Please TRUST your vendors judgement and their insights as we have worked with hundreds of brides before and we know what we are doing. We are here to HELP and ASSIST you, providing our expertise and advice from our many experiences prior to your event.

3. Second guessing your vendors all the time doesn't make any sense at all, and it begs the question as to why you hired them in the first place. You hired each vendor for their merit and talents and you should listen to what they have to say. This doesn't mean that your opinions shouldn't be voiced and heard. Your opinions are the MOST important opinions throughout the planning process. I'm just suggesting that once you decide on something you stick to it. There is SO much information available to brides on the internet that I feel as if they worry that they are going to miss the next best idea if they aren't constantly searching for new designs, signature drinks, bouquet wraps, photo booths, etc. Once you select your theme and overall style, embrace it and run with the concept.

4. Please also understand that as much as we want to make you the center of our attention as much as possible, you are most likely not the ONLY client your vendors are dealing with. Vendors should respond to your questions in a very timely manner, and should be as accommodating as possible when it comes to meetings etc, but there are probably up to 80 other brides they are juggling at the same time and that is certainly not an easy task.

5. Please respect your vendors. Their time is as valuable as yours and they are available to help you. Asking for unreasonable price reductions, especially in this economy, is not appropriate. EVERYONE has been affected by the economy so if you have less money in the bank, your vendors have less money too. They still have to pay their employees, cover their travel expenses, and work with their personal vendors who all need to be paid according. Most vendors are very aware of the economy and how it is affecting the wedding industry, but now is not the time to take advantage. Don't forget, your wedding would not be taking place without their hard work and dedication!

Finally, perspective is ALWAYS important when planning your wedding. Things will go wrong, you might need to use your rain plan, and drama will arise. Something always happens throughout the planning process that makes a bride feel like the world is coming to an end and the wedding is going to be ruined. Coming from personal experience- Type 1 Diabetes, Thyroid Cancer, and a new baby, I have gained new perspective on life. You are getting married to someone you are (hopefully) madly in love with and you want to celebrate that love with your friends and family. Your wedding should reflect that and you should plan it according. Worrying about the color of the napkins and how they might clash with the bridesmaids dresses is probably not the best use of your time and will only stress you out. Enjoy the planning process, let the professionals help make it fun an stress-free, and always remember why you are planning this big party in the first place!

Out of the office- St. John wedding

2009-04-22T13:45:00.001-07:00

We will not be blogging from Thursday April 23rd to Tuesday, April 28th. We will return with lots to post, including some exciting podcasts!

KP

Vendor Series Interview No. 14, Maine Seasons Events

2009-04-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Meagan Gilpatrick might be one of the nicest wedding planners I've ever spoken to. Her clients love her, vendors enjoy working with her, and with her taste in design- I completely understand why. Take a look at her website for more information and enjoy the interview!

Maine Seasons Events

Meagan Gilpatrick

Image by Sharyn Peavey

Some examples of Meagan's work!

Image by Cunningham Photography

Image by Sharyn Peavey

Image by Samantha Warren

Image by Sharyn Peavey

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

MG: My favorite part of the planning process is when the vision for the event design is solidified-when the colors, the dishes, the tables, flowers, location and other design and decor elements have been selected. For me, being able to show my client what their event will look and feel like, is when the event comes alive and when everyone gets excited about the tasks ahead to make the vision reality.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

MG: I love helping people enjoy the wedding planning process, of making the seemingly insurmountable task of planning a wedding feel easy and fun. I enjoy getting to know each client, hearing about their story and then translating the idea of their wedding into a real life experience.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

MG: There is a misconception that wedding planners are for celebrities and are not a financial option for most people. In reality, there are planners for every client's style, budget and personality. Hiring a great wedding planner will save clients countless hours of research and frustration, while managing the overall wedding budget, therefore saving money and time.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

MG: Nine years ago when I was planning my own wedding, I encountered so many obstacles that took some of the fun out of the process. It occurred to me that I would love to use my background in management, customer service, design and hospitality to help others create visionary weddings on a realistic budget. I planned weddings for several friends, and word spread. After a few years of planning events on the side, I left the corporate world to focus full time on the one profession that never felt like a job to me.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

MG: This is what I do for a living! I think it is critical for wedding planners to recommend vendors who best suit the needs, budget and individual style of each unique client. There are many talented, passionate and professional service providers in the wedding industry-assembling the right team of vendors for each client is a critical part of the wedding planning process.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

MG: There are many excellent wedding planners, and each of their different personalities better suit different clients, it would be difficult to recommend one over another without knowing a client and their needs first. Different planners have different trademark styles, and best-at talents, aside from the organizational skills necessary to be effective planners. I recommend that clients interview a few wedding planners before making their choice. I advise clients that they will know when they have met the right planner, "the one"-it will just feel right.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

MG: There are so many noteworthy stories...One that has always stuck with me was a September wedding that took place at the bride's parents' waterfront house. The mother of the bride is quite possibly one of the sweetest and kindest women I have ever met and the bride and groom are as well-likely the reason this family is still in my thoughts even years after the wedding.
I knew there would be some sort of weather that evening, it was just a matter of when. I snuck away several times to check the weather radar, to estimate the time of the storm's arrival. Experience with many outdoor and tented weddings and being a Maine native has given me a sixth sense about the weather here. The afternoon of the wedding was beautiful, and the ceremony on a cliff overlooking the ocean, went just as planned. All the while, clouds were moving in off the water and the leaves on the trees were turned upside down in the wind. I call it the "sour-sweet wind", the kind that comes just before a significant storm here in Maine. Guests mingled on the point for the cocktail hour before they were to be escorted into the dinner tent to begin the reception. I had to make the silent decision to move the guests into the tent a few minutes before the scheduled cocktail hour conclusion. Just as the bride's grandmother and the last few guests made it safely under the tent, the sky opened up and a deluge of rain drenched most of the floor of the tent. The thunder was so loud that the music wasn't audible-so everyone sat in awe and silence and watched the lightning storm-it was a beautiful, candle lit, 20 minute pause. The cupcake table began to sink into the ground and the photographer and I grabbed the table just as it was about to topple over and tip -toed through the tent carrying the desserts to higher ground. Weather that could have caused a disaster was gracefully and humorously accepted by the family and their guests. The Mason jars hanging from the tent ceiling, illuminated with candles, created a warm glow, it was cozy and intimate-just what the couple had wanted. When the rain stopped a fun, festive and perfect reception continued. This event reminded me of the importance of having an attitude of gratitude and acceptance for the things you can't control.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

MG: Catering to me, is the ultimate difficult profession in this industry. How caterers manage to prepare, cook and serve delicious, proper temperature food, for sometimes hundreds of people, who may have different dietary needs, outside in a tent, on a typical Maine weather day, is amazing to me, every time I witness it. I actually did work in a past life in the catering and restaurant industry-I have a lot of respect for those who have the passion to provide such an integral part of most wedding celebrations.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

MG: Clients should choose a wedding planner whom they feel comfortable with, whose personal style reflects their own and whose experience encompasses the type of event the client is planning. Maine Seasons Events' wedding planning services are designed to be customized to the needs of each unique client. For one client, the service that best suits their needs could be full event planning, and for another client, hourly consultation and day of event coordination services. Offering the flexibility to choose different levels of customized service has been an important feature for our clients. After planning, coordinating and executing over 100 weddings, one of the things I hear the most from our clients, is that we brought order and calm to what would have otherwise been a stressful day. Our attention to detail, caring about our clients, a true understanding of the importance of a wedding, diligence and consistent professionalism are some of the fundamental elements of our client's experience when working with us.

BrideTide.com Pledge Blog Post- Who I admire in the Wedding Industry

2009-04-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

What a difficult question to answer: "Who do you admire in the wedding industry?" I have so many wonderful vendors that I work with on a regular basis, I feel like I'm picking the last person for the kickball team in elementary school. I guess if I had to pick one I would go with a photographer who has been supporting Kate Parker Weddings from the first time we met, Liesl Clark of Claris Photography. Actually, it's sort of a funny story. I remember driving to their studio in Milford, NH as a brand new planner- I don't know if I had even planned a wedding yet. I sat down with Liesl and Richard and looked at all of their portfolios, their work was as incredible then as it is now, and I was overly impressed with their funky loft-like studio atmosphere and relaxed attitudes about brides and how to shoot a wedding. I was soaking all of their information up like a sponge, learning about their craft. At the end of the meeting I think I said something along the lines of "I know I haven't done a lot of weddings, and my company isn't known YET, but it will be." Six years later we have a full wedding coordination firm with national editorial exposure and we still work with Claris on a regular basis. I guess they saw something in us like we saw in them.

There are so many reasons why we suggest Claris Photography to our clients. Here are a few reasons why we love Liesl and why our clients couldn't agree more:

- Liesl is all about getting great unexpected moments- the grandmother watching the bride walk down the aisle, the expression on the bride's face while she's dancing with her girlfriends from college. Such incredible emotion... just fabulous.

- Formal shots don't take that much time.. Everyone needs a few photos of parents and family members, but Liesl gets through the formals quickly and keeps them really organic and natural so people don't feel posed.

- Selecting locations- Liesl will come to the venue early to scout the perfect locations- sometimes a day early. She checks out the light during the same time you would taking your photos to make sure she has just the right information she will need. If you are interested in seeing your groom early- and we suggest you do- Liesl will find the most beautiful and intimate location for you to see each other for the first time and she makes sure you have ample time to spend together alone to take the day in before the ceremony.

-Attitude- I cannot explain how relaxed Liesl makes my clients- even those who are usually pretty up-tight. She is so easy to work with, from the getting ready photos through the dancing shots at the end of the night. She's completely unobtrusive and always gets the perfect shots without you even knowing she's there.

If that wasn't enough of a soapbox shouting props to Claris Photography, I'll let her images do the rest of the explanation:

Claris Photography

Vendor Series Interview No. 13, Relive Photography

2009-04-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with Laura on a small and intimate wedding last fall in NH and she was just a DOLL to work with! Her photos were wonderful as you will see below. Check out her website and enjoy the interview!

Relive Photography

Laura Parent

Her beautiful photography!

Vendor Interview Questions:

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

LP: I totally love seeing the bride and groom interact and seeing each other for the first time. It is rare that I don’t cry during the ceremony and fall in love with the couple after spending so much time with them. I also just really appreciate the opportunity to get to know so many awesome people within the wedding party.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

LP: I was an artist growing up and went to college for fashion design. I am very in tuned to fashion and details of the day. I truly find it exciting to find the unique details that become and bride and grooms day. I am always pleasantly surprised and love the way these items can get my artistic juices flowing.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

LP: I think that digital photography which is so much a part of our industry now has not always received enough credit. I think that it has opened the door to so many new photographers that are extremely artistic since digital is here. I don’t think that people realize how unique their imagery can be due to the new digital age.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

LP: I was traveling in Europe with some friends and took a ton of images with my Canon camera. After seeing the pictures that I took there, one of the girls I had traveled with asked me to shoot her wedding. First I told her she was crazy and did not agree. After her consistent pushing I did shoot her wedding and have not turned back since. I was already involved in graphic work and it just fell in place and made so much sense. I absolutely have found the art that moves me.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LP: Wow, there are so many. I would have to say that as far as a high level of talent I would recommend Around Town Entertainment. They are located in New York City and I have worked with them many times. NYC is my home town and I do a lot of work there so I know who I love and don’t. Why? This band is amazing and what is the best is that they are not just a huge talent but also down to earth and so pleasant to work with. Their reputation has grown in a big way in the last few years.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LP: I took a workshop with David Beckstead this year and loved every minute of it. He is an terrific artist and a great person to learn from. His business is very successful and for a very good reason. His work is very artistic and not just photographs but pieces of art. That is what I strive for.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

LP: I worked at a wedding last summer and the groom was without much family present. I had found out that his family had died in a fire when he was a young boy. What moved me the most was that the folks that raised him were his grandmother and aunts. Their speeches to him at his wedding made me cry so much that I could barely see through my camera lens. They touched on how wonderful of a man he had turned out with such diversity against him. They were amazing and did a great job raising this boy into a sweetheart of a guy. They just had such kind hearts.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

LP: I really love what I do so much that I would not want to do anything else in this industry. I have my dream job.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers

LP: I think that there are so many talented photographers out there. What I hope differentiates me is my knack of communicating with all ages extremely well. I have found that my personality is a huge bonus and I receive so many compliments regarding that. I treat everyone equally with respect and have fun with them and enjoy knowing my clients. I also take the time to do a workshop once a year with a highly regarded photographer (such as David Beckstead) to keep my photography fresh and artistic.

Cookie Creatives favors

2009-04-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

We work with Michelle Bohigian from Something Sweet by Michelle for our wedding cakes as often as we can. She came to our studio yesterday with a little bag of cookie favors from Cookie Creatives and wow were they beautiful! All hand-crafted and packaged, customized to fit your style and color scheme. I took a few photos of some of the samples she brought, but make sure you check out Jennifer's website to get a complete look at her fabulous favor options!

Cookie Creatives by Jennifer

Farm-themed weddings inspirations

2009-04-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

We just had a great meeting with one of our June brides who is having her reception at a farm in Southern Maine called Laudholm Farm. We are creating an earthy and organic style with a muted color palate, naturally composed floral arrangements and touches of burlap. The flowers we will be incorporating are: white hydrangea, mini green hydrangea, white peonies, cream garden roses, white and purple anemones, white and green ranunculus, star of Bethlehem, and fresh lavender. We are custom staining and distressing two different sizes of wooden boxes for the flower vessels. We'll be using wide-mouthed mason jars with dahlias and anemones for the cocktail hour as well. Take a look at the images below to get an idea of the reception centerpieces and table design! Something Sweet by Michelle will be creating the cake, a linen hemstitched themed design, complete with her incredible and impossible to copy sugar flowers. The reception tent is provide by Sperry Tents Seacoast so we know if will look fantastic! We'll post more inspirations from our other weddings as we get closer to them!

Kate Parker Weddings
Kate Parker Flowers

Vendor Series Interview No. 12, The Sweetest Thing Weddings

2009-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for talented wedding planners to recommend when we are unavailable to a client and after chatting in depth with Amber Small of The Sweetest Thing Weddings, I know my clients would be in great hands with her team! Not only is she talented in our industry, she has four children to boot! Zachary is enough for me right now, I don't know HOW she does it all. Take a look at her photos and enjoy the interview! We have recently welcomed Amber to the KPW family as well!

The Sweetest Thing Weddings

Amber Small

Samples of her work

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

AS: All aspects of the wedding process are wonderful. My personal favorite is the day of the wedding. I love seeing all the work come together. To see the excitement of all the people involved: the couple, their family and guests. It is an amazing experience to be a part of this significant part of their lives. There is a rush that comes with the day, an adrenaline high. I also love working with other vendors and see them do their art. It is like a show and you have the honor of opening the curtain!

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

AS: Creating a wedding that depicts the couple’s unique personalities. I love the art of design; creating a space that defines the couple and makes the wedding “theirs”. I love working with talented vendors who are true artists in their own crafts, from florist, to lighting companies, caterers to rental companies and owners of inns and estates: all with the common goal of creating an amazing event for the couple. I love that I get to spend a year or more with some of my brides, create lasting friendships with them, to hear from them when they are having a baby or buying a house. It is a true honor for me to become a part of their life.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

AS: I believe the biggest misconception in my industry is that a planner isn’t necessary. I think every bride could benefit from working with a planner, whether it is throughout the entire planning process, during the day of the event, or a consult to help create a vision. The wedding industry is saturated with ideas, colors, details, products, etc. It can be so overwhelming, and a planner can help the couple stay focused.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

AS: I have always loved design and fashion. I started in the wedding business working for a caterer. I saw a lot of wedding and noticed ways to make them work smoother and be less “cookie Cutter”, more unique to each couple. I progressed from catering to being a bridal assistant at the hotel I worked for and then for friends. Soon friend’s friends wanted me work with them. In 2003 I went “live” online and have been doing what I love ever since.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

AS: I think there are a lot of great planners in Maine. I love Meghan Gilpatrick from Maine Seasons Events. She is great at what she does, highly organized and driven. She is also a young mother like me; a wonderful person to bounce ideas off, as well as to work with.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

AS: This is a tough question. As a planner, I work with every type of vendor in the wedding industry. I feel honored to have worked with some incredible vendors who do their jobs incredibly well and go above and beyond the call of duty. However, Audra Welton of Audra photography is an amazing photojournalist. She has an incredible eye and is amazing with people. She is fantastic at what she does. I am always awed by the photos she captures without being in anyone’s space. She is a true photo journalist. Another vendor would be Bancroft Potter of Sperry Tents Seacoast. They have the most incredible tents and service. The owner and his staff go above and beyond for every client.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

AS: I had a couple who was bringing an old friend to officiate their wedding ceremony. I sent the Maine State guidelines to the couple as well as the man performing the ceremony. When I contacted him, he said he had just graduated from seminary and would have all his documentation for the ceremony. The day of the rehearsal I get a call from the officiate. His paperwork was delayed. He was not certified. I called EVERY notary public in the town and found a man who could come to the rehearsal. The couple didn’t want everyone to know that their friend couldn’t do it legally, so, after the rehearsal, with me as the photographer, they went into the Asticou gardens and had a secret ceremony with the notary and their parents. It was a sweet, little ceremony that no one knew about. We went to the dinner and no one was the wiser. The next day their ceremony friend “married” them again. After that experience, I became a notary, to be prepared to sign the proper documentation if needed. I learned a lot from “Operation Azalea Garden”.

KP: What other part of the wedding industry would you not want to work in? Why?

AS: On behalf of my family, I would say baking the cake. I cannot for the life of me get cake to come out of the pan in one piece. For the sake of all involved, I should be kept away from any sort of cooking. However, I can make a mean biscuit which is not helpful, unless the couple wants strawberry shortcake.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

AS: As a mother of four young children, multitasking is second nature. It takes a lot to overwhelm me. I am organized and thorough which allows me to be flexible when the unexpected occurs, and sometimes it does. I am naturally very calm and yet very extroverted. This helps me mediate well with clients and vendors throughout the wedding planning process. I love people and I connect with just about anyone. I get hooked with each couple as I hear how they met and how they got to this point in their relationship. I desire to get to know each couple and work with them to make their wedding personal and unique to them. My goal is to make their wedding the sweetest thing.

PS to Sharyn Peavey's vendor interview

2009-04-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

Joanne McDonough of Joya beauty suggested I post some of the images that came out of the photo shoot when I first met Sharyn Peavey a few years ago... For those of you who have NOT met Joanne (and I HIGHLY suggest you do), the woman in the photos is Eva Marie Denst. Here are some crazy images from the shoot as well as a shout-out to my long hair days!

If you missed Sharyn's original Vendor Interview, here's a link to check it out:

http://kateparkerweddings.blogspot.com/2009/04/vendor-series-interview-no-11-sharyn.html

Great Diamond Island wedding images

2009-04-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

We worked with possibly the cutest couple last year, Joey and Tim, on their Great Diamond Island wedding. It rained right after the wedding, which you'll see with the umbrella images, but other than the cocktail hour happening inside the tent, it was a great event and everyone had a great time! Enjoy the photos and take a look at the people who helped make it possible.

Ceremony and Reception Location, catering and tent: Diamond's Edge Restaurant-Great Diamond Island, Portland ME
Photographer: John Santerre for David Murray Weddings
Wedding Planner, Florist, Lighting, Event Design: KPW
Rentals: Be Our Guest, available through Kate Parker Weddings
Cake: Confection Art
Calligraphy: Jan Boyd
Transportation: Casco Bay Lines
Music: The Pulse available through Best Bands

The new look of the MY KPW blog

2009-04-14T04:11:00.001-07:00

myKPWblog, originally uploaded by kpweddings48.

We will be releasing the new MY KPW blog sometime this week, but I wanted to give you a sneak preview. Let me know what you think! KP

Vendor Series Interview No. 11, Sharyn Peavey

2009-04-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

I met Sharyn years ago at a photo shoot at Joya beauty in Dover, NH.... Joanne was working on some crazy makeup techniques and I was donating my face for the afternoon! Now I've reconnected with Sharyn and she's joined the MY KPW family!! We're so excited to have her and her incredible talents, so make sure you visit her website and enjoy the interview!

Sharyn Peavey Photography

Her fabulous images!

Vendor Interview Questions:

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

SP: I enjoy creating and giving to the bride fantastic images of herself. When shooting the bride all dressed and ready to go, nothing else really matters for those few moments, and there is nothing else like feeling absolutely beautiful and looking your best. I get very excited about sharing that experience with the bride.
I extend this out to all whom I shoot on a wedding day, but the bride is my highlight, my main focus.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

SP: My job brings me into a very personal space of a couples family and friend dynamics. I feel privileged to be part of a quintessential day for each family, each couple. I am often touched by what the wedding means to each couple. I love that I am going to be giving them a product that will allow them to relive the feelings and memories.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

SP: I think a big misconception about wedding photographers is that we just take pictures. Pictures are an experience, from the act of shooting to the act of viewing and having the images. It is easy to be misunderstood because unless someone has had the experience of being on an incredible shoot or sitting with an amazing set of prints that go beyond just the surface, how will they know what they are missing out on. Unlike a dress, that you can try on a dozen times, photography is something that you will experience (mostly) post wedding. It has the ability to be just a picture to look and say, yes there I was in my wedding dress, or it can be an experience.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?
SP: My first wedding came to me in 1991 when I was working in the photo lab of my school, the Maryland Institute College of Art. The bride wanted, candid b/w which at that time, was not popular. I secretly enjoyed it and Martha Stewart came out with a gorgeous wedding issue. I was inspired. I staged a wedding by renting a dress, and assimilated flowers and a cake like in the Martha issue. We went all over Baltimore and had a fantastic shoot. The cake was fantastic too! When jobs came in for weddings, I took them because I liked the challenge and because no other art student would bow so low as to take a "wedding job". I began assisting Baltimore wedding photographers as well to gain more knowledge.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

SP: I think there are alot of great wedding photographers in the area, but I do highly recommend Michelle Turner because I know she delivers quality and style. I personally worked with Michelle at a wedding and I can say that any couple would feel confident booking her, she knows what shots she is looking for. I have also had Michelle photograph me.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

SP: I like to see couples well taken care of and attended too. But because looking one's best is high on my visual priority list, I recommend both Joya beauty out of Dover NH, and Head Games Salon out of Portland for hair and make-up.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

SP: Last fall I was shooting an outdoor ceremony, it was really lovely. As the bride was walking down the lawn the grooms great aunt (Mildred I believe) got up and stood directly in front of the groom and hunkered down like a linebacker to get the shoot of the bride coming down the aisle. Eventually she had to move so the bride could greet the groom. Moments later this same aunt screamed as her chair suddenly flipped backwards and her legs went up the in the air, exposing girdle and all. Everyone was frozen for a few moments not to sure what to do. I almost went over to help her, but another family member straightened her out. I DID NOT photograph this moment, out of respect to dear aunt Mildred. I feared this would would be the image that would get emailed around 100 times.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

SP: I would not want to be a dj. It is probably the industry that interest me the least, as I love good cake, flowers and food, and there is much room for making horrendous "live" mistakes. Plus I am not one to remember the name of a song. I think that is key for a dj.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

SP: Photographers have such potential for creative freedom in their work. I believe we all bring to our images a part of our personalities. I feel one of the things that separates me from my peers is my use of strong colors and sense of energy. I think I think there is a sincerity to the shots, where one can feel present in the image.

Vendor Series Interview No. 10, FloraLatte

2009-04-10T11:37:00.001-07:00

I have worked with Emily from FloraLatte for some editorial photo shoots over the last few years. All I can say is, wow, what creativity and fresh ideas she comes up with. The first design I had her work on was for a Grace Ormonde photo shoot where I asked her to create a grapevine themed table arrangement that was at least 8' tall! Hanging candles, flowers, curly willow and lots of countless hours of labor later, we had ourselves a full page spread in a very well-known magazine!
I am very excited for Emily this year especially, as she has closed down her retail store to really concentrate on weddings and special events. Take a look at her website and enjoy the interview!

FloraLatte

Emily Herzig-Alberini

Examples of her work:

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

EHA: I love how everything comes together in the end – the fished product… My favorite moment is when I arrive at the flower market to hand pick the final flowers for the wedding arrangements. I feel such a rush of excitement. Looking around, the smells, the colors -- finding the perfect accents to coordinate with the colors of the bridesmaid’s dresses, or the centerpieces… Even with all the planning and predicting I do, nature never fails to surprise me with its perfect unexpected blooms. I love the return drive to the studio where I have time to visualize the arrangements I will make in my mind. I find myself really connecting to the flowers and the people that I am designing for during these final steps of the wedding process – that is where I am my happiest.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

EHA: I love the people I meet. I love how quickly we build friendships, and how we connect for such a short but important moment in their life. Every client challenges me and makes me look at nature in new creative ways. I love all the different ideas I get to work from and all the amazing flowers I get to work with! I find working with people and nature on this creative level to be very uplifting.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

EHA: The cost of flowers and the amount of time it takes to create the arrangements and details that make an event great. Although I don’t think you have to spend a lot to have beautiful flowers – there are many do-it-yourself ideas out there that I don’t think are very realistic for brides to actually do themselves.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

EHA: Lifestyle. As a little girl my mother taught me to garden, grow flowers, make arrangements, and tie bows. She decorated the house for every holiday and always gave my sister and I a part in that. In high school I worked for an organic green house and nursery, and in college, although I majored in Human Relations, I had a part time job in a floral shop for those four years…The wedding industry found me there…

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

EHA: Errr – there are so many great vendors I can’t pick just one… I enjoy working with Matt and Liz Hinkley of Hinkley Photography.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

EHA: I admire the work of Ariella Chezar. I think she is an amazing floral designer.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

EHA: The morning of my and Dave’s wedding, Dave got a flat tire as he was coming to get me. The plan was for Dave to pick me up at the hotel on his motorcycle and we would ride slowly the few miles down the nice country road to our ceremony together… His tire went flat on the way, amazingly he hailed a taxi. It was ironic that the taxi that drove past on this in-the-middle-of-nowhere road was “Dave’s Taxi Company”. We arrived at the bridge where our outdoor ceremony was being held laughing hysterically, slightly embarrassed… Dave didn’t have his wallet in his pocket so on exiting the taxi he had to ask friends for money to pay for the cab… Everyone was laughing thinking that this was a big joke that we had planned. It’s a nice story too – as the story became told, Dave’s grandfather was famous for flat tires, and his mother saw this happening to be good sign for us...

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

EHA: I really love working with flowers and creative design, I’m not sure it is as much the wedding industry that I like but the creative opportunities that wedding design gives me. As much as a appreciate and admire the creative work that goes on in other areas of the industry, it is really the flowers that I am passionate about.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

EHA: Everyone is unique in floral design, each designer adds their own unique style and perspective. I am unique for what I bring to it – the types of flowers I use, the styles that I create, each arrangement is different, a custom design…I also personally select the flowers from the Boston Flower Exchange and other flower companies in New England, this allows me to be spontaneous and creative with the best flowers of the season (often from locally grown New England farms). I also think I do more than most florists in the wedding design process; I often help with linen selection, theme ideas, and more.

Personalized Weddings

2009-04-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

We have almost all of our clients wanting to personalize something in their wedding and there are couple of ways to do this. Of course, just really thinking out the details is a way to personalize your wedding. Picking some appetizers that you enjoyed as a kid, or an entree that you ate when your fiance proposed are two subtle ways to personalize a wedding. Using your favorite color or overall sense of style is another great way, one that more people will usually pick up on.

Then there is the literal personalization of items for your wedding, and there are a LOT of options to work with. Personalizing items you will be using during the actual wedding is a great way to "brand" your event. Monograms, your wedding date, first names are all great icons that can be applied to almost anything: cocktail napkins, top of your menus, favor tags or stickers, a large decal or gobo image on your dance floor, or even a design on your cake. Then there are the things that you give to your guests that they will keep forever, or at least you hope they do. Personalizing something that is taken out of the context of your wedding event isn't always the best idea, as your guests don't usually want to use something that has someone else's name on it. Classic example would be the engraved picture frame with your name and wedding date on it for your place card holder. First, people don't really have a need for a frame that is smaller than a 3 x 5, but then to have someone else's name and date on it really limits its usability. If they had a photo taken of themselves at your wedding and wanted to display that they certainly could, but I can't really think of another reason to use it. Etched candle holders with your wedding date is another passe idea, candle holders in general tend not to be too great of an option. If you're having a welcome basket or bag, personalizing the welcome letter is a great idea to help start the branding process, but personalizing the bag itself is costly and usually not as pleasing for your guests.

If the item is a one-time use product, go ahead and personalize it, but if it's something that you expect your guests to cherish and re-use all the time remembering the fantastic time they had at your wedding, I think you might need a small dose of reality :) If you really want to personalize something more long-term, I would suggest your wedding date instead of your names as it's not quite as personal. Of course, brides will do what they want in the end, just thought my two cents could help save some money and steer people away from the not-so-classic favors.

Examples of personalized favors:- labels, stickers and tags are great!

All favors from Beau-Coup Favors

Some examples of personalization from our clients:

Photos by Stacey Kane

Custom Aisle Runner, Custom Acrylic Wall Art, and Personalized Guest Book Cards

Photography by Claris Photography

Favor Tags

Photography by Kristen Conklin of Joe Mikos Photography

Monogrammed Cake and Monogrammed Menus

Photography by Claris Photography

Custom Aisle Runner, Monogrammed Bouquet, Monogrammed Napkins, Custom Drink Menus, Dance Floor Gobo Monogram, and Custom Monogrammed Cake Topper

Bands vs. DJs- a Band's perspective

2009-04-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

Cindy Charest from the Bob Charest Band in Portland, ME took some time to give me her thoughts on the advantages of hiring a band for your wedding. Here are some of her comments, some photos of the Bob Charest Band, and a link to their website. We have worked with the BCB before and we think they are fabulous! Really high quality musicians who actually rehearse and produce a very polished product... enjoy her two cents!

The Bob Charest Band

The band can communicate to the guests, person to person, in a unique way.

Fully-rehearsed and professional ensembles can create an atmosphere at a reception that is unique.

The size of the band can be a pro or a con. If appropriate to the event, it complements and completes the atmosphere. If space is limited or the guest count is too low, a band that is too large can impose itself on the event.

Visually, a band can be very dynamic, and energize the crowd.

Logistics for some bands may be impractical for certain venues, such as island locations.

Bands take up a certain amount of space, so be sure to check out how much space they need, and if the room can accommodate them.

Bands can improvise, substitute special lyrics, fine tune arrangements to suit, invite you or your talented family member or friend to "sit in" on a number.

Photos by Bill Getty Photography

Photos by Susan Mullen Photography

Vendor Series Interview No. 9, Patrick McNamara Photography

2009-04-07T14:38:00.001-07:00

My husband Ryan has had the pleasure of working with Patrick many times over the years and he always has the nicest things to say about him when he comes home from a wedding. You will see from his images that he is very talented and truly enjoys photographing weddings. Take a look at his work and enjoy the interview!

Patrick McNamara

Patrick McNamara Photography

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

PM: I love the whole experience, but if you had to nail me down to one particular thing... It would have to be the "getting ready" moments. The energy is so genuine and unrehearsed. Anticipation, suspense, camaraderie, and excitement... they almost always end up being my favorite shots.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

PN: I make a living being creative and making people happy, what more could a visual artist ask for?

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

PM: That digital photography has made our lives (as photographers) easier. Digital photography is fantastic and I fully embrace the technology. It does however; require frequent upgrading of equipment, software and your precious time. Most photographers will spend more time on the computer for each wedding then they did during the entire day of shooting. Just ask my very patient wife and children during the wedding season.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

PN: I actually owe a debt of gratitude to Jennifer Lewis-McShera, the Wedding Consultant at Clay Hill Farm Restaurant. I had just moved back to Maine after living and working in Manhattan, shooting Advertising and Corporate work. Jen is a great friend and asked if I had any desire to shoot weddings at Clay Hill. I said "sure, why not" and the whole thing just completely snowballed from there. Thanks Jennifer!

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

PN: I've always been impressed with the work I see from Joanne McDonough of Joya Beauty. She is so skilled at reading a brides face and enhancing her natural attributes. Never heavy handed... just nicely balanced and a joy to photograph. She also has a very calming presence about her that I think is particularly helpful for the bride during those jittery moments before the ceremony. Joanne, you're so ZEN!

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

PN: All right Kate, I will resist the all too easy opportunity to plug my Associate Photographer here and give you what I think you are really looking for. When we are both booked, there are three or four names that I constantly suggest. They are all worthy of mention, but since I can only pick one, today I choose Nadra Edgerley. I love her eye and I admire her constant effort to push herself to grow as a photographer. Her work is always evolving but she maintains that devotion to timeless imagery and not the trendy use of the latest set of Photoshop Actions. It doesn't hurt that she's just a fun person to hang out with too!

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

PN: Last year, I had a bride approach me about shooting her June wedding. She basically told (not asked) me "You are going to shoot my wedding"! She had been looking at my website for a year or more and heard "nothing but great things" she told me. Every time I tried to discuss packages and pricing, she wouldn't here of it, she said, "Just do what you do and let me know how much of a check you need and when, I totally trust you". She was a breakfast waitress at a local restaurant and paying for everything herself. I know for a fact that a big portion of her wedding budget was spent on my services. She had so much faith in me and was so sure that my photography was going to be amazing and kept saying how lucky she was to have me booked for her date. As the date got closer, I started getting nervous thinking, what If I don't amaze her? She has so much faith and trust in me, what if I let her down? I never get nervous before a wedding but this time, I had the dream client who truly loved my work and now I'm getting sweaty palms over it. We did get great results and it all worked out wonderfully of course, but it's just another reminder of why I love this job. People aren't just hiring us; they are trusting us with an important part of their personal history.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

PN: Anything to do with perishable goods! I can't imagine being a Cake maker and having my hard work and artistry sabotaged by something random like a broken car air conditioner on a 100 degree day or not seeing a speed bump in the rain. I've seen florists in a frenzied state, scrambling so there flowers wouldn't flash freeze while rushing them into their van on a bitter January day. No thanks... I'll stick with making pretty pictures.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

PN: I'm kind of unique in that I have such a diverse background in the photography industry. In my twenty plus years of shooting, I've worked for a newspaper, shot corporate Annual Reports, had national and regional advertisements as well as editorial pieces for major publications. All of this took place before the days of looking at the back of your camera to see if you got the shot. You really had to hone your skills and know your craft before you could call yourself a Pro. Sadly, much of that has been lost in the current digital wedding industry. I tell everyone I meet with to do their research with whomever they are looking at and ultimately, to trust their instincts when making a final decision.

Rainy Day Weddings No. 11

2009-04-07T07:34:00.001-07:00

Claris Photography

My advice........

Don't sweat it! If you plan ahead a little bit for a rainy day (umbrellas, some fun shoes to walk around in etc) the rain can be worked into the photography portion of the wedding day. Maybe it still means most of the pictures are inside with the families and bridal party but find your adventurous side, grab your new spouse, and head outside for a few shots together under an umbrella. If you planned for a short ceremony and you had your heart set on having it outside, don't let the rain get the best of you! Have umbrellas waiting for all of your guests and they won't mind standing while you make it official!

They say rain on a wedding is good luck so just go with it......

Bands vs. DJs

2009-04-06T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I'm going to get a hefty response for blogging about this, especially since I'm married to a jazz pianist/DJ. I get this question asked to me SO many times from my full coordination clients. This is what I'm hearing from brides today about the pros and cons of both options:

First, the classic reasons NOT to have a DJ or to DEFINITELY hire a band:

1. I want the crowd to really get into dancing so I HAVE to have a band. A DJ just won't cut it.

2. DJ's are so cheesy- they always have props and light shows... tacky tacky tacky!

3. My guests expect a certain level of sophistication from us so we have to have a band.

4. Live music just kicks things up a notch.

5. My guests want to be entertained throughout the night and a band is just the thing!

Now the reasons why a band is NOT selected or why people LOVE DJs:

1. I just can't afford a great band, I'm playing it safe and going with a DJ.

2. I want a lot of originals to be played- no one can sing like Michael Jackson!

3. There isn't a lot of room at my reception venue and I don't want the band to take up too much space.

4. I want a lot of current music and I know a band doesn't know all of those songs.

5. We have a very diverse group of guests and I want to be able to have music for everyone to enjoy!

There are a lot of points that I happen to agree with here, but I want the experts to tell you their side of the story. That's why I'm going to be posting interviews from DJs, bands, and ceremony and cocktail hour musicians to tell us why they should be hired and what the pros and cons are of their individual industry. Stay tuned over the next few weeks and learn a bit more about one of the most popular and talked about aspects of a wedding!

Vendor Series Interview No. 8, Laura Novak Photography

2009-04-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Although I haven't had the pleasure of working with Laura Novak, her images just spoke to me about the simple beauty of weddings. Based in Wilmington, Deleware, Laura travels across the country and beyond to shoot weddings. Check out her website and enjoy the interview!

Laura Novak Photography

Laura Novak and her amazing team!

Some examples of her beautiful work

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

LN: I think just getting to know each of my clients and their stories. I am constantly inspired by how to people grow to love one another, and the decision to spend the rests of their lives together.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

LN: I love seeing a couple's individuality show at their wedding, from the fun details to the dress a bride chooses. I think a wedding is the first time that a couple says "this is who we are" with their tastes and preferences. It's a special process and each wedding has it's own unique fingerprint as a result.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

LN: It's probably regarding pricing - that you pay X amount for a photographer to show up for the day. What a lot of people may not realize that that they are investing in a 2 year process, from signing the contract to the engagement session, products ordered, customer service, pre-wedding consultations/advice, wedding day coverage, post wedding production and service, and parent communication. It's a large investment on both the part of the client as well as the photographer.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

LN: I assisted a wedding photographer for fun in college, while living in Boston. I fell in love with being part of weddings and having the honor ofbeing present with a camera.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly
recommend? Why?

LN: I always recommend a lighting designer - the best one in Philadelphia being Eventions Productions. I think that if you have a certain budget set aside for decor, it's worth considering placing a portion towards lighting. Nothing beats walking into a beautifully lit room.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LN: I love the work of my own wedding photographer, Anna Kuperberg. She is very creative and her work has a great sense of humor and is wonderful at telling stories of relationships through imagery.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

LN: Not sure if it's my favorite but it's pretty funny and makes a good story. I was photographing a wedding a few years ago in Carmel, California when this guy in the ceremony crowd looks really familiar to me. I think it's no big deal, that he must have been at a previous wedding I photographed and then I realize he's really staring at me for a long time. After the ceremony ends he walks up to me and addresses me by my maiden name. It was then I realized I went to junior prom with him my freshman year of high school! He went to college with the groom. It was a big joke amongst the guys for the rest of the evening. I'm from Massachusetts so it was pretty hilarious to not see him for 12 years and then run into him while working a wedding in California.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

LN: Wedding coordination - it just takes a special level of patience that I'm not sure I have. When conflict arises, I can hide behind my camera!

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

LN: I think that there is a lot of emphasis on trash the dress, high fashion, cutting edge trends in the industry and I still love a classic beautiful portrait and a well composed moment captured. To me, wedding photography should be timeless... And I believe a great moment composed beautifully with stunning lighting will never go out of style.

Desserts... The Not So Traditional

2009-04-03T11:22:00.001-07:00

Now for NOT so traditional desserts

Desserts by Marie Gerli Catering

Photos by Emilie Inc.

Pies and Bunt Cakes, oh my!

Followed up, of course, by Mini and Regular sized Gummy Bears.

Now, some people don't like Chocolate fountains... they think they're passe. These can get messy for sure, but how can you resist all of the fabulous goodies you get to smother in chocolate?

Photo by Beacon Hill Photography

A very popular option, although not cutting-edge as some people feel it still is... the candy bar. This can be color coordinated to the wedding like the one below, or it can be filled with your favorite items.

Photo by Stacey Kane Photography

Photos by Stacey Kane Photography

And for the GRAND FINALE... my personal favorite... a custom chocolate buffet. Truffles, milkshake shooters, mousse, cookies.... you name it, it's here...

Ready for dessert now?

Desserts.... The Traditional Wedding Cake

2009-04-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

Some brides come to us with the vision of a traditional wedding which includes the classic wedding cake, complete with a topper and cutting ceremony. Others ask for the exact opposite, serving simple pies and bunt cakes. Brides are also looking for alternative desserts either to replace the wedding cake or to add to it... I have compiled some images from vendors we've worked with in the past, showcasing desserts from the Traditional to the Over the Top!

The Classic Wedding Cake... there are SO many styles to choose from- fresh flowers, sugar paste, fondant, buttercream. Check out these incredible designs!

Cakes by Something Sweet By Michelle

Photo by Stacey Kane Photography

Custom shaded purple fondant with a shimmering overlay. Sugar paste flowers and ribbon draping complete the look of this unique creation.

Photo by Claris Photography

Yes, this cake was as tall as it looked. Michelle needed a ladder to complete it on site! White fondant cake with HUNDREDS of sugar paste flowers, each sprinkled with sparkles. The cake is sitting on a custom 36" square acrylic base filled with beads for extra drama- as if the cake needed it :)

Photo by Beacon Hill Photography

Fresh flowers can provide a lot of pop to a fairly simple cake. Buttercream smoothed to perfection, with a simple ribbon border.

Photo by Michelle Turner Photography

Another masterpiece with sugar paste flowers and twigs, a fairly simple fondant cake gets a twist of sophistication with sparse flowers throughout.

Cake by Confection Art

Photo by John Santerre for David Murray Weddings

Sometimes simplicity is key. White and navy with a touch of pink clearly represented this ocean-meets-preppy themed wedding. Pink peonies at the top of the cake are sugar paste, by the way. Buttercream with simple dot work with square tiers on an angle.

Rainy Day Weddings No. 10

2009-04-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

Geneve Hoffman Photography

Kate and Paul made the rain a wedding guest at their September soiree! The only time it didn't downpour the entire day, was the brief 10 minutes of their ceremony. As a photographer, I embrace rainy, atmospheric days. It creates a mood that is better than any Hollywood backdrop. And of course, this is the North Atlantic seacoast...so why not!

click to enlarge image

Vendor Series Interview No. 7, Hair That Moves

2009-04-02T11:36:00.001-07:00

We work with Lena Hartford as often as we can because our clients LOVE her. She's really wonderful to work with and very calming to our brides on their wedding day. She also happens to be my personal hair stylist so I guess I'm a bit biased here... Check out her website and enjoy the interview!

Hair That Moves

Lena Hartford

Examples of her fantastic work!

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

LH: My favorite part of the wedding process for me is helping the bride get her veil on to take photos and stand back and watch her beauty and happiness.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

LH: My favorite part of the wedding industry is that I can help people feel their best of one of the most important days of their lives.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

LH: The biggest misconception of "the hair industry" is that anyone can "do hair". I guess this is true, anyone can, but to find something that you really love to do in your career is unique. I LOVE to do wedding hair.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

LH: I have always loved formal hair. After 13 years of weddings and proms in a salon, I met a wedding planner that cracked open the door to the serious wedding industry that I didn't even know was there. Thank you!

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LH: This is a hard one. I am not sure if I have one favorite. I have lots of vendors that I enjoy working with. The most important thing that sticks out in my mind about vendors is which one will fit the bride and her personality the best. I am sure most vendors are great.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LH: This is hard too. I will have to say Joanne from Joya Beauty. I am still in awe at her skill and her ability to take complete control of a stress filled room and calm it down. She is so great at her craft.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

LH: I would have to say the story that is sticking out in my head is a wedding we had in Rhode Island. The bride was newly preganant and the groom had her wedding gift delivered to the room while we were getting her ready. It was the most beautiful baby book that he had filled out and added pictures too of their new baby and of themselves. She shared the note he inluded in the book that had the room in tears for several minutes. It may have been the sweetest wedding gift ever!

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

LH: I dont think I could ever be a planner. There is so much involved and I am amazed at what planners are able to pull off!

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

LH: I would like to think of myself as different than some others in my industry for several reasons. 13 years of expereince and punctuality and the amount of detail and effort I put into making a wedding day run smoothly. Being equipped to be onsite with a bride is a huge help. Everything from being in contact with the brides and wedding vendors to the bride's consultation. Making sure that the bride and her wedding party have a schedule for the day of the wedding to allow them the piece of mind that hair is completed on time. It is a special service different than most.

Rainy Day Weddings Part 9

2009-03-31T13:43:00.001-07:00

John Santerre

For many brides, talking about rain on their wedding day is tantamount to heresy and it is something that photographers and wedding planners do only with great trepidation. But my best story came from an urban, sophisticated NYC bride. Concerned how she might respond I gingerly said, “You know, we really should make some plans in case the predicted rains come in.” To my surprise her face lit up and she beamed. Her response (and I quote) was, “Oh don’t you worry. I just bought the most fabulous pair of Pink Galoshes!”(Hence the blog)

Umbrellas are beautiful. The light as it breaks through clouds is spectacular. Think of bright white umbrellas over your bridal party. Rainy wedding photography almost always has a unique and distinct quality that will make you photos stand out.

Just remember to protect your shoes.

Rainy Day Weddings Part 8

2009-03-31T13:42:00.002-07:00

Kim Chapman

Don't be afraid of the RAIN! They can be some of the most SPECTACULAR shots! Do be prepared with several matching umbrellas for the wedding party! Be daring! Run out into the rain! Catch the rainbow if you can!!

Rainy Day Weddings Part 7

2009-03-31T13:42:00.001-07:00

Jules Bianchi

If there is rain on your wedding day, don’t be afraid to go outside! It doesn’t have to be for very long, but dark clouds and a big umbrella to cozy up with your honey under make for some really dramatic photographs. When it rains, its possible to get cool reflections in puddles or wear funky galoshes with your gown! Rain doesn’t have to ruin your day – let your photographer use it to get really creative shots for you.

Rainy Day Weddings Part 6

2009-03-31T13:41:00.002-07:00

Roxanne Ashey

Let me preface my thought by saying: having been a wedding photographer in New England for 15 years, and last year seeing one of the rainiest seasons for weddings ever (it was almost every Saturday), I can say that even if it does rain part of the day, it almost always has some time where the skies are clear, sometimes even sunny...I have selected 5 weddings from last summer to show that just because there is a little or sometimes allot of rain on your wedding day-be in an outdoor or indoor event, with the right planning (a tent, flexibility on where/when your couple photos are taken, maybe some pretty pink rain boots) you can still have some stunning photos...and as a photographer, the best/even light comes on over cast days. If you hire the right photographer, they can always work with whatever weather conditions you have and still create some incredible images. In the end, you marry the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and the weather will just be a part of what your memories of your wedding day are. Rain can't stop the fun, or the love.

Rainy Day Weddings Part 5

2009-03-31T13:41:00.001-07:00

Sharyn Peavey

The first image of the couple on the boat... we were being followed by a Thunderstorm. Lightening was behind us and big random drops of rain fell while we were boating the reception, added to the suspense!

The following images were taken on a rainy saturday in september. Because we knew of the hurricane coming, the grooms mother had purchased a multitude of large umbrellas for the wedding party to use to go the short walk from the old town hall to the reception. it made it kind of fun!

the first image of the bride walking and the groom following, we were heading out to do a few dusk shots and the rain was a steady mist, but it made everything lush and the bricks shine, like what they do in movies to make the scene more vibrant and the environment more noticeable. i liked it!

the second images are of sarah and george taken on a very rainy May day. If it rains in May and the tulips are out, I can't help but think back to their wedding. Again the colors were lush and moody... it worked!

Rainy Day Weddings Part 4

2009-03-31T13:40:00.003-07:00

Nadra Edgerley

Weather has the ability to take you away from where you are... to make the moment so unexpected it feels like you're in a fairy tale. The light in the fog or in an overcast day is the best light for photos anyway, so embrace it and enjoy!

placed 9th in the wpja Q4 2008 contest in the weather category

Rainy Day Weddings Part 3

2009-03-31T13:40:00.001-07:00

David Murray

If you know inclement weather is coming, one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is that the bride and groom set the tone for the day.. If they're enjoying the rain and having a great time then your guests will enjoy the day as well. For stylish and classic outdoor photos, consider buying a few white umbrellas.

Rainy Day Weddings Part 2

2009-03-31T13:39:00.001-07:00

Michelle Turner

So many brides are disappointed when the weather report calls for anything other than sun. However, rainy/overcast days can often produce dramatic skies that look incredible in photographs and you don't have to worry about harsh shadows or squinting. Many brides are choosing to take their photographs outside in the rain and fog- with an umbrella in a downpour and without if the rain is just spitting. Some of my favorite photographs in my portfolio are from rainy and/or foggy days!

Rainy Day Weddings Part 1

2009-03-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

A lot of brides are concerned with the one thing they have no control over... the weather. For outdoor weddings, the weather can certainly put a damper on things but if you plan ahead and have a great "rain scenario," it won't matter what the sky is doing.

I thought it would be a good idea to show some of the images that are captured from rainy day weddings and to ask some of my favorite photographers to give a bit of advice concerning the subject matter.. I'm going to post each photographer individually to make it easier to read and enjoy each photo!

Amy Salerno

On rainy days you get really wonderful light that makes the photos soft and moody, and I think really romantic. Besides, what's more romantic than holding your sweetie close while sharing an umbrella?

Vendor Series Interview No. 6, Claudia Kronenberg

2009-03-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Claudia Kronenberg is a photographer based on Nantucket and although we haven't had the pleasure of working with her directly, she has established herself by far as one of the most talented photographers on the Cape....not to mention Boston as well! Take a look at her website and enjoy the interview!

Claudia Kronenberg Photography

Claudia Kronenberg

Her amazing work!

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

CK: Meeting the bride and groom and hearing their story; I love stories and people and love to hear their path to the wedding day. I also love it when they connect to my work and get teary watching my slideshow of images. It gives me such pleasure that my work moves people to tears sometimes. Shooting is, of course, a blast too.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

CK: Again, the people and their stories and being part of their life’s history in the making.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

CK: That you can have a nice wedding on the cheap. I think it’s important to be realistic about your budget and not skimp on making it simply awesome.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

CK: I was working at the local newspaper as staff photographer and a friend asked me to shoot her wedding.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

CK: A Planner! It is extremely important to give this job to someone so that the bride can enjoy her day carefree.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

CK: Claudia Kronenberg Photography, hands down. Our service, our experience, our talent, our professionalism, our end product.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

CK: They are all special and unique. I don’t have a favorite story. I think the brides and grooms who relax and really enjoy themselves make the best weddings.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

CK: I don’t know!

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

CK: I have been in the business 16 years now and really have moved with the times and have an experience level that many photographers don’t bring to the table. As a photographer I wear many different photographers’ hats: portrait, artistic, journalistic, landscape, sports and these all come together to make a balanced photographer. Also, after the wedding is shot (which is just one aspect of the coverage) I find that the creation of the slideshow or album to be just as important as the shooting. From the moment you contact us until we are finished you receive exemplary service.

Vendor Series Interview No. 5, Praez Occasions Couture Invitations

2009-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Through our recent joining of Facebook, we discovered Praez Occasions Couture Invitations, a fabulous custom invitation studio located in Hamden, CT.. Funny enough I grew up in Wallingford,CT which is the next town over! Small world right? Well, these two ladies really have their designs together... take a look at their website for more incredible designs and enjoy the interview!

Praez Occasions Couture Invitations

Zeb and Rae

Their incredible invitations!

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

Z&R: Our favorite part of the wedding process is the design process. Whether it's event design, dress design, or invitation design...it's all about the manifestation of the bride and groom's dreams . For us, there's nothing like seeing the bride's (and groom's) face when they come to pick up their invitations, and they're exactly what the couple envisioned, or better than they expected. It's wonderfully rewarding to know that we help them make memories that they'll cherish for years to come.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

Z&R: What we love most about our job is that we are purveyors of fine details that make each invitation distinctive and special. We absolutely love to shop for jewels, papers, fonts, and unique materials that set each design apart from each other, so the client gets a truly individual expression of their own.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Z&R: The biggest misconception about our industry is where invitations fall on the bridal priority list. Often, invitations are one of the last things considered, which is a huge mistake. The wedding invitation sets the tone for the event, and are part of the overall scheme of the event design. They tell your guests what kind of event they are expecting to be a part of - average or exquisite. This dictates the guests' behaviors and attitudes about the event - how to dress, and even more importantly, how to gift.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

Z&R: We started as graphic designers, providing in-house printing services. The demand for our invitation designs increased so much and so consistently that we had to create a separate business entity just for that service. And we haven't looked back!

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

Z&R: Another wedding vendor (not in our industry) that we highly recommend is Matthew Wagner (Matthew J. Wagner Fine Photography). His work is simply jaw-dropping. He doesn't just capture a shot, he captures a memory, a moment in time. You can feel the raw emotions of the couple and their guests just jumping out of the photo at you...it's awesome!

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

Z&R: A wedding vendor in our industry that we would recommend is designer Sherri Weese of Simply Unique Invitations, because she has a similar affinity for clean designs and fine embellishments, particularly her collection of Swarovski brooches!

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

Z&R: Our favorite wedding story so far comes from one of our current clients, Tracy and Mike. They're getting married May 2009. When they came to get their invitations, it was Tracy (the bride, of course) that was completely into it, and excited, while Mike was very laid back about the whole thing. Just prior to the delivery of their invitations, Tracy asked that we print all of their recipient's addresses on the mailing envelopes. She absolutely loved her design, and after seeing the physical sample, could not see having the envelopes done any other way. It took Mike so long to get his part of the guest list finalized, she released us to print her envelopes only, and deliver his envelopes blank because it wasn't a real priority for him, and "he'd probably have them done in crayon!" Within about a day or so after delivery, Tracy called back to say that Mike was ready to go with his guest list, because her envelopes were so beautiful that he got jealous, and wanted his done too!

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

Z&R: We most definitely would not want to be a wedding or event planner. It's enough work bringing the invitation to life, we couldn't imagine replicating that kind of effort on every other aspect of the wedding as well!

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

Z&R: What separates us from our industry peers is our professional design services. We do not use templates, we create custom designs for each client based on their personal style, their distinct vision for the wedding, and other factors that we learn about during our initial consultation. We also create new design concepts several times per year, because not every couple knows what they want at first, and seeing the latest bridal trends and our cutting edge ideas can be extremely helpful in defining the look of their ensemble. The icing on that cake is that we don't impose high minimums and or spending thresholds, so we can accommodate any size event, any size budget.

We LOVE Martha Stewart but...

2009-03-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

There are a few things MS likes to show brides that are so unreasonable either due to the unrealistic nature of the flowers they like to work with or the complexity of the items they are suggesting... We have more brides carrying around Martha Stewart Weddings than any other magazine and her word is the end-all-be-all for many brides. I think for the most part they have beautiful concepts and inspirations for brides, although they create such high expectations around the "perfect" wedding. The details all have to match, the ribbons formed a specific way, the colors all in the same family. It makes it difficult for brides to understand the reality of their wedding... It's so much more important to sit back and enjoy the overall event when it comes time to actually get married.. Don't forget, that's what started all the planning, a wedding ceremony. I thought it would be slightly humorous to speak my mind about MS and to see how many people have issues with my opinion...Here are a few photos and examples of what we're talking about...

All images are from Martha Stewart

Probably our biggest gripe, Hydrangea is NOT suitable for a boutonniere. It will die in a matter of minutes and will look terrible.

A lot of her DIY ideas are really creative but not the most sensible or practical... take these PAPER boutonnieres...

Some of her ideas have the right intentions, such as including your guests, but they are often over the top in scale or expense... Take a look at these boutonnieres for EVERY guest at your wedding.

Martha Stewart is certainly known for her eye for details and one of the more popular examples of this would be her ideas on favors.. here are a few examples of the detailed, DIY favor boxes she suggests you add to your already growing list of bridal duties... have fun with your hole puncher....

Find different types of yarn to tie these favors

Hole punch away

Different shades of origami paper were used to create this favor box

I suppose there is always a need for inspiration in this industry... I just think that it's imperative to give reasonable and attainable inspirations.... let the discussions begin!

Vendor Series Interview No. 4, Signature Events

2009-03-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Amy Piper of Signature Events is a wedding and event planner in the Lakes Region of NH. She works with clients throughout the country looking for a New England destination wedding. The word on the street is she's also a very talented photographer... Here are a few photos of her work, take a look at her website, and enjoy the interview!

www.signatureeventsnh.com

Amy Piper

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

AP: I would say that my favorite part of the wedding process is seeing everything come to fruition on the day of the wedding. I find that I work with most brides for almost a year during the planning process and it is always so rewarding to see everything that we have worked on come together in the end.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

AP: Well, certainly I love working with the people who are a part of the wedding industry as well as the clients. I value the friendships that have been formed with the majority of my clients over the years. I also love working with all of the details that come with planning a wedding or an event. As I always say, the more details the better!

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

AP: The biggest misconception I find is that a bride looking to have her wedding at a public venue versus at a personal, private property is much more likely to feel that she does not need to hire an outside wedding coordinator because she has been convinced that the wedding coordinator that works for the public venue is all she needs. Of course, this is truly not the case, so it always best to take a little time to educate a bride on the differences between our roles as wedding coordinators.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

AP: Signature Events was formed with encouragement from friends who had seen my event planning skills and experience through the volunteer work I did for various organizations. They also encouraged me based on my ability to create a fine arts and crafts show that I ran out of my home for 8 years. A Gathering of Friends was a 2 day event featuring the work of over 35 juried artisans. Their comments to me were “you’re so good at what you do, why don’t you consider getting paid for what you do!”, and thus Signature Events was formed! I am excited to say that I am celebrating my 10 year Anniversary this year! In my business I actually plan not only weddings, but I also enjoy planning corporate events, themed events, golf tournaments, etc. I love the variety!

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

AP: There are really so many wedding vendors that play an important role in the overall success of the day, but I would say SperryTents Seacoast. Their tents are not only beautiful, but also different from any other tent company in their quality of craftsmanship. The owner, Bancroft Potter, as well as the members of his staff and tent crew is professional, courteous and a pleasure to work with.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

AP: I love the work of Mary Dann. Her work is beautiful, sometimes simple, but always elegant.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious.

AP: I’ll probably never forget one of my weddings from last summer. It was right around the time of the tornado, so the weather had been pretty unpredictable. With the ceremony being on an island, we lucked out weather wise when it came to transporting all of the guests by boats to the island. In fact, we even got them back to shore safely for the reception without any incident of rain. But it seemed as soon as the last guest was brought to shore, the skies opened up for the remainder of the day! Before we knew it, a portion of the tent leading to the bar (of all places!) was under water. Luckily, the venue had several wooden planks that we used to create a bridge to get over the water. The father of the bride was awesome and despite efforts to persuade him that he should return to the cocktail hour and that everything would be fine, he pitched right in! With shoes wet and ruined, the father of the bride and I were barefoot for most of the evening! Despite the trials and tribulations of the weather, the bride, groom and their guests were in great spirits all evening. At the end of the evening, the father picked me up off the ground in a big bear hug and told me how grateful he was to me for such a wonderful day!
I drove the 45 minutes home soaked to the bone, but with a huge smile on my face!

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

AP: I am not sure there are any I love all aspects of the event planning industry. Anything that involves details and the planning of an event whether it is a wedding, corporate, special event, etc is right up my alley!

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

AP: Speaking for myself only, I know that when a client hires me, I am dedicated to their every need during the planning process. I try to separate work from personal life, so that I have time for both, but quite often find myself working late in the office, answering phone calls or responding to emails at various hours of the evening and making myself readily available to my clients even in what should be my “off” hours. Also, I am not sure if other planners offer photography as an extra bonus when they are hired, but I do! I have had a love for photography since I was a little and as my gift to the bride and groom, I take as many photos as possible at their wedding (making sure not to interfere with the professional photographer, of course!). Over the years, I have received some great comments about my “eye” for photography from both my clients and from professional photographers. I find those comments to be so rewarding.

What is the bride experience on My Kate Parker Wedding?

2009-03-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be a good idea to walk you through My KPW from the bride's perspective. Take a look and let me know what you think!

click to enlarge image

Vendor Series Interview No. 3, Emilie Inc.

2009-03-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Emilie Sommer, owner of Emilie Inc, is a fantastic photographer based in Portland, ME. We get to work with Emilie throughout the summer and are always excited when we get the chance to do so! Her work can be seen on her website and if you get a minute you should visit her beautiful studio- by appointment only :)

www.emilieinc.com.

Here are a few of her favorite shots and enjoy the interview!

Emilie Sommer

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

ES: I have always been starry-eyed about weddings. I love all the intricate details involved in planning, the warm fuzzy feeling about two people in love and freezing those moments in time in a photograph. It’s a contagious dancing-through-daisies kind of good feeling. My most favorite bit is the friendships formed with my clients. I truly feel a part of their celebration when their big day rolls around, as I make a point to get to know my brides and grooms well. I much prefer they consider me one of their friends, rather than hired help, on the most important day of their lives thus far.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

ES: My background is in photojournalism. I worked as a photographer at USA Today and a photo editor at The Washington Post, among other papers, and was always against a deadline or elbowing other photographers for better position at an assignment on Capitol Hill. Now, as a business owner and the only invited photographer to a wedding, I feel a tremendous honor in capturing a couple's wedding day thoughtfully and with great attention to detail.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

ES: That it's easy. There is a surge of new photographers in the market lately who have no prior experience but have simply picked up a digital camera and launched a website. I've seen a handful of folks succeed at this route, but most fail. I firmly believe a strong education of skills is necessary as a foundation first.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

ES: As an editorial photographer, I used to scoff at the idea of photographing weddings. While I was living in Washington, DC, I photographed my cousin's wedding as a gift on the coast of Maine in 2001. And wouldn't you know, I loved it! I captured it my way, as I would a news story. It wasn't long after that photojournalism style weddings become trendy. I continued to dabble in weddings on the side, and left the newspaper to officially launch my business in 2003.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

ES: I am lucky to be in the position of bride-to-be right now! We are having Jules Bianchi of LA photograph our April wedding. Her fun spirit and artistic eye will be a welcome addition to our destination wedding.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

ES: I could go on and on about all the fantastic vendors I have worked with! I think there are many styles and personalities to choose from, and I encourage couples to do their research to find the best fit that's right for them. I have a short list of vendors I share with my brides and grooms, to help jumpstart this sometimes overwhelming process.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

ES: There are so many! The time the HUGE black snake writhered between the bride and groom during their garden ceremony and everyone ran, including me! The time the father of the bride called the groom by the wrong name (an ex!) during his toast! The time the best man kissed the bride during the reception and asked me to photograph it! Crazy! Mostly, tho, my favorite wedding moments are the tender ones. I find myself tearing up during ceremonies and toasts, more often then not, enveloped in the love and excitement of the day. I never see my role as a job, per say, it's a responsibility.

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

ES: Cakes. I have a major sweet tooth. :)

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

ES: As a child, I used to play office instead of house. Back in 2001 after photographing my cousin's wedding and loving it, I stayed up all night one night outlining my goals and dreams and have never lost that focus. I really love my life, and every day am proud to be a business owner living the dream. I couldn't have done it without tremendous hard work and the education I received (photojournalism degree from Syracuse University). I am fortunate that I've been able to expand my reach, giving back and educating other photographers with my Roots Workshop (www.rootsworkshop.com), networking with other like-minded photographers (www.newsweddingphotographers.com) and doing my part to help fund a cure for breast cancer with my wedding industry non-profit (www.pinkinitiative.org).

Vendor Series Interview No. 2 Flora Fauna

2009-03-20T11:29:00.001-07:00

Flora Fauna is a wonderful floral and event design studio in North Yarmouth, Maine. We had the pleasure of working with Judy and her team last February at the Retreat at French's Point for the wedding of RFP's owner, Jessika Brooks. What creativity and attention to detail as you will see in the following images. Enjoy the interview!

www.florafaunaweddings.com

Judy Bourgeois

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?
JB The big reveal......seeing the bride and grooms reaction to the finished product.....

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?
JB: I am like a kid in the candy shop when I go to market to get flowers....just smelling it, touching them.......and yes I kiss all my blooms!

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
JB: Brides are always asking what flowers are "in season" to help save money on their flower budget....I hear that quite a bit. Being a florist in Maine, we have a very short "season". Most all flowers are flown in from all over the world and available year round (minus a few favorites like Peonies and Lily of the Valley). If you want to save money on flowers looking for "local flowers" may help. For us here in Maine, that is very limited due to our short season.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?
JB: by accident.....always had a garden and brought flowers to every dinner party....friend asked to do her wedding and it was photographed by Jamie Bloomquist...he put my stuff up on his wedding website and the snowball began.....

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?
JB: Emilie, Inc...I love her style of photography and her personality....makes me whistle while I work to have good vendors around me......

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?
JB: Alda Stich....she has such beautiful blooms...I would die for all the gardenias she grows in her greenhouse! (sadly she won't sell them to me)

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious.
JB: I went to deliver boutnieres to the groom's party and the groom answered the door in his boxers.......he couldn't find his pants so I helped them look for the pants....which we never found.....used the best man's pants....two sizes to small.......

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?
JB: I would not want to be the chef.....have been there and done that! way to much pressure.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?
JB: I was an elementary school teacher for 12 years before I did the job.......my intuition and keen assessment of situations helps me to understand brides even when they don't know what they want or are overwelmed by the details of a wedding...most of my brides will say....."that is exactly what I wanted..." or family members will say "she knows you so well......that is so you!"

How should a bride spend her money?

2009-03-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge

A wedding budget is a very complex thing to put down on paper... I don't know who came up with the approximate percentages that are currently out there, but I feel that they are not accurate for today's bride and are certainly not flexible in terms of venue styles and extras. I thought it would be helpful to spell out how our clients usually spend their money and to mention a few of the add ons that NEED to be considered. The above chart will show you how the following percentages translate to four approximate budgets.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE 45%-55% This should include everything- facility fees, food and alcohol, tax, gratuity. These extras really add up, tax and gratuity can be close to 30% of your total food and beverage so make sure you include these in your overall budget.

EVENT DESIGN 10%-12% Brides today don't realize when they talk about flowers, custom napkin folds, candles, lighting, lounge furniture that they're talking about Event Design, not just about flowers. This is a much more all encompassing total that reflects what brides are looking for today.

RENTALS 3%-5% If you want to upgrade your chairs to Chivaris or add a special linen, this is what you should expect to spend. This covers tableware for a reception venue. If you're working with a TENT, your rentals will significantly increase to 7%-10%. This allows for everything to be brought in- tables, chairs, china, glassware, flatware, linens, napkins, even some equipment for your caterer.

TENT RENTALS 10%-20% This is a significant amount of money, but no one said a tent wedding is less expensive than a reception venue wedding. In fact, they are always MORE money because of the number of items that have to be brought in. Tent rentals can be relatively simple, from your main tent, catering tent and perimeter lights to a fully leveled hardwood floor, marquees to the parking lot, a stage for the band, and the list can go on and on. Other items will increase when dealing with a tent such as tableware rentals, transportation, and don't forget restroom trailers!

RESTROOM TRAILERS 2%-3% If you're having a TENTED wedding, this is something you have to account for. Your house is most likely not prepared for hundreds of toilet flushes and/or the open field isn't the most appropriate place for a ladies powder room. There are many different levels of restrooms to rent, from a port-a-potty to the presidential.

PHOTOGRAPHY 8%-10% Brides will usually splurge more on photography than in any other area of their wedding almost to the point where a % isn't applicable here. I would suggest using this as a guide for your coverage, multiple shooters, and maybe some credit towards your album. Sometimes brides want to spend this % on just the coverage to have their dream photographer and this is fine to do... a good solution would be to spend your money up front on the coverage and wait and save for a year or so for your album. Be up front with your photographer about your financial situation so they know what to expect on the production end of things.

MUSIC 8%-10% Music is also a tricky element to a wedding. Some think their wedding will be ruined without a band while others think an IPOD is an appropriate DJ. You have to remember that there are really 4 sections of your wedding that require music: Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Dinner Hour, Dancing. If the sky is the limit with your budget, consider live music for all aspects of your wedding. If you don't have the budget but really want live music, consider a duo or trio for your ceremony who can play for your cocktail hour and then have a DJ for dinner and dancing. There are many combinations that work here, allowing for a lot of creativity in your musical styles.

VIDEOGRAPHY 3%-5% Ok... I don't know if I really agree with this one as some videographers are just as expensive as photographers but this is a general price range. There are a lot of different packages that are available, some just give you the raw footage, others will edit everything down into a concise 10 minute montage. Look for someone with a similar style to your photographer and remember, less is more here. The last thing you want is a camera with a bright white light chasing you around the dance floor...

CAKE 2%-4% Some brides love the tradition of a cake, others could care less. We see a lot of splurging here too. Expect to pay a premium for any ornate designs or sugar paste flowers. Simple cakes of buttercream with fresh flowers won't cost as much as fondant covered cakes with custom lace patterns to match your dress. All cakes should taste delicious, otherwise you're wasting your money. The sheet cake myth about saving lots and lots of money isn't really that true. Yes the sheet cake won't have any ornate design or sugar paste flowers, but cake costs what it costs. If you have a large amount of guests at your wedding but don't want a large cake, sheet cakes are a great idea. Same concept for saving time... having the cake already cut up in the kitchen is much more convenient for your caterer and more enjoyable for your guests.

FAVORS 1%-2% Brides spend lots of money on favors, not always thinking about their guests and their tastes. Word of advice, don't monogram or date anything for your favors. Your guests won't really want to use something that has your name or wedding date on it... too personal for them. Edible favors are by far the most popular, allowing for creative ways to display and present them to your guests. Candles are passe, as are wine stoppers, mini picture frames, and any type of confetti or tulle netting... sorry to be blunt but it's the truth.

TRANSPORTATION 2%-4% You might not need any transportation, but this should include getting the bride and bridal party to the ceremony and reception as well as getting your guests from their hotels to the ceremony and reception and back at night. You might even need to rent a ferry to get your guests to the reception, so this total has to be well thought out. You can rent limos, town cars, coach buses, trolleys, ferries, airplanes, and even over-the-sand vehicles for very special locations :) If you're dealing with a TENTED wedding, this might increase significantly as your guests will need parking. Valet services should be included in your overall transportation budget.

PAPER PRODUCTS 3%-6% Your complete paper products package should include your Save the Date, Invitations, Menus, Place Cards, Escort Cards, Table numbers, Programs, Thank You Cards, and anything else you might come up with. Definitely a splurge item for those brides who appreciate pretty packages and fabulous printing processes. Don't forget there is a significant difference between the types of printing- thermography being the least expensive to engraving which is the most expensive.

HAIR AND MAKE UP 1%-3% You can choose to do your own hair and makeup, or you can decide to relax and leave it up to the professionals... I would highly suggest the later of the two options on your wedding day. Make up and Hair artists will either have you come to their salon or they will travel to see you. Traveling is more expensive but COMPLETELY worth it. You don't have to worry about traffic, getting lost, people parking etc. You can create a very relaxing area for yourself and your bridal party at your house or hotel, having a pre-wedding party as you get beautified.

CEREMONY/OFFICIANT FEES 1%-2% Sometimes this is a simple donation and other times you're asked to shell out 2-3k to rent a church for 30 minutes. Be prepared up front for custodial fees, parking fees, donations, and musician fees here... usually not too bad in terms of your total but you should be aware of all of your options.

ATTIRE 8%-10% Personally I think this is the hardest % to come up with. Brides will spend thousands on their dresses just because it's THE DRESS, others will spend $100.00 on a simple sheath that looks fabulous on them. The industry standard presides here, just to keep things simple and straightforward.

WEDDING PLANNER >20% As a wedding planner, I don't think we should cost more than 20% of a bride's total budget. Some work off of a %, others work off of a flat fee. Planners are an essential part of the wedding industry, allowing brides to relax and enjoy the process. We make sure everything has been taken care of, loose ends have been tied, and the overall look of the event reflects the bride's vision to the smallest detail. At least that's what we expect of ourselves....

EXTRAS 5% Something extra always comes up, so you should have a bit of money prepared for these items. Maybe you want sparklers or even fireworks. Welcome baskets, custom lighting, a chocolate buffet, or an ice sculpture? The options are endless so you might want to save a bit more for this category.... especially if you're all about the details.

2009-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Introducing MY Kate Parker Wedding. An online wedding planning resource and vendor directory created from a wedding planner's standpoint. We are revolutionizing the way weddings are planned with a combination of new technology to the industry, a rigorous vendor application process, and the overall knowledge of weddings we've collected over the 6 years we've been in business. We know weddings and we want to share that information with every bride who finds our site.

There is a VERY distinct difference between MY Kate Parker Wedding and ANY other wedding related resource out there. We are creating a website that drives brides to vendors based on their budget and wedding location, giving brides the best of the best vendors in each individual budget category. Here's a brief synopsis of how the website works:

1. Brides will search for any wedding related category on line: NH wedding photographer, ME wedding cake, RI wedding band etc etc.

2. MY Kate Parker Wedding will be one of the first websites, if not the first, that pops up in both the natural search and through Google Adwords. We are creating a MAJOR Adwords campaign as well as SEO (search engine optimization) metatags as the website is being programmed.

3. Once at MY KPW, a bride will be asked to fill out a simple profile:
a. Name, email address, login, password
b. State where her wedding is being held
c. Approximate budget- under 25k, 25k-50k, 50k-80k, 80k and above
d. Are there any vendors already booked? If so, there will be a place to fill that information in

4. Once the bride has logged into MY KPW, the website becomes tailored to her needs. Planning tools will include:
a. My Profile
b. My Budget
c. My To Do List
d. Vendor Directory
e. Photo Galleries
f. Inspiration Weddings
g. Expert Advice
i. Scheduled live chats with vendors

5. The technology behind the site is what separates it from any other wedding resource. The website is intuitive, learning from the information the bride provides, from photos she saves in her profile, vendors she's already booked, colors she is gravitating towards. Every piece of information- text or photo- will be tagged as it's uploaded to the website, creating a vast library of information each bride will have access to. The key, however, is that instead of throwing too much information, thousands of photos, and confusing editorial like some of the other sites out there tend to do, MY Kate Parker Wedding believes in the "less is more" approach, showing each bride exactly what they're looking for. If a bride has booked her venue but not her photographer or florist, she will be shown featured editorial by photographers and florists as opposed to venues. If a bride has saved a lot of photos that are in the green family, MY Kate Parker Wedding will start showing her green themed inspiration weddings, or bouquets that are green, or any editorial written on the color green. If a bride is getting married in May, MY Kate Parker Wedding will show her flower photos that are appropriate for the spring, or will talk about the weather conditions or state specific holidays that might be occurring in May. That's the beauty of this technology- each bride gets VERY targeted planning tools so she doesn't' have to sift through hundreds of vendors, multiple websites for inspirational photos that aren't always attainable within her budget, and she feels like she has a "wedding planner" online who is guiding her through this process.

6. A weekly newsletter will be sent out to each bride, specific to her state and wedding budget. This will show any new vendors, inspiration weddings, new photos that have been uploaded to the website. It will also be personalized to show her the next few items to be completed on her to-do list and it will take into account any information- colors, vendors still waiting to be booked- that will get her to return to MY Kate Parker Wedding to do further research.

I can go on and on about the specifics of the website and I will, page by page as we go along. I wanted to give everyone an idea of what we're cooking up here at the KPW studio, as we are SO excited about this new venture and I know it will be an extremely successful planning tool for any bride who finds it on the web. We plan to launch MY Kate Parker Wedding on January 1st, 2010, starting with all 6 New England states and New York City. We will be opening additional states once we launch in January, eventually having a nationwide network of MY Kate Parker Weddings websites for every state in the country!

If you'd like to learn more about this necessary resource, please feel free to email or facebook us. I'd love to chat about it live with you at any time!

info@kateparkerweddings.com

Vendor Series Interview No. 1, Claris Photography

2009-03-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

I am starting a new series of blog entries, interviewing vendors in the industry I highly recommend and enjoy working with. We're starting today with Liesl Clark from Claris Photography out of Wilton, NH. Take a look at her website www.clarisphotography.com for more of her work. Here are a few of her favorite shots to take a peek at!

Liesl Clark

KP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

LC: I have always loved shooting the Bride getting ready. It is such a feminine, intimate and fun time of the day. It is something most women have done in one way or the other since they were little girls playing dress-up together so on a wedding day it's sort of the ultimate girl time. Also, this has given me an opportunity as a photographer to open doors into the Boudoir category of my business.

KP: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

LC: I really enjoy working with people. If my photograph doesn't have a person in it somewhere, it just isn't as rewarding to me. I like the collaboration of a person working with me to make a shot really effective - even when that person is just having his/her moment and I am there to catch it........very rewarding.

KP: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

LC: That Uncle Joe or Aunt Suzie can do the job as a photographer at the wedding just as well a pro could do. Couples get burned every time they try this concept in order to save some money.

KP: How did you get into the wedding industry?

LC: My husband and I combined our names (Clark and Harris) and our talent and started our business Claris Photography.

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LC: I can't say enough good things about choosing the right band. Music is a huge part of the wedding day and can spoil the atmosphere or pull it all together depending on the proper fit. My all time favorite Band/DJ/MC mix is Pure Energy (Johnny Kelly)

KP: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

LC: I like the work of Tom Gibbons out of Bedford.......His work sets a tone of beauty and grace. It has a calming effect on me when I look at anything he does - just classic.

KP: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious

LC: My favorite story involves pure catastrophe......It happened in the beginning of our photography career at a Greek wedding when my husband Richard and I worked together. I am not sure which is funnier now that I look back on it...him walking backwards into a dripping 12 candle candelabra while he was getting shots of the bride and groom leaving the church after the ceremony OR rear-ending the Rolls which also contained the bride and groom. If I could have fired him that day, I would have! (And that is the only mistake I will ever admit to!)

KP: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

LC: Videography doesn't interest me at all. I have great appreciation for those in the business - but I love capturing the still moment that says it all.

KP: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

LC: I think I have an understanding that photography isn't just about taking good pictures. While it is the obvious most important aspect of my job there is so much more to it. Maybe if I worked for a studio just as a hired photographer it would be different..but I own my studio so if you hire a photographer at my studio you get ME. I start the process with you, communicate all through the planning stages, and end with you -providing great images. I feel it becomes a relationship - even as couples start having a family they come back to me. In a society where we drive through to eat, press buttons on the phone to get help from a computerized voice, and rarely get personal customer service, I see my studio as more of a connection with couples I want to do a great job for.....in a personal way.

The new KPW Business venture- MY Kate Parker Wedding

2009-03-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

I am going to start posting about MY Kate Parker Wedding starting with the final four logo options. I would love your opinions as to your favorite! Stay tuned for more information about this revolutionizing concept!! KP

The First Moment- why brides and grooms should see each other before the ceremony

2009-03-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of brides who cringe when I ask them if they'd like to see their groom before the ceremony... "It's tradition, I don't want to jinx anything," is a common answer. Do you actually know how this tradition came about? Kate Mann looked into it and found this excerpt from Emily Post:

Can’t I see my fiancée before the Wedding on the big day?

Q: My mother insists that I not see my bride-to-be on the day of the wedding until the ceremony. Is this customary in today’s weddings?

A: Most couples today have disregarded the musty old superstition of the bridegroom not seeing his bride before the ceremony on the day of the wedding. The superstition stems from the days when marriages were arranged and the groom might never have seen the bride. There was a chance that he might take one look at her and bolt – so it was often safer for them to meet for the first time at the altar! This, of course, is a custom that these days certainly does not need to be followed, unless of course it’s something you both feel strongly about.

So, since that really isn't the case too often anymore, why not consider this taboo? Not only is it a great way to schedule your photos and ensure you ENJOY your cocktail hour, the moment is always magical- beyond words actually. That's why I asked three fabulous photographers in New England to send me some of their favorite "First Moment" shots... take a look and tell me you wouldn't love to experience this yourself?

Photos by Emilie Inc.

Photos by Liesl Clark, Claris Photography

Photos by Claudia Kronenberg