Nicole and Neil’s wedding was full of meaningful details, beginning with where it all began, their families.  Beneath a ‘tree’ that dripped with orchids and crystals, were images of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents that comprised their family tree.

The next detail that inspired the ‘rustic glam’ feel of the wedding was the owl!  Whoooooo made appearances throughout the event! See if you can spot him!

The place card table was covered in a bed of moss, as was the bride and groom’s last initial, which hung above it.

Nicole’s Dad cut this tree slice, which served as the perfect cake stand! Love the touch of fiddle head fern on top of the cake, and in Nicole’s bouquet!

As guests left the reception, they were greeted on the street by a hot dog vendor, Franks for the Memories, who dished up  hot dogs, made to order!

Our Vendors:

Ceremony: Greene Road Church

Reception venue:  Spohn Ballroom

Caterer: Pumpernickles Catering

Floral: Poppies, Inc.

Photography: Amber Raeder Photography

Photo Booth: Fun Zone Photo Booths

Bakery: Adams Bake Shop

DJ: DJ Mayor Mike

Outdoor hot dog vendor: Franks for the Memories

This is a posting from Sasha Souza’s blog, Sparkliatti.  You know that old saying, ‘you get what you pay for’…..read on…

Let Me Clarify – You Can Always Get It Cheaper…

There’s one thing that I definitely know in life and that is you can always buy something cheaper – telephone service, flights, cars, office supplies, SEO optimization, wedding gowns, pharmaceuticals, wedding flowers, catering….wedding & event planners.  You name it and I’ll betcha there’s somebody out there that can give it to you cheaper…  I think that the question that people miss is:  But Will It Be What I Want?

Let me give you a scenario that happened to me last year.  I sent out a floral & decor proposal for an event that wasn’t huge and over the top.  It was for a nice party and right in line with the type of events we do.  Prior to sending it out, I had gone through and made a few things optional for the client so that they could add in some of the “nice to haves”.  Exactly what I told them I would do when they hired me.

Then, the phone rings….it’s the Mother of the Bride.  We’ll call her Carol.

Carol:  “Sasha…in this economy how can you, in good conscience, send me a floral proposal THIS high?”

Please know that I had been through the proposal backwards & forwards and it met all of the required components that the bride simply HAD to have.

ME:  “Thanks for your call, Carol, I sent it because I believe it fits the desires of Melanie (name of bride has been changed) and I did shave a lot off to try to meet your budget”

Carol:  “But Sasha, how in the world do you expect us to pay for this?  We have decided we don’t want to spend more than X”  {this would have been nice to know at the beginning, by the way}

ME:  “Please let me know what you would like to cut and we are happy to  make any changes you like.  We can switch from long tables to rounds & squares, change the design of the flowers…”{basically, I gave her 15 options to make changes}

Carol:  “But Sasha, Melanie wants all that and we expect that in this economy people are hungry for business and would be willing to make a little less profit for the job”

{quizzical look which garners the side note that in this economy, business owners are more likely going to want a higher profit from each job, not lower to compensate for fewer jobs overall – thereby providing the contracted & paid for services ONLY and not over and above the contracted services}

ME: “Carol, I’m not sure that’s the case, but let me just say that I’ve found out something in life and in business…you can always get something cheaper but it will not be the wedding your daughter wants, it will only be the price you like.” {if you use this in your business, feel free to say “well, Sasha Souza says…”}

Why have I told you this story? Because it’s true and the statement that I made at the end is an important one when educating couples and ourselves on weddings and what we get for our money. It’s easy to say you want a centerpiece to be smaller or “not over the top” or “simple”.  Let me give you a visual example.  We have seen this image from the legendary Preston Bailey in our office many, many times.  It’s gorgeous with hundreds of flowers in it and I’m sure the image does not do it justice to how grand it is in person:

Can every bride afford it?  No.  But those that value it will seek it & Preston out to design for them and will be thrilled with the results.  Here is how we used his inspiration for a bride who loved the look but couldn’t pay the price tag for the flowers:

Could the bride have gotten even this arrangement cheaper?  Yes!  Absolutely but the structure of the piece, the height, the design would have been vastly different.  More like this:

While still pretty, it doesn’t emanate the same feeling – BUT it IS CHEAPER!  So, if it’s cheaper that they are looking for then this would work out perfectly but the expectation can’t be for the gorgeous images above.

Another example…Is the peony any cheaper because of the economy?  No.  So, we offer alternatives and often we substitute with garden roses.  Is it the same?  No.  It’s just cheaper and different.  Some brides are OK with that and others REALLY want the peony and are not going to compromise for anything less.  The decision is only theirs to make.

Carol did go on to pay the bill for the flowers when she  understood that what she would get by going elsewhere wasn’t what Melanie would have wanted.  We were very willing to make changes to the event to get them closer to their described estimated expenditure but they were unwilling to make any changes whatsoever and simply wanted it to be cheaper.  period.  just. cheaper.

That isn’t how this works, people.  If you go to the gas station to fill up your car, you make a decision on the name brand station that you go to, how much you want to pay per gallon & the octane level of the gas you want. 

OR!

You can go down the street to the gas station without all the special additives.  Will your car run the same?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  My car happens to like Chevron Techron 89 Octane or better.  I put anything less in it and I’m bummed by the lack of power and performance that I get in my car.  I can’t go into the clerk and ask them if instead of $2.99 per gallon I can pay $1.49 per gallon and expect the exact same quality & product.  If you want me to shave $100 off an arrangement, you’re going to lose $100 worth of flowers & design time.

So, when you’re visiting with your vendors and you ask them to reduce their price please be sure that you are getting the same exact thing – because if you’re trying to compare apples to apples and one person says they can do that Preston arrangement for hundreds less than the other person – chances are  you’ll be left with arrangement #3 on your 72″ round seating 12

http://sparkliatti.com/

The Trend Report issue of Wedding Day Magazine (www.weddingday-online.com) is now available and features 45 pages of ideas! As contributing editor, one of the topics I covered was the use of lighting, and the transformative effect it can have on your wedding reception.  It is one of the most cost effective ways to add atmosphere and mood to your event! Through the use of LED technology, your event can take on any hue you can dream up, and can continue to change throughout your event.  For more on this topic, refer to my article on page 44!

wedding

For most people, March 1, 2010 will be an ordinary, back to work Monday. But for those brides, grooms and families who are hoping to secure a date for their 2011 Notre Dame wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart,  it is so much more! Its been called things like ‘Basilica Monday’ and ‘Basilica Lottery Day’, but according to Amy Huber, who is the Wedding and Baptism Coordinator at the Basilica, it doesn’t have a name, it is simply the day the Basilica of the Sacred Heart opens their calendar  for brides to reserve their wedding dates for 2011. Amy will begin taking calls at 8:00 am, EST and stop at 4:30 pm, EST. When dialing the Basilica, you will not get put on hold, just keep dialing until you get through. If you hear a busy signal, hang up and try again, Amy is on the line with another caller. Can you plan a strategy to try and up your chances of getting the day and time you are hoping for? I think you can. These suggestions may not help you get through to Amy faster, but they will help you to be prepared to make a decision with confidence, once you do get through. The last thing you want to have happen, is to get through to the Basilica, but not be able to accept an available date. You’ll have to hang up, then go through the whole process all over again.

1.) First and foremost, have five to ten, dates and times chosen that would be acceptable choices. Discuss this in advance with all involved parties until you can all agree on a list of acceptable dates/times.
2.) Have multiple folks calling in on your behalf.
3.) If you are having multiple folks calling in, make SURE they have your list of acceptable dates and times, and that they are authorized to make a decision on your behalf.
4.) This may seem like it goes without saying, but remember that the calls are being taken on Eastern Standard Time – if you are on the west coast, that means calls will begin being taken at 5:00 am and end at 1:30 pm your time.
5.) Be patient, just keep dialing.

Good Luck Everybody!! Once you secure your 2011 date, give Celebrated Events a call! We will take all of your hopes and dreams for your Basilica wedding, and make them come true. If you can dream it, we can do it!

There is a brand new reception & event venue on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, for brides and grooms getting married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart! Workmen were putting the finishing touches on Club Naimoli, located inside the Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center, when I was invited to tour through it yesterday. Amber, from Catering by Design led me through the event space, which can hold up to 350 guests, including a dance floor! Guests enter the Joyce Center through the newly renovated Gate 10, then ushered up to the event space via elevator. As you step off of the elevator, in front of you is a wall, covered in sapphire blues, with subtle, iconic images of Notre Dame. If need be, there is a coat check available. Walking into the main event space, I was first struck by the windows that overlook the campus, and the light that was streaming in from them. There is comfortable, overstuffed furniture that can be grouped together in various ways to create seating areas or a perhaps a ‘lounge’ area which made the room feel so inviting. State of the art flat panel television screens were mounted in various areas around the room. These can be used to run a slide show, video, or can be simply tuned into the television station of your choice. The space has custom ND themed tables and chairs (see photos), however, if you are planning to host your wedding reception there, this furniture can be removed, and replaced with tables that can host 8 guests, as well as banquet chairs. You can also bring in specialty rental chairs, i.e. chivari ballroom chairs, to compliment your event design.

There are two outside balcony areas, situated on either end of the space, that overlook the campus, providing views to the east, south and west. The space hosts hard wood floors, with gorgeous wood accents on the walls and around the bar area that give the room a warm feel. Another feature, on the wall/area opposite the windows, is the option to open up part of the wall, which then allows views into the arena – very cool!

If you are interested in this space, call Amber M. Pena, Sales Manager at Catering by Design – 574-631-7859. While the Club is not ‘officially’ open, Amber informed me that they have already booked two weddings! I’m so excited to have this new venue on campus! I see so many possibilities with regard to how the space might be used – Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Receptions, Sunday After Brunches, Welcome Partys – to just name a few!! Isn’t it exciting?!!

My colleague, Frank Andonoplas, of Frank Event Design, Chicago was challenged to create his gallery from an everyday material, and use it as inspiration for his design. The element assigned to him was metal, and from there his vision took flight. Working in tones of silver, from deep gunmetal to icy mercury, Frank designed a table that was characterized as ‘boho chic’.  He used an eclectic mix of silver vases, some curvy with high shine, others more linear, with a matte finish.  Silver charger plates held charcoal satin napkins, on top of which, were menu cards, printed on thin sheets of metal. The flatware consisted of a mix of hammered silver and matte copper pieces, while gorgeous, silvery blue linens graced the table and served as backdrop for the tablescape.   Bejeweled, silvery blue votive cups added candlelight on the table, while whimsical, wired candlebra’s brought additional ambiance.  Glassware  consisted of a mix of clear and colored glass, that was spread across the table in no particular order.  More color was expressed through the floral pieces, that utilized dusty miller and silvery blue hydrangea against which jewel toned tulips, orchids, roses and delphinium were placed for maxium visual ‘pops’ of color.

The tables were configured in a large X design, which I feel could be used for any number of gatherings, a small wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid luncheon or dinner party, just to name a few.  Frank used silver Chameleon Chairs with a medium grey suede seat cushion to complete his design.  I enjoyed working with Frank on his design and loved being in such a creative and collaborative environment! Enjoy!!

Darcy Miller, Senior Vice President and Weddings Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. came through the Designer Wedding Gallery before it officially opened to take a look.  I worked with Frank Andonoplas of Frank Event Design as he took inspiration from the element of metal to create the resulting design. I will be posting more images from our design gallery, so check back to take in all of the cool details that were incorporated. Ms. Miller was the featured speaker at the Wedding Luncheon, which took place during The Special Event Trade show and Conference. This year the event took place in the Big Easy, New Orleans, Louisiana.  Every year top designers are featured in the Designer Wedding Gallery, always a conference highlight, and the source of much inspiration for all who attend. Ms. Miller and her team came through and visually inspected every detail in the gallery, taking notes and photos – who knows, maybe our ideas will show up in a future issue!!

On December 12, 2009, Beth and Philip hosted a contemporary, classic and elegant affair that celebrated the place where they met and fell in love, the University of Notre Dame. Their winter wedding day dawned bright and clear, after a few nail biting days of blustery wind, snow and freezing temps The ceremony was held in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame – the reception was at the Gillespie Center at the Hilton Garden Inn. Woven throughout the day were details that told the story of their love for each other, and their love of Notre Dame.  We have posted just a few images from their day, courtesy of our fabulous photographer, Todd Pellowe (www.tpellowe.com).  Much more about Beth and Philip’s wedding is to come – check back in the featured weddings area of our website. We will share all of the details, both big and small, that combined to delight and surprise guests the entire day!

A few weeks ago the local press here in South Bend, IN, announced that the College Football Hall of Fame was going to leave South Bend and relocate in Atlanta, GA. What, you may ask, does this have to do with weddings?! The Hall of Fame has an event space they call The Press Box, which can be used for virtually any type of gathering. I have used it for hosting tailgate themed rehearsal dinners, as well as wedding receptions. It was a unique venue, unlike any in the South Bend area, and I will miss it. Along with the rental of the Press Box, your guests are also allowed free run of the entire museum. They could check out the exhibits, record themselves ‘broadcasting’ a football game and engage in one of the many interactive displays. It was fun to wander through the museum after hours,with drink in hand. It allowed guests the opportunity to get away from the music and dancing for awhile just enjoy.

I have asked many different people who are associated with the Hall of Fame in one way or another when this move will officially take place. The answers were never simple and never very direct. I don’t think anyone knows exactly what will happen just yet. Some say the Hall will close at the end of the Notre Dame football season, others say not until the Hall in Atlanta is ready to open. As a planner, I am reluctant to now recommend the space beyond the end of the present football season, which is such a shame. When I have definitive information about the future of the Hall here in South Bend, I will post it here on my blog. I wish I had more information to give you, but as I’ve said before, what information there is, is precious little, and is mostly conflicting.

The Hall of Fame has been a source of dispute for those of us who live here in South Bend for many years. Some argue it was a huge money pit and cost the taxpayers dearly, others touted its presence as a boon to attracting visitors, and their money to the area. I’m just sorry that such a unique and fun meeting space will be lost to us.

I met today with Meghan Phillips who is sales manager for 4 Marriott properties here in South Bend and Mishawaka. While we talked about those properties ( Courtyard, Spring Hill Estates and Residence Inn), I have to admit I had an ulterior motive. I’ve been trying to get accurate information about the hotels that are supposed to open up in the Eddy Street Commons, across from Notre Dame University. Without getting into the confusing world of hotel properties and their managing companies, I finally lucked out with Meghan, whose properties are managed by the same company that will manage the proposed hotels in the Eddy Street Commons.  Here is what she was able to tell me – there will be a Fairfield Inn & Suites, due to open in September 2010 and a full service Marriott, due to open in approximately 2 years (there is no guarantee on this time frame, however).  The Fairfield will have 200 + rooms. The Marriott will have a ballroom as well as meeting space.   While it is exciting to have not one but two hotels literally across the street from Notre Dame, there will also be a new venue for wedding receptions! For those of you who are planning on having your wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart some day, this is great news! Most of you, as well as your guests, will be coming into town from out of town, so this scenario will be ideal! You can host your wedding reception at the Marriott, and your guests can stay at one of the two properties, all within walking distance of the campus!