Preparing The Honeymoon Suite

This is a major detail that is not discuss, at all- Preparing the Honeymoon Suite. The Wedding Day is filled with so much excitement and adrenaline, that the couple can experience the “crash” that many couples feel after the festivities have come to a close. This post will address the “Wedding Night” and the smallest details that help make this night comfortable and relaxing. Of course, you will not be able to prep the suite, so ask family and/or friends (who are not participating in the wedding party) to assist in this task.

Consider the following questions and apply the suggestions to the experience you want your wedding night to present:

What Will Help Us Relax? Depending on your personality, the idea of relaxation varies. For some, it may be drinking a glass of wine and for others it could be watching a movie. To relieve a day’s worth of stress, consider scheduling an in-room couple’s massage. If your hotel does not offer this amenity after hours, I’m sure concierge can point you in that direction. If you can’t make the professional massage happen, give each other a nice rub-down or foot massage!

What’s The Ambience? What if you want to listen to a favorite CD, or what if you have packed your iPod and some speakers (will you need a charger)? Also, Soothing scents can enhance nearly every experience, so consider bringing some scented candles or room fragrance. Soothing scents such as lavender or vanilla will help your post-wedding transition. As far as lighting, candlelight can be most flattering. There’s a chance that the suite you are staying in has adjustable lighting (which means less work for you), so be sure to ask. Please Note: if you are going to bring candles, make sure that you bring candle holders or some type to candle the melted wax- you don’t want to have to pay any room damage fees. As a precaution, make sure that there is a fire extinguisher nearby for any unforeseeable emergencies.

What Will We Eat? With all the rush and attention, you probably did not feel like or did not get a chance to fully enjoy your dinner at the reception. You will likely feel like consuming something light, without sugar or caffeine. Consider packing light appetizers to have waiting in the suite, or better yet pre-order room service with an ideal meal in mind for you and your sweetie.

What Will We Drink? First and Foremost, drink something hydrating before you drink more alcohol. Whether a cup of tea or a glass of wine, have your favorite beverages and proper essentials (ice, cups/glasses, tea, etc.) waiting for you. If you plan on drinking alcohol, plan ahead and purchase it at a store- if you purchase from your hotel, you can expect at least a 100% mark-up on the price.

Take A Nap. Ok, so let’s be realistic…. Who really has energy for “Wedding Night” festistivies after 10-12 hours of excitement and rush (not to mention, the weeks of stress leading up to the wedding day)??? Before you completely unwind for the evening, set an alarm or schedule a wake-up call, and then take in a nice mid-sized nap. One you awake, you can shower or bathe…. AND THEN begin the festivities!

The Wake-Up Call. Perhaps you have a “Post-Wedding” Brunch with the family and wedding party the next morning, or a flight to catch to your Honeymoon destination. Be sure to call the front desk for a wake-up call, or bring your own alarm to set. You will not want to oversleep if you have plans for the next morning.

Wedding Coordinator, Planner, Designer....What's the Difference?

Wedding Coordinator... Wedding Planner... Event Designer.  These terms are commonly used interchangeably, and understandly their servcies can be confusing.  A coordinator is a not a planner and a planner may or may not be a designer.  So what's the difference?

The Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator is your basic essential to having a happy, stree-free wedding day.  Many coordinators are planners as well, and offer additional packages that include planning assitance.  Coordinators, in essence, are around to tie up loose ends and make sense of all the plans you have put into place.  They typically step in anywhere from a month to a week out from your wedding day- but not more than that, unless specified in your contract.  A "site coordinator" is absolutely different from a hired coordinator.  Do not be misinformed on this:  Almost every venue has an assigned coordinator.  YOUR wedding coordinator will be there from sun up to sun down, should your wedding require it, to ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch.

The Wedding Planner
A wedding planner is a professional that guides you through the process and facilitate the necessary details like vendor selections, budget tracking, and timeline/calendar management.  Their expertise and experience play an imperative role in pairing you with vendors to fit your personality, budget, and needs.  Most wedding planners are coordinators and will be there to oversee and execute your wedding day.  Please note that a planner's purpose is to guide the couple through the engagement period.  You can think of them as a wedding manager- they aren't typically hired to inject their style or ideas or to come up with a wedding's concept, but many planners have the ability to step up to the plate, creatively speaking, if neccessary.  Many fear that a wedding planner will challenge their creative concept.... That's definitely not the case- we are here to foster that creativity and ensure that the vendors you hire are the ones that will compliment the vision.

The Event Designer
Event designers are hired based on their previous work and reviews.  Their design is a concept of your conveyed vision for your wedding, from lighting to linens.  It also works for brides who have a difficult time articulating their own vision, or who simply don't want to be bothered with the details.  Events designers are known for their unique sense of style and their portfolio should reflect just that.  Usually, they take your ideas, pictures, and vision and create something stunningly you! Not all event designers are planners.  They may not want anything to do with planning/coordinating your wedding details.  This is something to be addressed before signing a contract.

Regardless of which you choose (coordinator, planner, or designer), the professional needs to be hired in the beginning of your process.  Most brides concern themselves with details that should be lower on the priority list, like buying a bridal gown before solidfying the venue, example- the venue strongly anchors the type of style you, and the entire wedding party, will be going for....

So, in conclusion, hiring the RIGHT wedding professional will greatly minimize stress and ultimately save you money.

Always remember, you get what you pay for....

TIPS TO HOSTING A GREAT COCKTAIL PARTY

Throwing a great cocktail party requires a lot of planning, enabling yours guests to enjoy themselves require an excellent host.  Here are some tips to help make your next cocktail party a memorable one:

SET THE MOOD

Stock the bar with a diversity of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and hors d’oeuvres or appetizers.  If necessary, re-arrange your space so that your guests don’t feel cramped – create comfortable seating areas that encourage conversation amongst your guests. Dimmed lighting or candles with fresh flowers create a pleasant atmosphere.

WELCOME YOUR GUESTS

Try to greet ALL of your guests at the door as they arrive.  Offer to take their coats and have a room/closet prepared to store coats during the party.  Tell them where you’re putting their coats, and any other belongings, so that they know where to look if needed.  Send them to the party area while to put their belongings away.

INTRODUCE PEOPLE

While you don’t have to twist some of your guests’ arm to mingle, others may not be as much of a social butterfly.  Because some people may already know each other, cliques can form and this can dampen the mood of the party- so as the host, be creative… Mix things up.  Find a couple of people and introduce them- bring up a topic that you know they are both interested in. Get the conversation rolling and move on to the next!

ENJOY YOUR PARTY!

Your energy and demeanor will set the tone of the party, so you must be pleasant and sociable from beginning to end.  If your guests see you tired and stresses, they may start to feel uncomfortable and depart early.  But if you’re relaxed and amusing, it’ll help loosen up the demeanor of your guests.  

THE ART OF EVENT CATERING

THE MENU

Food is pretty much an event’s “first impression”- what happens in the first few minutes will set the tone for the rest of the evening. Although what’s being served is important, how it looks is VERY important- we eat with our eyes first!  Key components to keep in mind are the color and texture, temperature, the type of plate you’re using, and even the garnish used to decorate the plate.  While it’s important to plan your menu around the theme of the event, it’s also imperative to balance the capabilities of the caterer with the facilities available.  A menu that may work for a intimate guest list of 20 will not necessarily be accommodating for a corporate event of 250.

MUSIC

Music controls the flow of energy at an event:  Soft, jazzy background music during cocktail hour & dinner and dance music for the party- so definitely have a playlist for the DJ! Volume is just as important as the type of music playing- while dining, you don’t want to have the music up so loud that you can't have a pleasant conversation with the guest sitting next to you or across the table.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

This is one of the most important components to a successful event, and one that’s often overlooked.  How your guests’ time is spent during the event is vital because you don’t want them looking at their watch wondering what’s next.  A successful event exhibits a flow that creates an experience for your guests- Beginning, Middle, and End:  Cocktail hour should last no more than 45 minutes to 1 hour, all courses of dinner should be served without delay, and the event should end at a climax where everyone is on the dance floor.

A++ SERVICE

The number of waiters is not the only factor that needs to be taken into consideration.  In addition to the sufficient number of waiters, thoroughly rationalizing the functions and responsibilities of the entire staff…. Who will handle food service, clearing, and wine service? Whether it’s your waiting staff, kitchen staff, or Maitre D’, everyone must know what’s expected of them at all times.

Plan A Fabulous Outdoor Event

Whether you’re throwing an intimate wedding in your backyard or an extravagant baby shower, you must take the following into consideration:

The Guest List:  Can the space accommodate the number of guests you are planning to invite?  Do you have the sufficient amount of restrooms, seating, and tables to comfortable accommodate your guests

Food Preparation:  Can the kitchen handle the demands of a catering staff? Do you have enough storage, counter space, equipment to prep the menu?

Electrical Needs:  If you plan to have live entertainment or special lighting, make sure you have the required electrical needs like a generator.

If you are planning your event at a beach or park, be prepared to provide everything, i.e tables, chairs, equipment, tents.  Remember, as this list grows, your costs will also.

Location!, Location!, Location!

Before you scout your next event venue, there are some vital factors to take into consideration to determine if this location will be a good fit for the event.

Budget

For the more restricted budget, you probably won’t be looking at the exclusive, five star hotels. Your event budget will be the anchor for all decisions being made here- even the day of the week or holiday weekend you choose to have your event will determine your budget…. Some venues require a food/beverage minimum of at least $8,000 on a Saturday to even reserve the space versus $4500 on a Friday or Sunday. So knowing your budget will save you time and eliminate the risk of financially over-extending yourself.

Guest List

Ok… this is a big one. The number of guests attending your event is a major factor that tends to get away from us when we’re planning… Your guest list will be a pre-determinant for the overall event budget; the more guests equals more money for a larger venue and ,consequently, food, centerpieces, etc, etc, etc!

Style & Theme of Event

Big and grand aren’t always the best choices… The more intimate events are better executed in smaller venue settings. If you’re hosting an event that is laid-back and les formal, you wouldn’t explore venues that are more appropriate and fitting for a black-tie affair for 200 guests. The same goes for outdoor settings: make sure the environment compliments the ambiance you want your guests to experience.

Cheers!

Choosing The Right Vendor, At The Right Time

Booking a vendor for your wedding is not as simple as looking up a category in The Knot or The Wedding Channel.  This stage of planning is very strategic and can make the difference in you having an impressionable experience versus having the most mortified time of your life.  There’s a level of priority to follow when it comes to choosing vendors for your special day.  If you book an event/wedding planner, he or she will extend their expertise on booking service providers that will, ultimately, save you time, stress, and even your insanity.  Here’s some ideas to remember when choosing your vendors:

Priority One Vendors
These vendors include Ceremony & Reception Location, Caterer (if not required to use the venue’s exclusive caterer), Entertainment, Photographer, and the Officiant.  If you have your eyes on one of the most popular venues in the city, then you definitely need to be flexible and have some back-up dates in mind. Also, this level of vendors  are “all or nothing” type vendors- their service offerings are typically blocked for the entire day, which means a hefty deposit is usually required at contract signing. Everything is pretty much contingent upon the location that is booked… so try to book that first, for all other vendor needs will rest on the location, date, and time.

Priority Two Vendors
Priority Two vendors include Florist, Baker, Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist, Videographer, Hotel .  These types of vendors are able to handle multiple events at a time and are not needed for the entire day.  There are plenty of great service providers at this level so it’s not as cut throat to get your first choice. When booking this vendor, be sure to explicitly state, in your contract, product/service choice and TIME of delivery.  Being thirty minutes behind schedule due to a vendor can be seen as a minor hiccup by a few, but many remember it for years to come.

Third Priority Vendors
Vendors like Event Rental, Lighting, and Transportation Companies come in a surplus. Their inventory is never-ending and can sometimes be available at a week’s notice, depending on the need.  Remember, transportation can be interchangeable between Priority Two and Three given the season- late spring/summer can be a pain with prom season and all the other weddings going on… so keep that in mind.

CHEERS!