Q & A with Wedding Planners as seen in Orlando Wedding Magazine

Orlando Wedding 2010

The debut issue of Orlando Wedding magazine is absolutely enchanting! I would even go so far as to declare it a ‘must read’ for engaged couples in Central Florida!

Among many terrific articles and features was “Q & A with Wedding Planners” by Megan VanWaus.  Not only was I delighted to be quoted in Megan’s piece, I was elated to be featured alongside fellow Association of Bridal Consultants members Kerline Docteur (Joie de Vie Weddings and Events) and Heather Snively (Weddings Unique). I’m proud to share a common bond with these ladies:  Heather and I are both Senior ABC members, and Kerline and I regularly work together on  ABC meetings and projects geared toward educating local association members and wedding professionals.

Good things come in threes they say, and in this case I certainly agree!

“We’re on a tight budget.”

Yes, I know (but I don’t say it out loud). Times are tough, money is tight, and everyone is trying to save a buck. But lately, I’ve been hearing this way too much.

And you wouldn’t believe the trends I’m starting to see! Flower-less centerpieces, DIY linen installations, sub-par vendors, and more! It sounds funny, but in the end, it’s really not.

Maybe you’d like to poll the guests from a recent wedding that I coordinated (notice I said coordinated, NOT planned). The bride contacted me to help her with the reception design and we put together a great look for her. However, she insisted that she wanted the reception to be ‘cocktail style’ – meaning that she wanted the guests to mingle – therefore she only ordered 100 chairs for 200 people…. Hmmmm…. I think you can see where I’m going with this.

“What’s your budget?” I ask. Rarely do I receive a truthful answer, that is, until I quote a price. It’s not a problem because I know my services are not inexpensive. I charge what I’m worth: I’m an educated, experienced, nationally recognized industry professional. I work with clients and couples who realize that what I bring to the event planning process is more than the ability to create a memorable day – I help them create amazing and memorable moments. I am a specialist; it’s like comparing stitches to brain surgery.

Anyway, I do appreciate that many people are on a budget. Whenever possible I do the best I can to meet them where they’d like to be. After all, I love what I do, so for me there’s a lot more to it than the paycheck.

In a previous post, I wrote about how Brides and Grooms can protect themselves while shopping for vendors. Check it out – there is a lot of good advice there. This post centers on something different; it’s about being realistic. There seems to be a trend towards style over substance. Let’s go back to my story about the bride with the 200 guests. Do you think those guests cared how good the room looked when they realized they might have to stand for the rest of the evening? Nope – they bailed at their first opportunity. Do you think they felt valued and appreciated? Nope.

It’s my responsibility to tell my clients if something won’t work, or doesn’t work well. I educate them. What I’m seeing lately is so many people (future brides and grooms, potential clients) who are out of touch with what things cost being serviced by vendors who want to say yes (because they need the business) – this is not exactly a recipe for success.

My free advice for today is this: If you truly can’t afford the wedding of your dreams – put it off and save more money. If you want to save an extreme amount of money without cutting corners, scale back your guest list, move up your wedding date and consider a week-day event. Also, if you’re planning a wedding or special event be a good host! – that’s just good manners.

Each month, I have the privilege and the pleasure of working with Kerline Docteur PBC to coordinate networking luncheons for Central Florida members of the Association of Bridal Consultants. The purpose of the luncheons is tri-fold:

First, monthly meetings bring ABC members and potential members (guests) together to build relationships.  Vendor relationships are essential to delivering the best products and services to our clients and facilitiating ”team dynamics”.   

Second, the meetings provide a forum to educate our members.  We bring in speakers and create special programs to keep our members on the cutting edge of wedding and event design, as well as business and marketing trends.  

Third, it’s important to build the presence of ABC within our community.  ABC is an international association with a history that spans over 26 years.  With over 4,000 members located in all 50 states and in 27 countries, ABC’s  goals have always been to raise professional standards in the wedding industry and to make brides happy.  By developing an active Local Networking Group (LNG) we bring attention to the benefits of  ABC membership and showcase the professionalism of our members.    

This year (2009) shines brilliantly as one of our finest and most rewarding to date!  We have planned and coordinated nine luncheon events at venues throughout Central Florida.  In June, we held our third annual “Showers of Happiness” event to benefit Habitat for Humanity. 

(c) Elegant Imagery

In July, we hosted a spectacular educational event entitled “Indian Weddings 101: Defining the Indian Wedding Experience“. For this particular event, we had engaged local Indian Wedding experts to explain the elements and cultural traditions of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim weddings. (Click on these images to see more fabulous pictures of this event, posted on the ABC Florida  website.)

(c) Elegant Imagery

Shown left:  Akshar Patel, Kerline Docteur, Elisa Delgardio and Remmal Karamsadkar

 As in years past, October marked the end of our meeting calendar and we were determined to create a memorable event! We tapped some of our best resources (members!) to provide catering, decor, entertainment and ‘enhancements’ for our event. We also had the generous support of a few friends (future members…?) and when all the elements came together the outcome was sensational!

Heather Canada, ABC of First Coast Weddings presented a very insightful educational session entitled Business Administration for Creative Types in which she shared some excellent time management and organizational techniques. After Heather’s presentation, attendees enjoyed a delicious three course luncheon prepared by the catering team at the Rosen Centre Hotel. Then we revealed a special treat: a live performance arranged by ABC member Lisa Kovach (Key Artist Group)!

We are so grateful to the long list of fabulous professionals who made our closing meeting of 2009 such an incredible success! Kudos to: Michelle Williams – Rosen Centre Hotel, Cheryl Andrews – Cheryl’s Distinctive Creations, Lisa Kovach – Key Artist Group, Rose Robinson – Invitation Lounge, Nermala – Unique Linens, Quest Drape, Allan Jay Images, Bruce – Treasured Moments Videography, M.J. Farb – Junction 88, Pure Magic Ice Cream, and Heather Canada of First Coast Weddings.

We are happy to share this video link with you; it will take a few minutes to load since the video is approximately 8 minutes long, but I’m sure you will enjoy it!

Rosen Centre Hotel hosts ABC’s October Local Networking Luncheon from Bruce Reynolds Treasured Moments on Vimeo. (From the above video on Vimeo,  ABC October Meeting, this is the full version of  ‘The Kiss’  from Art in Motion managed by Lisa Kovach of Key Artist Group.)

For more information on the Association of Bridal Consultants, please visit: www.BridalAssn.com  For information on local meetings and upcoming events, please visit: www.ABC-Florida.com

Hilton Orlando

Alizma

Alizma

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Quite an exciting weekend! I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening Showcase for the Hilton Orlando! 

The inauguration of this sensational new property was a first class affair! It was such an honor to attend this special event and tour the property which boasts state of the art design, luxurious details and unique features tailored to appeal to business and recreational travelers alike. The 1400 room Hilton is the first hotel to be connected to the Orange County Convention Center via a sky-pedestrian bridge, so it’s guaranteed to attract a fair share of Orlando’s convention market. It’s stylish and inviting design is also sure to appeal to those planning social events and I foresee this venue becoming a very desirable location for nuptials and social celebrations!

Seafood Bar

The Hilton Team deserves the highest compliments for an evening that was beautifully orchestrated and by all accounts flawlessly executed! Executive Chef Thierry Meissonnier and his culinary team deserve the highest praise for the delicious, world class cuisine served throughout the evening – the seafood display in particular was breathtaking!

There were so many wonderful elements to the evening that I could go on and on, but time will not allow for that so here is a brief description of some of the highlights:

The Orlando ballroom was set for over 700 guests and featured floral and decor by Greenery Productions and linens by BBJ. Additional decor was provided by Room Service Furniture Rentals and Occasions by Shangrila (and I’m sure there are others that I may not be aware of).

Seafood Bar

Action Station

Upon entering the ballroom, guests enjoyed appetizers (lamb, duck, etc.) served from action stations and two tremendous seafood bars. This was the first time I’ve experienced this type of presentation for an appetizer course – it was as enjoyable as it was impressive!

Entertainment included Alizma -that fabulously talented violin trio you may have recently seen on America’s Got Talent 2009, and the hot Orlando band Skylyne 407 .

VIP’s in attendance included Mayor Richard Crotty.

Following dinner and keynote speakers who acknowledged the efforts of so many who were instrumental in bringing the Hilton Orlando to life, guests were led to the Southwest Lawn to view a spectacular fireworks display.

Two “After Parties” – one within a tent one the Southwest Lawn and the other in the Orange Ballroom – were in full swing from 9pm to midnight! Guests danced and enjoyed coffee, cocktails and desserts to their hearts content!

It was truly a GRAND opening!

For additional information hosting an event at the Hilton Orlando, please contact the Sales and Catering Office via the main hotel line: +1-407-313-4300
Address: 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando, Florida, USA 32819

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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Just for fun…

Because I am a Twitter fanatic, I had to share this gem of an article!

Tweet My Wedding? The Dos and Don’ts of “Twedding Tweetiquette” by Juliette Powell, Huffington Post:

Of the six weddings I was invited to this summer, four weren’t just weddings. They turned out to be what I have begun to think of as “the twedding.”

You know you’re at a “twedding” when:

1. Your wedding invitations were sent via the micro-blogging site Twitter.com.
2. All aspects of your big day have been vetted by your twitter followers who suggest everything from wedding guests to wedding vendors.
3. Members of the wedding party take “candid” photographs and videos of the ceremony and upload them directly to twitpic and twitvid for community commenting.
4. Your wedding becomes a trending topic on Twitter.
5. The groom tweets “I’m married” before kissing the bride. 

Read the full article “Tweet My Wedding? The Dos and Don’ts of Twedding Tweetiquette”  by Juliette Powell of the Huffington Post ….

Rose, Carnation Aisle Pomander

I love, love, love pomander balls! For starters, they are incredibly versatile! Pomander balls (also known as kissing balls) can be used as aisle decor, table decor, personal flowers, cake toppers and accent decor.

Pomanders begin with a styrofoam or oasis sphere: oasis is used for floral pomanders because it can be saturated with water and styrofoam can be used for any other style which is does not require water or moisture (such as silk, tissue paper, etc.).

Flower Girl

Pomanders can be constructed in a varety of sizes – it all depends on the size of the sphere that’s used for the base. And don’t forget: once you cover the sphere completely, it’s size will grow significantly – anywhere form 4″ to 6″ on average!

While somewhat fragile (due to their construction), they can easily be moved and reused throughout the day if handled with care.

Rose Pomander Centerpiece

Rose Pomander Centerpiece

There’s no disputing the fact that pomanders deliver a lot of look! While they can be quite pricey when constructed with roses -due to the shear number of blooms required to give a fully rounded look- the cost can be controlled if careful attention is given to the overall size and design.

Beachy Carnation Pomander - brides.com

Tissue Paper Pomander

For example, hydrangeas are an economical alternative to roses or carnations. Pomanders constructed from non-organic flowers (silks) may offer some savings, be made in advance (if it’s a DIY project) and can also be re-used. Or, you may want to try paper pomanders! Pomanders constructed from tissue paper are extremely affordable and deliver colorful & stylish impact equal to that of it’s floral counterpart.

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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We seem to get an incredible number of requests for sparkler exits! And why not? – it’s an awesome and affordable photo op! However, there’s often more to coordinating a sparkler exit than meets the eye! While sparklers are generally safe when used as intended, they still require careful handling. So, I’ve prepared some simple tips to help you plan a safe and sensational send off!

Tip #1 – Purchase the right sparklers:

Ideally, you should be looking for the metal rod type in a length that’s either 14″ or 20″ long. Shorter sparklers (8″ or 10″) will burn out too quickly for most staged exits, unless it’s for an intimate group.

Morning Glories are attached to wooden rods (sticks) and have 3 distinct burning phases – usually a red flame for about 20 seconds, then a crackle/snapping phase for 20 seconds, and finishing off with 20 seconds of a green/white flame. Since Morning Glories tend to drop small glowing particles (think of burning tissue paper) they must be used with extreme caution. It’s truly frightening to think of these fiery particles landing on skin, hair or clothing during a staged exit, so I avoid them at all costs.

Tip #2 – Displaying and Discarding Sparklers:

One of the best ways to display sparklers is to fill a pretty painted pail or metal urn with white sand and insert the sparkler rods into the sand. This way, the sparklers will stand upright, and the sand base will provide the weight needed to prevent the display from tipping. Since the receptacle can get quite heavy once the sand and sparklers are added, it’s best to assemble this nearby to the area where the exit will take place, if at all possible.

On one or two occasions, I’ve seen sparklers placed on the guest tables or at each place setting (like a favor might be placed) but in those cases, they were also shorter than the recommended length, and in my opinion not a very attractive addition to the decor.

It’s important to remember that following the sparkler exit, the rods will be hot and need to be collected with care. The sand filled urn or pail is an ideal receptacle; guests can just place the burned end of the sparkler rods into the sand where they can properly cool down before being placed into the trash. Other things that work well are metal trays, a baker’s sheet cake pan, and heavy duty foil pans; ideally, receptacles should be placed nearby to both the left and right sides of the exit line up.

Tip #3 – How to Use Properly & Safely:

I always carefully consider the number of people to be involved, as well as the size and layout of the space. Naturally, we look for an outdoor location such as a wide walkway, a courtyard or driveway, for these options seem to work best. Before the Bride & Groom exit, we organize the line up of guests so that they are shoulder to shoulder and can hold their sparkler out and away from themselves. This is much safer than a staggered line where guests must reach around each other.

Secondly, we have our staff or a few designated helpers assist with the lighting. We start at the point where the Bride and Groom will begin walking and work our way towards the furthest point. We use butane lighters or sterno fuel (cans) to get the sparklers started – the constant flame is the key! We proceed at intervals – every 5 or 6 people – because a lit sparkler can also light other sparklers; this is an organized approach which speeds the process. A few strategically placed tiki torches also work nicely. Remind guests to take turns lighting their sparklers; it’s unsafe to light multiple sparklers simultaneously.

It’s important to maintain a safe distance from the newly wed couple as they make their way through the line up. Even though the sparklers are relatively harmless, it’s better not to take chances; I avoid creating an ‘arch’ to prevent sparks from falling onto the couple. Likewise, if children are involved, they must be closely supervised; a parent may even want to give their attention to the child’s safety and protection rather than holding a sparkler.

In my experience, if there are more than 100 or so guests participating in the send-off, it becomes more difficult to get the timing of the lighting and exit just right. Whenever this is the case, I suggest that the wedding party send off the Bride and Groom as the other guests watch – this cuts the number of participants down significantly! It’s also an excellent way to control costs.

Skylighter is an excellent online resource for sparklers and realted pyrotechnic products, and they have posted some wonderful pointers and valuable infomation on their website page for Wedding Sparklers .

Photo Credits: Art Faulkner, Elegant Imagery, Misty Miotto

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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I adore feathers! They look amazing in bouquets and centerpieces, and here you can see they’re equally fabulous when used as bridal hair accessories and headpieces!

The handcrafted designs shown here are by Head Dress Couture Designs. Katie Hestla and Heather Schroeder-Lewis are the women behind Head Dresss, which is based in Orlando, Florida.

I was thrilled to work with Grace (right) who is a huge fan of feathers too! Grace also loves color, and selected her bridesmaids hair accessories to compliment the dramatic colors featured in her wedding decor.

Custom feather hair pieces are a unique memento of the day and make great gifts! They will surely be enjoyed for years to come!

Another source we’ve found is Lo Boheme. Lo Boheme is the wife-husband team of Lauren (Lo) and Josh Christensen based out of San Diego, CA.; their vintage style accessories can be purchased online at Etsy

Additional images from this event are featured on our website: Featured Affairs – Flair For The Dramatic. Photos courtesy of Art Faulkner.

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What could be cooler than fresh, gourmet gelato?

Candy bars, chocolate fountains and cupcake towers have been all the rage, but a Gelato Cart will have your guests buzzing about your originality and good taste! This cart appeared at one of our weddings and featured six delicious flavors of premium, handmade gelato!

Muse Gelato in Orlando creates it’s gelato and sorbets fresh and natural. They use the finest ingredients to create the most intense and imaginative tastes. Muse Gelato currently offers more than 60 gelato flavors and 20 sorbet flavors, plus limitless custom flavor options!

If you’re looking for a tasty alternative to the standard dessert add-ons, consider this all natural & flavorful choice!

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February:2009

I can’t believe how time has flown by since this magnificent wedding! Our couple, Kirsten & Rich, we’re so incredibly wonderful to work with! Their February nuptials took place at St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park, and were followed by a reception at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.

Kirsten was a vision in an elaborately beaded Lazaro gown; bridemaids and groomsmen looked very sharp dressed in black for this formal, evening affair.

Kirsten’s overall vision for the reception was a warm and romantic setting incorporating both traditional and modern elements: red roses, hanging crystals, the glow of candle light, satin finish linens and dramatic lighting.

Additional images from this event are featured on our website: Featured Affairs – Romance & Splendor Photos courtesy of Damon Tucci.

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