Cara and Jared’s wedding at Mission Inn Resort as featured in Orlando Wedding magazine.

Congratulations to Cara & Jared, our newlyweds whose wedding is featured in the premiere issue of Orlando Wedding magazine!

They were wed in January at Mission Inn Resort – which was the perfect backdrop for their romantic and elegant wedding.  Cara’s vision centered on old world elegance that was glamorous and graceful.  From candles to crystals, and cigars to candy bars – this wedding was an enchanting affair! They even had a sparkler exit! One of my favorite things about this wedding was how they incorporated so many family photos into the reception decor; that was a special touch that really enhanced the nostalgic feel of the evening.

Of course there was also a fabulous vendor team working behind the scenes to make ensure that the day progressed smoothly and that everyone enjoyed a stellar evening. Thanks and applause go to:

Mission Inn Resort & Club – Ceremony & Reception Venue
A Flair for Affairs – Planning and Coordination
Cheryl’s Distinctive Creations - Floral and Decor
Brian Adams – Photography
Cakes by Design – Wedding Cake
Entertainment Concepts – DJ, A/V, Lighting

(c)A Flair for Affairs

“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.

Stylish decor, signature cocktails and delectable desserts were all key to this VIP Launch Event

Orlando Board of Directors (shown L to R): Gwendolyn Smith, Kerline Docteur, Kelly McWilliams, Elisa Delgardio, Jennifer Sandler. Not shown: Michelle Bergstein-Fontanez, Tamuel Cowart, Rev. Glynn Ferguson

Over 160 people attended the celebratory launch of the Orlando Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding. Over a dozen sponsors generously donated their services to create an unforgettable event designed to bring awareness to this new charitable organization dedicated to granting weddings and/or civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States to couples who are facing terminal illness. The cocktail reception decor was branded to reflect Wish Upon a Wedding’s signature colors while the venue (Tavern on the Lake) provided the ideal environment for networking.

Read the BizBash! Article: Orlando Launch

Photos courtesy of Elegant Imagery and Ashley Brockinton

Elisa, the Countess of Confectionery?

Today I was a kid in a candy shop – literally!

In honor of Valentine’s Day we visited Farris and Foster’s Famous Chocolate Factory in Orlando. Holy peanut-butter cups! – if you love chocolate this is the place to be!

While I could go on and on about our chocolate factory adventure, and how much fun we had, and how delicious everything was, I won’t (because you’ll be jealous!). {wink}

Instead, I’ll tell you about what a great event venue it is for parties. I mean, who wouldn’t want to come to a ‘make your own chocolate’ party? And the team at Farris and Foster’s is ready to accommodate groups of up to 36. Children’s parties, Girls Night Out, Date Night, Bridal Showers and Teambuilding events are so much sweeter when chocolate is involved!

On the other hand, if you’re just looking for Orlando’s finest handmade chocolates, Farris and Foster’s is known as ‘your neighborhood confectioner’. Almost all of their candies are made fresh daily right in their shop and some of the recipes go back generations! Stop in anytime you’re craving a sweet treat or in search of a memorable gift (except Sundays).

Something for everyone!

Fresh chocolate strawberries

Farris and Fosters’ gift shop has something for everyone and every occasion – from holiday novelties, to boxes of assorted chocolates, to gift baskets!

They also make scrumptious truffles which are ideal as favors for parties and receptions. And please don’t forget to try the fresh dipped strawberries!

Foster, Farris and Fosters

Owner Foster Lanenga holding today’s Orlando Sentinel, where his picture appeared on the front page.

© 2010 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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Hilton Orlando

Alizma

Alizma

.
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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Do you remember the last event or wedding reception you attended? What do you recall: The food? The entertainment? The “look” of the room? Just close your eyes and reflect for a moment; try to think of the things that were most memorable and pleasing.

Aha! I bet the pleasing part makes it a bit harder. No doubt that more than a few of you thought about the wedding with the DJ who thought he was Elvis, or the event with the cash bar (surprise!) -and you forgot your wallet.

The more events I do, the more I remember only what is remarkable. Remarkable can be fun, outstanding, unexpected and impressive. Remarkable can also be uncomfortable, annoying, disappointing and catastrophic. As your wedding and event planner, my goal is to make your event memorable for all the right reasons.

In terms of decor, remarkable doesn’t necessarily translate into expensive. Details that are well thought out can be seamlessly incorporated into event decor and the table top design thereby creating a look that is remarkable in a visual and textural sense. (If you’re wondering what I mean about ‘well thought out details” try to imagine a table top with so many tchotchkes – bells, cameras, scrolls, bags of chocolate kisses, etc. – it looks like the favor catalog threw up; and, yes, for some bizarre reason people still do this.)

Decor and design are most remarkable when they draw you in, and you experience the vibe as it was intended to be: exciting, chic and sexy, warm and inviting, modern, etc. The best designs are not limited to what can be seen; incorporating smells, tastes, physical contact, sights and sounds into the design actually creates a more memorable experience. In other words, the five senses overlap and influence each other, and combined they create the overall impression, which in turn becomes your memory of the experience.

This is why we ask our clients to describe their vision of the event. Even if they insist that they have no idea about what they want, they truly do… We ask them to imagine what it looks like - including colors and lighting, what time of day it is, how many people are present, how the space feels (intimate, modern, elegant, indoors or outdoors, etc.) and then we begin to design an event based on their  preferences and our interpretation of their style.

I must admit, sometimes the finer details do not become crystal clear until the very end.  It really is an organic process.  And it’s a challenge we face with every event: How do you know how far to go? Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more.

In keeping with this topic, I thought you’d enjoy this short video featuring friend and colleague Rashida Erskine of BBJ Linen’s Orlando office. She offers some insightful recommendations and helpful tips for using linens to pull the look of your reception together with remarkable style.

{Our apologies; this video link has expired}

Please contact the BBJ Linen’s Orlando Office if you would like to meet with them. Ph. 407-857-6566   Or, feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance with fine-tuning your wedding or event design.  Call 877.55FLAIR or email Elisa: elisacsep {at} aflairforaffairs.com

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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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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This weekend, I had the pleasure of working with a cute young couple who had a very tight wedding budget. I was confronted with a few challenges while coordinating their wedding, not the least of which was the fact that the friend who officiated their wedding was also playing the role of DJ/MC. And while I must commend the bride and groom for their efforts in organizing a complete playlist of music for the evening, here are some of the glitches we encountered:
- There was no prelude music for the ceremony
- There was no exit music for the recessional
- The first dance song ended up on the wrong iPod (and we had to track it down)
- The music selections for dinner were a bit unorthodox
- The pre-programmed music selections did not leave any room for ‘playing to the crowd’
…and so on…

Fortunately they had me to help keep things running smoothly, and overall things went very well; the couple had “their day, their way” and they seemed oblivious to glitches.

When I’m wearing my “Day-of” coordinator hat, I must be careful to provide support, not criticism. As a Planner, I would strongly advise against this type of scenario and take appropriate steps to illuminate and eliminate potential glitches. However, when circumstances dictate that I play the hand I’m dealt, that’s precisely what I do. And let’s face it: if the couple could have afforded a wedding planner, they likely could have afforded a professional DJ as well.

Ironically, I returned home to find an email from a colleague who provides exceptional DJ services. Obviously, fresh off a gig and needing to vent – here is his email to me (but it reads more like a plea to Brides & Grooms):

“Elisa – I wonder why brides don’t trust their DJ to play the right music? I have had way too many brides completely program their wedding music to the point that they have had to hear certain songs in a certain order and at certain times.”

“Most good DJ’s have the ability to read the crowd and know what to play when to play it. I understand that you may not want to hear a certain song or songs, but to totally program the entire function, just defeats the purpose of having a DJ. You might as well just bring your iPod. Oh that’s right, you would have to rent the speakers and no one would be able to talk on the mic and introduce you in…”

“If you trust your DJ to do that, then trust him/her to play the right music.
Most of us do this for a living. I personally do 75+ weddings a year, so I may have seen a wedding or two in my life. We don’t want you to be unhappy so we are going to do the best possible job we can. We are going to do a good job, trust us!”

I contemplated the situation he described and couldn’t help wonder why this is so… Where does it stem from? And then a thought occurred to me:

Picture the wedding I described – glitches and all – and then try to estimate how many of the 100 guests in attendance understood the entertainment arrangements. It’s quite possible that a few people (maybe more) were unaware that the DJ was not a hired professional. It’s also possible that an engaged couple or two were present, in which case they were likely wondering what to expect from their wedding DJ… Would they feel the need to dictate the entire evening to ensure their satisfaction? Hmmmm…. yes, I’d say that’s plausible.

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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