Reaching out to Industry Pros to Join me as a Wish Granter!!

The Boston/New England Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding is up and running!  I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors as a Volunteer Coordinator. 

"Based on the concept that two people in love should never be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, we help couples who have endured much greater challenges than the average person. Specifically, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings and vow renewals for couples who have faced terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances."

                              Liz Guthrie Founder and Executive Director of Wish Upon a Wedding.

 Part of my role as a Volunteer Coordinator is to maintain a database of volunteers, known as "Wish Granters". Wish Granters are regional volunteers who donate their professional goods and services to the couple in need. 

If you are a wedding industry professional in the Boston/New England Region and would like to donate your goods or services to this great cause by becoming a Wish Granter, please fill out  our short Wish Granter Application If you have any questions, please email me at bostonvolunteer@wishuponawedding.org  

Visit Wish Upon A Wedding   to learn more about this organization.    Weddings provided by Wish Upon a Wedding are for no more than 50 guests.

Wish Upon a Wedding is 501 c 3 Non-Profit organization

I hope to be adding you to our database!!

So you need a Photographer? Here's a few tips on how to choose one

What should you look for in a wedding photographer? Obviously you'd want to see their portfolio, but what qualities should be looked for in that portfolio?

What is the photographers style. Is it traditional portraiture, photojournalistic, candids, contemporary, edgy, artsy?

Most photographers will generally shoot weddings with a mix of styles- some posed portraits, family and wedding party group photos, and photojournalistic or candid shots. A photographer who uses a mix of different styles usually delivers more entertaining photos.

View a full wedding so you can see a wedding from start to finish, not just their best shots. Make sure your photographer is likeable. You and your guests will have to smile at this person quite a lot! Photographer should be personable. Make sure to get references from formal clients. Ask if the photographer was on time for the wedding, did they cover everything that was discussed and contracted.

Check into the photographers credentials. Is he or she a member a professional photographers association? Some of these organizations ensure that the photographer is covered by liability insurances, as well as offer photographers awards for meeting certain criteria and standards.

How do you gauge between price and quality — do you really only "get what you pay for"? Your photos will be one of your main possessions once your wedding day is over; the cake has been eaten, dress has been stored, decorations are gone. Don’t allow price to be your main reason for choosing a photographer. You are getting wonderful memories that you can’t replace and that you can share for generations to come.

What options are available for couples on a tight budget? I truly believe that a professional photographer is necessesary, if you are able to, hire a professional for the ceremony and key components of your wedding and reception. 
If a professional photographer just cannot fit  into the budget, here are some options: (not necessarily suggestions, but options!)

Place disposable wedding cameras on guest tables and let your guests have fun! You will be surprised at the things you miss during your wedding day! This can be a nice thing to do even if you can afford a photographer.

With so many options to enhance and alter photos digitally, if you have a friend or relative who is good (very good) with a camera, have them shoot your day.

Post an ad in the art department at a local college or university for a photographer. You'd be surprised at the talent and skill available —  Just be prepared to assemble your album from the developed photos.

Everyone deserves a wonderful wedding, with beautiful photographs to share.  A professional photogropher is definately the way to go. If budget is a big issue, have a candid (no pun intended) discussion with your photographer he or she may be able to work something out with you so that your day is picture perfect!

Thank you to Jesserie Leavitt of Jesserie Leavitt-Photography for contributing to this blog post!

Cards Anyone??

Wedding Stationery may begin with the Save the Date Card ... and end with a Thank You card... but what are all those other cards in between?? 

Lets take a little trip through some of those cards!

You've received a wedding invitation and with it you may also see

• Response Card  - Tells the bride and groom if you are attending and how many guests will be attending with you. 

 

  Direction Card - This card can be simple and state directions to the ceremony and reception sites or it can also include a map. This card contains information on accommodations and local attractions

• . Or you may receive an....
• Accommodation Card ! - This card gives out-of-town guests group rate information that the bride and groom have arranged with local hotels or just suggests hotels.  The accommodation card can also include information on local attractions.

• Transportation Card - Informs guests  that you  will be providing some type of transportation (bus, trolley, etc) from Point A to Point B on the wedding day. If you need to know how many guests will be using the provided transportation, just add a line to your RSVP card so you can get a head count.
  
  
• Rain Card - Tells guests where the alternate (indoor) location is in the event of inclement weather. Not used often unless the new location is in a completely different location from the original site.

Once you arrive at the Reception site, you may be greeted by a beautifully decorated table displaying....

• Escort Cards - Do just that, escort you to your table -which is usually marked by  the same number or other indicator as to where you will be seated for the evening.  Once you are at your table, you may encounter our next card....

• Place Card - This card tells you were your exact seat is at your table. This card will usually have your name on it.

Once seated, you may notice a card perhaps tucked strategically within an elegantly folded napkin or positioned in some way to get your attention, this would be your....

• Menu Card - This card will list your meal choices, or give you a glimpse of what is coming.

When this is all over and usually within 2-4 weeks after the wedding, you should receive one more card....

• Thank You Card - From the newlyweds stating how much they appreciated your gift and for sharing in their special day.

These are the more popular cards that I could think of, feel free to add some of your own!  But I do believe this is a pretty full deck!! 

Thank you to Beth of Forever Friends for providing samples of some of these cards. Beth is the real authority on all of your Wedding Stationery...and Cards!

Feature Friday: Favors by Dorinda!!

I had the pleasure of meeting Dorinda, virtually about a year ago! (Wow, time flies D!) I recently got to see her work firsthand when I won a giveaway on her Facebook page! I was thrilled when I received my goodies and found that she had personalized the candy wrappers and  included beautiful artwork.

 I'm glad I got to know Dorinda and her work, and hope you will be too! 

 I asked her questions that would give more insight about  Favors by Dorinda:

When and how did you start your business and why?

I started my business in 1998 when I decided I needed to be home more with my kids. I was an art major in school but wound up pursuing a career in pharmacy that lasted 20 years. I never lost my love for design, always getting my hands into anything crafty I could find. When I decided to become a stay at home mom, Favors by Dorinda was born. We do personalized candy bar wrappers and custom candy cakes for all weddings, babies, any special occasion in your life. We also ship nationwide.

Have you always personalized your products?

This is a great question and one no one has ever asked me before. YES! In the very beginning, I actually did personalized ribbons and more traditional favors, like Jordan almonds. Four years ago I was stricken with Transverse Myelitis, and this left me with little to no feeling on my left side. Not many people know this about me. It's something I've kept quiet about for the most part. It was then that I switched directions and started doing candy wrappers. And of course, they're always personalized!

What do you enjoy most about being in the wedding/event industry?
I love all of it. The people I meet, brides, grooms, wedding pros alike. It's like Disneyland! A little bit of something for everyone. The exchanging of ideas, following the course of a collaboration. It's all very intriguing and rewarding in so many ways.

Do you have a favorite line of products?

I love making the candy cakes. Each one is unique and original. Some are created based on the mood I am in that particular day :) I just created the "Snowflake Candy Cake" for Wintertime weddings. There are also matching candy bar wrappers in both the large bars and the mini's that compliment the cake. Of course, my wrappers still remain the best sellers. I love being able to create a custom wrapper using photos of the "person of honor". Its makes it much more personal. 

What if anything is your best seller?

My custom candy bar wrappers are still my best sellers although the cakes are coming up fast. Doesn't matter to me because I love doing it all!!

 

What advice do you give brides when they're trying to choose favors?

"Don't let anyone talk you into having something you don't want." If chocolate isn't your thing, then I will recommend them to someone who I think would be able to help them. But if chocolate is your thing, then I'm your gal!

How do you stand out from your competition?

I'd like to think it's my customer service that makes me stand out from the rest. My customers usually become my friends. Its like having a huge family and it warms my heart. I will do whatever it takes to make each event extra special. And I'm not afraid to work with any customer who has a budget. There's always to a way to work things out.

Where can people find you?

All over! I'm always online so it's easy to find me. The best ways are:

My Web Site - http://www.favorsbydorinda.com/

My Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/favorsbydorinda

My Blog - http://favorsbydorinda.blogspot.com/

Twitter - http://twitter.com/favorsbydorinda

Email - info@favorsbydorinda.com


Thank you Dorinda for contributing to my blog, your talents are a definite asset to the wedding industry!

Fall Colors for Everyone!

I recently had the pleasure of planning a wedding for Krys and Joe.  This couple wanted vibrant fall colors, fabric and flowers for their October wedding. 

The room looked great with white chair covers tied with sashes in red and gold alternating on guest tables; centerpieces of beautiful Circus roses, gold mini-Gerber's and berries set in vases luminated in gold and red lights. 



(I'm sure you can tell this one was taken by me!)



Haitian and American cuisine were on the menu and the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed an evening of food, drinks, dancing, and lots of fun, including "The Limbo"!

                                      

A very well dressed wedding party fully clad in black tuxes accented with saffron ties and vests complimented the saffron dresses worn by the bridesmaids and made of honor.




A photo booth provided by the phographer Terrence Adderley of T Adderely Photography kept guest busy between tosses and dances, and served as a convenient way to get family pictures taken and captured reunions between long last relatives.

It was a great time for everyone and I wish the newlyweds a wonderful life together.

Feature Friday: Micaila's Creations Photography

All Occasions by JB has added "Feature Friday" to our Blog!! Every week we will feature a new vendor that has caught our eye through their work and dedication to the Wedding/Event Industry.

Our first Feature Friday vendor is Micaila Britto of Micaila's Creations Photography  Having worked with Micaila, I can personally vouch for the quality of work and fun that she brings to each event!

"Growing up in the Taunton, MA area (about 40 miles south of Boston, MA);  Photography has always been a passion for me. Photography is something I have been doing since I was a young child. With it just starting as a hobby while modeling and taking dance lessons, I never thought that it would become an extension of my life. After graduating high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps - serving for 7 years of active duty. Once my enlistment ended, I attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. I majored in Graphic Design and minored in photography. I have photographed at the Susan G. Komen 5K Walk, Project Bread's Walk for Hunger, Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus (MWPC) and was the Department of Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars State Photographer.

My passion allows me to capture the unique moments of your special day. Capturing each event as it unfolds, with special attention to detail (while using mainly digital cameras or film if preferred). Using the digital photography allows me to enhance and edit photos, making any color image into black and white to allow for the timelessness of the events".

Here are some samples of Micaila's work!!

Micaila's creativity, fun personality and love for photography makes it easy and a pleasure to work with her.

Grooms Cake

Happy Halloween!! I’m sure on this date you and I will read lots of blogs and great articles on Halloween themed weddings…So, I wont go there! Instead I will talk about the Grooms Cake! I am not going to pretend to know a lot about grooms cakes (I know, bad planner!), but you and I will know alittle more by the end of this post!

According to an article from Ezines, “It seems that the first appearance of the bridegroom's cake dates back as far as the nineteenth century where it was made as a small cake sweetened with honey that included various kinds of fruit and nuts, These bridegroom cakes were packaged as small individual cakes and given to all the single women attending the wedding and they would then take them home and place them under their pillows while sleeping in hopes of dreaming of their own true love. Alternatively, the bridegroom's cake was one large dark cake that was created to not upstage the wedding cake, which is considered the bride's cake. These larger bridegroom cakes were then sliced and passed around to those in attendance along with a glass of wine for toasting the wedding. Although there has been a loss of interest in grooms cake in other areas, the cake is still pretty popular in many American weddings, especially in southern weddings and seem to be coming more popular as time passes".

Here are some pics that I’ve found online of grooms cakes!
  
So a Grooms Cake can be anything you, or he wants as long as it doesn't upstage the brides cake! 
Did you have a grooms cake at your wedding? Please send pics, we would love to hear from you and see your grooms cake!