HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM
AS YOU WISH WEDDING & EVENT DESIGN!
October 30, 2007
Featured Vendor
This weeks Featured Vendor is one of my absolute favorites. Tania Lezak of Lezak Photography is one of the most gifted photographers I have ever worked with. She is a complete joy to have on-site and I look forward to all of my weddings that she shoots. She is a ton of fun, as you'll see from reading her blog, but she is also so genuine and really cares about capturing the best moments of your day. I found Tania after she shot my cousins' wedding (Check out Christine and Marks wedding in Wyndham on her blog!), as she is a close family friend. She has since worked with me on my weddings and has done another cousin of mine as well (Check out Patricia and Mike's wedding in Germany on her blog -- it's a MUST SEE!).
Tania: Thanks for all of the support you have given me as I grow into the wedding industry. You have no idea how much help you've given me in this first year!
Name: Tania Lezak
Business: Tania Lezak Photography
Website: http://www.lezakphotography.com/ And of course, the blog!: http://photosnaps.lezakphotography.com/iBlog/
Location: Philadelphia, PA area
Type of Vendor: Photographer!
How Long In Business: I’ve been shooting professionally for about 11 years now, but weddings have been my life for the past 3-4 years.
Work Style: Creative photojournalism
Training: Learned a lot about shooting, processing, and Photoshop while I was a photographer at the Daily Collegian (Penn State’s newspaper), but I’m mostly self-trained!
Favorite Color: Pink & blue (no surprise that they’re also my business colors!)
Sports Team: Red Sox -- I’ll always be a Boston girl
Languages: Spanish & a little bit of German
Favorite Food: Ice cream & burritos (but not together)
Hidden Talents or Favorite Hobbies: In the winter, when the wedding season slows down a bit, I throw pottery. I love digging in and getting my hands dirty!
Home Town: I grew up in a little town in Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.
Favorite Place: This is a tough one…..I’ve been to so many incredible places! I don’t think I could pick a favorite, but I love how the landscape in Utah feels almost alive…. I love the lushness and peace of Kauai…. I love walking the streets of Moscow at night…. I love riding my horse at sunset through the fields at home…. I love exploring the northern coasts of Spain…and there’s still so much more I have to see and do!
Pets: Jake (my horse) and Sully (our crazy blonde lab)
Favorite Holidays: Christmas!
Favorite Quote: I don’t know if I have a favorite quote, but this is one I always find inspiring… “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” (Henry Ford)
Best Part Of The Job: I love watching the whole day unfold….from the hair curling and tie-tying in the morning until the last dance. I love that I get to be there for all of the smiles and emotions….through the hectic times and the sweet times….on such an amazing day! It’s a huge honor to be invited into a couple’s wedding day.
To see more of Tania's work, check our her website: www.lezakphotography.com and her blog: http://photosnaps.lezakphotography.com/iBlog/! See the post below of Joey and Erans wedding for more examples of Tania's beautiful work.
Tania: Thanks for all of the support you have given me as I grow into the wedding industry. You have no idea how much help you've given me in this first year!
Name: Tania Lezak
Business: Tania Lezak Photography
Website: http://www.lezakphotography.com/ And of course, the blog!: http://photosnaps.lezakphotography.com/iBlog/
Location: Philadelphia, PA area
Type of Vendor: Photographer!
How Long In Business: I’ve been shooting professionally for about 11 years now, but weddings have been my life for the past 3-4 years.
Work Style: Creative photojournalism
Training: Learned a lot about shooting, processing, and Photoshop while I was a photographer at the Daily Collegian (Penn State’s newspaper), but I’m mostly self-trained!
Favorite Color: Pink & blue (no surprise that they’re also my business colors!)
Sports Team: Red Sox -- I’ll always be a Boston girl
Languages: Spanish & a little bit of German
Favorite Food: Ice cream & burritos (but not together)
Hidden Talents or Favorite Hobbies: In the winter, when the wedding season slows down a bit, I throw pottery. I love digging in and getting my hands dirty!
Home Town: I grew up in a little town in Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.
Favorite Place: This is a tough one…..I’ve been to so many incredible places! I don’t think I could pick a favorite, but I love how the landscape in Utah feels almost alive…. I love the lushness and peace of Kauai…. I love walking the streets of Moscow at night…. I love riding my horse at sunset through the fields at home…. I love exploring the northern coasts of Spain…and there’s still so much more I have to see and do!
Pets: Jake (my horse) and Sully (our crazy blonde lab)
Favorite Holidays: Christmas!
Favorite Quote: I don’t know if I have a favorite quote, but this is one I always find inspiring… “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” (Henry Ford)
Best Part Of The Job: I love watching the whole day unfold….from the hair curling and tie-tying in the morning until the last dance. I love that I get to be there for all of the smiles and emotions….through the hectic times and the sweet times….on such an amazing day! It’s a huge honor to be invited into a couple’s wedding day.
To see more of Tania's work, check our her website: www.lezakphotography.com and her blog: http://photosnaps.lezakphotography.com/iBlog/! See the post below of Joey and Erans wedding for more examples of Tania's beautiful work.
Current Weddings
Vital Statistics
Bride: Joey
Groom: Eran
Location: Kutz Camp, Warwick NY
Flowers: ZAK & Company
Photography: Lezak Photography
Catering: Bridge Creek Catering
I recently got the pleasure of working with a really great couple from St. Thomas. Kutz Camp holds a special place for the bride's family, as the Father of the Bride works at the camp and the bride and her siblings went to the camp as children. They had a gorgeous day in early September. Tania Lezak took these photos. She is PHENOMENAL and I'll be featuring her tomorrow on the blog. I can't thank her enough for sharing these pictures!
Bride: Joey
Groom: Eran
Location: Kutz Camp, Warwick NY
Flowers: ZAK & Company
Photography: Lezak Photography
Catering: Bridge Creek Catering
I recently got the pleasure of working with a really great couple from St. Thomas. Kutz Camp holds a special place for the bride's family, as the Father of the Bride works at the camp and the bride and her siblings went to the camp as children. They had a gorgeous day in early September. Tania Lezak took these photos. She is PHENOMENAL and I'll be featuring her tomorrow on the blog. I can't thank her enough for sharing these pictures!
The ceremony was held in "The Willows" in between two gigantic willow trees. The guests then followed the path of lanterns to "The Theatre," where the reception was held out over the lake.
The bride and bride's sister hand made their placecards. The lanterns above were used throughout the theatre. We strung them all along the sides of the reception space to create lantern-lit windows. Guests looked through the lanterns out onto the gorgeous lake and mountains.
Their Ketubah was fabulous! It was so intricate and ornate. It was such a beautiful piece of art.
The only thing Joey really had her heart set on was the rose petal aisle. It was a beautiful touch. The guests all sat on camp provided benches, which were painted different colors. It really brightened up the space and gave the ceremony a very personal feel.
Along with the beautiful Hazelnut Genoise Wedding Cake with Chocolate Ganache Filling (yum!), they had a "candy bar" filled with candy in their wedding colors. The guests could fill mini goody bags with the candy of their choice.
All in all, it was a gorgeous day and it was so great to be a part of it.
If you have any questions about where to get anything seen in this post, email us at stacey@asyouwishwed.biz!
October 29, 2007
Reader Q & A
Q: Can you give some solid guidelines of how much to tip your vendors? I thought that all vendors were tipped, but read an article saying only certain vendors do.
A: The wedding vendors that you definitely should tip:
A: The wedding vendors that you definitely should tip:
- Head caterer, maitre d', banquet manager: 15-20% of the total food and drink bill
- Waitstaff: 15% of the total food bill (should be given to banquet manager to distribute)
- Bartenders: 15% of the total drink bill (should be given to banquet manager to distribute)
- DJ/Musician: $30-$50 each
- Limousine Drivers: 15-20% of the entire transportation bill
- Hair Stylist: 15-20% of the bill
- Makeup Artist: 15-20% of the bill
- Bathroom and Coat Check Attendant: $1 per guest (place a sign stating that gratuities have been taken care of)
- Valet Parking Attendant: $1 per guest (place a sign stating that gratuities have been taken care of)
- Delivery truck drivers (catering, florist, cake baker): $10 each
The wedding vendors that you have the option of tipping:
- Photographer: 10% of bill
- Videographer:10% of bill
- Wedding Planner: 15-20% of total bill
- Organist: $20-$50
- Soloist:$20-$50
- Altar boys/girls: $10
- Wedding Day Ceremony Coordinator: $20
The wedding vendors that do not get tipped:
- Florist
- Cake Baker
- Stationer
- Religious Officiant (if you'd like to tip a religious officiant, donate the money to the place of worship)
A few things to remember when tipping your wedding vendors:
- Double check every one of your contracts before deciding on tips. Many vendors include a gratuity charge built right into the bill. If this is the case, you do not need to give any additional tip on your wedding day.
- Tips were designed to show appreciation for a job well done. If you feel that any one of the vendors that do not typically get tipped did an outstanding job, feel free to tip them as well.
- The bride and groom should never be in charge of tipping on your wedding day. Assign this task to a parent or responsible attendant.
- Tips should be given towards the end of the evening. You need to make sure that there is a job well done before you hand out that reward.
October 28, 2007
Just Flat Out Cool!
Bridal magazines are stuffed with ad's for bridesmaids dresses. After awhile, you get numb to them and barely notice, because they are all so similar. Check out this website: www.lynnlugobridal.com. This designer not only offers a fresh look at the bridesmaids dress, but lets you custom make your dress with an awesome online tool. You choose the silhouette, colors, fabrics, and details.
Consider using different shades of color and complimentary colors when choosing your gowns. Having more than one color adds tons of interest and makes for great photos! It also keeps you away from everything being too "matchy-matchy" and gives you more freedom is using color throughout the rest of your wedding.
October 25, 2007
Just Flat Out Cool!
You have spent (or will spend) countless hours making sure that you choose the perfect wedding stationary. You'll find the perfect Save The Dates, Invitations, and Thank You Cards. So much time and effort will be out into the color scheme, fonts, and calligraphy. Little to no time will be spent on the stamp. After all that work, do you really want to ruin the effect of the beautiful writing by putting an ugly orange quail stamp next to it? Nope!
Check out this website: http://www.pictureitpostage.com/. Click the "Get Inspired" tab and head to the Wedding Section. You can customize your stamp to match the theme of your wedding stationary! If you're doing a themed Save The Date, include a coordinating graphic. On your Thank You Notes, include a wedding photo! If nothing else, pick something plain that doesn't clash with that great first impression your invitation is making.
If custom stamps aren't in your budget, head over to http://www.usps.com/ and choose the Wedding Heart stamps...anything to avoid that quail!
Check out this website: http://www.pictureitpostage.com/. Click the "Get Inspired" tab and head to the Wedding Section. You can customize your stamp to match the theme of your wedding stationary! If you're doing a themed Save The Date, include a coordinating graphic. On your Thank You Notes, include a wedding photo! If nothing else, pick something plain that doesn't clash with that great first impression your invitation is making.
If custom stamps aren't in your budget, head over to http://www.usps.com/ and choose the Wedding Heart stamps...anything to avoid that quail!
October 24, 2007
Featured Vendor
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a new company that just started in my hometown. I get contacted by literally hundreds of new vendors per week, but this one caught my eye. I met with them, heard their story, and LOVED their concept (and loved them, they are such fun ladies). AJ Amore does In-Home Demonstration parties. They are the new and useful alternative to the overdone engraved bracelet and flask. They offer a fresh and unique spin on the bachelorette party, shower, or attendants gift. You can show your appreciation for your bridal party by having them over for a party, or you can give them gift certificates to have parties of their own. Here's a little bit more about them:
Name: Allison Hill & Janet Lennon
Business: AJ Amore Website: http://www.ajamore.com/
Location: Midland Park, New Jersey, 07432
Type of Vendor: An In Home Food Demonstration and Dinner Party Planning Service
How Long In Business: 2 of the best months of our lives
Work Style: Casual with a dash of flare…
Training: Between the two of us we have 38 years of parenting, cooking and entertaining experience
Favorite Color: Allison: Purple Janet: Brown
Sports Team: Allison: Giants Janet: Yankees
Languages: English, Love, and children
Favorite Food: Pasta, Bread & Cheese. We wouldn’t survive without these in our diets
Hidden Talents or Favorite Hobbies: Allison: Singing Janet: Painting
Home Town: Allison: Ridgewood Janet: Bogota
Favorite Place: Allison: My Bed Janet: Her Beach Chair
Pets: Allison: Bella the cat Janet: Buster the cat & Buddy the crooked dog
Favorite Holidays: Christmas, Christmas and oh yeah….CHRISTMAS!
Favorite Quote: "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." -Virginia Woolf
Best Part Of The Job: Laughing like no one is looking. We spend an awful lot of time together not to be having fun. Hopefully our clients are having as much fun as we are. We try to insist upon it!
Check out their website, www.ajamore.com to see more of the great services that they offer. Email them to be added to their newsletter mailing list! It features some really awesome stuff!
UPDATE: AJ Amore selected As You Wish as their Featured Vendor! Check it out: http://www.ajamore.com/FEATUREDVENDOR.html. Thanks ladies!!
October 23, 2007
Reader Q & A
Q: Am I obligated to leave Welcome Baskets in all of my guests hotel rooms? Only a few guests are staying in a hotel and I don't want to give them something that the other guests aren't getting because we appreciate them coming an equal amount.
A: There are no rules about giving guests Welcome Baskets. Most guests won't enter their hotel rooms and immediately search for a gift from you, but it's certainly a nice surprise that will make them feel appreciated. The theory behind a Welcome Basket is to thank those guests who traveled and put in the extra effort and expense to get to your wedding. They generally spend and sacrifice more than your local guests. Some have to take extra days off of work, drive long distances, or pay for airfare.
Destination Weddings are a whole different ball game. All of your guests are making huge sacrifices to get to your wedding, so you should make them feel extra special and appreciated when they arrive. Some "must haves" for a destination welcome basket: itinerary of any activities that the hotel is offering and local attractions, itinerary of any activities that you have set up for your guests, a map of the area, important phone numbers, and some special local items. Getting married in Hawaii? Include some Kona Coffee or Macadamia Nuts. Getting Married in Ireland? Include miniature umbrellas. Getting married in the islands? Include sunscreen and flip flops. Getting married in Napa? Include wine from a local vineyard.
A Welcome Basket doesn't need to be something that breaks your budget. It can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like. It's important to theme the basket in some way. It doesn't need to be an exact replica of your reception, but it should tie into your big day or you as a couple in some way. Remember to include a personal note from you and your fiance thanking your guests once again.
A new twist on this idea? Have some comfort food delivered to guest rooms during your wedding, so it's waiting for them when they come back. Some ideas we're loving? Milk and cookies. Hot cider and donuts. Warm robes and bubble bath.
Get creative! Your guests will absolutely appreciate the extra effort you put forth to thank them.
A: There are no rules about giving guests Welcome Baskets. Most guests won't enter their hotel rooms and immediately search for a gift from you, but it's certainly a nice surprise that will make them feel appreciated. The theory behind a Welcome Basket is to thank those guests who traveled and put in the extra effort and expense to get to your wedding. They generally spend and sacrifice more than your local guests. Some have to take extra days off of work, drive long distances, or pay for airfare.
Destination Weddings are a whole different ball game. All of your guests are making huge sacrifices to get to your wedding, so you should make them feel extra special and appreciated when they arrive. Some "must haves" for a destination welcome basket: itinerary of any activities that the hotel is offering and local attractions, itinerary of any activities that you have set up for your guests, a map of the area, important phone numbers, and some special local items. Getting married in Hawaii? Include some Kona Coffee or Macadamia Nuts. Getting Married in Ireland? Include miniature umbrellas. Getting married in the islands? Include sunscreen and flip flops. Getting married in Napa? Include wine from a local vineyard.
A Welcome Basket doesn't need to be something that breaks your budget. It can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like. It's important to theme the basket in some way. It doesn't need to be an exact replica of your reception, but it should tie into your big day or you as a couple in some way. Remember to include a personal note from you and your fiance thanking your guests once again.
A new twist on this idea? Have some comfort food delivered to guest rooms during your wedding, so it's waiting for them when they come back. Some ideas we're loving? Milk and cookies. Hot cider and donuts. Warm robes and bubble bath.
Get creative! Your guests will absolutely appreciate the extra effort you put forth to thank them.
October 17, 2007
Just Flat Out Cool!
Picture This: Your boyfriend invites you over for dinner at his place. He cooks you his specialty: hamburgers and hot dogs hot off the grill. (What did you expect?) But when he puts his Oscar Mayer specialty down in front of you, you notice that this dog is wearing something other than mustard. Something big and shiny. It's a diamond ring, right around the hot dog. Your mind blanks out, and when you come to, he's down on one knee saying, "I want to be your weiner for the rest of our lives." Although cheesily poetic, it wasn't quite what you had imagined.
Now, Picture this: You and your boyfriend are on your annual apple and pumpkin picking fall excursion. After a long day of hauling pumpkins that you'll never carve and apples that you'll never eat, you decide to take the hay-ride back and enjoy some apple cider and donuts. When you get there, one of the picnic tables is beautifully decorated. Upon further examination, you realize that not only are there cider and donuts, but your favorite wine is on the table. There is a place card with your name on it. The table is dressed in all of your favorite colors and favorite things about fall: your favorite season. Your boyfriend sits down at the table, and invites you to join him. A crowd starts to gather around you, as your boyfriend slowly moves from his seat and gets down on one knee. He professes his love for you, places a gigantic rock on your finger, and everyone around you starts clapping and cheering. Suddenly, you realize that there are paparazzi like flashes all around you. He has even arranged for a photographer to secretly follow you all day, so that every moment would be captured. Much better.
The day a girl gets proposed to is one of the best, if not the best, day of her life. Although guys are fantastic, sometimes they need a little help with romance and details. We just launched a "Proposal Planning" package. You may be thinking of the TLC show of the same name from a few years ago. And I'll be honest, I loved that show and that's exactly what inspired me to create this package. Proposal #2 was our first creation. All he did was come up with the idea, buy the ring, and show up. We especially loved how he had a photographer capture the day. We'll help you do all of the secret dirty work for your proposal. You come up with the idea (we can even help with that) and we'll make it happen. Brides: Don't you want your single friends to have an amazing proposal just like you did? Tell their boyfriends! Have them contact us today.
We want to hear all about how your fiance's proposed to you. Please leave us comments with your proposal stories, or email us at stacey@asyouwishwed.biz. Keep checking back as more people leave their stories!
Now, Picture this: You and your boyfriend are on your annual apple and pumpkin picking fall excursion. After a long day of hauling pumpkins that you'll never carve and apples that you'll never eat, you decide to take the hay-ride back and enjoy some apple cider and donuts. When you get there, one of the picnic tables is beautifully decorated. Upon further examination, you realize that not only are there cider and donuts, but your favorite wine is on the table. There is a place card with your name on it. The table is dressed in all of your favorite colors and favorite things about fall: your favorite season. Your boyfriend sits down at the table, and invites you to join him. A crowd starts to gather around you, as your boyfriend slowly moves from his seat and gets down on one knee. He professes his love for you, places a gigantic rock on your finger, and everyone around you starts clapping and cheering. Suddenly, you realize that there are paparazzi like flashes all around you. He has even arranged for a photographer to secretly follow you all day, so that every moment would be captured. Much better.
The day a girl gets proposed to is one of the best, if not the best, day of her life. Although guys are fantastic, sometimes they need a little help with romance and details. We just launched a "Proposal Planning" package. You may be thinking of the TLC show of the same name from a few years ago. And I'll be honest, I loved that show and that's exactly what inspired me to create this package. Proposal #2 was our first creation. All he did was come up with the idea, buy the ring, and show up. We especially loved how he had a photographer capture the day. We'll help you do all of the secret dirty work for your proposal. You come up with the idea (we can even help with that) and we'll make it happen. Brides: Don't you want your single friends to have an amazing proposal just like you did? Tell their boyfriends! Have them contact us today.
We want to hear all about how your fiance's proposed to you. Please leave us comments with your proposal stories, or email us at stacey@asyouwishwed.biz. Keep checking back as more people leave their stories!
October 16, 2007
Reader Q & A
Q: I heard about a couple who registered for upgrades on their Honeymoon. My mom says this is tacky. Are many people doing this?
A: I get asked this question all the time. Honeymoon registries are becoming extremely popular, and it's definitely NOT tacky. It's a really unique and different take on the traditional wedding registry. Honeymoon Registries are just like a registry at BB&B, Williams-Sonoma, or Pottery Barn. Rather than registering for a blender, you register for things like massages, room upgrades, water sports, and excursions. It gives the couple a chance to think through their honeymoon and pre-plan their activities. This is an especially great idea for couples having their second marriages or couples who have been living together for a period of time and already have the typical household items usually found on registries. It's also a great way for guests to give gifts that you'll really remember and get to enjoy. Keep in mind, it shouldn't be the only registry that you have. Register for some more traditional items for the guests that may not be comfortable giving such a cutting-edge gift.
Google "Honeymoon Registry" and some really great sites will come up. Our pick? www.thehoneymoon.com.
Need our advice? Send us your question at: stacey@asyouwishwed.biz!
A: I get asked this question all the time. Honeymoon registries are becoming extremely popular, and it's definitely NOT tacky. It's a really unique and different take on the traditional wedding registry. Honeymoon Registries are just like a registry at BB&B, Williams-Sonoma, or Pottery Barn. Rather than registering for a blender, you register for things like massages, room upgrades, water sports, and excursions. It gives the couple a chance to think through their honeymoon and pre-plan their activities. This is an especially great idea for couples having their second marriages or couples who have been living together for a period of time and already have the typical household items usually found on registries. It's also a great way for guests to give gifts that you'll really remember and get to enjoy. Keep in mind, it shouldn't be the only registry that you have. Register for some more traditional items for the guests that may not be comfortable giving such a cutting-edge gift.
Google "Honeymoon Registry" and some really great sites will come up. Our pick? www.thehoneymoon.com.
Need our advice? Send us your question at: stacey@asyouwishwed.biz!
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