Meet the Masters Podcast

This summer, I was fortunate to have been part of the NJ branch of the Association of Bridal Consultants' efforts to sponsor a wedding for a bride with breast cancer. Tina & Paul Velez were married on June 26th, surrounded by family and friends. The wedding was made possible by the generous donations of members of the ABC!

For a lot more information about this wedding, check out the latest "Meet the Masters" podcast on the Wedding Podcast Network. During the podcast, I'm interviewed - together with other members of the NJ-ABC - all of whom worked together to fulfill Tina & Paul's wedding dreams. This truly was a very special group effort!

I am so honored to have played a part in making Tina & Paul's day happy. And I'm very happy that the NJ-ABC - vendor members as well as other bridal consultants - were able to create wonderful memories for this deserving couple!

Until next time, happy planning...

Before & After

When it comes to changing the look of a venue, there are many different avenues you can take. You can bring in floral centerpieces. You can put out different linens, add chair covers. You have many options!

One option that has become more popular of late is lighting. I am a HUGE fan of lighting. You really can change up a room by the addition of uplights! I once did a wedding in a windowless ballroom with ugly chandeliers - we turned off the overhead lights and used a lighting company to make that room absolutely magical! As you can see, the monogrammed gobo on the dance floor also added to the overall impression. Of course, the use of candles everywhere certainly added to the feel!

I recently did an event (not a wedding) in the basement of a church. As you can see, the basement was a typical basement, complete with columns! With the aid of a lighting company, I piped and draped the room and added lights, rental tables & chairs -- and the room was totally transformed! Every 20 minutes or so, the computer-controlled lights changed color, and added the perfect compliment to the exciting mood. So, be creative with your space and SERIOUSLY consider using lighting to add that WOW factor to your upcoming wedding celebration!!

Until next time, happy planning...

Congratulations to Vivian and Luis!

On May 2nd, Vivian and Luis celebrated their wedding at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Union, followed by their reception at The Manor in West Orange. Even though it was early May, it was a very hot day - but the dance floor was even hotter! With music provided by Diamond Productions, Angel had everyone on the floor all night! What a great time!!

When I think back about Vivian and Luis's wedding, all I remember is the love they share and their family and friends who celebrated with them. Usually, there are "little challenges" that happen throughout a wedding day - and the weather certainly was one of those "little challenges" - but we, at Bride Ideas, did everything we could to make the day run smoothly. And gave the bridal party lots of water!!

The bride's parents are deaf, as were many of the guests, so we had an interpreter sign the major parts of the wedding and reception. What a wonderful way to include everyone on the festivities!!

So, when you're planning your wedding, remember the special touches that personalize your day. Cupcake favors on the way out the door... Interpreters, or bilingual ceremony programs... Special photos taken with far away guests... Meaningful songs to fill the dance floor...

Until next time, happy planning...

Wedding Podcast Network Asks Me to be a Guest Expert!!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post! I've been so busy with a myriad of things that I just couldn't get to my blog. BUT, I did want to share with you that I recently was asked to be a "guest expert" on the Wedding Podcast Network to discuss what essentially is a dirty little secret of the wedding industry: commissions. I thought about it, worried a bit, and then decided the time was right to shed some light on this practice.

The question essentially had to do with a venue that has a "preferred" vendor list. Now, most venues have this list - which is (usually) paid advertising for the vendors on the list. In this particular case, the venue went one step further - if you, as the bride and groom, choose not to use the vendor on the list, then you had to pay the venue a fee for using someone else! Let me tell you that this venue is NOT in New Jersey.

This practice is pretty slimy, in my opinion. Basically, it appears - and I didn't review any documents and have no first hand knowledge about the deal other than the question posed to me - that when a vendor is selected from this list, it has to pay the venue a certain fee. If the vendor is not selected, then the venue wants its "commission" and gets it from the client (i.e, you!).

I haven't heard about such an outrageous practice in New Jersey, but it is routine here for venues to offer a "preferred vendor list." The vendors on the list provided by the venue, then, are not recommendations for the best vendors for you. They simply represent advertisers willing to pay the fee for the advertisement at that venue. You, as the bride and groom, need to recognize this fact. By contrast, in my role as wedding consultant, I offer you vendor recommendations purely based upon your budget and your style - no kickbacks allowed!

To listen to this podcast, click here to go to Bridal Scene #37 with Holli Ehrlich and Robert Allen on the Wedding Podcast Network.

Don't just take my word on this subject. None other than Preston Bailey has blogged about commissions recently - to read his thoughts, click here.

What's your opinion about this topic? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, happy planning...

New Wedding Trends Article is UP!

As the Wedding Expert for www.NewJerseyNewsroom.com, I get to write in response to questions I receive as well as my own personal experiences. When I decided to tackle my latest topic, I contacted a few colleagues in the industry to get their opinions, and boy was I overwhelmed! I really hit a nerve.

What topic did I write about, you ask? The title says it all: "Be a Bride, not a Micromanager"

In this article, I give tips about how to select professional vendors and then how to let go! During your planning, you will spend a lot of time choosing your vendors - DJ, photographer, wedding consultant, etc. During this "vetting" process, you need to be comfortable with the level of professionalism of that vendor, as well as his or her personality. After all, you are entrusting them with your wedding!

However, at a certain point, you need to be the bride. Relax and celebrate with your family and friends, and leave the tiny details to your professionals. By all means, communicate your musical selections for the important events during the reception to your DJ - and give him a "do not play" list - but that's it! Do not give your DJ a list of 100 songs that you expect to hear played, in order, during your reception! That is your DJ's job - and he is a trained professional able to read the crowd and get people on the dance floor.

Similarly, do not give your photographer a list a mile long of people and poses that you want taken during your wedding. Your photographer is trained to capture special, UNPLANNED moments - which photos will remain special to you for many years to come. Trust your photographer and let him show you why you selected him!

Many, many thanks to Bill Reybert of Platinum Disc Jockeys (www.platinumdiscjockeys.com) and Tim Camuso of Timothy Glenn Photographers, Inc. (www.timothyglennphoto.com) for their input in the article. I hope you enjoy the column, and get some useful information from it! Click here for the article. (The photo on this post is courtesy of Tim Camuso - thanks!) I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, happy planning!

What to ask when interviewing a wedding planner

So many couples got engaged over the holidays - congratulations!

Now what????

Should your first step be to pick a date, pick a venue, find a priest, get the gown? Seems like everything needs to be done at once! Well, not really.

Your first stop should be choosing a wedding planner. Now, I know what you're thinking - your budget doesn't allow for that "luxury" and you can go online to find all the vendors you'll need. Actually, a wedding planner will help you to afford the wedding of your dreams and also will get you the best vendors for your vision. AND will eliminate most of the wedding stress!

So, now you've decided to find a wedding planner. Once you make your appointments, you need to do some prep work for the initial meetings. Come armed with some questions about the planner's education, experiences, vendor referral policy. Ask about how they work with family members and the bridal party, how much time is included in their package, what timelines they actually prepare for you, how she works with vendors she hadn't recommended. You need to be comfortable that the planner has the experience to do a good job for you AND that you "click" with her. After all, you will be spending a lot of time together!

Once you've hired your planner, together the three of you will conquer the wedding planning world!

Until next time, happy planning...

"Reality Wedding TV" & What a Wedding Planner Can Do For You

As you may know, I am the Wedding Expert on www.NewJerseyNewsroom.com. In this month's Questions and Answers, I responded to 2 very different questions - one about wedding reality TV and one about wedding planners.

The first question came from Rozlyn and dealt with how "real" is "reality" TV as it relates to the wedding shows, and where to go to get great advice on wedding planning. As we all know, shows aren't put on TV unless there's some sort of drama - whether real or created. So, in response to this question, I recommend that she take a listen to the Wedding Podcast Network. Founded by Robert Allen and his wife Holli, this wide-ranging series of podcasts interview experts as well as "real couples." The information imparted on these podcasts is as real as it gets! Also, Allen is an award-winning videographer so this couple certainly has the expertise to back up their podcasts! Check out their site on iTunes or at www.WeddingPodcastNetwork.com.

The second question came from Brandi. She asked what a wedding planner can do that she couldn't. My answer? She certainly can plan everything on her own, BUT a wedding planner can simplify the whole process. A planner has vetted the multitude of vendors out there, and will recommend the best vendors for suited to specific needs. Also, a planner will be up on the latest trends and be able to offer ideas (at a low cost!) that can enhance her special celebration. Not to mention keeping the dreaded stress at bay!

To read the Q&A, click here. Do you have a question for the Wedding Expert, or want me to explore a certain topic? Send me an email!

Until next time, happy planning...