How to choose a retail wedding florist
- Tips to help you choose the best wedding florist for your wedding and avoiding scams
- Caveats to avoid with your wedding florist, questions to ask, what you need in your contract.
Choosing a wedding florist for your wedding is the most fun during your wedding preparations. Most are not as bad as the bridal shops, who remove labels from dresses so you can't see who the designer is and comparison shop. Make sure you get to tour the flower shop facilities and see other people's wedding flowers in production. Your florist bill could range from $1000 - $15000 for your wedding; the price of a decent vacation. It is amazing the difference in price you will find out there. You should try to select a florist who actually does weddings for a living, not just run a flower shop. As one florist put it, "This is your special day, so find a florist who has passion and love for what they do, this way, you know you're getting the best".
When is a florist not a florist?
Some wedding florist and decorators don't have a shop. But it doesn't necessarily mean that they don't produce quality wedding flowers for you. They can stay up all night decorating for weddings, and can wake up in the middle of the night and do bouquets. Sometimes they can be cheaper than a conventional wedding florist shop, and sometimes they can be more. You don't always get the best vibes with a business like this because there is lack of traceability or contracts, and this happens with many self employed home service people too, not just wedding florists. Did you ever call an electrician or plumber and have them not show up? No that never happens! So the private florists are good to use if you use one that is reputable and recommended to you by someone who was happy with their service. They also have the ability to be creative and provide beautiful cost effective decorations for you that rival the cookie cutter florists so there are arguments for both sides. If not, stick with a tried and true wedding florist shop. All I'm saying is be careful and use common sense.
You want someone with trucks and the experience of delivery and setup of your wedding flowers at receptions. You should determine if your "psuedo-florist" has a good connection to the delivery trucks. They may have done some weddings successfully in the past or have some contacts in the industry, but the main issue is they have NO CONTROL over trucks belonging to other people. Also, since they do not have the buying power of a wedding florist shop, their prices are usually higher. Now you are wondering "Hey, they don't have the overhead of the big shops, why aren't they cheaper?" Usually they sell the same products, so they still charge the going rate. I don't care how good the florist is, or how much they care about you, if they don't put it in writing, no deal. There's no way they'll remember 11 months from now what they "promise" you today. "I'm a party planner, here's my card. I can help you..."
Beware of party planners! There's a night and day difference between phoning the local pizza delivery shop, and wedding consultants who deal with many wedding vendors. Party Planners have typically have no experience in high stress weddings, and should be avoided. Wedding consultants are useful but costly. They interface directly with vendors on your behalf. Sometimes you can do just as good on your own. Also, since they have no shop and no overhead, they also don't own the candelabrum, the rolls of fabric, the decorative columns, etc. They just rent them and the cost gets passed on to you. One good example was a psuedo-florist's price for the poly lace runner used for the aisle at the church. Her price was $100, which was way out of control for a glorified roll of butcher shop paper. All the florist shops quoted $35, which is much more reasonable. Go with an established wedding florist that you can go into and inspect their operation. The wedding flowers are the most visible part of your wedding, so unless you know the person real well, why take a chance on ruining your day? First of all, once you've decided to get married and settle on an approximate date, waste NO time in searching for the florist. There are only 52 weekends a year, and maybe 104 possible weddings each florist could work on. If they have a decent staff and more trucks, they can probably handle more. But don't waste time.
Finding Wedding Florists: Get References From Friends, Coworkers, Reception Halls.
Your best resource is people you know. Ask around, look at wedding albums of other people to get ideas from their wedding flower arrangements. It's very helpful to pick up a book or 2 with cake photos and wedding flowers, they can prove most useful for your wedding. Talk to recent brides and mothers. They are the ones that can really give you the juicy details. If something bad happened between them & their florist, boy will they tell you about it. If you are having the reception at a decent hotel or resort, they may have a list of preferred vendors that you may want to call. This list contains vendors that the resort has worked with and knows to be reliable and professional. Remember, the resort's reputation is at stake also. When you look at photos, verify if the arrangements look good. Are they sparsely populated with flowers, and have tons of green and baby's breath piled up to make it look like something? You want nice full displays with lots of flowers that make you go "wow" the second you see it.
Most florists will meet by appointment only. Try to schedule your appointment as early as possible on a Saturday morning. This increases your chances of being able to see the flowers scheduled for a wedding that day before they are delivered. Seeing the flowers will give you ideas for your own arrangement, as well as give you a glimpse of the florist's work. Ask the florist if they are familiar with your church and reception hall. Do they have enough available resources on your wedding date? While you are there, ask the florist to make you up a sample table centerpiece. They can do it in about 5 minutes while they discuss your wedding. They just take it apart and throw the flowers back into the mix after you leave. This is a great selling tool for them, and a powerful visual aid for you, as you can hold it in your hand and know exactly what your floral arrangements are going to look like. Be forewarned, however, that florists seem to put more flowers into the "model" than you actually receive on your centerpieces.
You should have them indicate in the contract how many flowers will be in your centerpiece. You do not want to see 7 or 8 flowers, and a bunch of greenery and baby's breath. Ask what accessories like vases, candelabrum, light stands, etc. they have. One thing, many books recommend balloons to help save money. Sorry folks, this isn't a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheeses.
Money Saving Tips For Dealing With The Florist.
It is important to know everything you are expected to pay to the florist BEFORE you agree to employ them. For example, are there any hidden setup or delivery charges? Does the florist charge a consultant fee? Most do not. Some may, to pay for the time spent meeting with you. There is always the risk that they will spend many hours giving you ideas, only to have you go elsewhere. Most florists are honest, but some will nickel and dime you to death. So watch out for all the little incidentals that add up quickly, especially personal flowers. You can expect your bridal bouquet to be $150, nosegays for bridesmaids to be $35-$50, flowers for mom, dad, flower girls, groomsmen, etc. See how quickly it adds up? You're already down one paycheck and we haven't mentioned the church or reception site yet. Ask the florist if there is a setup/teardown charge for items like chair fabrics and table cloths. IF you use either the florist or a linen company, make sure the contract spells out who is to take down tablecloths after the reception. DON'T ASSUME THE HOTEL DOES IT. They may charge you for the task.
You Must Have A Clear, Concise, Written Contract!
If you go to court with your wedding florist, the judge will say "Where is your contract?" So make sure they have a written contract stating everything you expect of them in writing. If the florist refuses or gives verbal claims, get up and leave. Do you think they will remember months from now what they promised you? A written contract will help them remember. Learn from the many people who got burned when they showed up at the church and were missing personal flowers for mom and dad, because there was no contract, or only verbal promises and no way to enforce it. On the contract, you want it to be clearly stated EVERY SINGLE PERSONAL FLOWER, including flower girls, bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc. If the florist is to move wedding flowers from the church to the reception, make sure that is clearly stated on the contract, along with any special setup or delivery charges. Don't accept any "storage fees", they are a scam. Your flowers are usually arranged the night before or the morning of your wedding to keep them fresh, so there should be not storage fees. There better not be any wedding flower storage fees! The contract should very clearly state what time the ceremony and reception start so your florist can plan accordingly. The contract should state what is being done with the card table, cake table, any staircases you want decorated, and your wedding centerpieces. Keep in mind a contract does not guarantee the florist will show up, it just guarantees that you have legal claim to compensation if they don't honor the contract.
For the bride, get the biggest, best statement-making bouquet you can afford and make sure it's in all your pictures. Make sure they don't use some cheap plastic. Better florists will wrap it in a nice foil or green fabric. Have your wedding florist make a cheap throw away bouquet for the bride to toss. And remember folks, pay with your credit card so if the florist rips you off, you can dispute the charge.
Remember, do what YOU want to do, not what other people expect of you, and stay sharp. The only one looking out for you is YOU. The wedding industry can be an expensive, nickel-and-dime-you-to-death industry. There's enough hidden charges and weasel clauses out there to confuse a used car salesman. And remember, if they don't put it in writing, it means they won't do it!
Filed Under Category: Music
The Acts With The Most Top 10 Albums, Ever
Bob Dylan lands his 18th top 10 album on The Billboard 200 this week as Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8 enters the chart at #6. Only five artists have amassed more top 10 albums since Billboard published its first album chart (a top 10 listing) in March 1945.
A total of 14 artists have accumulated 15 or more top 10 albums since 1945. The list includes many of the greatest stars in recording history. Most of these acts are still adding to their totals. Twelve have had top 10 albums within the last five years. Ten have reached the top 10 within just the last two years.
Frank Sinatra is the act with the most top 10 albums (40) and also the act with the longest span of top 10 albums (62 years). Ol' Blue Eyes landed his first top 10 album in the first year of Harry S. Truman's presidency. He landed his most recent in the last year of George W. Bush's.
Here's a list of all acts that have had 15 or more top 10 albums from March 1945 to this week.
1. Frank Sinatra, 40. Sinatra landed his first top 10 album in March 1946 with The Voice Of Frank Sinatra. He landed his most recent in May with the compilation Nothing But The Best. Sinatra's first seven top 10 albums were released prior to the inception of Billboard's weekly album chart in March 1956. Sinatra's tally includes a 1963 collaboration with jazz legend Count Basie, as well as a classic live album, Sinatra At The Sands, which Basie conducted. Sinatra landed 14 consecutive top 10 albums between Come Fly With Me in 1958 and Sinatra & Strings in 1962 (discounting a compilation released by a former label). Sinatra received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1965 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 1983. He died in 1998 at age 82.
2. The Rolling Stones, 36. The Stones have had the most top 10 albums of any group, any rock act, and any non-American act in recording history. The band's first album, England's Newest Hitmakers/The Rolling Stones, peaked at #11, but its next 26 albums all made the top 10. That remarkable streak began with 12 x 5 in December 1964 and ran through Emotional Rescue in July 1980. The band landed its most recent top 10 album, A Bigger Bang, in September 2005. The Stones' top 10 tally includes five live albums. The Stones received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986. They were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
3. The Beatles, 30. The Fab Four's debut album, Meet The Beatles!, made the top 10 in February 1964 on the strength of the earth-shaking single, "I Want To Hold Your Hand." The group's most recent top 10 album was Love in December 2006. The Beatles' top 10 tally includes soundtracks to the movies A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Yellow Submarine and Let It Be and the British TV special Magical Mystery Tour. The Beatles made the top 10 with 23 consecutive albums from Meet The Beatles! through The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl in 1977 (discounting seven minor releases and oddities). The group won a Grammy Trustees Award in 1972. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
4. Barbra Streisand, 29. Streisand has had more top 10 albums than any other woman in recording history. The diva's debut album, The Barbra Streisand Album, made the top 10 in July 1963. Her most recent album to hit the mark was Live In Concert 2006, which scored in May 2007. Streisand's top 10 tally includes the Broadway cast album to Funny Girl, soundtracks to two acclaimed TV specials (My Name Is Barbra and Color Me Barbra) and soundtracks to three movies (Funny Lady, A Star Is Born and Yentl). Streisand received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. She is set to receive a Kennedy Center Honor at the ceremony to be taped on Dec. 7 for broadcast later in the month.
5. Elvis Presley, 27. Presley topped the chart with his eponymous debut album in May 1956. He landed his most recent top 10 album, Elvis: 2nd To None, in October 2003. Presley's tally of top 10 albums includes his holiday perennial, Elvis' Christmas Album. It also includes soundtracks from 11 movies, stretching from Loving You in 1957 through Harum Scarum in 1965, and three TV specials, including his legendary 1968 comeback special. Presley reached the top 10 with 14 consecutive albums from Elvis Is Back! in 1960 to Harum Scarum (discounting a sacred album). Presley received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1971, six years before he died at age 42. He was in the first class of artists voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
6. Bob Dylan, 18. Dylan landed his first top 10 album, Bringing It All Back Home, in May 1965. The album spawned his first Hot 100 hit, "Subterranean Homesick Blues." He's back in the top 10 this week with the latest installment of his long-running The Bootleg Series. Dylan's tally includes three collaborations with The Band, including the double-live Before The Flood. (It doesn't include two top 10 albums he recorded with the all-star Traveling Wilburys, because they weren't marketed as Dylan albums.) Dylan was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1997.
7. Paul McCartney, 17. McCartney's post-Beatles tally includes eight solo albums, eight albums credited to his group Wings and one album on which he shared billing with his late wife Linda McCartney. McCartney's eponymous solo debut album made the top 10 in May 1970. His most recent top 10 entry was Memory Almost Full in June 2007. McCartney's top 10 tally includes two live albums: Wings Over America, which chronicled the group's heralded 1976 tour, and Back In The U.S. Live 2002. McCartney received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. He was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
8. Madonna, 17. Madonna is second only to Barbra Streisand as the female artist with the most top 10 albums--and Streisand had a two-decade head-start. Madonna's hit-laden debut album cracked the top 10 in October 1984. Her most recent album, Hard Candy, hit #1 in May. Madonna reached the top 10 with 11 consecutive albums from Like A Prayer in 1989 through American Life in 2003 (discounting a belated single-disk version of Evita). Her tally includes three albums that reflect her checkered Hollywood career-the soundtracks to Who's That Girl and Evita and an album (I'm Breathless) that was concocted to capitalize on her role in Dick Tracy. Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March.
9. Elton John, 16. Elton's eponymous breakthrough album hit the top 10 in January 1971, on the strength of his classic hit, "Your Song." His most recent top 10 album was Rocket Man-Number Ones in April 2007.Elton was on fire in the mid-‘70s. He had 11 consecutive top 10 albums from Madman Across The Water in 1972 through Blue Moves in 1976. Elton's tally doesn't include The Lion King soundtrack from 1994, which he composed and for which he recorded three songs, because it wasn't marketed as an Elton album. Elton was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2004.
10. Johnny Mathis, 16. Mathis is the only African American with 15 or more top 10 albums. The suave balladeer made the top 10 with his first 12 albums, from Wonderful Wonderful in 1957 to The Rhythms And Ballads Of Broadway in 1960. He landed his most recent top 10 album, You Light Up My Life, in June 1978. (It spawned his #1 hit, "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," a duet with Deniece Williams.) Mathis' most successful album was Johnny's Greatest Hits, which remained on the chart for 490 weeks, second only to Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon. Mathis' tally also includes Merry Christmas, which made the top 10 in every holiday season from 1958 through 1960. Mathis received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
11. Neil Diamond, 15. Diamond landed his first top 10 album, Neil Diamond/Gold, in September 1970. It was recorded at the fabled Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles. He landed his most recent top 10 album (and his first #1) in May with Home Before Dark. Diamond had 10 consecutive top 10 albums from Moods in 1972 through The Jazz Singer in 1980 (discounting four compilations released on old labels). Three of Diamond's top 10 albums are live albums. Two are soundtracks to movies that bombed at the box-office: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which he scored, and The Jazz Singer, in which he starred.
12. Bruce Springsteen, 15. Springsteen landed his first top 10 album, Born To Run, in September 1975, five weeks before he famously appeared on the covers of TIME and Newsweek simultaneously. He landed his most recent in October 2007 when Magic hit #1. Two of Springsteen's top 10 albums are live albums with the E Street Band: the five-disk Live/1975-1985 and the double-disk Live In New York City, recorded in 2000. Springsteen had 10 consecutive top 10 albums from Born To Run through Greatest Hits in 1995. The biggest of all was Born In The U.S.A., which logged 84 weeks in the top 10. Springsteen was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
13. George Strait, 15. Strait has amassed more top 10 albums on The Billboard 200 than any other country artist in history. (Garth Brooks is in second place, with 14.) Strait also started his top 10 tally more recently than any other artist on this list. The Texan landed his first top 10 album, the Pure Country soundtrack, in November 1992. He landed his most recent in April when Troubadour hit #1. Strait was voted into the Country Music Assn.'s Hall of Fame in 2006.
14. Bing Crosby, 15. Crosby landed his first top 10 album, Going My Way, in October 1945. He landed his 15th, White Christmas, in late 1954. Both of these releases were soundtracks to Crosby movies, as were five of his other top 10 albums. White Christmas was Crosby's 15th consecutive top 10 album-and his last new release to make the top 10. The emergence of rock'n'roll made the genial crooner suddenly seem old. Crosby's tally includes two albums that also featured entertainer Danny Kaye. In 1962, Crosby became the first recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Crosby would surely have received a Kennedy Center Honor, but he died in 1977, one year before the awards were initiated. He was 74.
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Now For The Fun Part: McCartney would top the list with 47 top 10 albums. George Harrison would have 38; John Lennon, 37; and Ringo Starr, 32.
Harrison's tally in this alternate, all-inclusive list includes the 30 top 10 Beatles albums, plus five solo albums, the all-star The Concert For Bangla Desh (which he organized and fronted) and two Traveling Wilburys albums. Lennon's tally includes the 30 Beatles albums, plus three solo albums, three albums billed John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and one collaboration with his wife, Yoko Ono. Ringo's tally includes the 30 Beatles albums and his two top 10 solo albums.
Robert Plant, 19. Plant's tally includes 12 albums with Led Zeppelin, one with the Honeydrippers, three solo albums, two collaborations with Jimmy Page, and one with Alison Krauss. Plant first made the top 10 with Led Zeppelin's eponymous debut in May 1969. His most recent album to hit the top 10 was Zeppelin's Mothership in November 2007. Plant made the top 10 with 13 consecutive albums from Led Zeppelin to the Honeydrippers' Volume One in November 1984. Led Zeppelin was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. The group received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Eric Clapton, 17. Clapton's tally includes 11 solo albums, four albums with Cream, one with Blind Faith and one collaboration with B.B. King. Clapton first made the top 10 with Cream's Disraeli Gears in January 1968. He scored most recently in April 2004 with Me And Mr. Johnson, his tribute to blues legend Robert Johnson. Clapton's most successful album was Unplugged, which logged 38 weeks in the top 10 in 1992-1993. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992, as a member of Cream in 1993 and as a solo artist in 2000. Cream received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Jimmy Page, 16. Page's tally includes 12 albums with Led Zeppelin, one with the Honeydrippers, two collaborations with Robert Plant and one with David Coverdale. Led Zeppelin reached the top 10 with its first 10 albums, from Led Zeppelin in May 1969 to Coda in December 1982. For all this success, Page has yet to reach the top 10 as a solo artist. His highest-charting solo album was Outrider, which hit #26 in 1988.
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One of my previous clients owns a Gourmet Chocolate Shop in Greensboro, NC, and she sent me an e-mail the other day alerting me of the shops' 1st Annual Birthday Celebration. I am adding that to my blog here so that you can have a chance to visit the shop yourself, either online or in person.
http://locoforcocochocolate.com
1st Annual Birthday Celebration
Loco For Coco Gourmet Chocolate Shoppe celebrates its first year of business with a Wine Tasting, Chocolate Tasting and a drawing for free prizes. Bring a friend that has never been to Loco For Coco Chocolates before and enter the drawing twice! Come join us on Thursday October 2nd, 2008 as we celebrate our First year in business.
Loco For Coco Chocolate Shop 1420-D Westover Terrace
Greensboro, NC 27408
Westover Gallery of Shops across from Lucky 32
PRICE: Free to the public
PHONE: 336-333-0029
Some of my business colleagues and I were talking the other day about what really mattered in this crazy business of ours, and I learned something very important - many of those colleagues are concerned about making money first and the happiness of the client second.
When I put KICKIT PRODUCTIONS on the professional business map back in 1995, one thing was imperative - that above all else, the customer HAD TO COME FIRST! The happiness and contentment of my customers is the most important aspect and the driving force behind the success of my company. At times, I've been called a little crazy by my business associates for giving back as much as I do to make my customers happy, but to me, it means creating a very special bond and relationship between myself and my customers.
There is something extremely satisfying about seeing the Father of one of my Brides beam with pride as he watches his little girl all grown up, dancing her first dance with her hew husband....watching that same grown up lady bring her Daddy to tears during the Father/Bride dance...bringing students of all race, creed, color and religion together as one body, in a huge school gymnasium, stepping in time to The Cupid Shuffle, and the pure excitement of watching 600+ corporate employees step in time and tune to The Electric Slide.
What all this boils down to is that when my customers are having a good time, I'm having a good time!
I love creating a happy and exciting environment for all my clients, and will do everything in my power to make that happen.
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A couple of new additions that I have been working on over the last few weeks -
Two new vendors have been added to the Useful Links page:
1) New Town Bistro: owned and operated by a couple of friends of mine - Kyle Agha and Ken Tucker.
2) First Class Limousine Service: Owned and operated by Aaron Weldon.
I'm really excited about both of these new contacts, especially First Class Limo, because Aaron has allowed me to design a website for his business. He has some really great ideas for promotions. He also is in tune with a very special charity - Jenni's Walk Of Hope - that is being held to raise funds to support melanoma cancer research on Saturday April 26th 2008. Last year alone, the walk and golf event raised almost $20,000 dollars that was donated to The American Cancer Society.
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Congratulations are in order for the following folks:
Steve Kottenbrock/Tonika Kiel - getting married on May 3rd of this year
Matt Hughes/Kasey Maxcy - getting married May 17th of this year
Brian Shinker/Karen Gill - getting married June 7th 2008
Billy Lowery/Heather Love - tying the knot June 14th
Richard Gaut/Megan McCormick - getting married July 5th
Paul Drye/Betsy Riddle - tying the knot September 6th
The thing I love most about what I do for all of these couples is that each of their events is unique and different in concept. They all have great ideas for their individual receptions, and I am looking forward to each and every one of them, because of the different production value ideas that go into making a great reception.
Again, congratulations to all of these couples, for turning in their amateur status and going pro!
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Friday Feb. 22nd, 2008
Martha Stewart Living takes stake in WeddingWire.com
KICKIT PRODUCTIONS Mobile Entertainment welcomes and embraces the newest member of the WeddingWire.com community, Martha Stewart Living. With the high visibility and intense focus on lifestyle content, the addition of Martha Stewart Living to the WeddingWire community brings two of the Wedding industry's front-runners together in order to give broad and wonderful choices to couples considering marriage.
The following article appeared in The Washington Business Journal on Thursday Feb. 21st 2008:
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. has bought a 40 percent stake in WeddingWire, which connects engaged couples with wedding vendors. The New York-based media and merchandise company also signed a commercial agreement related to the software and content licensing of WeddingWire.
Rockville-based WeddingWire is a year-old company that was conceived by entrepreneurs, including two founding employees of D.C.-based Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBB), to give greater resources -- such as price quotes from vendors and customer feedback -- to people planning weddings.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. WeddingWire has 12 employees and annual revenue of $680,000, according to market research firm Dun & Bradstreet.
"The idea behind [the deal] is two-fold -- it helps us grow our business nationally from an investment standpoint, but also expands our distribution," said Sonny Ganguly, WeddingWire's chief marketing officer. "Our content and tools will live on the Martha Stewart site."
WeddingWire's chief executive officer, Timothy Chi, and chief operating officer Lee Wang were two co-founders of Blackboard in 1998.
WeddingWire, which has relationships with more than 30,000 partners, generates revenue through its vendors when they buy the premium service on the Web site as well as through advertising. The premium service allows the vendors to add more features to enhance visibility.
The service is free for brides and grooms.
As part of the deal, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE:MSO) may use WeddingWire's technology for some of its other site content, the two companies will share advertising revenue sold on the Martha Stewart Web site, and WeddingWire will use Martha Stewart's advertising sales force exclusively.
"We are impressed by WeddingWire's superior online platform and see great opportunities to leverage its expertise across our Internet sites and bring similar tools and features to our other lifestyle content verticals," said Wenda Harris Millard, the president of media for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. "This is also a tremendous opportunity for our advertisers to reach couples engaged in the process of planning their wedding."
Millard and Chief Information Officer Mike Plonski will serve on WeddingWire's five-member board.
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Friday Feb. 22nd, 2008
Questions All Brides Should Ask Catering Professionals
Thomas J. Gunning Courtesy Perfect Wedding Guide:
http://www.perfectweddingguide.com/advice/catering-services.asp
Because what you serve is so important to your reception’s success, making the right choice when it comes to catering services is one of your most important wedding decisions. Full-service hotels, restaurants and most banquet facilities provide the food and beverages for all events they host. But many reception sites lack the staff, equipment and facilities to provide these kinds of catering services. In situations like this, you can simply contract with an off-premise caterer to serve your guests.
Before you meet with potential catering services – whether in-house or off-premises – pull together essential details like the reception time and date, its location, guest total, service style, menu options, and the size of your food and beverage budget.
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. The more you understand, the more likely it is that you will have a memorable celebration. Here are some issues to discuss with prospective catering services before signing a contract:
- Can you provide references and a portfolio of previously catered events?
- Are you licensed and insured to serve alcohol? Do you carry liability insurance?
- What will be the estimated per-head cost, and are taxes and gratuities included?
- Does that total include setup, tear down and cleanup?
- How much time will you require to set up?
- What deposit do you require, and when is it due?
- What will the balance be, and when is it due?
- Do you have a cancellation policy, and what are its terms?
- What kind of flatware, glassware and place settings will be provided?
- Does your catering service supply tables, chairs, linens and table skirting? If not, what are your additional fees?
- Does your catering service provide bar supplies and equipment, including glassware?
- Are there additional charges for equipment or glassware rentals?
- When must you have my final menu selections?
- What are the sizes of the portions?
- How soon must you have my final head count?
- What will be your server-to-guest ratio, and does that figure include bartenders?
- What will your service staff wear?
- When would overtime charges begin?
- If we have a buffet, do you provide line servers or is it self-serve?
- If you supply the wedding cake, what is my cost per serving?
- Do you assess a per-bottle opening fee for champagne or a cutting fee for the cake?
- How much liquor, beer and other beverages do you recommend I order?
- Can you offer a volume discount on beverages?
- What alcohol alternatives can you supply?
- Can we return unopened bottles without being charged?
- When will the bar be opened and closed?
- What type of bar service is available – cash, consumption or open?
- Will you supply ice?
- Can you provide a floor plan of the table and seating arrangements?
- Who will be your top representative at my reception?
- What additional services does your catering service provide, and what are their costs?
Talking through these points with the catering services you’re considering can make all the difference when it comes to a smooth, elegant, fun and flavorful wedding reception!
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Wednesday Feb. 20th, 2008
Bridal Fears - Another Horror Story
Yesterday's Journal ran a story about Brennan's Bridal and Tux shop concerning problems delivering goods to Brides that had ordered merchandise. This is one of those horror stories that is just all too real, and one of those times in life, that I can actually say - "I told you so!".
I've been warning my potential Brides and Grooms about this business for years, and now it seems the truth comes out in the wash. According to the story in yesterday's Journal, Winston-Salem police were letting only one customer in at a time when the doors opened around 1p.m. There were approximately 40 people standing around outside the store at the time.
According to records filed with the Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina, Brennan’s Bridal has an unsatisfactory record. The bureau has received 12 complaints - most of them about delivery issues - about the store over the past three years, six in the past year. Seven of the complaints were resolved by the store.
David Dalrymple, the president and chief executive of the bureau, said that people can file a complaint at www.bbb.org.
If you are one of the many affected by this store's practices, I truly sympathize with you - because I too experienced a similar problem with them several years ago concerning a tux rental - an experience that was never resolved to my satisfaction.
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It's almost 4am as I sit here at work. About two weeks ago, I embarked on a new marketing campaign with the business, and over these past 2 weeks, I've been exposed (no pun intended) to many new websites through both the Google and Yahoo sponsored ad campaigns.
I wind up doing a lot of number crunching with the analytics programs provided by both search engines. I try to pay a lot of attention to where people are coming from, and what it is that people that visit my website are searching for.
Let me say this much about this website and the business it represents: My sole intent is to provide as much pertinent, accurate and honest information about the services I provide. Granted, that may mean that it pushes certain potential clients away and toward my direct competitors. To be honest - that doesn't really bother me. Many of my direct competitors are friends as well as business colleagues.
What does bother me when it comes to my business, is those folks that either call the office or email me with one question in mind: WHAT DO YOU CHARGE? Not - Hi, this is so and so, and these are the details of the party or event I am thinking about having, and the time and date............just - WHAT DO YOU CHARGE?
It's NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY, folks. Give me the opportunity to tell you a little about what I offer and how I can help you achieve your goals before getting to the all important "money" question.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is that Quality is worth paying for.
I realize that many folks that flip thru the DJ listings in the Yellow Pages or online are price shopping and have no idea or clue as to what goes into running a business such as mine and offering the types of services I offer. I try very hard to take that into consideration all the while trying to be sincere and cordial on the phone.
This website does reveal alot about the fees I charge on the Event Rates & Pricing page.
Think of it this way - I have invested more in my business since 1994 than my home cost me when I bought it in 2003, and my house is not small! Quality has always been important to me, and I try and reflect that in the way I do business.
Tags:
dj related stuff, lifestyles, music, weddings
Posted at: 05:42 AM | Add Comment
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