L, M, N, O, P. . .Queue

The letter Q. We like it. It's the 17th letter of the alphabet. It looks good capitalized and written in cursive. It's quirky, quaint and quixotic all at the same same. The letter Q. . .

The word Queue. . .not so much. And we definitely don't like queues at your wedding celebration. Neither will your guests. You can keep both of us happy by minimizing the chance of queues forming at your party. Try some of the following:

Don't put the guest book right in front of the main entrance. This will definitely cause a human traffic jam. Place the guest book somewhere IN the room and place food and drinks (butler-passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails) in between the guest book and the entrance. If your guests have something in their hands and mouths, they won't line up all at once to write your well wishes.

Hire more than one bartender. Who wants to wait forever in line just to get a whiskey sour? The general rule of thumb is that you should have one bar with two bartenders for every 100 guests. If you can swing it, have two bars. Position one of the bars far away from the entrance and be sure not to have any bars in the passage-ways of the guests and waitstaff.

Ditch the receiving line. No explanation needed.

If you are having a buffet style dinner, guests should be able to pass on both sides of the buffet if they are serving themselves. Have the waitstaff call a few tables up at a time. Another thing you can do to avoid a queue is to have a server at each dish. The dinner service will certainly go faster and an added bonus is to your budget because the portion sizes are controlled.

Can you think of some other ways to avoid long lines at your wedding?
Photo Credit: PicasaWeb

Be Our Guest

Everyone knows that wedding marketing and advertising drills into every bride-to-be that this is "your special day" and it should be "all about you." I do agree that your wedding day is monumental milestone in your life and that it really is about you and the person you are going to get old and grey with.

However. . .

Consider this: what would your life (and your wedded future) be like without the support and presence of your loved ones? And since these same loved ones are most likely going to be the honored guests at your wedding celebration, you should treat them like the royalty that they are for the few hours that you are hosting them. Make sure your nuptials don't fall on the list of painful wedding experiences by avoiding the following guest gaffes:
1) Make sure the time between the ceremony and reception is short and sweet. Yes, we know you must get the gorge shots of you and your honey on the Canal, but long pauses between the ceremony and reception are generally a bummer. If you cannot book the ballroom immediately following the ceremony, arrange for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at a nearby space.

2) Don't make the guests pay for their own spirits. This means no cash bar! A cash bar is never an acceptable penny-pinching strategy. Would you ever ask guests to pay for a cocktail in your own home? Your wedding should be the same.

3) Mind your bridal party and don’t create a painful experience for your attendants’ dates. If most of the bridal party have significant others, forgo the head table unless you plan to seat the dates together. In addition, speed up the marathon post-ceremony photo shoots so the dates don't have to spend so much time alone at the reception.

4) Make sure the guests can get from Point A to Point B if the ceremony and reception locations are far apart or if they are far from the hotel accommodations. You should provide guest transportation. Besides the obvious safety concerns of drinking and driving, your guests should remember what an awesome time they had at your wedding – not how they got lost trying to get there.

Unfortunately for me, I have experienced ALL of these things as a wedding guest. Have you? Or do you have any other guest gripes that I didn't include? Please post a comment and share it with us!
Photo Credit: InStyle Weddings

Ready, Set, Go!!! Part II

Yesterday, I posted about the annual "Running of the Brides" that will take place at Filene's Basement Chicago on July 25, 2008. And as promised, today, I will share some tips on finding your wedding dress at this unique bridal sale. If you choose to "rush the racks" to find your dream gown, follow these helpful tips and tricks provided by Filene's:

The Week Before the Sale:

Pick a team -- people whose taste you trust and are willing to get in there and do shopping battle for you

Hold a pre-sale meeting with your team

· come up with a team uniform- matching hats, t-shirts, headbands, carry whistles-anything that would make it easier to find each other in the crowd

· assign jobs to team members—someone to gather, someone to trade, someone to help you in and out of the dresses, someone to guard your inventory from prowlers

· tear out pages from bridal magazines, or print styles from on-line wedding gown sites to show your team what you’re looking for

· pick place to rendezvous in the store

The Morning of the Sale:

Dress code-- wear a sports bra and shorts or a bathing suit so you can try on dresses anywhere in the store; DO NOT WEAR FLIP FLOPS if you plan to participate in the “rush to the racks.”

Leave your handbag at home—you’ll need both hands for this.

Please, NO MAKE-UP. You wouldn’t want to see the dress of your dreams only to find it smeared with lipstick. CLEAN HANDS are appreciated.

No food or drinks inside the store; get rid of trash before the doors open in the receptacles provided.

Best Time to Arrive

The doors open at 8am. Brides-to-be and their teams who have been in line the longest will get to the racks first. In fact, it’s possible that the racks will be bare by the time you get into the store. DON’T DESPAIR! The dresses are not all gone. You’ll see brides trading or putting dresses back on the racks almost immediately. Use the first hour to look for brides who are trying on dresses you like. Then, be there to grab or trade for her “rejects.”

INSIDER TIP: If you’re not up to the chaos of store opening, arrive late morning or anytime up to store closing (9:30pm). Dresses will be back on the racks and the atmosphere will be much calmer. REMEMBER, this sale looks a lot more competitive than it really is—most of the hundreds of people you see in the rush to the racks are helpers, not buyers. Each team ends up with just one dress. (Alright, sometimes two, but that’s rare). There are still plenty of dresses to choose from. In fact, last year over 90% of the brides-to-be who came to this sale found their dream dress.

At the Event

Be nice—with all the excitement, shoppers have been known to get a little territorial and competitive. As our security manager once said to a TV reporter, “you don’t want to be walking down the aisle knowing you had to punch somebody out to get the dress.”

Be considerate—have your helpers put dresses you don’t want on the hangers and back on the racks. Think of how disappointed you’d be if you found your perfect wedding dress, only to see that it had been trampled on and damaged.

Be fair–keep only the dresses you are seriously considering, and set the others free as soon as possible.

Remember, wedding gowns don’t always run true to size—look not only for your regular dress size, but try a size or two bigger as well. Even if a dress isn’t the perfect fit, at this price it may be worth the cost of alterations. Experts on gown cleaning and alterations will be on hand to advise you.

Try on whatever comes your way--sometimes a gown that isn’t what you pictured yourself wearing turns out to be “the one.”

Be decisive--it’s only a one-day sale and gowns are not returnable.

If you follow the posted strategies, you should be good to go should you decide to brave this ginormous bridal sale. Personally, I don't think I have it in me to participate in the "Running of the Brides." I'm a go-right-in-and-get-what-I-want type of shopper. But I'd love to hear about the experiences of you all that have or will do this. Do tell. . .

Rules of Engagement: Getting Your Marriage License

The marriage license is an oh-so-important, but seemingly small detail when planning your wedding. I mean, if you don't have a marriage license, your marriage is so not official. . .and who wants to deal with that?

So be sure to stay on the right side of the law and be certain you have a legal marriage license before you actually tie the knot. If you reside Indiana, here are the important details:

The cost for marriage license is $18 for residents and $60 for non-residents and payable in cash only. There is no waiting period and the license expires 60 days after issuance. This means, if your celebration is set for December 4th, please don't go to the courthouse in August to get your marriage license. If you have a wedding planner, he or she will definitely include this formality in your planning guideline.

To get married in Indiana without parental consent, the minimum age is 18. Applicants age 15-16 need a court order to obtain license (although I wouldn't recommend this course of action. Actually, I would recommend NOT getting married at this age, but I digress. . .). A state-issued ID, birth certificate or passport may be required for proof of age/identity. A rental lease or current utility bill can be used to prove residence. Contrary to popular belief, a blood test is not needed for prospective brides. And a final note to divorcees and widows--you need to bring proof by the way of a death certificate or divorce decree if the date of occurrence is less than 2 years.

By way of officiants, these are the people who can legally marry you in Indiana--a member of the clergy (including a minister, priest, bishop, rabbi, and imam), a judge, a magistrate, a clerk of the circuit court or a clerk or clerk-treasurer of a city or town. Please keep this in mind before you decide you want your favorite uncle from childhood to marry you.

If you are in Marion County, Indiana, below is the contact information for the Clerk's office: Marion County Clerk’s Office
200 E. Washington Street, 46204
Suite W-122
317-327-4740
317-327-3893 fax
Hours: M-F, 8-4pm

And here are the contact numbers for other Central Indiana County Clerk offices:
Boone County 765-482-3510
Hamilton County 317-776-9629
Hancock County 317-477-1109
Hendricks County 317-745-9351
Johnson County 317-736-3708
Madison County 765-641-9443
Morgan County 765-342-1025
Shelby County 317-392-6320

For information regarding your marriage license in other states, please visit Marriage License Laws on About.com. Have you, or anyone that you know, had any mishaps regarding your marriage license? Please share your story with us in the comments section.

You Say Tomato. . .

Do you have an upcoming celebration or wedding reception where you planned to serve some of the following hor's doeuvres:

Tomato Bruschetta?
Shrimp Stuffed Tomatoes?
Cherry Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers?
Boursin Stuffed Tomatoes?
Balsalmic Marinated Tomato and Mozzarella Mousse?

If so, you'd better talk to your wedding planner or caterer quick, quick, quick! There is a serious Salmonella outbreak occurring with the consumption of raw tomatoes. Since mid-April, 167 persons infected with an identical strain of Salmonella Saintpaul have been identified in 17 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Because this particular strain is so rare and due to the occurrence of illnesses in all across the US, it seems that the offending tomatoes are distributed throughout much of the country.

The best advice is to chuck all tomato items from your wedding menu. You don't want your guests to get extremely sick at your celebration. This outbreak has proven to be fatal in some instances. However, if you absolutely must eat tomatoes, make sure you follow the FDA's Advice to Consumers:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled or cooked tomatoes.
• Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.

Click the link for the complete recommendation.
Photo Credit: ThisOldHouse.com

City Wide Marriage Event

This blog is dedicated to bring you all kinds of wedding goodness for couples planning their beautiful, intimate, blissful and personality-infused nuptials. However, at K Sherrie+Company, we are also concerned about what happens after the wedding. Once you've walked down the aisle and said the final "I Dos," we truly want you and your love to live your happily ever after. And there is so much more involved in that than picking the perfect shade of periwinkle.

In that vein, we are happy to announce the City Wide Marriage Event hosted by Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. St. Mark is on a mission to reverse the effects of broken families and wants to encourage stronger unions and marriages. The City Wide Marriage Event is an all day event to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008--next Saturday! You do not have to be a member of St. Mark to participate. You only need to bring a copy of your valid marriage license and commit to attending two counseling sessions. I think that's a very small investment for your something as important as your future.

I'm a member of Eastern Star Church and we are VERY committed to the "Before You Say I Do." With all the attention and detail you give to the celebration, please be sure not to overlook the actual reason for your ultra-fab party. Even if organized religion is not your thing, I would encourage all engaged couples to seek out some type of pre-marital counseling.

For more information regarding the City Wide Marriage Event, call 317.545.5673.
Photo Credit: Source

Planning on a Budget

My reading and writing skills have paid off! I've been published: check out my article in the Indianapolis Recorder!!! And, yes, D--I am still the wordsmith =)

Click HERE for the full article. Happy Planning!

An Ode to Symbiosis

sym·bi·o·sis [ sìm bī ṓssiss, sìmbee ṓssiss ] (plural sym·bi·o·ses [ sìm bī ṓ sz ])

noun

Definition:

1. close association of animals or plants: a close association of animals or plants of different species that is often, but not always, of mutual benefit

2. mutually beneficial relationship: a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship between two people or groups

[Early 17th century. Via modern Latin and Greek sumbiōsis "a living together" < bios "life"]

sym·bi·ot·ic [ sìm bī óttik, sìmbee óttik ] adjective sym·bi·ot·i·cal [ sìmbee óttik'l ] adjective sym·bi·ot·i·cal·ly [ sìmbee óttikəlee ] adverb

I have been very fortunate during the research phase, launch phase and growth phase of my wedding consulting business. As I did the required studying and reading to gain my certification, I was fortunate to intern for an established wedding planner here in Indy (Thanks, Lisa!). Yes, it was free labor--but the insight and valuable lessons that I learned from HANDS ON preparation are priceless. And she still asks me if she can be of assistance any time she sees me. She's not afraid to help an up and coming wedding planner.

I have also been very fortunate to find a GEM in the cyberworld. This diamond that I look at, admire and show-off everyday is i-Wed: International Network of Wedding and Event Designers. I can truly say that I don't know what I would do without iWed! The network of planners, photographers and stationers in the community have taught me soooo much! I am constantly amazed by how much I have learned from this group of people, who, before I joined, didn't know me from Adam. I have gained so much information about the start-up of my business, networking, day-to-day responsibilities, best practices and how to stay educated. It was because of iWed that I even began to start blogging! I have been introduced to so many respected and fabulous planners (Liene, Terrica, Khris, Saundra, Laura, to name a few) and I am thrilled to be included in their circle as a colleague! All of the iWed members are now like family to me.

The best thing about iWed is that everyone has opinions and information and everyone is allowed to share theirs. Even I, in my limited experience, have been able to help someone through iWed because we all come with our different life experiences and areas of expertise. I love that no one is territorial and feels that they can't share. I feel like it's putting forth good karma in the world and I firmly believe that you get back what you put out. I also know that there is no penalty in sharing what you know to would-be planners or newbies. What is for me, is for me--and on the flip side of that--no one can take anything from you if you are awesome at what you do. It is my sincere hope that members of the iWed community have learned some things from me, because I have learned so much from them.

And, if you don't believe all the wonderful things that I have just said about iWed, I urge you to check it out for yourself. You will not regret becoming a symbiotic member of this ultra-fabulous community. Any fellow iWedders reading this?? I would love for you to chime in!

Cocktail Hour, Anyone?

I came across a blog posting detailing one man's adventures at different weddings. Today's post on Writing From the Hip discussed how the author and his wife attended three "really nice weddings" in the past year and they all had a "common black eye." At this point, this is where he tells all wedding planners to listen up--he's come up with a brilliant idea.

The "common black eye" for these weddings was that the guests had nothing to do, eat or drink in the time after the ceremony, but before the dinner started, when the wedding party was out taking their photos. This is how Mr. Nichols explained that time:

That time when all the R.S.V.P. guests sit in front of mounds of mouth-watering food politely waiting for the wedding party. That time when they wait. When they wait. When they wait. And watch fussy food caterers touch up their presentation. And faint. And squirm at a creaky table among strangers. There’s just so much you can say about the pretty centerpiece, huh? And rassle with hungry, squirming little kids. And wait. And try to discreetly change Pampers in a crowd of 200 hungry people. And faint. And twist in bent folding chairs.

Now, as a professional wedding planner, I must ask--isn't this what the cocktail hour is for? And, who, in the new millenium, doesn't have a cocktail hour?? Any planner worth her weight knows you have to have something to entertain the guests during that time. And, one-and-a-half hours for post-ceremony photos?? I know that may be hyperbolic writing, but in reality, cocktail hours should only be what we call "cocktail-45s," as in only 45 minutes. No one should be waiting on a photographer that long. As a professional wedding planner, I know that as soon as guests hit the reception venue, they want something in their hands, and preferably something to eat and to drink. That leads me to more questions: did these weddings even have a wedding planner? If so, was she or he a professional? Did the planner really know what she was doing or did she decide to hang her shingle after planning her cousin's wedding "perfectly?"

Mr. Nichols, this is not new news to the professional wedding planner. We already know there should be some food, drink and entertainment during that time between the end of the ceremony and the start of dinner. I am so sorry you had to starve. This would never happen at a K Sherrie+Company planned wedding (the starving, that is). But I am also glad you brought up the subject. It just further underscores the need for professionals like me. That last thing we want is for guests to leave talking about the really nice wedding that sported that really large "black eye."

Photo Credit: Jennifer Driscoll Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

I am about to launch a new page on my website and I thought it would be worhtwhile to give my faithful blog readers a preview. I am going to have an FAQs page on my site that answers most of the questions brides and their mothers (and their mother's mother) want to ask. I hope it's a welcome addition to the site, as we strive at K Sherrie+Company to be as informative as possible. Let me know what you think. Did I leave anything out?

What makes you different from other local planners? Why should someone hire you?
One of our principles at K Sherrie+Company is E.D.E.: Event Design with Excellence. This is what you want for your wedding or special event. This is what you deserve at your wedding or special event. We specialize in excellence! Our design team has a fresh eye for style and detail, we are super organized and we are the team that gets it done. We are dedicated to injecting your uniqueness and your personality into your event. And--we're fun to work with!

Everyone may not need our services. If you have 250 hours to spare to plan an elaborate party and make sure if goes off without a hitch, then you may not need a wedding planner. However, we at K Sherrie+Company have found that today’s professional women and power couples often need assistance in planning one of the largest celebrations of their lives. There is way more involved in planning a wedding than meets the eye. Let us do the research. Let us stay current on trends. Let us worry about your budget. Let us do the legwork. Let us take away the stress of planning a flawless fete.

How do you assist in planning a wedding? What services do you provide?
K Sherrie+Company is a full-service wedding and event planning firm that gives you access to competent, professional and detailed event designers that work for YOU. We will save you time, money and headaches by offering:
Industry Expertise and Counsel
Fiscal Planning
Time Management
Etiquette Guidance
Creative Design
Event Management
We offer several packages ranging from vendor referrals to brainstorming sessions to full-scale, all-encompassing, luxury planning. All of our packages can be tailored and customized to your individual needs.

My reception site comes with a coordinator. Why do I need another one?

The priority of the on-site coordinator that may come with your venue is the venue. K Sherrie+Company works for you. We are your advocate and we are obligated to execute your vision to your exact specifications. We are with you for the entire planning process to ensure that all of your needs are met. Ask yourself these questions: will the on-site coordinator advise me on etiquette and how to word my invitations? Will the on-site coordinator make sure I am staying in my financial comfort zone in all aspects of my wedding? Can the on-site coordinator attend my final dress fitting with me? Is the on-site coordinator willing to visit 3 or 4 ceremony venues to help me pick the best one for the style of my wedding? These are only some of the reasons that you need a wedding planner that is not associated to a particular venue or site.

My budget is already limited. How can I afford a wedding planner?
Honestly, if you have a limited budget, you can’t afford NOT to have a wedding planner! Wedding planners are no longer just for the jet-set. K Sherrie+Company can save you from making costly mistakes. We review your budget and make sure it’s realistic. We also help you maximize your hard earned dollars by prioritizing and making sure you are spending your money where it counts the most. It is our responsibility to make sure you stay within your financial comfort zone. We produce the event of your dreams, including the planner’s fee, all while staying within your budget. And we do all of this without scrimping on quality and style.

Do you recommend specific wedding professionals? Did you get referral fees?
K Sherrie+Company does not accept referral fees (i.e. kickbacks) from any vendors. We do have specific wedding professionals in our little black book of vendors that we can recommend that will fit best in your style of wedding. We only work with vendors with excellent reputations with the same commitment to customer satisfaction as we have. We also try to get the best deal for all of our clients so we can keep you in your financial comfort zone.

Do you employ other people to help you plan events? How much extra for additional staff?
Yes. We have an Event Design team available to manage events of any size. The scope and magnitude of the event dictate how many additional staff members are present at your event. Depending on which package you contract us for determines if additional staff is an additional cost.

What if you become ill or cannot come to the wedding? Who will stand in for you?
We thank the gods for smiling down on us that our lead designer has never missed an event! If this instance should occur, K Sherrie+Company has another well-trained and experienced Event Design Team Lead that is able to step in if the lead designer becomes ill or has some unforeseen emergency. We are also friends with other wedding planners in the city that deliver the same caliber of service that we do. We assist each other if these types of situations arise.

Are you present at all vendor meetings? Do you pay the vendor fees and we pay you one lump sum?
The level of service that we contracted for dictates if we will be present at all vendors meetings. However, K Sherrie+Company is here to give the brides and their families what they want. If you want us to be present at all vendor meetings, we will be present at all vendor meetings.
We do not pay any vendor fees. The contract and subsequent payments are always between the vendor and the client.

When developing our wedding/event budget, how do you personalize this experience to our needs?
K Sherrie+Company always ensures that clients stay within their financial comfort zone. We often strive for you to come in under budget! The first thing we do to achieve this is get to know you and find out what is most important to you on the day of your dreams. Then, we plan accordingly.

How many hours are you on site the day of the wedding/event?
We are on site on the day of the event from start to finish! We are the first ones to arrive on the scene and we are the last ones to leave.

Do you charge for an initial meeting? If so, is this amount credited should we hire you?
K Sherrie+Company offers a complimentary, initial consultation to all prospective clients. If more detailed consultation is desired (storyboards, inspiration boards, etc.), then an hourly fee may apply.

Can you assist with travel plans for out of town guests? Our honeymoon plans?
K Sherrie+Company can assist you with all of your needs surrounding your wedding. Our unique network of vendors allows us to cover all bases when it comes to all things bridal.

Do you charge hourly, a flat rate or a percentage of my overall budget?
K Sherrie+Company provides you with a detailed, custom proposal based on your expectations for your wedding or event. We do not charge a percentage of your overall budget and we do have items available that are charged on an hourly basis. When you contract our services, you are paying for our experience, expertise and professional knowledge. This is completely unrelated to the cost of your wedding. In this way, you never have to worry about us encouraging you to spend more so we can make more money.

How many months in advance do I need to reserve your services for my wedding date?
Twelve to eighteen months out is a great time to start full-planning services for your wedding. However, we can plan your entire day in as little as three months (although that's not preferred!). Month-of-coordination should typically be booked up to six months out. We are willing to work with most timelines and we will let you know upfront if your expectations for your event do not necessarily mesh with your allotted timeframe.

What is your customer satisfaction policy?
K Sherrie+Company wants every client to be thrilled at the results for their event. We are second to none when it comes to the details and we do everything humanly possible to prevent any mishaps from occurring. When they do arise, we will rectify the situation as best we can to the client's satisfaction immediately. It is our philosophy that anticipating and meeting the needs of our clients is not only our utmost priority, but our personal responsibility.

Why You May Want a Coordinator at Your Event

I was researching a venue on the internet and on their website they had a link that read NOTICE TO BRIDES. I clicked the link and this is what it said:

Why you may want a coordinator for your event
Time and time again we see the bride or mother coordinating the rehearsal and day of timeline. Many times there are so many items unintentionally omitted from the
day of timeline. Some close friends may be assigned the role of guest and business associate. Over and over we see the friend gravitating to friend and guest, leaving the coordinator role behind. The result, ceremony begins late and dinner begins much later. we have even seen the cake not being cut until 11pm. The timeline is
abolished.
Professional coordinators range in price from as little as $1,500 up to and maybe beyond $5,000. If your budget permits, we highly recommend hiring a professional so you are left to enjoy your greatest day.

This is straight from the horse's mouth--the owner of a ceremony/reception venue (and a very nice one at that!) Visit Mavris Arts and Events Center to check out the venue. Do you really want to chance it on your day?

Video Killed The Radio Star

“It was all a big blur!”
A. What Helio Castroneves said when he won Formula 1.
B. What a bride says when you ask her to describe her wedding day.
C. What you say when you watch wedding videos circa 1988.
If you answered B or C, then that’s five stars for you! Answer B is precisely why your day needs to be recorded for posterity and all mankind. You will vaguely remember all the sparkling, memorable and unique details. It’s not a hard sell to get brides to see the importance and value of a photographer. Many times, the photography budget will trump line items such as flowers and décor. We all know very well the virtues of capturing your wedding celebration on film. As a professional wedding planner, I’m here to tell you that videographer services are just as important. Long gone are the days of the shaky video filmed by your great-uncle Ray-Ray with the garbled music and words. Wedding videography has transformed into a true art form. Today, videographers are known as cinematographers and will condense your fourteen hour day into an impeccably edited fifty minute movie or even an artistic fifteen minute short. Video captures the feeling, sounds and words of the day. Your children’s children will be able to see and hear grandma giving you wise words as you’re getting dressed in your bridal room. You will be able to view the video months after the wedding and hear the emotion and love in the voice of your betrothed as he recites his vows. Photos alone cannot capture this.
When looking for a reputable videography company, view a collection of their work. Always observe the lighting of the video—it should not be too bright or too dim. Is the sound clear? Does the accompanying music complement the images on the video or does it compete? And by far, make sure your personalities mesh well. The videographer will be as close to you on your wedding day as the photographer, capturing all of your intimate moments. You should feel extremely comfortable with this person.

In my never-ending quest to find the best vendors Indy has to offer for K Sherrie clients, I was able to spend some time with Geoffrey Chandler of Geoffrey Chandler Videography at the Five Seasons. I was first impressed with the passion that he seems to possess for his craft. In describing that “one look, side smile or first glance” that he is always trying to capture in his videos, I could feel how into wedding videography Geoffrey was. And this is exactly the type of person that you want to capture one of the most important days of your life. I’ll let you eavesdrop a little on our conversation:

KSCo: How long have you been doing wedding videos?
GC: I was a wedding photographer for 20 years before I switched over to videography. I have been filming for 8 years. When I was a photographer, I would watch the videographers and their end product and I thought I had a better vision of what wedding video could be. And because we’re in the digital age, it made switching over that much easier, so I changed over.

KSCo: What makes your product unique?
GC: My videos capture the day and the history of those who were present that day. Would you rather show your children a picture of grandma or would you rather be able to let them hear and see grandma? My product is cinematic and I have been doing cinematic video since I’ve started in this business, although that’s the hot buzz word right now.

KSCo: What are the most important elements of a great wedding video?
GC: In each of my videos, I make sure I have three elements: something beautiful on the screen, meaningful music and narration. I also try to capture the atmosphere of the wedding, be it romantic, fun, whimsical, or sometimes, even tense.

KSCo: What type of packages do you offer?
GC: I only offer one package—and that’s the best package. I stay from start to finish to be sure that none of the important items are missed. Of course, we can customize our services to meet the needs of the client.

Please be sure to visit Geoff’s website for samples of his work. Did any of you out there skip the wedding video for your nuptials? Do you have any regrets? Please post your comments—we’d love to hear what you think!
Photo credits: Geoffrey Chandler Videography

Jott.com

I have to thank the wonderful Liene from Blue Orchid Designs for this hook-up: Jott.com! It is absolutely fabulous! It's a free service that allows you to leave reminders to yourself or other people. You call a number, leave your message/reminder/task and it is emailed to you. Jott has become an indispensible tool. I have called in reminders to myself in the middle of the night. The toll-free number is programmed into my speed dial!
For you brides who insist on planning your wedding without the help of a professional planner, this may be something you may need to put on speed dial as well. There will be sooooo many tasks to keep up with! How do you Jott?

Clear Cello Sleeves

I was at the Perfect Wedding Guild February Networking Luncheon this week (working my mojo) and I learned something new. Did you know that you can mail the clear cello sleeves in the US Mail?? These USPS-approved, acid-free envelopes can show off your beautifully custom-designed, couture invitation to anyone who handles it--not just the folks who get to open the invitations. You can put a sticky label on the outside or slide a piece of paper on the inside with the address information. Just make sure you use the self-adhesive stamps!

There Are No Second Chances

I found this article online today on Wedding Basics and thought it was the perfect thing to show you the worth of a professional wedding planner:

If I Had To Do It All Again, I Would...
By Lei Lydle
Founder and Editor
Last Updated: 10/19/2007 10:13:13 AM

If I had to do it all over again, I would have hired a wedding consultant to be there on my wedding day. Several things went wrong that day and if I had someone else that was extremely knowledgeable about weddings there, I wouldn't have had to deal with certain problems.
For example, the photographer's assistant did not notice that the hem of my dress was flipped up so it is forever flipped up in ALL of my pictures and memories. An experienced wedding consultant would have been participating in the photos and would have noticed and fixed this detail before any photos were shot.
In addition, the bus driver did not have the directions from the church to the reception that I faxed to the limo company. I had to let a guest point the way. If I had a consultant, she would have had copies of the directions for the driver.
After the photos, the entire wedding party was waiting outside of the church for the bus to return but it never did. So they all had to scramble into cars and hurry down to the reception. If I had a consultant, she would have made sure that the bus came back. . .

You can read the rest of the article on their website, but the article drives home a very good point: Bad things do happen to good people. And, unfortunately, many people don't have the chance to re-do their wedding day. Protect your investment: Hire a wedding planner!