Friday, July 8, 2011

“Experiences” with Eventi Planning

I’m really enjoying featuring all of these wonderful vendors, in anticipation of our Stop by Sunday event…this Sunday…just a few days away! Today, I’m so happy to highlight Diana Venditto from Eventi Planning. I love working with Diana…her bright smile and upbeat personality are simply contagious. So for this post, I decided to ask her something a little different…and her response had the whole studio laughing…and admitting that we are glad we just handle the stationery for a wedding! 

What is the oddest task you’ve had to take on as a wedding coordinator?

As a wedding planner, I have seen it all. Well, maybe not everything but quite a bit! When I meet with couples for the first time, I’m often asked “What is it you do, exactly?”. My normal response, is “Everything!”. I, of course, do the typical tasks: setting up the escort cards, laying out the programs, lining up the bridal party for the ceremony/reception and keeping everything on schedule. Then, there are the unusual tasks that somehow end up in my lap. I have plunged a men’s bathroom toilet and even driven home a left behind grandmother! A good wedding planner will do whatever it takes to make sure their client’s wedding day goes smoothly.

Find out more about Eventi Planning on her website and when you stop by our event on Sunday, pick up a swag bag with some goodies from Eventi Planning too!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

An Interview with Fiona from Fiona’s Cakes

We’re getting closer to our Stop by Sunday event on July 10th, and I’m so happy, because that means that I get to eat Fiona’s cupcakes!  Fiona’s Cakes is a local cake designer in the Annapolis area and her work is just so amazing and yummy.  I’m also biased, because she made my wedding cake too!   Here is a great interview with “the” Fiona on cakes and trends, along with some photos of her beautiful creations. 

1.  Are you designing more traditional cakes or are brides opting to reflect their themes and colors?   Today’s bride is most certainly opting to reflect their theme and more importantly to them, their colors.  Colors like their flowers, bridesmaids dress, table décor, linens, even neckties and wedding invitations pulls everything together.  Often the bridesmaids bouquets sit around the cake when they arrive at the reception. 

2.  What is your most popular cake flavor?  The most popular cake flavor, for a wedding, is still vanilla cake with a raspberry type filling, since couples are considering what their guests might like and usually remain conservative vs. going with something like hazelnut or coconut which might not be everyone’s favorite. The big trend is offering guest choices of different cake and filling combinations.

3.  Do you have a favorite cake you’ve designed?  I really don’t have a favorite cake design since they are all beautiful in their own way.  A simple cake design can look just as beautiful as an elaborate one.

4.  Any trends that you are seeing right now in cakes?   The trend I see, in a big way, is moving away from having a fondant cake.  Couples are coming to realize that fondant very expensive, but it does not taste very good and most guests choose not to eat it.  A colorful ribbon look is very popular whether it’s around the base of each cake tier or crossing around the cake at different angles.  A simple elegant chic look is often chosen over a lacy or basket weave design.

Be sure to drop in and grab a yummy cupcake by Fiona’s Cakes on Sunday.  Just email us at info@allisonbarnhilldesigns.com, if you want to attend.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

High End Style for the Budget Savvy Bride

In continuing our blog posts featuring the vendors that will be at our Stop by Sunday event on July 10th, here is a little more information on Intrigue Design & Decor, along with some great photos from one of mutual weddings…Jodi and Chris. Enjoy!

Every bride dreams of a platinum wedding, but not every bride has a platinum budget. Utilizing our experience and expertise – we make sure you are spending your money where it will be most effective. We make the budget reality and dream wedding meet somewhere in the middle. We have found that by strategically pairing flowers, paper and décor you can have the wedding you dreamed of without sacrificing your design.

Intrigue’s custom floral designs will maximize your budget. We will be on hand on Sunday afternoon during Stop by Sunday to offer suggestions and answer questions. Just email info@allisonbarnhilldesigns.com to let us know you will be attending the event!



Photo Credit: Photography by Alexander

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Wedding Lessons by Elizabeth Ryan Photography

In anticipation of our Stop by Sunday on July 10th, I’ve asked each of our featured vendors, to share some wedding wisdom with you! I was so excited to read Elizabeth and Ryan’s guest blog post below – and agree 100% with all of their advice. Read, learn, love!

A few weeks ago I turned to Ryan and said, I think we need to write a book. We need to share all of these life lessons we have learned from being a part of so many weddings! So, when Allison asked us to share a little something on her blog, we figured this is the perfect place to start! Maybe a book will come later! ;) Thanks Allison for the opportunity to share…

Advice from photographers: A few things we think every bride and groom should know before their wedding day.

1. “You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own…” – D.M. Dellinger Your wedding day is YOUR day! Forget about what everyone else tells you to do. If you want to get married in the morning and hold the reception in the evening, do it. If you want to have the most spectacular candy bar ever at your reception, then by all means do it (don’t forget the sour patch kids) ;). This is the one day that all the attention is on you. Make it your own. Make it a day you will never forget.

2. “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life” – Omar Khayyam Time goes a lot faster on your wedding day… seriously, the clock moves with an extra beat! When planning out your wedding schedule, be sure to build in extra time for things like traveling from the venue to reception and grabbing a bite to eat before walking down the aisle. Most importantly, be sure to build in at least 5 to 10 minutes just to take it all in with your new husband/wife. Often, the day flies by so quickly that brides and grooms don’t get a chance to truly soak in the moment that they are married. Our recommendation, build in a few minutes immediately after the ceremony just for you and your new spouse to take a private moment, breathe and relax, hug each other, and soak in the fact that you are married!

3. “Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.” – Peterson Surround yourself by incredible people! When planning your wedding, choose wedding professionals to be a part of your day that you want to be surrounded by… especially when choosing your wedding photographers!!! Other than your wedding planner, your photographer is the one wedding vendor that will be with you the entire day. Be sure to choose vendors you connect with, share values with, and who are fun to be around. The better you fit with your vendors the more relaxed and fun you will have on your wedding day.

4. “Life is what happens while we are making other plans.” – Allen Saunders Don’t sweat the small stuff. Weddings are such a whirlwind of activity and excitement. Something is bound to go differently than you originally planned. However, 99% of the time, you are going to be the only one to know that something unexpected happened. If something does occur, just take a deep breath and go with it. Have FUN!

5. “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” – Unknown Think outside of the box! Dream about your dream day and then make it happen! Ask for assistance… reach out to wedding professionals to help you along the way! I can’t speak for all wedding professionals, but I know that we LOVE talking weddings… especially when we are able to help make someone’s dream a reality!

Elizabeth and Ryan are a husband and wife photography team with a passion for life, photography and each other. See their amazing work at Elizabeth Ryan Photography and on their blog too!

Or come meet them in person at our event…this Sunday, July 10th from 1pm to 3pm. Just RSVP to info@allisonbarnhilldesigns.com. See you there!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Just for the 4th!

I thought it would be fun to put together a post filled with red, white and blue, just for the Fourth of July! I also included some more sneak peek photos from the wonderful JLowe Photos. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and we will be back with lots of fun stuff, including guest blog posts, in anticipation of our big Stop by Sunday event on July 10th! Enjoy!

** Photo by Elizabeth Ryan Photography **


** Photo by JLowe Photos **


** Photo by JLowe Photos **


** Photo by Hamilton Photography from our Boutique line of invites **

 
** Photo by Elizabeth Ryan Photography **