Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Real SHW Wedding Featured on Bride Buzz!

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Hello again! Just popping in real quick again to share some exciting news. SH Weddings November clients, the awesome Jillian and Phil, were featured on Bride-Buzz today! We had such a blast working this wedding, and we're so proud to see it featured online! Congratulations to Jillian and Phil on your one-monthiversary!

Monday, December 13, 2010

A Sensitive Subject: Vendor Meals

Hello! Just a quick break from the holiday season to talk about something that can often be a sensitive topic: Vendor meals. I was recently checking my Facebook updates when one of my favorite Chicago wedding photographers, Cristina G, shared a link from famed photographer Elizabeth Messina about vendor meals.

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This is such a touchy subject because no vendor wants to come outright and say, "please feed us a good meal." When it comes down to it, a quality vendor is going to work hard all day, regardless of any situation, to make your wedding more than perfect. A good vendor cares about their couples, their families, and has one goal - to do an above and beyond job. I like to think of myself and SH Weddings in that category.

However, here's the thing: Most "vendor meals" are, how shall I say? ... not great. And it's NOT the client's fault at all. I think most clients are unaware of what the vendor meal actually is. I know that when Mr. Owl and I planned our wedding, we asked our venue (also our caterer) what we should feed our vendors, and they replied, "We have a great boxed lunch that comes with a sandwich, sides and a soda!" Not giving it much thought, we replied, "okay!" I wish we had put more thought into it because we had some amazing vendors that worked so hard all day long, and if I had to do it over again, they would have gotten a hot meal.

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Now that I'm on the other side, I feel like I have some legitimate points to make, and I truly hope I don't offend anyone. I'm going to come outright and and give my real, true opinion because I feel like I owe my clients nothing but honesty and respect.

So, here it is, folks: If you have the choice, get your vendors a hot meal that's somewhat equivalent to what you're serving your guests. While coordinating weddings this year, Mr. Owl and I have had some pretty bad dinners put in front of us by caterers that are otherwise absolutely amazing, so it really baffles me why guests are getting served a scrumptious meal, and we get a soggy sandwich that's quite literally, spongey and inedible. We've been served everything from a guest entree to, as I just said, one soggy sandwich without any sides.

Wedding coordinators and photographers, especially, work a lot of hours on each wedding - upwards of 10-12 hours for us Owl's is normal, if not more than that. We always pack energy bars and other snacks that we can scarf down when we have a free second (usually during transportation), but our energy can quickly decline come reception time. I've thought about bringing my own dinner with me, but because I work with my husband, we would need to pack two substantial meals, and most likely, they'd need to stay refrigerated, and between that, our clipboards, files and emergency kit, and often supplies and decor items from the bride, it's virtually impossible. We really need a meal that will get us through the rest of the night and after for tear-down (we're usually at the reception 30-60 minutes after it's over to pack up all your supplies before we head home). Honestly, a good meal makes the world of difference.

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Style Me Pretty



So, with that said, here are my tips for couples when thinking about the vendor meal:

1. Check the vendor's contract. Some will have a paragraph about their meal saying it has to be a hot meal or equal to that of the guests'. Currently, the only thing we specify in our contract is that our meals need to be vegetarian. I don't want to get more specific, personally, because I know that some couples are in a tight spot financially, and I don't want to force them into anything they're uncomfortable with. But if it doesn't break the bank, we're always grateful for a meal that's a step or two above the boxed lunch.

2. Most caterers give you the option to pick between a meal that you're serving your guests, and a boxed "vendor meal." Find out exactly what that vendor meal is, how it's prepared, what it comes with and how fresh it is. You can find this out by simply asking, "when does the vendor meal get prepared?" If it's that day, great! If it's a few days prior, like a 7-11 to-go meal, think twice. Even though vendor meals are often less expensive, they still charge you a pretty penny for them, and there's no sense in paying AT ALL for something that's not fresh, and that your vendors won't want to eat. It's a waste of money. That said, I've had one boxed meal that was truly very yummy! It was a veggie wrap, two sides of fresh pasta salad and fresh fruit, chips and a very delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookie. I was full and ready for action after eating it. It's just best to know what exactly your vendors are getting and take it from there.

3. Caterers often tell my clients that us vendors prefer the boxed lunch because it's faster to eat. I'm not sure why they tell people this because it's not true. Us vendors are going to inhale that meal as quickly as possible because we want to get back to work, regardless of what it is. I don't think we've ever eaten a meal at a wedding that took us longer than 10 minutes tops, and we've had both entrees and boxed meals.

4. Don't break the bank on a fancy meal if you're on a really, really, really tight budget and struggling to pay your final bills. If your caterer is charging you the same amount for hot vendor meals as your guests, it's okay to downgrade, in my opinion if it's going to hurt you financially. Especially if you have a lot of vendors you need to feed. However, caterers, for the most part, should be discounting guest meals for vendors meals because we're typically not offered a variety of courses like a soup, salad and appetizer. If you need to serve a boxed lunch, it's okay, of course. But offering us some cake would be appreciated for a sugar rush :) And if at all possible, ask your caterer to make sure the boxed meal is fresh and substantial.

5. If you're having trouble deciding, try to imagine yourself as a vendor, having just worked eight hours or more, doing lots of running around in all kinds of weather. What would you like to eat?

So, there you have it! My raw, honest opinion on vendor meals. I know that this post will probably ruffle some feathers, and that's okay. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and there's nothing wrong with a healthy debate :) I wanted to give you some insight into the subject, and help you make a more educated decision when it's time to pick out what your own vendors will be eating at your wedding.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Happy Holidays From The Owls!

Hello little owls!

Posting has been slow this month, and that's because I've been really focusing on developing some things at SH Weddings, as well as enjoying the holiday season with Mr. Owl. We LOVE Christmas. Every year, we try to watch all our favorite holiday movies, drink lots of cocoa, bake lots of cookies, send out holiday cards, do lots of DIY decor projects and spend time with friends and family. That takes a lot out of you!

Starting December 16 (this Thursday!) I'll be taking an extended vacation with my mom and sister in New York. I'm so excited! I'll be bringing all my work with me, so you may see a few posts every now and then on my other blog, The Nesting Owl, since most of my time will be dedicated to family, baking, decor, snow activities, etc., and not as much wedding goodness.

Recently, I posted some photos of our Christmas gifts this year to hopefully inspire you to get creative with your wrapping this year (and, well, every year, really). Here's a sneak peek:


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We're wishing you all a very happy, healthy holiday season, filled with love, laughter and of course, creativity!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Don't miss this amazing giveaway!

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The deadline for the photography giveaway from D'Avello Photography is quickly approaching! You all have until December 15 to enter! Go here for details.

Hurry, hurry! This is a great opportunity!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Off The Rack Bridesmaids Dresses: December Edition!

I've been seeing some really cute dresses around lately that would make lovely bridesmaids dresses at really affordable prices.


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Shop Ruche Gardenia Grace Dress. This dress is sold out on the website, but I love how easy this would be to recreate. Purchase a grey strapless dress, sew up some flowers, and lay across the shoulder. Of course, this is a bit of a pain (but with a great payoff!), so below are some dresses right off the rack.


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The Limited dresses from left to right: Dinner Date dress; Bow One Shoulder dress; One Shoulder Detail dress


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Mod Cloth dresses from left to right: Plum Perfection dress; Quiet Nocturne dress; View From Above dress

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Real Ontario Wedding: Lindsey and Adrian

Gah! You guys! I'm so excited about today's real wedding. I really am. It's full of beautiful style, lovely details and an overall amazing adorable couple, Lindsey and Adrian. There to capture the loveliness overload was the team at Renaissance Photography. Owl hugs to Lindsey and Adrian!


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Thank you so much to the team at Renaissance Photography Studios for sharing this wedding with us today! Seriously, people, please be sure to visit their blog for more beautiful real weddings. And to Lindsey and Adrian, I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Stationery Inspiration From The Pink Orange

I'm so thrilled to introduce you all to The Pink Orange, creating couture invitations and stationery for brides looking for nothing but exquisitely designed pieces.

Rebecca Ashby, the visionary behind The Pink Orange, was gracious enough to give us an inside peek at her studio, as well as answer a few questions for us!


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Rebecca Ashby, owner and creator of The Pink Orange. I mean, how gorgeous is she? Photo by Clark + Walker Studios.


Rebecca, how and when did The Pink Orange come about?
I had been working in various types of design industries and, most recently before starting my business, I was working for a web development firm when I realized how much I missed the 3-D aspect of paper and the “touchy feely” of that part of the design industry. At that time, when I was feeling like I wanted to find my calling in the industry, my husband proposed to me. All I cared about was creating the invitations and other paper goodies. It hit me and I realized what I should be doing for the rest of my life! And so, in 2006 The Pink Orange was born and I haven’t looked back.


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Inside The Pink Orange studio. Photo by Clark + Walker Studios


What inspires you to create a piece?
I use all of my surroundings as inspiration! The architecture, plants, color, shape and dimension. However, mostly, getting to know my clients and their personalities is a big part of my creations. Each piece I design is custom and unique, and therefore, tailored for that special day. So inspiration also comes from the clients I am designing for. Their story, their lives together and what makes them as unique as their wedding day.


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Photo by Clark + Walker Studios


What type of client comes to The PInk Orange for their wedding stationery? What are they looking for?
I work with all types of clients, but each client comes to me because they are looking for something extraordinary. They want to be “branded," be it for their wedding day, baby or birthday parties, they want something special and unique that they just can’t seem to find elsewhere.

My wedding clients can range from just needing save the dates or invitations to starting with save the dates and wanting every detail down to cocktail napkins to match! I love coordinating every accessory and taking the stress out of the day, while adding in the fun!



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Photo by Clark + Walker Studios


What is your process while working with a client?
Our initial meeting, or phone call if they are long distance, starts with a “get to know you” session. I feel this is important to do because after all, I’m designing for them! Just as I would talk through specifics when designing a logo for a corporate client, I need to dive into getting to know each client. We talk about their specific needs as well as their stationery budget and what they want to invest. During our initial meeting, we look at paper, color and previous samples of work so I can get a feel for their likes and dislikes, while talking details of what they might want specifically for their day. I will then brainstorm concepts after they have left and send a fully detailed estimate with rough concepts and pricing. There can be such variation in custom design, I like to give options so everyone is comfortable with what they are investing in. Once the basic concept is selected, the fun begins with of creating mock-ups for the client! That is my favorite part, seeing my ideas come to life. I present in person if the bride is local, and if they are long distance, I will send them through the mail so I can also include paper swatches and ink samples. Any other revisions that are needed are completed via email.


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Photo by Clark + Walker Studios


Let's take a look at some of The Pink Orange creations:


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Photo courtesy of The Pink Orange.


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Photo courtesy of The Pink Orange.


Thank you so much to Rebecca at The Pink Orange for stopping by and sharing your story with us! To see more of Rebecca and her gorgeous creations, please, please, please visit her website! It's definitely a do-not-miss and loaded with gorgeous inspiration. Thank you again, Rebecca!