Seattle Wedding Show Tips!

Happy New Year!

I wanted to let you know, if you didn't already, that the largest Wedding Show, The Seattle Wedding Show, is this weekend January 3rd and 4th, 2009. Doors of the Washington State Convention Center open on Saturday at 10:00 am, with ticket sales at 9:30 am and Sunday 10:30 am ticket sales 10:00 am. It closes each night at 5:00pm. I don't have a booth this year, but will be hanging out on the concourse Saturday morning for a few hours in the Wedding DJ's booth. I would love to see you! There are a ton of wonderful vendors at the show, great food and cake, so it will be a lot of fun if you go.

Here are some tips to make the show fun and easy:

• Wear comfortable shoes. It's a huge show. It's possible it could take you 2+ hours to get through it. So much great stuff to see including a fashion show!


• Layer your clothing. Generally it's cold in the morning at the show and then fills and heats up.
• Decide when to go. Saturday is very busy especially in the morning. If you want to avoid the crowds go later in the afternoon or on Sunday. Sunday late afternoon is the least crowded, but some of the vendors may have run out of their samples and freebies by then. So, Sunday morning is best!


• Create a separate wedding email address. After the show you could end up receiving emails from many different vendors. To keep your personal or professional email clean create a wedding only email. This eliminates a lot of clutter in your inbox. Also, only give this email to the vendors you want to contact you directly. Then when you get an email you know it's from someone you are interested in. (This only applies if you're looking for vendors with out my or another coordinator's help.)


• Create information labels. This will prevent you from having to write your contact information over and over. You will want to include your name, phone number, email, maybe your address. I have found that large mailing labels work best for this. 1 sheet is probably enough, but is up to you. (Again this only applies if you are looking for vendors solo.)


• Don't be afraid to go into a booth look around and speak with the vendor. In my years at the show I have seen the timid brides. The vendors are there to meet you and chat about your wedding and how they may play a role. I know that it can get overwhelming, but know the vendors are there to meet you and answer your questions.

• Bring your camera. The wedding show is filled with wonderful ideas. Each booth is created by the vendors to give you a feel for their style and business. Many put days into creating the right booth. Some booths are like a mini wedding set up, very creative and full of usable ideas.


• Lastly, don't be afraid to say "No". It's okay not to give your information or take a flyer from a vendor that you are not interested in. It's your information, you don't have to give it out.

I hope this helps! If you have any additional questions or concerns email or call me. Please stop by and say "Hi!" if you do come Saturday morning. Again, I'll be in the Wedding DJ's booth. I would love to see you. Have a great time!

Wedding Workshop 2009

I am so proud to announce our Second Annual Wedding Workshop,
LOVE PLANNING YOUR WEDDING FROM START TO FINISH!

There was such a great response to last year's workshop we're really excited for this year's! It's designed for brides and grooms, mothers, maids of honor and more. Whether you’re just getting started in the planning process or have all your vendors lined up, this workshop is for you! You will receive tips on how to make your wedding truly unique and flawless, and gather a wealth of knowledge to make it the best day of your life!

When: Monday January 19, 2009 or Tuesday January 20, 2009
5:30 to 7:30 pm

Where: The Yacht Club on Lake Union
3229 Fairview Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102


We will cover:

• Quick and Easy ways to save money
• Key questions and Red flags when selecting vendors
• Décor and design ideas
• How to individualize your wedding
• Setting up a timeline to make the day flow smoothly
• How to make it come together
• New alternatives to old traditions
• And much much more!

Our years of experience will help you avoid costly mistakes of previous brides, and guide you to a fun enjoyable engagement! Let a professional answer all of your questions big or small.


Only $50 per couple or $ 25 per individual. Credit Cards accepted through Pay Pal, Checks made Payable to Ethereal Events LLC. Tickets also available at the door.

Tickets

Individual $25.00Couple $50.00Option 3 $25.00

Call or email Wendi at info@etherealevents.com or 206.920.2658 for more information.

Let Wendi help you love your wedding from start to finish!

I've Been "Quoted"!

Several months ago journalist, Anna Hirsh, came to me with some questions relating to a wedding article that she was writing. I was excited she found me and wanted my wedding expertise! She emailed me today and let me know the article I helped with is now published and syndicated. I'm thrilled! It's available in over 200 different places both print and online across the U.S. and Canada!
I've posted it below, but here are a few other places to check it out:

• http://www.philly.com/philly/living/celebrations/weddings/CTW_bridal_20081126_Winter-style_weddings.html
• http://mysanantonio.ctwfeatures.com/bridesguide/bridal_20081126_winter.html
• http://www.lvbrideandgroom.com/full-article/108
• http://themonitor.ctwfeatures.com/bridal/bridal_20081126_winter.html

Here is her wonderful article.
This one was printed in http://www.philly.com/.

Posted on Wed, Nov. 26, 2008

Winter-style weddings
Anna T. Hirsh

"Maybe Hollywood movies have made it appear that weddings only take place on sunny days in the month of June, but there are, in fact, 11 other perfectly good months, and some of the best are the coldest. Come rain, come sleet, come snow, winter weddings have a natural elegance all their own, and provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic, intimate celebration. You just have to take care of a few details first.

The most important thing you have to consider when having a winter wedding is actually the same thing at the top of the list when planning a summer event - the location. Although you could still have a partial outdoor event with a tent, the tent would probably need to be sealed, heated and have a floor, which can really up the cost, so most winter weddings take place at indoor venues. A perk, however, is that winter months - November to April - are generally considered off-season, thereby making some of the high-end venues a little more budget friendly, says Wendi Hroncich, founder of Ethereal Events in Seattle. The only exception is December, a popular wedding month when brides not only have to compete with other brides for venues and vendors but also with corporations who are having their holiday parties.

There are other considerations to make, as well, if you select a date during the holidays. "Save the dates are a must," says Hroncich. "Out of town guests need time to plan ahead in order to get flights and hotels during this busy season." Be aware that people might not be able to make it due to their own family's holiday traditions, or that bad weather might downsize your guest list at the last minute.

While there's nothing you can do about canceled flights, you can try to make sure your guests make it to your wedding once they are nearby. Joe St. Cyr, director of Joseph Todd Events, has been planning and styling winter weddings in New York City for over 20 years and says the biggest issue is probably transportation. "A sudden snowstorm can grind things to a halt, but people rarely cancel their weddings," says St. Cyr. Consider providing transportation, picking a location convenient to public transportation or be prepared to pick people up, and add a little extra time before the ceremony and between events to allow for any late guests.

But once these practical details are taken care of, it's time to have fun with all the possibilities for cold weather wedding décor. St. Cyr advises avoiding trite clichés like icicles, snowmen, snowflakes and fake snow, in favor of a less literal, more sophisticated scene that might include birch branches, clear acrylic chairs and mirrored tabletops, and drawing on a color palette that combines white, clear and crystal with a bit of color such as ice blue, forest green, black or the natural tones of wood and greenery. The look can be ultra sleek and modern by creating the illusion of an ice palace, or you can construct an enchanting country feeling with wooden chargers and lanterns in place of votives.

When it comes to flowers, there is a lot less local, seasonal variety during the winter so if a bride really has her heart set on a particular blossom, it may have to be imported, which adds to the cost, says St. Cyr. Instead, consider having fun with creative presentations that use less flowers or surprising substitutions. Hroncich recommends that a bride and her florist play with different items like berries and branches in both bouquets and centerpieces. For a wedding he is working this winter, St. Cyr is using chunky square glass containers, each containing a single kind of flower, including white roses and white orchids, and herbs like lavender and rosemary for muted, earthy color.

But flowers aren't the only element of a winter wedding affected by the weather. The food is probably one of the biggest differences between the seasons, notes Hroncich. "A typical summer selection of fresh halibut, salmon or sea bass will not be readily available, and even if it was, it's probably not what your guests are expecting or wanting on a cold day," she says.During the winter months, people are more willing to have heavier, creamier, homier menus, such as rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables or brussel sprouts, adds St. Cyr. "You're going to see more soups served as a first course instead of a salad," he says. "I even had a couple that served a stew as the entrée."

As to the most important element, the wedding gown, most brides don't actually allow the season to affect their decision in what they wear because they're mostly inside anyway, says St. Cyr. But winter brides may purchase or have another piece made, such as an elegant winter white coat, heavy shawl or faux fur wrap. "No matter how elegant the rest of her wedding is, no bride wants to be standing there in a long, puffy parka," says St. Cyr. "

I hope to work with Anna again in the future. She is a very talented journalist and writes about what I love, Weddings! Thanks Anna!

5 Quick & Easy Tips for Last Minute Holiday Party Planning!

Now that December is upon us, it may be crunch time for planning your holiday party. Here are some quick and easy tips to plan an unforgettable evening that won't break the bank.

1. First and foremost have FUN! Holiday parties are often had to celebrate all the wonderment the season brings, and the time you get to spend together! Enjoy the inviting, shopping, decorating, etc. (One trick I use is listening to festive music so my mood is light and happy while getting everything together before my guests arrive. I also try and remember that my guests are my friends or colleagues and they'll like me no matter what id do for the party! ) Your guests will be able to see and feel the fun you had in planning a party for them.
   
   
2. Make it personal. Your party's atmosphere is elevated if there is a connection to each of your guests in the different elements. (food, wine, decor, etc.) If you are having your neighbors over, serve the bottle of wine or alcohol you had at your last get together or last year's holiday party favorite. If the party is for family, serve a favorite family recipe. You may also want, if possible, to display or use the gifts you received in recent years past to serve the food and/or beverages. The person who gave it will be honored that you are using it.
   
3. Use one theme and stick to it. It is often overwhelming when shopping for a holiday party because of the vast options out there. Use your theme, whether it is a color scheme or a snowflake, to tie all your elements together. Invites, decorations, table settings, cocktails or mock tails, etc. You can have so much fun with this!
   
   
4. Share the hosting duties. Team up with your husband, a family member, best friend, or neighbor and host the party together. My sister and I often team up to host parties and it works really well. We discuss before hand the theme and guest list, then divide duties between the two of us. She may prepare the appetizers and I will do the main course or dessert. We will each pick a beverage that compliments our guests as well as the food we have contributed. Sometimes, one of us will do all of the food and the other will provide all of the beverages that go with the menu and theme. It is a lot of fun to collaborate with someone else and it can also take off some of the pressure!
   
   



5. Sending an informal invitation is okay. Using a service like evite for your last minute party will help you reach your guest instantly. It also helps you track your RSVP list.

Good Luck with your Holiday Party Planning! If you need further assistance or a party planner please email me: wendi@etherealevents.com

Calling for Your Stories!

Weddings often bring out the best and the worst in people. As a professional wedding planner, I have seen my share of sweet, crazy, romantic, and disastrous moments! I am in the process of compiling all my favorite stories horrible and lovely of real weddings glories and mishaps. I would love for all of you to share your stories with me. As wedding guests, brides maid, maid of honor, or past bride, you have witnessed a lot. Vendors, I know we that have seen thousands of wonderful moments, and possibly several horrible, now hilarious ones too! Please share them with me.

You can either post them here OR email me at wendi@etherealevents.com. Please only share stories you don't mind I may use at a later date. Names would of course be changed and people protected. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you!