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!

Here is what I am giving Thanks for this Thanksgiving!

In honor of Turkey Day on Thursday, I thought I would stray from the ordinary wedding post and share a few of the many things I am thankful for. This holiday is about more than just over eating delicious food. Though, I tend to have a hard time remembering this when the day comes around. So, I thought I would make and share my list early. I have narrowed it down to keep from boring you.

1. My wonderful Husband of 2+ years Erik and our Lil' one. No not a child, our dog Daisy! (We think she's a 3 1/2 year old boxer/ridge back mix. We rescued her from the streets of South Seattle when she was about 6 months . No one knows her mix or age for sure.) They're the greatest part of my life. I am truly blessed with their love. They bring me so much happiness and laughter, as well as enough frustration to make me really appreciate the joy!




2. My ever growing business, ethereal events! I LOVE what I do! I get to join a bride and groom on their journey of planning the most important day of their lives thus far. I get to laugh with them, sip champagne, taste cake, explore new ideas and design, and see it through to the end result; The wedding day! People invite me into their lives for many months sometimes a year +. I get to share with their friends and family, their first dance, slide show of bad junior high photos, joyful or incredibly humorous roasts, I mean toasts, and more! After all that, the most satisfying part is I know that my hard work paid off, with them having the time of their lives!



3. My clients! I love each one of my past and present clients. They had filled my life with so much fun. Each pair has a special place in my heart. Some always made me laugh, some pushed me to continually be better, and some where like friends I'd had forever. They're all smart, fun, generous, compassionate, and more. The one thing they all have in common is: GREAT TASTE - They all hired me! I am so grateful for that.


4. A successful baking day! I am in charge of a dessert this year for dinner with my family. I am attempting a pumpkin cheese cake. I am making it from scratch, and not very experienced baker. Amazing taster, yes, but baker not yet. It just came out of the oven, and it looks fantastic! The knife is clean and the graham craker edges are golden brown. I am so grateful!

I challenge you all to do the same. Make a list of the things you are thankful for and share it with others. It's a really great reminder to ourselves of what makes our lives so special. Why we work as hard as we do. Hurry, before the Tryptophan sets in!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jamil and Ray

Jamil and Ray were married on a rainy day in Seattle at Bell Harbor Conference Center. This gorgeous couple was so much fun to work with! We spent many months on the phone planning their black tie affair. They're both native to Seattle, but were planning and residing on the East Coast. I got to know the two of them really well over our weekly conference calls. Ray a self proclaimed "Groomzilla" always kept Jamil and I on our toes with his ideas for his perfect wedding! All the planning paid off, the day was absolutely beautiful! It was such as pleasure being part of its success! Thanks Jamil and Ray.

All photos by Photo Elan

Vendors:

Coordination: ethereal events
Photography: Photo Elan
Venue: Bell Harbor
Florist: Love Me Flowers
Cake Baker: Cakes Etc.
Band: Goody Bag
String Ensemble: Tracey Hagen

Yumminess!!

As I promised, here is a wonderful post by Michelle of mmm...paper.

mmm... paper is proud to announce the launch of Yumminess Do-It-Yourself! Yumminess invites come in a range of deliciously colored card stock; including options to embellish with layers or bands of decorative paper: elegant filigree, delicate cherry blossoms, glittery paisleys, stunning damask, flowery fields, chic stripes, spunky polka-dots, bright Indian designs, and more! Yumminess is for those clients that want to make their own wedding invites, but have exquisite taste. This is couture do-it-yourself. We've seen too many people attempt to make beautiful wedding invites, but get frustrated with all the purchasing, cutting, gluing... and they often waste a lot of money, instead of saving a few dollars.
Yumminess comes pre-cut, and ready for people to assemble. We provide everything they'll need for gorgeous wedding invites.Yumminess invites come with four main components (invite, reply card, reply envelope, and outer envelope), along with assembly materials, and are sold in sets of 25. The price range for these sets of 25 is $50-$175. View the collection!

Michelle Loretta
mmm... paper
206-774-1689






Thank you so much Michelle and mmm...paper for sharing this with us! I am so excited about this option.

Let your voice be heard!

Today is election day! It's an incredibly important day in our lives as Americans. We have the opportunity to let our voices be heard. This year it feels even more critical, due to the state of the economy, and a history making candidates on both sides. We have a chance to change the direction our country is headed. I will not tell you who to vote for, I won't even tell you who I voted for, but I will ask that you VOTE! Please get out and vote. It is an amazing right that I am so glad that I have!

Guest Stars!

November in Seattle is often considered an off season month in the wedding industry. It's a time that our soon to be clients are getting engaged and starting to plan their fabulous weddings. In honor of this, I have asked a few of my favorite vendors in different categories to give us some feed back on some important planning topics. Here are a few of the subjects you will see covered, by myself or another incredible vendor over the next few weeks:

What's hot for 2009
How to find the right vendor for you
Tips to get in wedding day shape
And many more...

Tomorrow's post will be from the Fabulous owner of mmm...paper, Michelle Loretta. Mmm...paper makes wonderful custom invitations, and have recently come out with a line of DIY called Yummies.

Check it out tomorrow! It will be worth it, I promise.

Thank you!

The results of Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington were announced on Monday 10/27. Thanks to all of you, Ethereal Events came in 2nd. We're thrilled! It was a large category, full of many respected companies. It was an honor to be among them, and wonderful to come in 2nd. There were so many people supported us with their vote. THANK YOU!! We're so grateful to have worked with all of you. Here are some of the amazing comments vendors and our clients had to say:

Posted by: jchen101,
Fantastic - everything we asked for and more. Wendi came through on all counts and really made our wedding day relaxing (yes!) and stress-free. We hadn't originally planned on having a coordinator, but soon found ourselves out of our league. We had already found our major vendors (site, florist, caterer, and photographer) but needed someone to help us with everything else - and we were suprised at how much "everything else" there was. Wendi met with us repeatedly and make sure all the details (which we hadn't thought of or were too tired to deal with) were covered. On the wedding weekend (in the Skagit Valley) Wendi was everywhere, making sure everything went smoothly, which allowed us to focus on friends, family, and each other.

Posted by: susieulrickson,
I found wendi fun, flexible, extremely efficient, and comfortable with all ages of people - She's willing to take charge, yet willing to listen and hear what her clients want - a delight to be with.

Posted by: Karim,

Personal, detail oriented, creative, and world class --> a small subset of the first impressions that come to mind after working with Wendi on our wedding. Our wedding took place on Queen Anne the day of the Seafair Blue Angels celebrations. As is the norm for Wendi's pre-emptive planning, she was on the phone with each of our vendors a few days before reminding them of the bridge closures and insuring that they had figured the traffic challenges into their logistical plans of the day. Wendi is singularly responsible for our married life together getting off to a magnificent start. We're actively looking for ways to use her services again [and again] without first going through a divorce. :-)

Posted by: EventsWithIntegrity,
Very professional and thorough as well as friendly and gets the job done fantastic!

Posted by: lizinseattle, 9/25/2008
Wendi was so so fantastic to work with. She made us feel that she cared about every detail as much as we did and was 100% responsive to all of our needs and concerns. We received so much attentiveness that I felt as if we were her only clients in the year we worked with her. I've always wanted to be married, but it was never my dream to plan a wedding; in fact, I almost dreaded the process. Wendi filled wedding planning with joy and excitement. Additionally, she pointed us to top-notch, but reasonably priced vendors that made our day extremely special and helped us brainstorm some creative details that made our day feel uniquely ours!

Again, Thank you all so much for your support. I love my job, and to hear all the appreciation and support from all of you makes is that much better!

I Love Fall Weddings!

Anah and Bernard were married on October 18th, 2008. They took full advantage of the fall season and all the colors it has to offer. Anah, an advertising expert for Nordstrom, is the essence of style.

She was not afraid to take risks with her stunning Luly Yang steel gray dress. The couple took care with all the details that went into the day. Bernard hand made the outfits (with tape and paint) of the Lego replicas of each person in the bridal party to match their couture fashion of the day. He even took into consideration the color of each of the ladies bouquets, and the grooms men's custom Converse. There were so many special touches in this wedding. It is nearly impossible to tell you about them all. This was such a fun wedding to be a part of. Bernard and Anah are as beautiful on the inside as on the out!

My husband too!

I was just spending an obscene amount of time voting in Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington Poll for all my favorite things like pizza, museums, and doggy day care when I noticed my husband/his training studio is nominated as well. He is the owner and one of the trainers of Edge Personal Training in Ballard. He is an amazingly talented and knowledgeable trainer (Yes, I'm bias, but not about his training ability. He really is that good.) He works with a variety of fitness levels with many different goals. I would love for you to check out the poll, read his reviews, and if you would like, vote for him. Voting goes until October 13th, so you have plenty of time. The support means a ton to both of us! Thank you.

PS. Yes, that is me in the pictures on his website. What you never thought I could double as a fitness model! Neither did I, but there I am!

Be a Giver!

As we turn the page on our calendar to October tomorrow, I thought I should mention an incredible event going on this month; Get Hitched & Give Hope. Some of my amazing colleagues in the wedding industry have gotten together to create an noteworthy night. It is being held on October 23, 2008 at the newly renovated and fantastic Arctic Hotel. Their mission is create a swanky evening of cocktails and gorgeous wedding goods benefiting an incredible cause. 100% of the net money raised goes to grant wishes of stage IV breast cancer patients and their families.


"1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer and 1 in 100 breast cancer cases are in men. Over 40,000 men and women will lose their lives to breast cancer this year in America alone; that's 40,000 wishes that we can help to grant."

The tickets start at just $15 dollars. It's an event everyone can afford to come and give to. Please join me and the rest of the fabulous attendants for an evening we can all feel good about participating in! I can't wait to see you!

Just found out!

I just got word that ethereal events has been nominated for Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington Poll, Best Wedding Planner. I'm thrilled! Jamie (my business partner) and I have worked so hard with so many amazing clients over the years to build a successful business. It's so rewarding to be nominated in such great company. Please check it out! If you feel compelled to vote for us we would greatly appreciate it. This is so wonderful! I will keep you posted on the results and thank you for your support!

Happy Anniversary Lisa & Mike Olson

Lisa and Mike were married on September 7th, 2007 at Bell Harbor Conference Center. The Photos below are provided by the very talented and wonderful 1000 Words Photography! It really was an amazing day. I'm sure their first year of marriage was just as wonderful!