Always a Blogsmaid

No Sample For You!

The Q: My florist says that she won't create a sample of my bouquet.  Is this normal or is there a problem?  Also, if it's normal, how will I know if it will be what I want?

The A:  It's normal.  I know it seems awfully like leaving a lot to chance, since it's in like, nearly 1/2 of your photos, but because of the labor involved in putting together a bouquet, it's a practicality and cost issue. 

So, what should you expect then as some sort of re-assurance?  I personally like for the florist to at the very least have 1 of each kind of bloom they are suggesting for the bouquet (unless it's SUPER short season, like a peony, for instance) in house when  you go in to discuss the centerpieces.  This way you can get a sense of the textures of the flowers, at the very least.

What we like to do here (particularly if a bride doesn't have a very strong sense of what she might like for her personal flowers) is to go with them to the flower market to show some of the variety and pull some things together.  You should have shown the florist a photo of your dress prior to doing this, but it can be a lot of fun and very helpful. 

The BEST and simplest way to get what you want, even with the above actions being taken, is to clip photos of your top 2 or 3 bouquets that you've seen in magazines or online.  This gives the florist a sense if you want something soft, or romantic or graphic or sculptural.... You get the picture. 

Something Borrowed, Something in Blue

Today, I'm just GIDDY about the photos we got back from one of our client's weddings! I'm so giddy I MUST share and tell you about how wonderful they are!  I have a few photographers whose work I just totally heart, like Cappy Hotchkiss  and Christian Oth and Meredith over at  Christian Oth.  But I'm today I'm just MAD about Something in Blue.  We worked together about a year ago and then our recent clients selected them to shoot their wedding this past October.   The wedding was a blast, but the photos were even more amazing!  (Our floral work has never looked better) Here are just a few of the images that they posted on their blog (here's their Blog link , btw, so you can see more!) 
I just realized, Poor Indira, while I was setting up  at 450, she was out in the RAIN!

Feeding your Vendors

The Q: I am planning a wedding on June 4, 2008 and I only have about of about $7000.  I found one caterer that would cost me about $5500 but now I have to worry about a DJ and Photographer/Video man.  Should I have to pay for their meal for that night?  and also how can I save on a photographer/Video because my party is small since I'm only having 50 guests.  I am on a budget since my fiance and I plan to also purchase a co-op the same year. - Worried Bride to Be

The A: Don't worry, Worried!  I realize you are on a budget, but why don't you talk to your venue about negotiating down the number of vendor meals, or see if any are included in your package.  Often, because they only eat 1 course of your meal, the vendor meal should be at least half price. 

If that doesn't seem to work out or be the case, re-read your vendor contract and see if they are required to eat the same food as your guests. If that is not the case, then perhaps you can arrange for a lower priced meal option for them.

However, no matter what, you MUST feed your vendors.  They are devoted to shooting your day or keeping your party going for many hours and they do require to be fed.  You wouldn't want your photographer to miss the moment you and your grandpa hit the dancefloor because he was hunting down a sandwich, huh?  While I recognize your budgetary needs, try and work with your vendors to figure this out, they will appreciate your consideration!

Music of Mariachi

The Q:  "  Hello - I saw a Mariachi image on your website and I was wondering what a trio of mariachi's should cost per hour in the Tri-state area. Any reccomendations of mariachis you have worked with?"
Tony in the Tri State

.The A:  There is NOTHING on the planet more festive than a Mariachi at a wedding- they are amazing for ceremony music and they are wonderful additions to cocktail hour as well!  We're huge fans and get really excited whenever anyone wants one- I also love  bringing something that  is cultural and more unique  (at least here on the East Coast) to a wedding celebration beyond the typical string trio!

So, that said, we love Mariachi Mama Mexico- they are sort of the "house band" for Mama Mexico in Mid Town.  A great Mariachi is going to run you between $600 -$1200 depending on the Mariachi group and the size.  The price can sound high, but remember it's several musicians and they come in traditional dress!

Photos! Shoot!: Getting Comfortable with your Wedding Photographer

The Q: "I was just on the cross town bus and I overheard a horror story about a photographer who was bossing her bride around all day long. Of course, I got myself into the conversation. She was trying to get the bride into poses that the bride wasn't comfortable with and when the bride objected the photographer threatened to not take any photos of the bridal party! Well, I guess what she really said was "If you make this difficult and don't work with me, I won't have any time to get photos of your bridal party." I was really relieved to hear that it wasn't my photographer, but then when I started to think about it, how can I ensure that my photographer doesn't start to boss me around all day!!" - Jessica in NYC

The A: Sometimes I think about how stressful it must be for brides working with vendors that they don't really know (i.e. wasn't recommended by a friend or planner) and I feel so stressed for them, because I can imagine how scary it must seem! Jessica, the good thing is most vendors aren't like this vendor, and know that the bride's comfort is the MOST important thing. However, some vendors aren't that way, and so I'll give you some tips on converstaions you should have with your photographer:

Naked or Not Naked: Whenever we go to visit photogs with our clients I always watch to see the bride's reactions to the inevitable bridal exhibitionist shot in portfolios. Some brides are buff and proud and want documentation of their bridal bods as they put on their dress, corsets, whatever. Others are not and would prefer to keep things "behind closed doors". If you are working with a photojournalist or someone working in that style, you should let them know in advance how much of your "prep" you want documented. Tell them upfront, I'd rather you only photograph me when clothed. This way you aren't feeling silently overwhelmed.

Direction: Generally, and I say this especially for brides booking through a photo studio where your sales person might not be your actual photographer, it's a good idea to have an engagement session. It's a great way for you to not only gauge your photographers personality, but to offer he or she insight into how you like to work as well. You're not a model (or maybe you are!!) but most of us aren't used to lying down in a tub and posing or other things that they make the girls do on ANTM. If your photog likes creative shots, it's good to let them know (in a nice way) what types of things you are comfortable and not comfortable.

Style: When interviewing photographers or photo studios, you should probably ask them what their style is for their portraits? Is the photographer very outgoing? Or are they unobtrusive? Do they "direct" people and pose them ("let's get a shot of you with all your bridesmaids hugging you") or do they sort of create opportunity for hanging out and take photos in the background("Why don't you two walk ahead a little bit- great" or "Guys, how about you head over to that bench for a bit"). It's important to let them know if you have specific shots or types of photos that you like or don't like- re: captured moments vs. staged photos or vice versa. This will give you both insight into your approaches!

Required Vendors

The Q: "My venue has two required vendors that they insist that we use: A florist and a music company that manages lots of bands and DJs. I don't mind the bands that I've heard, but I'm SOOO over the florists! I really disliked him and his ideas and past work. These are my wedding flowers, can they really do this to me?" -Ann on Long Island

The A:Ann, whether they legally can or not depends on your contract really. Is it there in writing, or was it more of a verbal heavy hand? But, in honesty, before you start debating contracts with your catering manager, try good old niceness and reason.

Many times when there is a required vendor, it's seen as a benefit to the client of the location. In the early days of this venue, I'm sure that they saw plenty of unhappy brides who were jilted at the alter- not by their grooms but by a florist, or a band with a blown out speaker, etc. Unhappiness with one vendor for a bride can affect the entire day. So, required vendors are usually meant to save you the headache in advance by assuring that you are working with reliable, INSURED service providers.

That said, before you approach your venue, find an alternative florist. Browse some local websites, ask some friends or your wedding planner for recommendations. Find out if one or two of these recommendations carries liability insurance/errors and ommission insurance. Typically in NY, they need between 1 and 2 million dollars worth. If you have a few pedigree candidates to suggest as replacements, contact your catering manager and let them know you were totally unhappy with their required vendor, let him know why and let him know that you have some alternatives in mind. Find out what they need to produce to prove that they are insured.

Most times this is enough to get you out of this vendor requirement. Sometimes it isn't. This is when you need to consider whether you agreed to these terms upon signing the contract. If you really are "stuck" with this florist, then you need to discuss with your manager or your planner, etc. a strategy for dealing with this vendor and extracting from his skill level exactly what you want (within your budget).