Fashionable Tales of a CIncinnati Wedding Planner

Had another nice time (haven't been this much of a party animal in years) at the open house of Kathy and Daniel and Motertoys! Thanks for having me guys! All the best to you.

Stay Safe of Facebook-

So many of us that are in "social" businesses are more and more using facebook and other social networking tools. This is a  must read for facebook users.  I got this from the Washington Post this morning.  Good info to know.

"According to phishtank.com, a community-based site that tracks phishing Web sites, Facebook.com was the seventh most-phished brand in March -- even ahead of the Internal Revenue Service, and that was during tax month! In fact, Phishtank found at least 104 phishing Web sites targeting Facebook users, or an average of three different Facebook phishing campaigns each day.

Why on Earth would cyber crooks want to hijack your Facebook profile? Why, to trick your friends into visiting sites that try to download malicious software, of course.

One the most common ways people get phished is by clicking on a link that takes them to a page that mimics the facebook.com login page. Users can avoid this by clicking on a bookmark for the login page, or by typing facebook.com into a browser window.

If you want to take advantage of a neat security feature built into facebook.com, add an "s" to the usual URL you use, so that it reads "https://www.facebook.com". By visiting this link, you should notice that the address bar turns from the usual white to green. This indicates that the site you are visiting has obtained extended validation or EV certificate.

EV certs are a technology for helping consumers verify the legitimacy of commercial Web sites. They cost quite a bit of money to obtain, and require the requesting entity to go through an extensive investigation to prove they have the rights to a given Web site name.

Note to Facebook: If you want to reduce the number of your users who fall for these phishing scams, educate users to log in at https://www.facebook.com, and to look for the green address bar."

By Brian Krebs  |  April 29, 2009; 5:55 PM ET

Spring is here! Love the linen colors!!!

Got this e-mail from Carmago Rental today.  Love the colors!  Can't wait for summer!

i found this post this morning on Sage Wedding Pros.  this is a great article for anyone. Visit:  sageweddingpros.wordpress.com

Cost Cutting Thursday! (where NOT to cut costs)

April 23, 2009

"Every Thursday, we introduce five cost cutting tips for your business.  However, there are certain areas of your business where you should not cut costs.  These are areas of your business that if you skimp on (or change) during a recession, you will sacrifice the integrity of your brand.

This week, I want to present  FIVE COSTS YOU SHOULD NOT BE CUTTING:

1. Branding
   Your brand is everything.  This is an area that you cannot afford to cut corners during a recession.  You can make decisions about how you spend your money to promote your brand.  But, I would not change the way you present your brand in order to save money.  For example, I love my business cards.  Being in a stationery business, it is important that they reflect our brand.  If I were to lessen the quality of the cards, I would lose my brand integrity.  I can change the style if I want, but I must remain true to the brand of my product.
2. Service
   Good customer service is priceless.  The mission of your business should not change in good times or bad times.  This is an area where you can shine.  Give your customer a value proposition and guarantee them that your service is worth the price of your services.
3. The “little things”
   Every business has those “little things” that make it different and special.  Keep up with the little touches.  It’s what has given your business its outstanding reputation.
4. Quality
   Do not skimp on the quality of your product during a recession.  If you lessen the quality of your offering, you are threatening the market niche you have defined.  It will be difficult to regain your target clientele when the economy improves.  Let’s say you are a wedding cake designer and you built your business on the reputation of using the best ingredients.  If you decide to cut costs and replace your yummy delicious sugar with a generic brand, your customers will notice the difference (bleh!) and it will affect your profits.
5. Appearance
   This is the “overall look” of your business.  Have you let your blog slide?  Is your website outdated?  Is your shop sloppy?  You can still cut costs without letting the overall appearance of your business deteriorate.  Appearance, like branding, is the first thing the client sees… and, you never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Mansion Hill Studio and Gallery-Engagment shots

I love this clip Craig just sent me from Mansion Hill.  LOVE this bride too.   Just had to share.
Don't they look like they had so much fun.  How cute is that pooch too!  You can tell we are going to have too much fun at this upcoming wedding. (Thanks Craig for sharing with me...)
www.mansionhillstudio.net/Slideshows/  

Just back from a fun and informative meeting with the Cincy ABC. The Kingsgate Marriott showed us a nice time and Jana Alverson for Lynn McInturf spoke to us on making the sale. Love the education aspect blended in with a bit of networking and socializing. Good job Cincy ABC LNG (local networking group)!

A very important, yet personal part of wedding planning...

    This is Elegant Events 13th year of business.  I love what I do just as much as the day I began this business.  My entire adult life really has been about helping people with life's events...didn't realize that one day I would do it for a living. 
    One of the very important, yet personal parts of wedding planning and an area many probably do not realize or often think about when it comes to a wedding planner... is the intimate relationship between the planner and the bride.  Sometimes we share some of the deepest emotions a bride experiences in the planning of her wedding day.  When bringing families together, often from all parts of the country or all walks of life, the stress of this task can be overwhelming for the bride. And when these families are astranged it can  e extremely difficult for her.
    Recently one of my brides asked me if she should invite her father that she had not seen in years and really had no relationship with.  She had not planned on inviting him to the wedding but as the date drew closer, she was doubting her decision.  What a heart felt experience for me, having this conversation with her!
  My point is that I never take this type of relationship for granted.  What an honor to have someone trust you enough to help them through some of lives most complicated decisions.  It brings tears to my eyes to think of her and all the emotions she was dealing with.   I love that I was there able to help her.  Together, we worked through her specific situation and came to the best answer for her.  This is the "deep down juicy stuff" about what I do, that takes it to an entirely different level that just a lovely ceremony and great reception!  This is why I do what I do. 

Kosher Wedding Cakes in Cincinnati

I got a great card in the mail the other day from Maribelle Cakery adverting their Kosher Kitchen.  I thought I would help them out a bit.

Here is what their web site says...check it out at maribellecakerycincinnati.com

Kosher Options     We make Kosher Pareve and Kosher Dairy wedding cakes under the strict personal supervision of Rabbi Sholom B. Kalmanson. This was an exciting challenge since Maribelle Cakery has established a reputation over the last 20 years for the best tasting wedding cakes anywhere in the world, and we have created Pareve flavors that maintain this level of excellence. All cakes produced at Maribelle are Kosher. See the price list for Kosher Dairy prices. Pareve cakes will have an additional supervision fee. As usual, we see brides by appointment only. Private parve tastings will be held by appointment only the last week of every month. Please call and set up your appointment now! All tastings are dairy unless you specify that you want pareve. Please notify us two weeks in advance if you want to do a pareve tasting. Of course, Dairy and Pareve tastings cannot be combined. Thanks! We are Kosher, Pareve, and Pas Yisrael! Vaad supervision is available by request only. Additional fee applies. Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Dayton Kosher We deliver Kosher wedding cakes to Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Columbus, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington, and other cities. Call for pricing! Kosher Pareve Flavors You won't believe that these flavors were made without dairy! Many many months of experimenting and research in our kitchen have produced spectacular results! Lemon Paradise cake with Lemon Tart and Coconut filling. Dark Chocolaate with Localuha and Truffle filling. Lemon Paradise cake with Lemon and Raspberry. Vanilla cake with Blueberry and Vanilla. Dark Chocolate with Raspberry and Ganache.

All Occasions- Cincinnati wedding/event rental company

Love this place and the people that work there.  They have been the leading force for over 10 years in the Cincinnati event industry for cooporation!  Check out these fun linens for spring at aorents.com!

 

 

Elegant Events by Elisa had another great evening out tonight! Congratulations to Dawn, Tim, Tina, and Steve on the grand opening of your new loft studio! Love seeing wedding professionals working together and making things happen. "Thanks for including me guys." I had a great time. It's amazing to be in a business where people really are happy for one another. Where we are in coopetition! Best part about this business...

Hyatt Regency Cincinnati- in the wedding business!

I had a wonderful networking meeting at the Hyatt the other night.  It was nice to be in the Hyatt.  It had been a few years and I forgot just how nice it is so I thought I would share.  I met Amparo Elejalde, the catering sales manager too and she was lovely.  If your looking for a downtown venue, consider the Hyatt.  Here is a bit of what they have to say. Be sure to visit. Cincinnati.Hyatt.com

"Set in the heart of the thriving downtown district overlooking the river, Hyatt Regency Cincinnati offers easy access to the city’s attractions and a beautifully scenic location.  With the city’s largest ballroom within our luxury hotel, we are one of the most sought-after wedding venues for fashionable brides and grooms.  When you select our comprehensive Ohio wedding packages, you’ll benefit from our years of experience and the wealth of resources within the Hyatt network.  Our signature Hyatt service embellishes every event.  Delight in a complimentary honeymoon suite, elegant kosher or non-kosher catering, white-glove service and discounted accommodation rates for out-of-town guests.  Discover champagne toasts, open bars, special touches such as valet parking, elegant white linens and polished dance floors – all wrapped up into our delightfully expansive and deluxe wedding package.  Allow our experienced wedding planner to assist you in everything from flowers and decorations to the bridal procession and the final goodbyes of your perfect day.

Our comprehensive wedding packages in Ohio are designed to make planning simple, yet satisfying and complete.  Each includes:

Complimentary one-night stay in our bridal suite for the Bride and Groom, including champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries
Professional Banquet Captain for your special day
Champagne toast
Complimentary white linens, excluding chair covers
Complimentary dance floor
Special room rates available for overnight guests (rates and availability are dependent upon season and occupancy levels)
Complimentary bartender fees for reception
An elegant banquet site to host your celebration
Butler-passed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres
A delicious, four-course meal with a choice of four entrees, a trio of desserts, appetizer and salad with rolls, butter, coffee and herbal tea selections
Custom designed tiered wedding cake designed with our Pastry Chef
Five-Hour open bar featuring premium brand liquors, domestic and imported beers, wine, assorted soft drinks & mineral water
Complete menu tasting in advance of the event
Gift Table
Place Card Table
Cake Table
Bridal Table
Staging for Band or DJ
In addition, the following enhancements are available. Please ask your Hyatt Wedding Professional for more details.

Bar Upgrades to Premium Brands
Candles
Chair covers and sashes (cost will vary by selection)
Flower Centerpieces for dining tables and bridal table
Ice Carvings
Linen upgrades (cost will vary by selection)
Morning-after Brunch in private dining room
Plants (palms, ferns, etc.)
Rehearsal Dinner
Sorbet to cleanse the palette
Sweet Tables with Flavored Starbucks Coffee
Upgraded hors d'oeuvres packages
Valet parking is available for your guests
Wedding Ceremony venue, if required
Wine served during meal"

This is another great book by Karen Bussen.  If you haven't read it yet, pick up a copy.  Visit karenbussen.com

Durga Chigurupati of Adhya Productions, event planner in Columbus Ohio

I met Durga Chigurupati at a recent industry meeting in Columbus.  She was the  event producer for the ABC meeting and what a wonderful job she did!   I just had to brag about her a bit.  If she can treat us, a group of wedding planners with such grace and style, I can only imagine how she treats her clients!  Here is some info on her company. (Thanks Durga for all your hard work and for your wonderful favors and speakers gift!  Mine is in my flyer....just beautiful.)

"Adhya Productions is the product of years of personal experience in event planning in Northeast Ohio for private, non-profit, and corporate events. When you work with Adhya Productions, you will partner with the best. You will benefit from our vast resources and experience, our exceptional vendor profile and relationships, and an unflagging attention to detail. We bring to every event unsurpassed creativity, impeccable style and sophisticated design. Each step of the way, we will work with you to apply our knowledge, resources, services, processes, and technologies to make your event memorable and seamless.

No one understands the importance of the art of floral design in setting the ambience of your special event better than Adhya Productions. We will work with you to cultivate a floral theme that speaks to your distinctive taste and style.

Firm believers in the art of the invitation and the power of finely crafted stationery in representing your elegance and taste, we will help you select the most effective means of announcing your event.

At Adhya Productions, we believe in an uncompromising commitment to quality and service to produce sophisticated, elegant and timeless events that reflect your unique style."

enjoyed a great networking event at the Hyatt this evening.

Karen Bussen-New book Simply Stunning Parties

Love Karen Bussen and her books.  This is her latest.  Can't wait to pick up a copy.  If you don't know her work, ckeck out her collections.  Visit karenbussen.com

Metrokitchen.com- great place to buy a wedding gift!!!

What a great place to purchase a wedding gift!  Check out metrokitchen.com-the first web site for top cooking-related brands.  Here is what they have to say about themselves and they offer free shipping to boot for orders over $29.00!!!

"Friendly service - #1 Commitment-Our goal is to provide you with friendly service, good values and top brands...every day! We survey all of our customers every month to make sure we meet this goal. Our satisfaction rate is consistently greater than 98%, but we want it to be 100%. So, please, tell us "how we're doing." Give us a call (888-892-9911) or send us an email

Staffed by Brand-trained experts, ready to answer your questions-Each of us has been trained by the top brands we sell. We are prepared to answer your questions. From All Clad cookware to Wusthof knives to Vitamix Pro Blenders to Capresso Coffee Makers, we know our brands "inside and out." In fact, we have seen the brands being made - so "inside and out" knowledge is not an exaggeration! And, if we can't answer your questions on the spot, we'll find out the answer and get back to you as soon as we can.

Warehouse brimming with brands so your order is sent out the next business day-The MetroKitchen warehouse is chock full of the brands you love. We keep it fully stocked so we can ship your order the next business day. We do this because we want you to have the brands you love as soon as FedEx can get them from our warehouse to your house.

Top brands for the professional chef in each of us. We have thousands of different items in our warehouse, but if there's a brand you'd like us to carry, please let us know (888-892-9911 or cs@metrokitchen.com).
Here are some of the top brands of cookware they carry-
All-Clad
Viking
Scanpan Non-Stick
Mauviel Cookware
Staub Cast-Iron
Marcus Stainless
Emerilware
J.A. Henckels
Ruffoni Copper
Culinary Institute of America

Check out their blog blog.metrokitchen.com