Well today we FINALLY got snow! Now if you know me and my husband you will know our house is divided on this topic. I HATE the cold weather and really dislike the snow. Now Nick (my husband) he loves it! He gets to sit in a low truck and go. So I thought today would be a good day to bog :).

I am super excited for a couple who is looking for a "vintage" feel to their wedding!! They are in luck because that is my favorite style of wedding to do :).

Here are some ideas I have (all photos are from pinterest)

~Happy Planning

Melissa

Hang tin can with baby's breath from the ceiling of a barn and you have an amazing feeling :)

Burlap is in! You can either make if yourself (which could save you money depending on your guest count) or rent them :)

What a cute and simple idea. Wrap your table numbers around your vases and you got not only your table numbers but centerpieces....

Having a small wedding? I love the idea of renting a few tables and having your reception in a back yard.

This is also a great idea for your rehearsal. 

Have a larger wedding reception rent out a barn or tent :)

Lace lace and pearls :)

I SOOOOO want to do this :)

Take a frame and sting to hang your escort cards :)

I have this!! If anyone is interested in renting :)

With the winter months coming that means Bridal Shows are sure to follow! Bridal Shows can be very helpful but also very overwhelming.

Here are a few Bridal Shows that are coming in your area.

• Exciting Events

November 12, 2011 to November 13, 2011   - Show Times: 10-4 Best of the Best Bridal Show (800) 925-8880 Waukesha County Expo Center 1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha, WI 53186

Spectacular Vendors: Bridal fashions, photography, favors, floral, wedding cakes and so much more!

• Bridal Expo Milwaukee

November 13, 2011   - Show Times: 10:30-4:00 Fashion 2:00 Bridal Expo (414) 427-4325
Sheraton Hotel 375 Moorland Road, Brookfield, WI 53005

Our huge array of bridal exhibitors offer couples the very best in selection including Photography, Flowers, Wedding Invitations, Limousines, DJ Entertainment, Ensemble Music, Bakeries & Formal wear. Order your 4 free tickets, while supplies last!!

• Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee

November 18, 2011   - Show Times: 5:30 -7:00pm Special Event Open House (414) 577-5007
Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Park Place 11600 W Park Place, Milwaukee, WI 53224

Looking for a location to host a Wedding Reception? We would love to show you what we have to offer!

• Milwaukee Bridal Shops

November 25, 2011 to November 27, 2011 Amsale Bridal Trunk Show (414) 332-9482
Zita Bridal 761 N. Jefferson Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Amsale Collection, Blue Label, Little White Dress Collection Trunk show! By appointment only, please call. All gowns will be 10% off during the trunk show.

This is just the list until the end of the year. Make sure to check back to see the listing for 2012.

If you have any questions please let us know.

~Happy Planning

Melissa

Good Morning!

Every year I get emails about just want to "pick my brain". And I don't mind giving some quick advice but there are things I need to know in order to do that.

I need to know your budget for you wedding and your guest count (a guess). Why you might ask? My job is to keep you in or under your budget. I wouldn't want to send you to a Reception Hall that requires you to spend $5000.00 in food and alcohol if your budget is $5000.00.

Some people may ask why do you need an Event Planner I know how to stay on budget. That may be very true but did you know that Event Planners have contracts with vendors? And those vendors give you a discount. Or if there is a new Reception Hall in town Event Planners can negotiate everything because those Reception Halls are wanting business.

I hope this helps any bride who is looking to pick someones brain :).

~Happy Planning!

Melissa

In other blog postings, I speak about the importance of the “day of” coordinator to your wedding planning team. Now, I want to talk about the benefits of hiring a planner – not necessarily to plan every single detail of your wedding – but at the very least, to give you advice and guidance throughout the entire planning process. The only way I know to tell you about the benefits of having a planner, is to tell you the value I bring to my own couples. I have the ability to make magical things happen with just one phone call or email – like a super hero! It’s pretty funny that some people will not respond to a bride for a week, but will respond to me right away. I often wonder why that is – since the bride is their actual client. I think it’s probably because I bring more repeat business. Whether it be good or bad – it’s true.

It’s totally not my style to push people around – however, when someone doesn’t respond to one of my brides…they know it. Plus, if people want my business, than they have to show me how they will go above and beyond for my couples.

I have no alliances to anyone, with the exception of the two people that hire me – the bride and groom. It’s my job to get you what you want. I had my wedding years ago. It was wonderful, but it’s over. It’s not my job to plan my wedding, but to take your vision and make it a reality. We are here to advocate for you. We negotiate with vendors, whether they are our suggestion or yours. We help to smooth things over with your family and friends.

A few of my couples have asked me to talk to vendors when they are having a difficult time getting their points across. They ask me intervene.

One advantage of having a planner throughout the entire process is that you are able to take advantage of their hard-earned networking. A good planner will have many connections within the community – which allows you access to the best vendors in the area. If the planner is well-respected in the community, the vendors will want to go above and beyond to impress you and your family – thereby impressing the planner which helps ensure repeat business.

At one of my recent weddings, the bride and groom contracted a videographer and opted for associate coverage (no assistant). On the day of the wedding, the owner showed up with an assistant. Not bad! Above and beyond!

Experience is one of the most important aspects. A good planner will have years of experience. Having done umpteen more weddings than the bride and groom – they know the ropes and know how to avoid the pitfalls of wedding planning. The wedding planner will ensure that your process is smooth and stress free. They will make sure all the nuances of wedding planning are taken care of with professionalism.

Additionally, I totally believe that time is money. A planner will save you time and stress which will be worth their weight in gold.


Happy Planning!
~Melissa

So over the past few years many couple have asked what is the difference between an Escort Card and a Place Card. To help couples planning their wedding here is the difference.

So what are escort cards?


They are cards that are used to inform your guests of their assigned table where place cards are to let your guests know of their assigned seat at that table.

The wording that you would use on each card is the guests' name and then table number 1 (or the table to which they have been assigned). The way that you would address the cards would be

• Adam Scott - the full name of your single guest



• Dr & Mrs. Oliver Williams - for a married couple



• Amanda Jameson & Guest - if an invitee has brought with them a guest whose name you do not know

So what are place cards?

Place cards are not a necessary accessory for your wedding reception but you might want to use them if you are having a really formal affair. They way they differ from escort cards is that each one has the name of a guest and they are put at each place setting. In order to use these cards you need to have the name of each guest attending your wedding reception so that a card can be made for every single person. If this is not possible than you can just use escort cards.


Happy Planning!
~Melissa

Yes I know what your think...I'm crazy for blog at this hour...LOL!! Well I am here to give you the low down and updates everyone has been waiting to see/hear :).

But before we attend the Royal Wedding of William and Catherine we need to learn proper etiquette for dinner. So here are some dos and don'ts.

1. Once seated, unfold your napkin and use it for occasionally wiping your lips or fingers. At the end of dinner, leave the napkin tidily on the place setting.
2. It is good dinner table etiquette to serve the lady sitting to the right of the host first, then the other ladies in a clockwise direction, and lastly the gentlemen.
3. Hold the knife and fork with the handles in the palm of the hand, forefinger on top, and thumb underneath.
4. Whilst eating, you may if you wish rest the knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When you have finished eating, place them side by side in the center of the plate.
5. If the food presented to you is not to your liking, it is polite to at least make some attempt to eat a small amount of it. Or at the very least, cut it up a little, and move it around the plate!
6. It is quite acceptable to leave some food to one side of your plate if you feel as though you have eaten enough. On the other hand, don't attempt to leave your plate so clean that it looks as though you haven't eaten in days!
7. Desserts may be eaten with both a spoon and fork, or alternatively a fork alone if it is a cake or pastry style sweet.
8. Should a lady wish to be excused for the bathroom, it is polite for the gentlemen to stand up as she leaves the table, sit down again, and then stand once more when she returns.
9. Always make a point of thanking the host and hostess for their hospitality before leaving.
10. It is good dinner table etiquette to send a personal thank you note to the host and hostess shortly afterwards.

Happy Planning!

~Melissa

Good Morning!!

I am so excited for a friend of mine who was just voted number 1 on scene262.com!! CONGRATS to Ron "Spoon" Bailey of Silver Spoon Entertainment on your WIN!! If you are looking for a DJ at your wedding or event look no further.

Click HERE to read all about it!!

~ Melissa

Are you wanting a photographer to capture your day but don't know where to look?? Of course you ask your family and friends who just got married and some will tell you horror stories. Me being one of them...LOL. When I was planning our wedding (I had such an amazing time planning our wedding and I love interior designing so I decided to quit my job and start my own business). I chose a wedding photographer with out checking out everything he had to offer. Needless to say I CRIED for the first 6 weeks after we had gotten back our photos and sued for everything I paid (and won)!

I vowed to myself that I would never let another couple go through what I had just gone through. So I started looking for the most amazing photographers I could find in Wisconsin and Illinois. And I am proud to say that the ones I have chosen to work with are the BEST! With that said...

JBe Photography located in Milwaukee, WI will no longer give you a disc to take home of your event!! INSTEAD you will get this gorgeous and amazing wooden flash drive!! When I first heard this I had to call and talk to Jennifer myself.....I thought I was seeing things.

However it is all true. So check out her website and blog today. If you should choose this photographer (which I think you should) tell her that Melissa at Event by Melissa sent you!! Good luck in your wedding planning :).

~ Melissa 

Calling all Future Brides!!

Cheesecakes by Jewels is hosting an Open House on Sun., January 16th between the hours of 1 and 4 pm. Reservations ONLY and FREE admission. Call Cheesecakes by Jewels to reserve your spot.

Cheesecakes by Jewels
300 Sixth Street
Racine, WI 53403
                               (262) 634-CAKE(2253)