2010 brings awesomeness!!!

With 2009 coming close to an end Your Wedding by Jen has been busy with the 2010 goals as well as some smashing new additions for our clients as well as non-clients! For our clients you can expect....

** ONLINE PLANNING! (this is in effect now)!
All of our clients will receive a link and a password. With this you will be able to access your "workbook". Within this workbook you will find all of your vendors info and contracts, budget, a to-do calender, a file with all of your inspiration photos and boards, and much more. You can also plan the parties that you may not need us to do. You can create guest list and track RSVP's for your showers and other pre-wedding party all on your own.

** DIY BINDERS
Over the course of the year we have compiled a mad mess of DIY projects. We have categorized them and put them all in binders with photos and instructions for our clients to browse through. You will also find many customizable templates. This will eliminate the hours upon hours spent searching the internet for that perfect project.

For our clients as well as non-clients you will see....

** RETAIL!!!
I am sooooo excited about this new element of Your Wedding by Jen. Within the next 4 months you will be seeing feather bouquets and other non-floral items to carry, hair embellishments, bridal belts, wedding and reception decor! We have found many amazing Etsy sellers who will be providing us with some of these sweet items. Which means you will be getting some really amazing and original pieces for your wedding day.

** NEW LINEN  FABRICS!
We have added a large amount of new fabrics for your table linens as well as chair covers, sashes, runners and now Chivari chair pad covers.

Meet the YWBJ 2009 bridez...

ROBIN

Robin is the kind of bride who's happiness is contagious. This girl never once stopped smiling and giggling the entire day. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. I could tell from the moment that I laid eyes on this couple that they were/are hopelessly in love with each other. The way Robin looks at Craig screams I love you. It was perfect. (By the way Robin, I stole that image above from your Facebook photos. HAHA)

They had an amazing team of vendors in place as well and here they are.

Ron Schuller's Photography

Who put together this awesome slide show.

Lifetime Video

Once again Matt and Dan did a perfect job. (Love those guys.)

Manor House

Ceremony and Reception were held here.

Furst Florist

The flowers that Michael created were amazing. You could smell them through out all of Manor House. They were gorgeous!

Party Pleasers DJ's

Ele Cake Co.

Thank you Robin and Craig for allowing YWBJ to be a part of your amazing wedding.

Guest book OR........

Are you looking for an alternative to the traditional guest book for your wedding? Well once again Etsy has came through with many of the amazing sellers offering some really cute and different items for your "Guest non-book".

I find that brides these days really want to personalize their wedding and offer their guests with something that they have never experienced. There are many ways to do this and I think one small way is to incorporate something besides your standard guest book for everyone to sign. Yes you may look through it the week after your wedding but chances are you may not look at it again until your 10 year anniversary.

Some ideas that are not pictured below could be hanging a huge blank canvas and offering up some spray paint to create a graffiti type wall hanging. Now that is not really going to work out for an indoor event due to massive amounts to fumes but in that case how about an easel with some paints and brushes? Another fun idea is a huge chalkboard with various colored chalks. After the event you can spray it with a spray lacquer such as Rustoleum Painters Touch Spray Lacquer to preserve the board.

No matter what you decide on keep in mind you never have to go with the norm. Make your wedding an event that reflects you and your significant other! After all that is what it is all about. Right?

Gerardo and Anna

Anna and Gerardo had an amazing wedding. I must give a huge shout out to Margrett, Anna's mother. She worked with me throughout this entire planning process and I only met Anna once prior to the wedding!! It turned out absolutely gorgeous. 

The team of vendors were all awesome..

Starting with the Embassy Suites Covington where everyone stayed and they also had the rehearsal dinner there as well as high tea on the wedding day.

Ceremony took place at The Cathedral Basilica in Covington. (I LOVE this church) 

The reception was held at The Cincinnati Museum Center. Andrea Howard was sooo awesome to work with. Loved her. The food was awesome.

All of the flowers were created by A New Leaf Florist in Newport and I love those girls there also. 

Cake was created by Confections. It was delicious. 

Dinner music was provided by Greg Lee productions. 

Reception music was provided by McFadden Music with Chris Hatke. The dance floor was going all night and he was able to work with the couple who wanted a TON of latin music played. They were salsa dancing all night. It was amazing.

Photography and Video was provided by New Genesis Productions. They did an amazing job on the photos. 

Buses provided the guests with transportation all night long. Almost every guest was from out of town so it was a nice touch to give them a way to and from both the ceremony and reception.

I hope I am not forgetting anyone...

The whole event was gorgeous..

Kathy and Eric

Ok so this wedding was everything a girl's fairytale wedding could consist of. I am so anxious to post about it that it will get two posts one with non pro photos and the next with the pro pics. 

Kathy is what I picture when the words human barbie doll come to mind. This girl is a Russian beauty and her now husband Eric is her Ken. They are a perfect match and so gorgeous together. 

When Kathy and Eric came to me last year to start planning this event I was excited for many reasons. One she wanted to incorporate some Russian traditions into her wedding, and two she let me choose every one of her vendors. I pretty much knew which vendors would suit her needs right then and there. 

The team that helped create this amazing wedding were as follows..

Jeff Ruby's Downtown was the location for the rehearsal dinner. I can not say enough great things about Kathy who put the dinner together. Of course the food was delish. 

Old St. Mary's church on 13th Street downtown. This church is absolutely stunning. The only downfall was the lack of air conditioning but the day was perfect so it was very bearable.

The Westin Hotel Downtown.. nothing but amazing and very accommodating for the many Russian only speaking guests.

Shane Weber Salon did an amazing job on the girls and mothers hair and was able to work with some last minute changes on the brides hair style. Shane's salon and his staff are all awesome. 

Penny Cooley from BrideFace did all of the girls makeup on site at the salon. She did a stunning job on their faces.

Jimmy's Limo was the transportation for the day and they did a perfect job as always. 

Laurel Court was the location for the reception. Unfortunately this is the last year they will do receptions here but they will continue to host outdoor weddings. This venue is one of my favorite's for a smaller group. It is truly a hidden gem. 

Jeff Thomas catered the reception and was awesome to work with. The very Russian flared meal was impeccable as well as the service. 

Cork N Bottle provided the alcohol.

Meier's wine cellar provided all of the wine and champagne for the night. They are great  to work with. 

All Occasions provided the rental items that included all tables, gold chiavari chairs, gold rimmed china with matching flat wear.

Yours truly provided all of the linens for the event with the help of Connie Duglin Linen. We went with a burgundy crinkle taffeta for the linen with a ivory and gold overlay. Burgundy crinkle napkins tied the table together perfectly.

A New Leaf Florist did a wonderful job on all of the table centerpieces as well as the bridal party flowers. Everything was beautiful and Tiffany was a gem to work with. 

Maize Music brought in the additional lighting as well as a wall monogram. They also kept the music flowing perfectly. 

Tres Belle Cakes did a fantastic job on the cake and it was delicious as always. 

28:20 Films captured the day on video and once again they were a pleasure to work with. 

Masterworks photography did all of the photos for the day and I am confident that they will look amazing as always. 

Frills and Forever created all of the stationary for the wedding including the invitations, escort cards, table numbers and programs. They are awesome to work with. 

Stay tuned for the photos from Masterworks to see all of the amazing details pulled perfectly together. 

Tipz #2!!!

Okay kidz.. I have been hearing this too much lately and I try not to be too crazy bossy with my brides but sometimes I think that it is necessary. Especially when i hear " I am doing my own makeup." Oh crap I think to myself.. Now don't get me wrong all of my bridez are gorgeous girlz and I am sure they do a great job at their makeup on a normal day of the week. When I hear this I just say oh is that what you do? You are a makeup artist? No is the answer i get.. 100% of the time. Except for one of my clients who is indeed a makeup artist so she is exempt form this topic.. with her I just asked are you doing your own makeup.. She is allowed.. she went to school for that she knows whats up. So back to the topic at hand.. wedding day makeup is not like everyday makeup. For one it is going to have to survive the most emotional day of your life. 65-70% of the time it is going to need to be able to withstand high temperatures. It must be tear proof, smudge proof, kiss proof, smile proof, and what the hell lets make it fireproof too. (just kidding) I learned this first hand by my friend who is a makeup artist and has done my makeup for every photo shoot I have ever done except for one. I have learned that I am stupid when it comes to makeup. No matter how many times i watch her apply the stuff on my face.. I can never get it to look like it has been professionally applied. When she is finished I am always blown away by my face.. It looks like me just a better version. Which is important as well. You don't want the groom to know it is you just because you are walking down the aisle in the wedding gown. He should be able to recognise your face as well.
Another thing about make up is when you are having photos done these girlz (and some boyz) know tricks to really make your good features pop on camera. Plus they are able to hide your imperfections way better then you can. TRUST ME! Why leave the touching up to the photographer? They are not miracle workers. Just get the makeup. If you are paying $3500.00 for pictures then why skimp on the $50-150 on makeup? It is just common sense if you ask me. Plus this is your day of pampering and fun.
No more blogging today! I am too opinionated today for some reason.

Tipz......

Okay girlz (and boyz). I had a number of meeting on Saturday and two out of three of the meetings we discussed the importance of starting your vendor hiring as soon as possible.
My first meeting was with a couple who had booked me two years prior to the wedding. YAY!! for pre-planning! Let me tell you it has been a cake walk so far with these two. Not only are they hilarious but they are under no pressure! We have booked all of their major vendors (minus the church.. HINT HINT!! Since i know you are a reader) and now we are just sort of hanging out to pull the whole event together. I am really excited about this couples wedding too. I think it will be super swanky and cool. Either way.. next I had a bride come in who had booked NO vendors to date except her ceremony/reception location. The wedding is in 6 months! OK.. I sort of panic with this. Mostly because of photography! I want all of my couples to have a great selection with photographers and when i see that they are booking for a really popular month and 6 months away I think OH CRAP! I immediately want to get on the tellie and start praying for my favorite photo people to be available. After talking to these couples and a photographer that my first couple was booking with we all agreed that brides just do not know what is appropriate for timing when it comes to booking vendors. Some think "oh we have time." meaning we are 6 months away. While others are on the ball and booking a year or years out. I say as soon as you get engaged start booking. I am hoping that gives everyone at least a year or more to plan but I know realistically it could be a few months as well.
My point is, that when booking, it is never too early. Especially with photography, video, venues, cakes. Flowers can be tricky because it is hard to get an accurate quote for two years in advance due to the changes in prices but if you know that you love the florist then go ahead and make your deposit to hold the date. I wish I could get this to brides right as they got that ring so they would know it is ok to start booking. I think things get done in the wrong order. The girls get the ring, then immediately go out and buy the dress. In my opinion I think the dress should wait till 6 months prior to the wedding. Trends change with the seasons! You may find a dress that you love and then a year passes and by then the new lines come out and you are in love with another dress. So you have two dresses. Which is fine if you have the money for two dresses I have had a few brides change into dress #2 during the reception. My guess is though that many people will just stick with the one dress so why not be totally sure that it will be THE ONE?
So the moral of the story is.. it is never too early to start booking. If you want the best vendors then start making those appointments. Do not feel stupid or think oh we have tons of time because the truth is you will feel stupid if you wait and are stuck with vendors that you are forced to settle for.
K.. now i am moving on the blog post #2 which will be a new topic.. :)

It's no secret!

Okay so this past month has been one that I will call CRAZY! There are so many new things going on for Your Wedding By jen and initially I thought I wanted to keep the MAJOR thing a secret but I have decided what the heck .. 

First off let me start by telling you all about some of the new stuff going on.  We are now offering linen rentals and the rates and amazing. Now don't think I am trying to do all types of rental items. This is LINEN only.. (i.e. napkins, chair covers, sashes, table linens.)

Next, Your Wedding By jen is moving! YEP! I have found a really really cute location downtown on East Court St. I am soooo excited about this move but I am a bit less excited about the work that will be involved in getting this little place ready to go. So starting March 1st my office will still be in the wedding mall but chances are my body will be on Court St slaving away like Peter Perfect(or Peterette) making this place rock.  Then if all goes as planned I will be moved in by April 1st. There will be a party on the books but the date it TBD. 

Once I am moved I will be branching out into corporate events as well as weddings. Also I will be doing travel bookings. Which is something I had to stop doing when I moved into the mall due to the exclusivity each vendor holds. I will be offering a very limited amount of catalog invitations. I will not be pushing those because I think that there are some really amazing local invitation girls that can create stationary way better then Carlson Craft or Jean M. But in the event someone wants them I will have them available.

Finally.. and this may be in the distant future but since my new location does have two floors I intend on making the basement a really cool place where vendors can hold meetings or meet with clients at no charge. It will also be a great place the ABC can hold monthly meetings or whatever. 

So that is my BIG news! YAY!!! So i expect to see all of my vendor friends, non vendors friends, downtown people, past, present and future bridez and groomz and moms and dads and just everyone at this party.. Stay tuned for more info! 

Rockin' the table tops

This past Sunday the Association of Bridal Consultants held an event to raise funds for Dresses That Heal. Which is an amazing breast cancer charity. My part in the event was to participate in the table top design competition.

I was able to hook up with a few of Cincy's greatest girls to make my table top the one that rocked the Contemporary Art Center on this day and that it did. With the help of Katie owner of  Katie Elfers Floral Design (who in my opinion has style and sass  like none other) and Amy Owens owner of Amo-Ink (who, also in my opinion, has amazing style and can create some great art with paper) I created a table that is definitely blog worthy.

So what had originally started out as a "tattoo" style Ed Hardy theme ended up as more of a rock~n~roll type theme in the end. I will say this table was awesome. I loved the fact that I was not using other peoples colors and ideas but this is a table I personally would have at my own wedding.  Anyone who knows me would know that table was me for sure! 

Katie did an a amazing job with the flowers all in deep dramatic reds. Centered was a tall vase filled with a burgundy branchy piece and added in were random roses as well as some ribbon strung black pearls that Katie made and were ridiculously cool. She corset tied some of the vases with a wide black satin ribbon and on others she wrapped a galvanized wire around them. They were amazing. She also filled little black votive holders in various heights with single dark red rose heads, which added to the different varieties of height and drama all around the table. 

 CAC does not allow for any flames therefor I had to do a bit of improvising since I felt that candles were a huge part of this table. I let the candles I intended in using burn down for about 6 hours. Then I took the  LED tea lights and covered them in model magic and stuck them down inside the candle. They looked okay. 

As far as place settings went, I rented the black goblets from All Occasion Rentals. I used a metal charger then placed a black plate with a hammered edge look topped with the amazingly cool menu cards from AMO-INK and topped those with the rolled napkin secured with a wire napkin ring. The silverware was all hammered metal and the linen was a eyelash pin tuck in a pewter color. 

The theme for the event was Urban Chic. I will say that I took it to the next level of Urbanism for sure. It was a kick AZZ table and I welcome any  bride to copy it at their wedding! 

Thanks so much to Pottinger Photography for these amazing photos! We all know my picture taking skillz are just down right crappy.

Show me the loft space....

I get so frustrated with Cincinnati sometimes... We have all of these crazy amazing buildings downtown that would make the most amazing loft space venues but no one has done it yet.. WHY? What the heck are we waiting for!?!?. Hello urban developers..(knocking on urban developers heads) Can someone please create a loft space that can accommodate at least 300 seated guests? I myself would do it but I really have no clue as to where to start. Oh and while your at it a rooftop terrace for a wedding/cocktails would be freaking awesome. 

I know that driving down Vine Street today I witnessed much scaffolding and worker guys doing some serious rehabbing. So why the heck not? I mean could you imagine the above said venue down near Bootsy's on Walnut? It would be freaking perfect. 

If I had a TON of money I would definitely be dropping a large portion of it into this project. People are looking for these venues! But guess what Cincinnati has nothing for them.

Maybe someday some super amazing person will come to me and say "guess what i have done" and i will say "what" while looking at this crazy amazing person somewhat psychotically because I probably do not know this person. and the person will say "I created this amazing loft space that I would like to show you." I will then be in love with the said psychotic person. 

I find this idea to be absolutely brilliant!!!! 

 

Tables

I love nothing more than either square or rectangle tables for wedding receptions. I know many people immediately think VFW hall but that is so not the case. When I get a bride who says she wants something different I immediately think long tables. (budget allowing) A long table that has been properly "tablescaped" is absolutely gorgeous. Linens and chairs also make or break the look. I currently have a bride who is so cute and she is having a small destination wedding of only 12 guests. So to create a feeling of comfort we are taking three 6 foot tables to make a square and sitting everyone including the bride and groom together. I can not tell about the centerpieces because they are soooo amazing that I want to cry that I will not be there to see it but luckily the photographer will show me the masterpiece. Usually I am not a floral designer but in this case where the budget is not being broke and i have such a vision for this couple I totally got her and know this will be the look she will love! She loves a clean fresh look so we will be doing white linens on the square table for 12. We will also be doing white Chiavari chairs with a white cushion. Her colors are a pale green and pale pink with some dark ivory almost champagne. There will be place cards that will be hand written in calligraphy and tied to a starfish that will sit on the table along with the napkin (color undecided) with the menu card. WE have yet to decide on the charger plates but I am guessing a white maybe square plate. That is where I am on my destination wedding. You all will love this wedding once we get it together and completed. I can not wait for the photos and the wedding has not even happened yet! haha!

But that brings me to the part where I want to stress that finding a coordinator that really gets you and your ideas is sooooo very important. Because a good coordinator will be able to take your ideas and mesh them into something gorgeous.

So here are some amazing long tables as I call them but they are just beautiful.