Phone Consult with Steve Kemble!

When it comes to premiere, big-name, celebrity-status wedding planners, the first name that might come to mind is David Tutera (thanks to TLC).  But the name you will soon be hearing a lot, and need to learn now, is Steve Kemble.

Steve Kemble spotlights as the wedding planning guru of Weddzilla.com.  (And according to the first page of his site, the "American's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru")  Notice my lovely blog award over thar (right sidebar) from Weddzilla? Well that is the same wedding planning site where Steve Kemble contributes his event planning knowledge.

You might recall back in March I attended the launch party for Weddzilla.  It was, as Steve Kemble says, "Fabulous!"  While there I participated in a silent auction to benefit Children's Hospital. I bid and won a 30-minute phone consultation with Steve Kemble!  The most I knew of him at that time was that he was wearing the shiniest blazer ever (who knew they made sequined tops like that for men) and that this Weddzilla thing thought he knew his stuff.

After our conversation it was more than apparent he knows a thing or five thousand about event planning, and planning it well (with "a dose of sass" like his blog would say).

We talked about so many things, but mainly focused on things that drive me crazy: my color scheme, bridesmaids dresses, the chuppah and lots of peacock feathers (which don't drive me crazy).

For the color scheme he suggested focusing on the colors in a peacock feather: teal, shades of blue, lime green, and purple.  The lime green scared me, but it definitely shows up and accents things nicely.  It offsets the focus color, teal.  The purple does the same, however he recommended a lighter purple, but not lilac.  Royal purple shows up and does not wash people out.  And I like it. I can totally see teal off set by a lighter (not deep) purple and accented with lime green.  How fun and summery! Fabulous!

{Image from Peacock Invitations Etsy Store}

I know you can see the colors coming together!

As for the bridesmaids, you all know how deciding what they are to wear drives me insane.  I simply cannot pick clothes for other people.  Steve agreed that cocktail or tea length dresses work well for summer.  He also highly suggested matching shoes since everyone will see their feet.  Nothing expensive though.  I can totally get on board with that idea (sorry ladies, I promise the dresses won't cost an arm and a leg!).  Steve suggested that a royal purple (not deep, not washed out) will look good on any skin tone.  It is also versatile and suggests an opportunity for additional wear.   Fabulous!

 {image source}

All the colors to give you a mental idea of the color scheme, but only purple for the girls.

And not necessarily that dress. Actually, not at all. 

He gave me great chuppah decoration ideas, too that incorporate hanging crystals! Gah! So beautiful (and fabulous).  Now how, or who, to make it?!


Before I wrap this post up, I'd like to thank everyone for their support yesterday.  Your comments meant a lot to me; it's good to know when things get rough I've got my bloggy friends to cheer me up! Mike might call you my "imaginary friends" but your words are real and meaningful!

Kristen Steele stole my prize.

Recall me "winning" an online giveaway for the destination photographer? Recall my utter bliss at winning? and saving money?
Oh me too.
I remember the excitement over budget bliss and the sheer excitement of being chosen.
It was almost too good to be true.

Because it was too good to be true.
No, really. The rug was pulled out from under me.

Read:

See, this photographer waited until something else panned out, as in another bride with a wedding the day before ours.  Obviously that conflicts right? You can't shoot a wedding the night before and fly to DC the next morning to take my getting ready shots.  That's quick turn around.  This photographer told me she didn't think that the bride would sign the contract. Then why even give her the contract?
But she did. And she signed it. And it conflicts with this photographer coming to our rehearsal dinner.
In further email correspondence she said would take the first flight out the morning of our wedding.
She seemed to think this would work out fine.

So I asked it to be put in writing.
I wanted to see that she would take the first flight out the next morning and fly into DCA.
Because whoever offers something free and then goes and schedules something conflicting is out to make a buck.  I didn't want to get screwed over.

And then I got this email:

 

So the bridezilla in me lashes out with a "WHAT THE FRICK?!" Except it wasn't "Frick."  Followed by some more characters I can't repeat on this respectable blog.  

Wasn't SHE the one who first suggested flying in the morning of?

Didn't SHE meet with this other bride, schedule the other wedding all while KNOWING she offered me the prize for service on  June 19?

And what's this "avid blogger" crap that promotes me saying "The prize is no longer available"?

Let's say it like it is, Kristen Steele: YOU SCREWED ME OVER.  You offered me a prize and then decided not to follow through.  You devised a contest, picked a winner, and then went and scheduled something else.

Ok, yes, I had yet to sign a contract and had no real rights to her yet, but let's remember I didn't even receive a contract to look over, until after the other (paying) bride had her contract.

I can clearly see where the priorities are.

I was offered no consolation prize, nor means to reconcile her mistake.

So we need to let the people of Nashville and the world know, that this photographer they have in their midst need not be trusted.  Sure she can take pretty pictures, but at what price? If she offers you something, sign your contract before she can change her mind, especially if she offers a discount.

Because professionalism is not part of her services.

You'll pay a pretty penny for that.

If you even get it.

We're out a photographer.

Main Event Catering Tasting

Last Friday we attending our third catering tasting, with Main Event Catering.  You might remember our previous two with Windows and The Unnamed Caterer.  With Mike back in school and the school year in full swing for me, as well, we struggled to find a time that worked for everyone to hold this tasting.  Finally, our calendars aligned and we dined!

Looking back on our menu, we somehow left out the vegetarian option, which is all over shocking.  I know I included it in our RFP (request for proposal).  But we also entirely overlooked it when reviewing their proposed menu.  I blame Mike.  (because pointing fingers is fun. and it's never the bride's fault. right? hehe)

Upon arriving at Main Event the tuxedo-sporting server greeting us with champagne flutes.  The staff lead us into a candle lit room, showcasing linens and flatware options.  They set the table with basic white linens, accented by votive candles.

Once seated our three hors d'oeuvres were presented, plated for the purpose of the tasting.  At the event they will be passed.

Hors D'Oeuvres
1.  Cheddar Pierogies:  lightly fried with sauteed cabbage & a dollop of creme fraiche
2.  Goat Cheese Quenelles:  fig + honey glazed pecans on an endive spear
3.  Grilled Chicken Pinwheels: corn + peppers, tortilla pinwheel, dark mole sauce

The Cheddar Pierogies (1) tasted amazing! Being of Polish heritage, we picked these out for our menu with out a second thought, and am glad we did.  The pierogies were slightly fried, as opposed to boiled or sauteed, as I am accustomed to - however this serving option makes more sense for finger foods.

Having never heard of a Quenelle (2) before, I did not know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised.  This sweet combination of goat cheese and pecans laid on a small endive (fancy lettuce) boat.  This hors d'oeurve was a nice contrast to the others, but still complemented them well.

I expected the Pinwheel (3) to be a boring wrap, but the mole sauce really kicked it up a bit.  It was a little spicy and we don't want our guests gulping down their cocktail to remedy this, so we asked that the sauce be taken down a notch. 

Overall the hors d'ouerves tasted great!

Next up: First Course
Salad of Royal Lettuces: baby romaine, lola rossa, frisee + endive, sliced summer straberries, crumbled chevre cheese, champange + strawberry vinaigrette;  Cornbread muffins with salted butter or apple butter

Honestly this salad didn't WOW me, but being a former vegetarian, I have high salad expectations.  It did a solid job and tasted great.  (However, nothing can compare to the salad at Window's Tasting!)  We asked for the amount of frisee to be reduced, because it looks and tastes like a weed.  I always eat around it.  I can do without the texture variety.  The cornbread muffins were tasting and great with apple butter!

The Entree: Pan-Seared Free Range Chicken
Chicken coated in herb bread crumbs, marsala mushroom sauce, sunburst + starburst squash of teeny zucchini with roasted shallot butter and Yukon Gold Mash(ed potatoes)

We give the chicken a solid two-thumbs up.  It was tasty and the meal was well presented.  It reminded us of to chicken-fried-chicken, but without the unhealthy aspect, being pan-seared instead of deep-fried. The mashed potatoes totally rocked, and the squash paired perfectly.
I still don't know how we managed to set this up with out the vegetarian option!

For desert we will have wedding cake.  However they sent us away with their signature Deep Dark Chocolate Truffles ("deftly hand rolled").

Uh. Maze. Ing.

Luckily you can purchase these for guests as well.  However, when trying to keep costs to a minimum, I don't foresee our guests having the privilege of tasting these yummy balls of chocolate. Sorry guys! (If you live close to me I might share my doggy-bag of them with you...)

All in all, this Main Event Catering Tasting went well.  We enjoyed all the dishes presented and they were very open to hearing our feedback and adjusting the menu.  What Mike and I both liked best about this caterer was their family-like quality.  This tasting being a couple days before Halloween, some of the other staff dressed in costume. So fun! Also, being after school hours, their kids were in the building, too (but not running around like crazy, but still there). I like a company that respects and understands that people have lives and families, and allows them to be a part of their business.   Also, the chef came out before and after the tasting to hear our ideas and talk openly with us.

Their kosher options are much more involved than other caterers.  They offer salad, bread and the entree all on kosher china from the JCC.  But you pay for that, as you cannot return the china after.  The per person cost for a kosher meal is twice that of a normal meal.  Gah!  I like the idea of our kosher-eating guests having their three course meal presented on china and not airplane style, but still.  Nice, but expensive!

Main Event Catering is a lot less corporate and more small-business minded.  We liked that.
However, they are slightly over budget (of course).  We plan on asking them if there is anything they can do for us, and sharing with them the other proposal prices offered to us.  Maybe they can work with us?  We'll see.  We have our last tasting this coming weekend.  A yummy decision will be made soon!

The Queen has Left the Building!

Well, not really, but sorta.
Also? I'm not a fan of referring to myself as "The Queen" but it works in this context.

At any rate - If you're looking for me I'm over at Meagan's blog: The Twenty's Roar writing about a great traveling experience abroad.


Go check 'er out!
Tomorrow - a catering tasting review! yum!


Happy Monday!

Wedding Art Show

Mike's cousin, Rachel, wedding takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Thankfully (no pun intended) we will be back from Florida in time to attend.  The bride chose to incorporate art into this special day. Included with their invitation, "As a part of our celebration, we would like to have an art show and share the artistic talents of our friends and family." 

I LOVE this idea!
And I love the idea of participating!
Of course, now I can't decide, for the life of me, which photos to submit.
Having never displayed my work, aside from the internet, I simply do not know which to choose.

Do I go with all black and white shots?
Do I stay with a theme? All babies? All flowers? All abstract?!

I feel I should narrow it down to five choices.
You should also know they will be printed as 8x10s, matted 11x14.
Also, I need titles.

So extended internet family, please help me choose!
If you would be so kind to comment below with your favs, it will really help me!
(They are numbered, for "voting" ease)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

 

10

(pretty sure about this one)

11

12
 

13

 

14

 

(I plan on making this one black/white)

15

16

17

Purple Wedding Inspiration

About two weeks ago, Mike and I took off to South Florida for our friends', Ian & Ashley, wedding.  The ceremony and reception both took place at a lovely restaurant that specializes in hosting events, Benvenuto's. The late October, South Florida weather graced their outdoor nuptials.

And so, here are some pics:

(Stupid woman in my shot)

lovely flower arrangements

The gorgeous bride and groom! (dress  by Jasmine Couture)

Husband and Wife!

The reception space - gorgeous pink uplighting!

The cake! Love the swirlies!

Centerpieces

A nice touch waiting for us at the tables (and a good pic)

The bride and a few of her Bridesmaids!

Friends.

{all photos by Yours Truly, Me -- don't take what's not yours}

My dog, the lush

Last night I was honored (among others) at the first ever Kennedy Center Honors Excellence in Teaching, a Standing Ovation for DC Teachers.  It was very inspiring, but also on a school night.  Why put a teacher's event on a school night?
As a result, today's post is brought to you by my dog:

It was empty when she got to it.

I swear she looks drunk in the bottom pic, where she tore apart an empty box.


But because she can't be trusted with an open bar, Nora's not going to be part of our wedding.

No animals were harmed in the making of this post.