Member Spotlight: Myrna Hyman
Wedding Planning Tips
Reception Planning Tips
Choosing a reception venue is a big part of creating your wedding vision and one of the most important choices. Whether it be a hotel ballroom or a tented party in your backyard, it reflects the tone that you are seeking for your special day. It will also have an impact on the size of your guest list.
As you work toward finding the venue, keep in mind what may also be required to create the feel you would like. Typically, a hotel venue will include linens and china in their rental fee, whereas, a banquet hall or tented facility will have expenses to rent tables, chairs and any other piece of equipment necessary to make your day complete.
What about reception style?
You may choose a cocktail reception or a plated dinner. At a cocktail reception, many couples feel the need to still do a four hour party which is not necessary. The typical cocktail reception lasts two to two and one half hours. Here you can control the amount of alcohol which is consumed as well as limiting the amount of food required.
If you choose to do a buffet, remember to make it double sided, and realize costs may go up as more food is needed.
Some couples are opting for a combo of both types of events which offer waiter passed drinks and canapes with the addition of several stations. No matter which type of reception style you choose, please do have a chair for every guest. Nobody likes to stand for even a short time.
A more formal wedding requires a plated, sit-down meal service. Wine is usually served with dinner, with an open bar for most of the 4 to 5 hour party.
Tips to consider when planning a wedding reception within budget:
- People tend to take less food when it is being passed by wait staff.
- Although difficult to do, cut the guest list from the beginning to keep within your budget.
- You may want to consider a morning ceremony followed by a brunch. This will allow you to offer a specialty drink instead of incurring alcohol costs. Of course, if you prefer bar service, think about serving only wine and beer, or creating a fun signature drink to be served.
- Consider hiring a professional planner who has a wealth of ideas on how you can minimize costs without sacrificing your style.
Myrna Grossman is an experienced wedding coordinator with For All Occasions. For more information, call 703-222-5912 or go to www.fao-events.com.
Wedding Reception Food Trends for 2012
Wedding receptions are changing with the times, and brides and grooms are having a great time experimenting with new trends in food and drink choices!
Gone are the days of every reception offering a simple plated meal followed by wedding cake. Couples today want personalized menu choices that are fun, delicious, and reflect their personalities.
Small bites and appetizers are becoming more varied and substantial. Some couples even allow the small bites and cocktails to steal the spotlight and choose to forgo a formal meal altogether. Of course, the appetizers should be both hearty and plentiful if this choice is made.
Some popular appetizers / hors d’oeuvres include mini crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, brie in puff pastry, empanadas, mini skewers and kabobs, and crostini.
Another fun trend right now (that can easily be incorporated into your appetizer menu) is the concept of small bites in edible “carriers”. In other words, serve foods that do not leave the guest left holding a toothpick, utensil, or other item once the small bite is consumed. A few examples include crab dip served in edible spoons, Caesar salad bites in parmesan crusted phyllo cups, or shrimp and avocado salsa served in pastry cups.
Signature cocktails are also a fabulous way to make a reception or cocktail hour special. Many caterers will work with couples to create a drink that appeals to their taste buds and matches their desired color scheme. Don’t be afraid to give your signature drink a clever name. Some examples: how about a “Smith-tini” at the Smith wedding or a “Miller-politan” at the Miller wedding?
Another way to keep guests socializing and enjoying themselves is to offer food stations where they can customize their own delicious choices. Some fun ideas for stations include mashed potato bars (offer different types of potatoes in martini glasses and toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, butter, ham, scallions, etc.), pasta bars (offer different shapes, sauces, vegetables, cheeses), or stir fry bars (offer different meats, seafoods, sauces, vegetables, rices).
Food stations are also a natural choice for desserts! Try an ice-cream sundae bar, cookie bar, or candy buffet! Guests will have a great time creating their desserts and chatting about their choices with the other guests!
A final food trend worth talking about is the inclusion of nostalgic comfort foods in the wedding reception menu. Couples are no longer afraid to offer their favorite foods like chicken tenders, mini-hamburgers, French fries, and macaroni and cheese at their formal wedding receptions. In most instances, this can add a fun element to the cocktail hour as long as the foods are presented in an appropriately elegant manner.
For all your wedding planning questions and wedding or event services, The Bliss Collection is your source for Northern Virginia’s finest wedding professionals.
Host an Amazing Bridal Shower
Bridal showers are a traditional and fun part of any bride’s wedding preparations. The typical shower involves a ladies’ luncheon and lots of shower gifts, but some hostesses are going the extra mile and coming up with more creative and interesting ideas for their parties! Here are a few ideas to make things both fresh and fun.
Go retro!
Ok, maybe you like the typical formula for an old-school bridal shower. Go with it! Plan lots of fun games, serve retro cocktails (whiskey sours, anyone?), and serve classic appetizers like meatballs and mini-quiches. Looking for a place to purchase the perfect bridal shower games or favors? Check out http://www.americanbridal.com/brshac.html
Go somewhere fun!
Bridal showers do not have to be held in Mom’s living room! A restaurant or country club can offer a “mini-getaway” for the guests. Another idea is to do a spa trip, visit a winery, see a show, tour a museum, or even visit a fun outdoor attraction like a zoo! All of these offbeat locations will usually offer space to accommodate your gathering once the activities are over.
Learn something new!
Everyone loves to learn something new, but few people actually make the time to do it! Why not incorporate a learning activity into your shower plan? Your friends could learn to scrapbook from a pro, learn to mix your wedding’s signature drink from a bartender, learn new recipes from a chef and cook a meal together, or even learn something like flower arranging or calligraphy. Be creative and give shower guests a new skill!
Bring your best dish!
Potluck parties may sound like a dull idea, but if every guest brings her best dish and provides the bride with the recipe (and maybe the wine that best goes with the dish, or some kitchen tools to help her make it), everyone will have an amazing time!
Regardless of what style of shower you are planning, just be sure everyone knows what is planned so they can dress appropriately!
For all your wedding planning questions and wedding or event services, The Bliss Collection is your source for Northern Virginia’s finest wedding professionals.
Bliss Member Spotlight: Florist Christi Lopez
Bliss Collection member Christi Lopez of Bergerons Flowers is a creative force in the local wedding industry. I spoke to her about her take on current floral trends that brides and grooms are loving in 2012.
What is the most requested “look” for wedding bouquets/ boutonnieres?
There are several trends going on right now….
1) Feathers
2) Brooches
3) Succulents
What is the most exciting new trend for wedding bouquets/ boutonnieres?
An artistic approach to personalizing their bouquet, which usually means incorporating something of sentiment into their bouquet.
Are there any traditional flower trends that you think are “over” or that you are seeing too much of?
Too much “roundy-moundy”, hand-tied of monobotanical blooms. Although, I’ll admit I’ve enjoyed submerged flowers, but they really are overdone!
What is the most exciting new trend for wedding reception centerpieces and decorative flowers?
The most exciting trend is the eco-green look which mostly incorporates succulents into centerpieces. These are perfect for the fact that succulents can be enjoyed long after the wedding by the guests that take them home!
If a bride described herself as “simple, classic, on a budget,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
Branches, Branches, Branches! They continue to be versatile and a great starter to add-on blooms for any price-point.
If a bride described herself as “extravagant, youthful, whimsical and princess-like,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
Runway Romantic–peonies, garden roses, any color in the white and pink families, along with clouds of babies breath work to make a beautiful sea of princess wonder!
If a bride described herself as “quirky, uniquely different, totally original,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
This bride definitely will go for the elements that aren’t necessarily floral; brooches, feathers, or cotton and sticks. She will go for a bouquet that isn’t round, but is shaped beautifully to coordinate with her dress!
If a bride described herself as “the ultimate sophisticated glamour girl,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
These still are the glitz and glamour looks, but without being ostentatious. Use metallics and crystals, but don’t go overboard to keep the Hollywood style but classic. Centerpieces will utilized mercury glass and hanging crystals.
What is the most unique wedding flower look you have ever masterminded?
Wow, this is a tough one. I feel like there is nothing new under the sun, but I feel like the details of the wedding are definitely part of what makes me sing! The underneath of the bouquet, a groom’s boutonniere, ring bearer’s boxes/pillows are all areas with little works of art can be made.
Have you ever worked with a bride who made a mistake in her initial flower choices? How did you assist her? Did you get her to change her flowers?
Yes, there have been many. But, if have to say, most brides that come to me, either entrust me to help them with their selections or have a definite look/style in mind that we hone to make theirs! Often brides may not know what they like, but they definitely know what the don’t like! It’s my job to work with them to figure out what really reflects their and their fiance’s style so the wedding day if a reflection of them and their new life together.
What are some unique trends for adding other decorative things to floral arrangements (fruits, vegetables, etc.)?
These items are included in earlier questions, but I do think that decorative wires, twines, ribbons are still a fabulous way to ehance designs along with lighting. Lighting can do wonders to add impact and a sense of elegance used in perfection at the reception site!
How did you get started as a wedding florist?
As a young girl, I helped an interior designer decorate at our family’s church. Weddings became this beautiful event after he added his finishing touches, as each bride realized their dreams come true. No ho-hum affair there! After high school, while working my Mom and I started taking classes with the head designer from Blackistone’s Florist. Continuing to design and provide wedding flowers during college, I would head home from Pennsylvania on Friday and design, deliver and head back on Sunday. In 1997, purchasing Bergerons was the opportunity of a lifetime for me. Since then, I have been designing for my clientele in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. My design philosophy puts the highest value in beauty, both naturally and artistically. I truly believe that beauty is in the details.
Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner? A Personal Story
Many brides are confused about whether to hire a wedding planner or to use the wedding coordinator at the selected venue. I chatted with Maureen Chandler of Blush Bridal Boutique about her personal experiences with this decision. This is her story.
I was one of those brides that dreamed about my wedding all my life. I knew what kind of dress I wanted, how the cake would look and the perfect decorations for my “perfect day.” I was told for months leading up to our wedding that I needed to hire a planner or a day-of coordinator. Nine years later, I still regret not taking that advice. I had an event coordinator on-site and had done all the planning myself so I thought everything was under control.
Like many couples, when we chose our reception site, we were led to believe that our event coordinator was there to help us plan our wedding, and, he was, but only for the venue itself. We did not take into consideration the other vendors that were booked: photographer, florist, limo service, band, decorator, baker, etc.
Using Pinterest to Plan a Wedding
Ok, I admit it, I am addicted to Pinterest!
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
People use pinboards to plan their weddings (my favorite idea!), decorate their homes, and share their fashion wish lists.
As someone who has always been a fan of “inspiration boards,” I am loving the ease of using Pinterest.
Inspiration boards required actual clipping, gluing, and labeling of various items onto a board or piece of paper. While incredibly fun and useful for creating an image or developing a concept, storing and revising the boards was always impractical.
Pinterest simply requires the user to register, install a “Pin It” button, and start pinning!
Bliss Collection Honors: Washingtonian Bride and Groom
The members of The Bliss Collection are always so proud when other hard working members are acknowledged for their excellence!
Washingtonian Bride and Groom has listed some of our beloved members in its latest issue! Why exactly is this an important honor?
Well…
According to wedding planner Myrna Hyman, “I found out that one finds themselves on this list based on votes from colleagues in the industry, which I think is pretty special.”
Miles Stiebel of MSE productions added ” MSE Productions is listed in the most recent 2012 Washingtonian Bride & Groom under Music & Entertainment. MSE Productions has been recommended by the Washingtonian as “One of the Best” for over ten years. This publication has become a fabulous resource for brides and grooms planning their wedding.”
So…which members of The Bliss Collection were listed?
Jessica Piscitelli (videography), Kristi Odom (photography), Myrna Hyman (wedding planner), Miles Stiebel (DJ services), Kelsey Thompson (photography, one to watch)
Congratulations, everyone!
More Bliss Collection Honors: Wedding Wire’s “Best Of” List
Great news, Bliss Collection members! Sooo many of us were listed on yet another prestigious list: Wedding Wire’s Best Of!
Susan Smith was listed under the category of Wedding Planners.
Myrna Hyman was listed under the category of Wedding Planners.
Kristi Odom was listed under the category of Photographers.
Kelsey Thompson was listed under the category of Photographers.
Jeanna Hilton of Stonewall Golf Club was listed under the category of Venues.
Miles Stiebel was listed under the category of Music and Entertainment.
Jessica Piscitelli was listed under the category of Videographer.
Congratulations to everyone! This is an awesome honor!