Naughty or Nice...To Vendors

As you plan your wedding you may start to get wrapped up in all the chaos, but remember never loose your ground. Vendors are there to guide and help you in the planning process, but there is a danger with being too nice or too naughty.

If you are too nice your vendor may take advantage of you and not be as forthright with you and feel they can do what they want regardless of your feelings or opinions. However, if you go to the opposite extreme and are too forceful and demanding, you may rub your vendors the wrong way. They may not be inclined to accommodate your needs and can be difficult to do business with.

The solution is a happy medium between the two. You want to be nice and friendly with your vendors but stand your ground and make your opinions heard. Remember to say thank you. A thank you can go a long way. Make sure your vision has been clearly communicated and is on paper with no mistakes. If you feel that the vendor is not listening or you don’t feel comfortable maybe that vendor is not for you. Remember, they are there to make your day spectacular and want to help.

Indian Bridal Designers

I have had the opportunity to go to so many weddings and see so many brides wear the more gorgeous outfits! In Indian culture, colors are used to express festivities, so when it comes to bridal wear, the sky’s the limit. Traditionally, red is a lucky color for a bride to wear on her wedding day. These days though, you’ll find so many different kinds of colors and styles, thanks to up and coming designers from all over India. It is amazing how many options a bride can choose from for all of her events!

There are two designer names I recently heard of that do fabulous work and I wanted to share with all of you. One is the brand Shyamal & Bhumika. These are two designers who are known for their traditional Indian designs with contemporary colors. They are featured at many fashion shows, including Lakme Fashion Week, high end fashion magazines, and have many fashion awards to their name. What I love about their line is that they make collections that represent all aspects of India. For example, they designed a collection based on Holi, a festive and colorful Indian holiday that used an array of vibrant colors. Another example is the Indo-Mughal collection that used much more traditional styles and colors that represented the Mughal era.

For any bride, Shyamal and Bhumika is an excellent choice because of the beautiful colors, fabrics, and embroidery mixed with the traditional style. You simply can’t go wrong! For more information, and to see a full portfolio, visit their website at www.shyamalbhumika.com

Another designer is Mona Vora, who does bridal couture designs. Mona does bridal with more of a contemporary twist. With her collection, you might find more “mermaid style” lenghas which are very in fashion today. Mona Vora also makes beautiful saris for party wear, as well as accessories, such as tikas, anklets, jewelry sets, which we all know always comes in handy for a bride. If you are looking for bridal wear but your taste is not as traditional, I suggest you check out Mona Vora’s collection. You can make orders online and from overseas. To see more of her work, visit her site at www.monavora.in

These are just a couple of the many fabulous designers from India. Many fashion magazines as well as the internet are great tools to search for many more designs. Bridal clothes should always reflect your personal style, so have fun with it!

NYC Venues

It is hard to decide among all the amazing venues in New York City, but trying to find one that can accommodate 300 people can be difficult. Here are three of our top picks:

Broad Street Ballroom

In the heart of the Financial District, the historic Broad Street Ballroom is a classic space with modern accommodations. With a 5700 square foot space adorned with 30 foot columns you get both a grand majestic feeling. They have state of the art audio visual services, accompanied with a 20x20 foot screen that drops from the ceiling. This beautiful space can accommodate 300 sit down dinner, 500 in theater style and 550 cocktail.

41 Broad Street Ballroom, New York, NY 10004 (646) 624-2524

Espace

Have your next stylish event at Espace. The open, clean concept allows you to customize your event and have modern and elegant fusion; while their LED lights can give you the ambiance to set the right tone. Espace can accommodate 250 to 400 people. Located near the West Side Highway, Espace is easily accessible anywhere from the tri-state area.

635 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 (212) 967-7003

Eventi

A Kimpton Hotel located in the Midtown area of Chelsea. Fitting with the Chelsea area, this hotel is modern and stylish throughout, from the lobby, hotel rooms, and ballrooms. Maybe you can have your welcome reception on their terrace and spend the rest of the reception in the Ventana Ballroom that accommodates 330. Eventi is in the middle of main transportation and at center of galleries, parks, concert venues, and some of the best restaurants in town.

851 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10001 (866) 996-8396

The Park

The park has two wonderful spaces for your event that will accommodate 300 people. Japanese maple trees contribute to the feel of the year round garden and are the perfect setting for your private event. The garden is covered and heated in the winter which gives a beautiful outside feeling while staying warm during the chilly winter months. The garden can accommodate 325 people standing for a cocktail reception and 150 for a seated reception. Like the garden, the penthouse is a year round space that is heated and covered in the winter for year round use. The sunset views are breathtaking and can accommodate 300 people standing for a cocktail reception and 120 for a seated reception.

118th 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011 @ 18th Street (212) 352-3313

SJS is now in Miami!

We are so excited to announce that we have officially opened our offices in Miami Beach!

This was one of our main goals for this year and we are so happy that we accomplished this.

If you are in the Miami/Florida area or getting married in Florida make sure to reach out to us at 1-888-907-7060.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this happen! Florida will be so nice when it is so cold in NYC!

Different Types of Chairs to use at your Wedding

I get asked all the time how to decorate for a reception. Every wedding has its own unique style and flair. I have recently seen so many new types of chairs that have entered the wedding market. I know, I know….how can chairs really enhance a reception? Well, my thoughts are, if you are looking to do something different, then focus on what your guests see when you first walk in. Yes, there’s the flowers and the lighting, but you cannot overlook the chairs. Here are some suggestions for styles of chairs that you can rent for your event which we have recently discovered:

· Chiavari – This style of chairs is very popular and it is not really new but it is the most cost effective. It’s a style that can fit in both a modern style wedding, as well as formal. They are versatile because you can make the seat pads any color and have more padding or less. The rental price for this style is usually around $10 per chair.

· Ghost – The ghost chair is a fairly new entry into the wedding industry. It offers a more contemporary and modern look as it’s a chair that is transparent (thus, getting its name “ghost”). It can come in clear, or any other color, and adds a unique look to your event. The rental price is pretty costly, between $40 -$50 per chair.

· Tuffeted/Pleated – These types of chairs can be used for more formal and elegant style events. The style of this chair is pleated with more material. It usually gathers all over. These are more affordable at a rental price between $5-$10.

· Chameleon – This is a sleeker choice that adds a fabulous touch to a more contemporary setting. The rental price is high, but it is a choice that would fit in beautifully especially if you are having a smaller wedding. What is great about this chair also is that you can add accessories to it to add some flair such as broches and sashes! You can also use different colors to have this chair bland in with the surroundings. The rental price usually ranges from $10-$30 each.

· Opera – These have a more vintage feel to them. They are also known as the “Versailles Chair”. They would fit great with a wedding that has a more traditional theme. These typically rent out for about $10 a chair.

Choosing the right kind of chair can make a big difference in how your wedding/reception look comes together. It is worth it to invest some time in researching what style fits best for your event. Most of us have seen the Chiavari chair, but most wedding do not use these other types. Instantly, your wedding will be different if you invest in these other types of chairs. Remember to always think outside the box!

Common Invitation Wording Mistakes

We were asked today by a bride about putting zip codes on her inserts. The answer is no.. you never put zip codes on the inserts or cell number or email addresses. Remember to be formal with your invitations...

Here are some pointers:

1. Proper way to write the date:

on Saturday, the first of December
Two thousand and eleven

2. Make sure that the year is on a separate line from the month

3. Time and date have to be spelled out:
at Four 0'clock in the afternoon

4. Zip codes do not belong on the inserts or the actual invitations. The only place to use them are on the envelope and the R. S. V.P return addresses

5. Do not use a.m or p.m. It should be spelled out:
... in the morning or in the evening
so, at Half past three in the afternoon

Benefits of a Summer NYC Wedding

Benefits of a Summer NYC Wedding

Having a wedding in New York City in the summer as opposed to a beach location can be just as beautiful. Here are some reasons why:

· Weekends are relatively less crowded in New York City. This ensures your event will run more smoothly, rather than having to deal with crowded beaches.

· Long weekends in New York City are quiet because a lot of people are out of town. They generally go to places like the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons.

· In the summer, there is discounted parking in New York City. This makes it easier for your guests.

· The weather is just as beautiful in New York City in the summer as a beach location whether you have an indoor event or outdoor.

· Room rates are usually lower, so it’s a good time for guests to take advantage of staying in the city.

· New York City has amazing venues that are perfect for summer weddings. Some include The New York Botanical Garden, The Battery Gardens, and Central Park

Having a wedding in New York City during the summer instead of a beach location has many advantages, and is an option you should consider for your event!

Prioritize and Budget

It’s an exciting time. You just got engaged to your soul mate and you start looking at magazines, dresses, and décor. Don’t get carried away just yet. If you don’t prioritize your wants and needs and set a budget, this special time can become stressful and put a strain on your finances and your relationships.

Be realistic and honest with yourself. Do you really need crystals on your cake? Do you need a ten piece band and a dj? Distinguish between what you want and what you need.

Setting and following a budget will help guide you throughout the planning process. Understand you may have to make some comprises. If you exceed the budget with one item, such as your dress, be prepared to cut back in other areas, such as décor. The more you want, the bigger the budget.


Helpful Tips:

• Budget: Think with your wallet
• The time of year: Holidays and long weekends are normally more expensive
• Linen: Go with the standard or what the venue or caterer supplies
• Cake: Go with a local bakery that will be less expensive.
• Menu: Try a buffet option instead of a seated dinner service

Stay flexible, prioritize, and remember you can have an amazing wedding on any budget!