Your Dream Day

Spend your honeymoon in a Treehouse TREEesort!

2011-09-28T11:18:00.003-04:00

I was watching the travel channel this morning and they featured some unique resorts throughout the U.S. and this resort in Oregon really stood out. For you outdoors fans, how about spending your honeymoon in a treehouse?

In Takilma, Oregon, Out and About Treehouse Treesort offers its guest the opportunity to stay in a state of the art treesort. They have 18 treehouses, up to 40 feet high, that you can rent for the weekend. The property also features seven swinging bridges (8' to 32' off the ground and 12' to 90' long), five swings plus the Giant Tarzan, 20 flights of stairs, four ladders, a bunch of horses and a gaggle of chickens, swimming pool uneven ground and zipline courses with over a mile of TreehouseZiplines. Talk about a natural high!

Their website says that they book a year in advance, so if this is up your alley, don't hesitate to book it for your honeymoon.

Kathy Piech-Lukas interview with ABC 22 / Fox 45 about the Royal Wedding

2011-05-01T15:15:00.001-04:00

Click below to view our insight about the royal wedding!
Dayton's News Source :: Top Stories - Local Parties For the Royal Wedding

Your Dream Day hosted a viewing party of the royal wedding at the Dayton Wedding Connection beginning at 5 a.m. this past Friday. Our friends at Party Pleasers had the royal wedding playing on a projection screen all day long. I was there from 4 a.m. until noon and spoke with the local television media about the big event. One of the most fascinating things for me was how social media impacted this event. I began tweeting at 5 a.m. and it was amazing to get the opinions and insight from bridal industry leaders immediately, to get the information about the designers and reactions immediately.

The biggest things on twitter that morning:
(1) Mixed reviews about the size of her bouquet and the amount of flowers used at the wedding ceremony. Many industry professionals thought she used too few flowers and that her bouquet was too small. Me -- I thought it was tastefully done. Kate's goal was to have the feeling of an English garden. I thought the use of trees and the subtle use of the lily of the valley was just regal. Less is more.
(2) LOVED the Mother of the Bride coat dresses -- they looked stunning on the mothers and not matronly. I hope this trend is here for a while!
(3) LOVED both of Kate's dresses. The strapless dress is finally not the style anymore. It's lace! I loved the reception dress and the jacket that went with it.
(4) LOVED that the couple wrote their own prayer for the ceremony. Although the two did look a little bored during the ceremony sermon. Lots of tweeters said that, not just me.
(5) Loved the wedding reception cake. Just stunning!

I also wish more Americans wore hats. It was so much fun just watching all of the guests and the creations for their heads. It is expected that a lady in England will wear a hat to a black tie and formal occasion. Maybe this will start rubbing off in America??

Tips for spot cleaning your wedding dress

2011-04-28T20:49:00.005-04:00

Our friends at the Wedding Gown Preservation Company posted this wonderful blog about spot cleaning of your wedding dress. This is a summary of those tips. Very useful tips!

Before treating an entire gown, always test an area in an inconspicuous part of the wedding gown first. If in doubt consult a wedding gown preservation and cleaning specialist.

Blot: Blot is the key word. Like your wedding day makeup, make sure to blot your stain with a moist (not wet) sponge or cotton ball. Putting a towel underneath the stain while you blot will absorb part of the stain and prevent other parts of your gown from being stained. Blot your stains dry.

I always keep Shout Wipes (not a Tide Stick, which has bleach in it), Goo Be Gone and Dawn washing detergent in my emergency kit. Shout wipes get out the majority of stains. Goo Be Gone gets out the things Shout wipes don’t, like tar, grease and oil. (The last two are the reason why I still carry Dawn – that and to wash down dirty chairs if I need to for the ceremony.)

For tricky stains like red wine, apply club soda or white wine with a sponge to the stained area. Then dab the stained area with a mixture of cool water and ammonia. Always gently blot dry the area. For lipstick, the best to spot clean lipstick is to use a mixture of 3 tbsp. alcohol and 3 drops of baby shampoo. It is important to remove the lipstick stain as soon as you find it. Perspiration stains are acid based and as time goes by they become alkaline stains. We suggest using a two part cleaning process to remove these stains. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to a half a cup of water. Blot the stained area with a cheese cloth or cotton ball, dry, and then use a mixture of alcohol and baby shampoo going over the same area. Always rinse using a blotting method to remove alcohol and shampoo solution. One method used to clean blood stains is one part hydrogen peroxide to 9 parts water. Make sure you remove solution with warm water blotting afterwards with a clean towel to dry.

One thing every bride should expect -- you will have what I call "ring around the bottom" -- the bottom of your dress, about 1/2" all the way around, will be brown and dirty. That's normal and gown preservation companies and dry cleaners expect that. Don't worry about pretreating those.

Facebook & Twitter contest with Things Remembered

2011-04-26T22:29:00.004-04:00

Your Dream Day is having a contest during the month this May in partnership with one of the nation's largest engraving and specialty gift companies, Things Remembered.

We are asking about some"thing" you "remember" .... when or how did you know that your fiance or spouse was "the one?" Tell your story by friending us and posting your response on Your Dream Day's Facebook Wall or tagging Your Dream Day on Twitter or follow on Twitter @yourdreamday during the month of May. The best entry will be judged by Your Dream Day and the corporate headquarters of Things Remembered, located in Cleveland. The winner will receive this beautiful toasting set, cake serving set and commemorative ornament plus personalized engraving from Things Remembered, a $150 value.

So when and how did you know? Tell us this May!

What Makes Marriage Work? Commitment and Common Values. Inspiration from St. Ambrose

2011-03-28T21:45:00.008-04:00

At St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick, Ohio, this past weekend, I read something in the bulletin that sums up beautifully what getting married is all about. I thought I'd share this wisdom with everyone. After the food and cake have been eaten and the reception has wrapped up, you are left with a spouse. The marriage after the wedding is the most important part of the wedding day you're planning.

What Makes Marriage Work? Some ingredients, if missing, can doom a relationship from the start. Commitment bonds a couple together when you are tired, annoyed, or angry with each other. Sometimes, remembering your vows can prompt you to push past these problems and try to forgive and start again. Common values: If you aren't together on basic values such as children, honesty, fidelity, and putting family before work, no amount of learning or effort of the will can resolve the conflict. For example, constant tension will result if one spouse wants to live simply while the other wants life's luxuries.

Mary, Mary, when you comin?

2011-03-09T18:40:00.007-05:00

Celebrity wedding planner and reality show star Mary Dann will be in Ohio this week for several events to promote her new book, "Wedding Wisdom," and giving us Ohioans a celebrity treat! (Or tweet? @MaryDann is an avid twitterer.) Mary has been featured on reality shows like "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" and "Platinum Weddings," and has been featured on WE Entertainment and the Style Network. Coolest thing about Mary (besides her amazing warm personality, of course)? She's planned events for Kobe Bryant!

Winter Wonderland Wedding in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with Mary Dann from Godfather Films on Vimeo. Mary and I met through the Association of Bridal Consultants, and we quickly developed a friendship over the phone. When she signed a client in LA whose wedding was in Ohio, I was so honored to be the first person she called for help! I had the pleasure of working with Mary a few weeks ago in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, (a suburb of Cleveland) and this is what she had to say about Your Dream Day -- on camera! I was floored! I am so honored to have Mary both as a friend and a referral!! I also had the opportunity to work with John Goolsby with Godfather Films who is, by many in the WEVA industry, considered to be one of the best in the country. He has some creative shots in his portfolio that I'd never seen until a few weeks ago. It's always great to work with vendors from other markets because things that they consider routine we consider a treat.

MARY'S UPCOMING EVENTS IN OHIO
Cincinnati: Book signing of her latest book, "Wedding Wisdom" on, 3/11/11 at the Wedding Loft, 7754 Camargo Road, Suite 12, Madeira, OH, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No fee but RSVPs are appreciated. https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194444263911220&ref=ts Look for her on Channel 9 news at noon on Friday!

Dayton: Hosting "A Magnifique Moment" bridal luncheon at Country Club of the North on Sunday, 3/13/11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch, dessert, presentation, mock tables, book signing / meet and greet, and photo opps. Limited number of seats available. http://www.daytonbridalconsultants.com/

Columbus: Hosting "Mimosas with Mary" on Monday, 3/14/11, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Embassy Suites. Contact Jamie Rapavy at Devoted to Details to RSVP for this event.

"Cleveland"ers don't fret -- Mary plans to come back to Ohio again sometime this year. It's already in the plans!

The Knot Best of Weddings Pick 2011 for Your Dream Day!

2011-01-19T21:21:00.006-05:00

A huge thank you to our happy clients who voted for us for "The Knot Best of Weddings 2011!" I got the official word today from Karrie, my sales rep for The Knot. What a wonderful surprise and honor! A huge thank you to all my staff (the dreamgirls) for doing such an amazing job! The Knot will officially be announcing this and other Cincinnati / Dayton area winners on Friday.

Steph and Clinton -- St. Peter in Chains Cathedral and Hyatt Regency Cincinnati

2011-01-12T16:42:00.023-05:00

Steph and Clinton are such a fun-loving couple! When we first met, we hit it off instantly. Steph, a native of Canada, first met Clinton in Daytona. Wait -- I'll let this video tell you. The couple filmed this the week of the wedding and played it for their before their introduction into the reception. Compliments of Steve Zugelter of Studio Z.

For their event design, we wanted to blend Steph's Canadian heritage with Clinton's American style; their love for motorcycles; and an elegant, vintage yet modern feel with her orange, gold, and fall colors. This is what emerged!

The bride had custom jewelry designed by Debra Moreland is Paris.

Their daughter, Mila, was the cutest flower girl ever!!

St. Peter in Chains is a breathtaking venue for a wedding ceremony.

Out front of St. Peter in Chains

Florals designed by Fassler Florist

I love Jacalyn from JMM's rustic style! Very Vogue editorial!

Steph is ALL about her Chanel Shades!!

Koozies are a wedding reception tradition with Steph and Clinton's family and friends. These ones were placed at the bar after the introduction video was played.

The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati was decked out in oranges and golds. Chargers, flatware, napkin rings compliments of All Occasions Rentals. Linens compliments of Connie Duglin. Wood chivari chairs compliments of Finch Rental.

Before dinner, prayer was spoken in both American English and Steph's native Indian language.

Gorgeous shot of downtown!

In addition to the forementioned vendors, a huge thanks to Patricia's Weddings and Custom Cakes; Motortoys Limousine , Five Dot Design, and Hey Mr. DJ!. The day after the event, Steph and her family and friends went to the Bengals game together for a fun-filled day and left for their honeymoon to Jamaica soon afterwards! Best wishes!

Bridal Show Top Ten Tips for Brides

2011-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bridal shows are a great way to find all of your wedding vendors in under an hour. However, they can be very overwhelming! Stick to these tips so the bridal show doesn’t consume you.

If you are a wedding planning client of Your Dream Day, I can escort you to many of the bridal shows listed below at no charge in most cases. Today I am taking a client to the Dayton Convention Center show.

1) Go in with an agenda. What do you want to accomplish with this show? Are you just getting started and seeing what’s out there? Are you close to being done and you only need to book a DJ or a Photographer?

2) Know what you want out of the service you’re looking for before you go to the show. For example, do you want a band or a DJ? If you want a DJ, don’t talk to the bands. Do you want albums with your photography package, or do you want the negatives instead?

3) When you talk to a wedding vendor you really like, put their business card in your pocket. Place the rest of the literature in a bag, which you will get at the show when you check in. That way, you’ll remember the ones you really liked.

4) Shows will offer you a lot of on-the-spot deals. Make sure you do your homework on a vendor before booking them. Check with the BBB and wedding surveys to see how the vendor measures up. Saving $50 may not be worth all the headaches you could encounter later. However, make sure you call them within the week of the bridal show — the best vendors book up quickly.

5) Create an email address that you will only use for wedding planning. When you go to the show, you will be asked to fill out forms about the services you’re interested in and the date of the wedding. This information will be provided to every vendor at the show and they will contact you. This way you can keep all your wedding-related solicitations separate from your personal emails.

6) Based on my client’s experiences, don’t sign up for a registry at a bridal show. I had a client once who “pre-registered” for a store. The sales lady took it upon herself to register her for all these things she never wanted and she ended up getting them at her wedding. My client didn’t even know she was registered at the store until after her shower — her family members informed her. Needless to say, she was upset and had to return everything to the store for store credit. You can easily sign up for bridal registries online — my favorites are macys.com, bedbathandbeyond.com and homedepot.com.

7) Encourage your friends and family to be guests on your wedding day instead of working at it. That’s what professionals are for. Make sure they are friends after the wedding too!

8) Bring return address labels or preprinted information labels with your name, address, email, phone number and wedding date on them to use when vendors have giveaways or ask for your information.

9) Some shows offer you discounts when you pay for your ticket in advance or are escorted by a vendor. (In my case, I will escort my clients to a bridal show if they'd like to go for a reduced rate.) It depends on the relationships your vendors have established with the show operators.

UPCOMING SHOWS IN DAYTON

January 8 & 9, 2011, 11-5, Dayton Bridal Expo, Dayton Convention Center

Sunday, January 16th, 2011, 12-5pm, McClure Event at Marriott Hotel, Springfield

January 22 & 23 2011 from 11am to 5pm, Dayton Hara Bridal Gala, Hara Arena

Sunday, February 2oth, 2011, 11 am to 4 pm, Dayton Premier Bridal Show, Dayton Marriott

Sunday, March 13, 2011, 1 to 4 p.m., Country Club of the North. Dayton ABC Bridal Luncheon with celebrity wedding planner Mary Dann (who has been featured on "Whose Wedding is it Anyway", "Platinum Weddings" and In Style Weddings Magazine and has oodles of books for sale at Barnes and Noble right now! Lucky for Dayton she is becoming a buddy of mine and is excited to come to Ohio!) Presale tickets are $25 each and include sitdown lunch and wedding cake dessert; swag bag full of goodies (not coupons!); tabletop competition done by local Dayton vendors and judged by Mary, brides and guests; walking fashion show during lunch; book signing and photos with Mary; and exhibits from local vendors. Limit of 100 tickets to be sold. Copies of Mary's books will be sold on site or can be purchased in advance at Barnes and Noble. More details to follow on our blog about this exciting event! This event is being chaired by Kathy Piech-Lukas (me!) of Your Dream Day and my dear friend Jean Neuhart from Weddings from the Heart. (Vendors interested in participating should call me for more information.)

UPCOMING SHOWS IN CINCINNATI

January 8th & 9th 2011 from 11am to 5pm, Cincinnati Wedding Showcase, Sharonville Convention Center

January 15th-16th, 2011, 10-5, Cincinnati Convention Center, Wendys Bridal Show

January 23, 2011 from 12 to 4:30pm, Receptions Bridal Show in Fairfield

January 29, 2011 from 12 to 4 p.m., Fairfield Banquet and Convention Center Show

January 30, 2011 12:30pm-3pm, Mattfields Bridal Show

February 16, 2011, Veils and Cocktails, The Covington Madison

February 20, 2011, Noon-4 P.M Bridal Show at the Meadows

Sunday, February 20, 2011, 12-5pm, McClure Event, Courtyard by Marriott, Hamilton

Sat. & Sun. Feb. 26-27th, 2011, 11am-5pm, BridalRama, Duke Convention Center

Sunday, March 13st, 2011 : 11AM - 4PM, Savannah Center, Cincinnati's Premier Bridal Expo

Sunday, March 20, 2011 12n-4pm, Color of Love Bridal Show, Cincinnati

Happy Planning!! :-) It's the season to be bridal!!

Every girl knows what comes in a tiffany blue box

2010-12-20T17:41:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite people, Pam Vitale from Country Club of the North, called me last week for a last-minute invitation job for her daughter's upcoming bridal shower. The colors of the event are white and Tiffany blue. We designed a custom invitation with a white irredescent and tiffany blue layer, a white ribbon and a piece of bling in between the bow. The invitation was then placed in a tiffany blue 5 x 7 box, wrapped with a white ribbon and garnished with a piece of bling. These were mailed out to guests in a white pouch.

Photo of the contents of the box -- a custom layered invitation, printed in tiffany blue ink, garnished with a white ribbon and a white clear gemstone.

Photo of the finished invitation -- a tiffany blue box sealed with a white ribbon and garnished with a clear, white gemstone.

Cost per invitation, with custom addressing in tiffany blue ink, was $12, not including postage. Designed by Your Dream Day.

Malika and Kendall's wedding trailer (College Hill Community Church / Dayton Art Institute)

2010-12-09T09:49:00.002-05:00

Just got this from the folks at Phase Two Productions! Enjoy!

Malika + Kendall's Wedding Trailer from Phase Two Productions on Vimeo.

Quick Tip: for your bustle

2010-12-06T20:50:00.003-05:00

The bustle (like your DJ) can make or break the enjoyment of your wedding reception. Make sure that you bring someone (your maid or matron of honor, your mother, your planner) with you to your final fitting. Have the seamstress walk through with you and this person how to assemble the bustle. Let your guest practice several times before you leave and take a photo of the bustled dress before you leave. That person can either do the bustle or serve as a manager to the people that do.

As a planner, I can usually figure out the bustle -- but-- it helps us a lot if someone else has seen it done. Most dress bustles have either three hooks on top of the dress or the bustle ties underneath (french). A seamstress that I use a lot, Karen, has shown me a lot of tricks the past two years with regard to the way a final bustle should look. I've used those tools a lot at wedding receptions where we have in fact figured out the seamstress's intended bustle -- but adding these additional fastenings with pins make the dress look better and make the bride feel more at ease during her reception.

The most dramatic bustles I've encountered? One required the bride to sit on the floor while three of us tied the 35 bustle ties underneath the dress. The worst one ever had a combination of hooks, an under the dress tying layer and an over the dress tying layer -- we had a total of seven people (3 of my staff, a catering manager, a florist and two of her friends) look at this bustle the night of the reception and none of us could figure it out. I felt so bad for the bride that night. Since that wedding, I have told all my brides that they must follow paragraph one of this blog. Since then, we've not had this issue of no one being able to figure out the bustle for the blushing bride.

Renaissance Gothic Themed Halloween Wedding for Melissa and Greg at Dayton Art Institute

2010-12-04T22:53:00.024-05:00

Greg and Melissa had one of the most creative wedding days I've ever had the pleasure of doing yet! The couple wanted to have a wedding that reflected their passion for the renaissance period and "Lord of the Rings," with a twist of Gothic and black for their Halloween Day wedding. We put our heads together and the result was this classy, true-to-the-period wedding at the Dayton Art Institute that was enjoyed by all!

Greg wore a period jacket with buttons while the bride wore a custom made black velvet gown and custom made veil. The seamstress, Johnna Brough, has sewn and designed costumes for the Ohio Renaissance Festival for years.

The bridesmaids were no exception and also wore custom-made burgundy period dresses.
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All of the ladies carried red magic roses complemented with black feathers and tendrills, made by the talented Cady Vance. The ladies look like rock stars (or renaissance stars?) thanks to the talents of Nancy from Brideface.

Programs and guest invitations were in a Gothic font and sealed with a wax sealed crest emblem.
A hand ceremony was performed by Persephanie, a member of the Wicca community

The bridal ceremony was complemented by the talented music of Rose Trio.

Melissa's favorite pose of the day

The Gothic Cloister of the Dayton Art Institute was uplit with red lighting on the pillars and a red rose pattern on the dance floor by Party Pleasers.

Silver chargers, red napkins with silver holders complemented the black crinkled linens and black chair covers tied with silver sashes. Rentals were provided by Finch Rental and Prime Time Party Rental.The cake was the only white thing at this event. In true Melissa and Greg fashion, the Ele Cake Company wedding cake was cut to Billy Idol's "White Wedding."

Tables were adorned with white and black feather centerpieces, or immersed red magic roses, that were illuminated with internal vase lighting and candles. Each table was named after something from "Lord of the Rings" and in a Gothic-style frame and font.

Halloween would not have been complete without a candy bar. This was served during the same time as cocktail hour and the candy was gone before dinner. (Tip to brides to be -- serve your candy bar after dinner has been cleared!)

Photographer Daniel Michael could not resist getting in the electronic lift to get this ariel shot! It shows the dance floor, pinspot and column uplighting, done by Party Pleasers, who also DJ the reception. Elegant Fare catered the delicious food.

A great shot of the lighting detail on the dance floor and the shape of the Gothic cloister room

Congratulations to Greg and Melissa on an amazing wedding day! Here is to a lifetime of happiness and centuries thereafter!

QuickTip for Nails

2010-12-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

To make your manicure last longer, apply one coat of clear topcoat each day or before you go into water (meaning a pool or shower). I've had a manicure last up to two weeks doing this. It's helpful for those of you that get your manicure days before your wedding, or will be heading to the beach for your honeymoon!

Author Peter Merry visits our Cincinnati office!

2010-12-03T11:10:00.003-05:00

It's all about timing! I met DJ and author Peter Merry a few years ago when the first, self-printed edition of "The Best Wedding Reception...Ever" had just come out. We've kept in touch by Facebook since that time. I saw him at the opening night reception in Phoenix at the Association of Bridal Consultants "Business of Brides" reception. (I love the fact he didn't recognize me at first because I'd lost 40 pounds since the last time he saw me!) Anyhow, he was at the conference to promote the second edition of his book, which is now for sale at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and other bookstores. On his way to do a book tour in Indianapolis, he swung into Cincinnati and gave a presentation to wedding vendors at lunch and brides in the evening at The Wedding Loft. Brandon Lindsey of Hey Mr. DJ and I worked together to help Peter promote his book with the wedding vendor community in Cincinnati, a segment on WCPO-Channel 9 news, and with brides later that evening. What a treat this was!

"The Best Wedding Reception Ever!" on WCPO in Cincinnati, OH from The Best Wedding Reception Ever! on Vimeo.

A lillipad wedding for Mark and Deanna

2010-12-02T15:13:00.000-05:00

Mark and Deanna had purchased a beautiful home in Mason that had a beautiful backyard on Lillipad Court. We incorporated this new home, along with their love of good coffee and Graeters, into this relaxing, fun wedding day for them! I was so thrilled to be a part of their special day!

An air conditioned ten with clear, see-through panels looked out into the backyard. The white chivari chairs had mini-sleeves that matched the ivy-patterned overlay. Rentals from All Occasions Event Rental.

Ivy patterned chargers were complemented by lavender napkins and bamboo-handled flatware. Each guest received a packet of personalized coffee in either white chocolate, butter toffee or hazelnut from La Crema Coffee Company with a personalized Starbucks mug and the wedding date on it.

Guests walked on a carpeted, covered pathway to the tent and entered through real glass doors.

Close up of the chairs and mugs

Instead of a band or DJ, the couple chose to have a string trio play during the lunch reception. Toasts were made to celebrate the bride and groom's nuptials. Pictured here is Leah from Rose Trio.

Since yellow tulips were out of season, we opted for yellow roses. Design by Katie Elfers.

Napkings, programs, table numbers and seating chart made by Amo-Ink incorporated the lillipads into the design.

After the ceremony, the couple was escorted from the church to their home in a vintage Rolls Royce, provided by Motortoys.

Wedding Cake from Maribelle Cakery

Enroute to their wedding reception, the couple stopped by the Starbucks that they first met at and posed with the staff!

Nothing beats the heat like a bite of Graeters Ice Cream!

Deanna's daughter is an absolute sweetie pie and was smiling the whole day!

This was a wonderful, laid back afternoon for friends and family to celebrate and relax! It was a pleasure to be part of their big day. A huge thanks to Ron Shuller for the photography!

We've Been Blogged on www.DecoBride.com

2010-09-20T10:56:00.001-04:00

Huge thanks to Deco Bride for the blog love!!

Vegan Catering

2010-09-18T12:25:00.002-04:00

I've started seeing more attempts to keep wedding receptions Vegan during the past few years. Look at Chelsea Clinton -- she had a vegan wedding cake. This is another option -- this article in the Cincinnati Enquirer talks about a vegan ice cream made here locally that would certainly add some fun to a wedding reception. Looking for quality vegan catering? Best option is to find your favorite restaurant and use that as a baseline for what you're looking for. The restaurant may even do off-premise catering! Most good caterers will do a complimentary tasting for you once you've at least put down a deposit for their services -- that way you'll know exactly what you're getting.

Wedding Reality TV Show "Bridalplasty"

2010-09-17T16:43:00.005-04:00

I saw this on Perez Hilton's blog yesterday . . . good grief. But if you are interested. . .

Extreme Plastic Surgery Bridal Competition Show Coming To E!

E! has ordered Bridalplasty, where brides compete in wedding-themed challenges to win extreme plastic surgery. The woman will go head-to-head writing wedding vows and planning honeymoons. The winner of the challenge will receive a plastic surgery procedure from her "wish list." She goes into surgery immediately and the results are seen in the following episode.
The show's description states the brides risk "possibly walking away with nothing and losing [their] chance to be the perfect bride." The last bride standing will get her "dream wedding," where she will reveal her new appearance to her loved ones. "Viewers will witness his emotional and possibly shocked reaction as they stand at the altar and he lifts her veil to see her for the first time following her extreme plastic surgery," said E!. The Swan surgeon Terry Dubrow will perform the surgery while Shanna Moakler hosts and Giuliana Rancic executive produces.

http://perezhilton.com/2010-09-16e_orders_bridalplasty_as_brides_compete_for_plastic_surgery

Cincinnati Office Sign is Up!

2010-09-16T19:52:00.005-04:00

Entrance facing Camargo Road in Madeira
Entrance facing Kroger Parking Lot from Miami Avenue in downtown Madeira

Check out our new office sign! We have officially opened The Wedding Loft in Madeira, located on Miami and Camargo in Camargo Station. This space is designed to help wedding vendors create a festive, professional atmosphere when meeting with their prospective and current clients and a one-stop educational location that is relaxed and fun for couples getting married. (In otherwords, to stop meeting with brides at Starbucks and stressing yourself out at a bridal show!) As a bride, you can choose from over a dozen different wedding services for your upcoming day such as:

Hey Mr. DJ (DJ)
Tres Belle Cakes (Cakes)
Cinci Makeup (Makeup)

Fassler Florist (Flowers)

Five Dot Design (Custom invitations)

Scoops and Sweets (Candy Buffets)

Folchis Formalwear (Tuxedos)

European Bridal (Dresses)

...and of course, the following services that Your Dream Day offers: Complimentary hotel block creation; Wedding Gown Preservation; Bouquet Preservation; Favors and Accessories; and award-winning wedding planning and event coordination services. We are also offering Complimentary rentals concierge booking service, which allows a bride to book all of her rentals at The Wedding Loft from five different local companies at our location instead of visiting locations all over town, saving time, driving and ultimately money since we cost compare for you!

We also have photos from 15 area wedding photographers, including: Ron Carroll; Ron Shuller; Daniel Michael; Michael Bambino; Laura Leppert; Pottinger Photography; Leila James; Second Sight Photography; and more that are still printing up their photos for us like, Kortnee Kate; JMM Photography; Mark Garber; Sherri Barber; and a few others! We also have six different rental companies (Camargo Rental, All Occassions Rental, Adora Event Rental, Connie Duglin, Finch Rental and Prime Time Party Rental) on display as well and a Videography Vault from leading wedding videography and film studios to view on our plasma TV. Stay tuned for information about FREE monthly "Bridal Bites" wedding 101 classes, complete with expert information, varying topics and free bites to nibble on, coming this fall!

Vendors -- if you are interested in getting something inside the Loft, please call or email me!

Las Vegas: Great vacation and destination wedding spot!

2010-09-15T20:00:00.000-04:00

Last week, I took a MUCH MUCH needed vacation to Las Vegas with my husband. This was my first trip to the Nevada desert and I had a fabulous time. Jim loves to research our vacation spots on Trip Advisor, and we never take a trip anywhere without checking this website first.

We stayed at The Signature at MGM Grand on the Penthouse 37th Floor in a Junior Suite, which we were able to check into at the airport. (That was very convenient.) The bed was so comfortable and the room had a fabulous view of the strip. It also had a small kitchenette, and we purchased light breakfast food, frozen pizzas, mac & cheese, bread and lunch meat, soda and lemonade the day we arrived at CVS. We saved about $300 just doing this instead of eating out for breakfast and lunch all week. The private pool and hot tub was very quiet (unlike the adjoining MGM Grand, which was louder and had a lazy river ride) and the concierge service took care of arranging all the details for the shows we saw during our stay. However, guests of The Premier are allowed to use any of the amenities, like the lazy river ride and larger pool, discount tickets to shows, etc. at the MGM Grand if they choose to.

The MGM Grand also has a wedding chapel. I stopped in to see what it costs to get married in Las Vegas at the F0rever Grand at MGM. For $800, you can get a wedding chapel for up to 70 guests; a photographer that will sell you 12 photos; a minister; pre-recorded music; one bouquet; one boutonniere; and a limo ride to city hall to buy your marriage license. Packages go up to $5,000. Rooms at the MGM start at $169 per night. Including flight, you'd be looking at a minimum of $1200 to elope to Las Vegas.

While in Vegas, we saw two live shows: The Crazy Horse Paris, which was very tastefully done for a cabaret show, and "O" Cirque du Soleil's resident show at Bellagio. This show was absolutely amazing. This video from You Tube shows the 1.5 million gallon tank that was in the theater (yes, a THEATER!) and used during the performance. It was worth every penny! We also did a Nielsen review and focus group of the new NBC show, Mike and Molly, which premieres on network TV in a few weeks.

And of course, I went to the casinos. I did pretty well at the blackjack tables but not so well at the slot machines. But it was all in good fun. Overall, a long overdue break. Planning weddings is fun, but we've been very busy planning some amazing weddings this summer and my poor body needed some R&R!

So you want your wedding to be in a magazine or a blog

2010-09-01T10:28:00.000-04:00

Here are some of our favs. Click the link below to submit your wedding photos!

Wedding Wire
The Knot
Cincinnati Wedding deadline for January 2011 issue is 9/10/10
Style Me Pretty
Deco Bride
Best Wedding Sites blog by Brenda

When submitting a real wedding, they want to see the details of the event. Show the details of your cake, table settings, centerpieces, invitations, and any other unique things that you did to personalize the day and make it your own. They are looking for new and innovative ideas thinking outside of the box. Make sure to get permission from your photographer -- in fact, they may help you with the submission for print publications by providing the magazine with the large files they need.

Reception Idea -- Kiss Cam!

2010-08-27T00:24:00.000-04:00

A new thing I have been seeing at wedding receptions -- a new twist on the kiss! Traditionally, the bride and groom have to kiss when their guests clink on their drinking glasses. Well, why not turn the clicking on them? Pre-select couples that you would like to do the kissing for you. Have your videographer set up a special camera at the reception and connect it to an LCD projector. Beam that on the wall and have your DJ play the song "Kiss Me."

Creative ideas make your reception fun and exciting for your guests too!

MAN I need a mani!

2010-08-26T00:08:00.000-04:00

The days prior to a wedding, the bride, the moms, and all her girlfriends always head to the salon for a manicure and pedicure. What about the men? A lot of my grooms will play a round of golf with their groomsmen, or do something fun. Most of them, also, get a manicure.

So why do I encourage all of the men I work with to get a manicure? Just think of the detail shots of your hand with the new wedding ring on it. For example...these men all had manicures.

Man, it makes you want to get a man-icure!

Not just a new marriage but a new family

2010-08-22T07:44:00.000-04:00

When one of the persons getting married has children, whether from a previous marriage or otherwise, you're not just marrying the person you love. You're also creating a new family. In my opinion, it's important that the children understand not only what is going on (what marriage means), but how it will impact them after the wedding day is done. If you are required to attend pre-marital counseling, you may want to consider having one special session with the couple and the children as well. The children will be a part of that day's new union as well. There are lots of small, subtle, yet meaningful ways to incorporate children into a ceremony.

A wedding this past June had custom M&Ms. The groom has two sons from a previous marriage and so they incorporate all four of their names into the sayings on the M&Ms. Cool idea! They said things like 'We said "I Do," 'Love You,' 'Love is Sweet,' 'Forever Friends,' 'Our New Family,' and 'Just Married.' Here's a coupon where you can buy 3 or more bags of custom printed M&Ms and get one free, Gotta love free stuff!

Another way is a Unity Pendant. At this particular wedding, the pendant was blessed by the priest during the actual service and the bride and groom placed it around her son's neck.

The Unity Sand Ceremony is a great way to show the blending of a new family through the use of different colors. At this wedding we coordinated last October, the bride, groom, and 3 children (2 his, 1 hers) created a new piece that now hangs proudly on their mantel.

Thank you notes -- a must be done

2010-08-21T07:12:00.000-04:00

It's time to thank all of your friends and family that took the time to buy you a gift or send you a card with a monetary present for your wedding shower or actual wedding. According to Peggy Post, you have up to one calendar year to send out your thank you notes.

Writing thank you notes a time consuming chore. Yes, you must do it. Think of it this way -- It takes you 10 percent of the time it took them to purchase the gift for you. Thank you notes must be handwritten, both with the envelope addressing and the actual note. Preprinted thank you cards are just...not a good idea. Neither are email thank you notes.

To make writing them more efficient:
1) Type out (on a piece of paper) a form thank you note with blanks that will allow you to personalize each note. For example: "Dear ___; Thank you so much for the ____. It was great seeing you at the wedding. God bless and take care." You can personalize it as much as you like from there, should you choose to.
2) Address the envelopes and do the thank you cards as your gifts arrive before the wedding. The beauty of online registries is that many of your wedding gifts can now be delivered to you before the wedding. Do your thank yous as your gifts arrive. Then, mail them on the way to your wedding rehearsal. Your guests will be so appreciative to get a thank you from you the Monday after your wedding!
3) Share the load with your new spouse. Write the notes to your respective relatives and friends.

In addition -- if you have a guest that came to your wedding and didn't give you a gift -- still send them a thank you. Don't indicate thanks for a gift. If they did get you something and you send them this thank you, it's a way to start what could be an awkward conversation in an easier way. (You think they didn't get you something, when, in fact, they actually ordered or mailed you something you never received.)

Stress balls are great for writer's cramps... =)

Before leaving for the wedding day...what happens the 24 hours after the wedding?

2010-08-20T06:18:00.000-04:00

Couples focus so much on the details of the wedding day itself that they forget about what happens when the party ends. Remember to pack your overnight bag for the wedding night and, if you are leaving for the honeymoon (to resorts like Beaches or Sandals) right away, your baggage for that journey as well. Bring all necessary passports, identification, travellers checks, currency and paperwork you'll need for your journey. If possible, exchange your U.S. dollars for foreign currency before leaving America. Make sure your carry on baggage does not contain any prohibited items.

Make sure that you make a reservation at the hotel you plan to stay at in advance. You should be able to get a complimentary room if you fill up a hotel block. (YDD can help you create a hotel block at the hotel of your choice for no additional fee or wedding planning obligation.) You can also negotiate a night's stay should your wedding reception be hosted at the same hotel.

Before starting the wedding day's activities, be sure to either (1) check into the hotel the night before and reserve your honeymoon suite for two nights; or (2) Drop off your overnight bag to the concierge desk at the hotel early in the morning before you start the hectic wedding day. If you plan to have someone decorate your honeymoon suite, you (whoever the room's reservation is in) will need to call the hotel to authorize permission for this person to enter your room and, if they haven't done so already, do a pre-check in.

Also remember to hold your mail and newspaper deliveries. Shut off the water while you're gone. Make sure someone is taking care of your pets.

Anisa and Andrew, Cox Arboretum and Polen Farm

2010-08-19T04:47:00.000-04:00

I first met Anisa and Andrew at her sister's wedding (which we also planned) the year before. It's amazing how two girls that have similiar mannerisms in person have completely different tastes in designing their dream wedding days. This wedding had a very laid back, natural, garden-like feel to it. The Bahai wedding ceremony took place outside in the crabapple garden at Cox Arboretum in Dayton.

After the ceremony, guests were welcomed at Polen Farm with an amazing cuisine, prepared by Funky's Catering. This couple had the most unique first dance I'd ever seen. Guests were entertained upstairs in the barn with square dancing during the reception. The bride and groom were placed across from each other as partners for their first dance. Very unique and they loved it! I wish I had a video to post, the photos don't do the actual experience justice! The couple also had a friend that brewed the most amazing homemade rootbeer I've ever tasted.

A huge thank you to Daniel Michael for providing the photography from this fun-filled day!

Bridal events this month

2010-08-18T04:08:00.000-04:00

So many bridal events, so little time! Here are some bridal events to check out during the next month in our region. At these events you'll meet lots of vendors offering a variety of services. Wear something with pockets if you can! Put the business cards of the vendors you like or are interested into your pocket and, if you can, jot a quick note about them to jog your memory.

Wednesday, August 18 -- Veils and Cocktails, 6:30 to 9, The Madison Event Center, $10 per person.
Thursday, August 19 -- Open House at Camargo Rental
Saturday, August 21 -- Anderson Bridal Show from 10 to 3. Free admission.
Sunday, August 22 -- Dayton Bridal Connection open house, 2 to 5 p.m. Free admission
Sunday, August 29 -- Cincinnati Bridal Expo, Manor House, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $8 per person
Now through August 31 -- Bella Donna Closing Sale (up to 75% off dresses)
Saturday & Sunday, September 10 & 11 -- Simone Carvalli Trunk Show, European Bridal
September 16 -- Bitter Bridesmaids Bash, Covington, 6 to 9 p.m. Free admission with a used bridesmaids dress.
September 19 -- Bridal Show at Receptions, Northern Kentucky, 12 to 4:30 p.m. $8 per person.
Wednesday, September 29 -- Bridal Affair on Fountain Square

Some vendors offer great promotions if you put down a deposit at a show. If possible, research the vendor on your I-phone or PDA and see what comes up as far as vendor reviews go on sites like Bride and Groom Planner, Wedding Wire or The Knot before making a deposit. Check their rating with the BBB. Visit their websites before the show so you can decide which vendors you'd like to chat further with. These vendors pay to exhibit at these shows -- it's up to you to be smart with choosing a vendor that will be the best fit for your wedding. There is a wedding vendor for every style, personality and budget -- no need to go into debt with your wedding. Set a budget and stick to it!

Check back this time next month for other upcoming bridal events! Feel free to leave comments about other upcoming events or, if you're a bride, how your experience was at any of the events above. With our busy schedule it's hard to make every event.

Alicia and Todd, a French House Wedding

2010-08-09T20:29:00.000-04:00

Alicia and Todd, a French House Wedding

Emily & Dymond's Engagement Pixs!

2010-05-11T17:09:00.000-04:00

Today, I have been assembling 300 invitations for this wonderful couple's wedding in Dayton. This engagement photo was used on their wedding invitations and the seals for their envelope. Their invitation starts...."Life is much more fun when you share it with someone." Isn't that the truth! The engagement photos were taken by Holly Mutlu.

Master Wedding Planner featured in Cincy Chic e-zine!

2010-03-01T16:12:00.001-05:00

Today's the day, we've officially launched! Check out today's feature article in Cincy Chic about our new online wedding planning software, Master Wedding Planner. And a huge thanks to Neysa Ruhl for making me look absolutely stunning in this photo that is used in the article!!!!

Prime Time Party Rental Tabletop Competition

2010-02-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

This week, Cady Vance from the Flowerman and I put together a table for the tabletop competition at Prime Time Party Rental. You can vote on Prime Time's facebook page by joining as a fan and liking our photos. I had a client that wanted to do something gardeny for her wedding and so we did this as a demonstration for her to get ideas.

The title and theme of this table is "spring on the horizon." Some of the highlights of this mock table include: Tulips poking out of the table number, which is affixed to the centerpiece that is lined with a flat twig fabric. The chargers are actually twig wreaths. The escort cards are rock candy (meant to by hyacinths) submerged in white sugar and hard chewy rock candy. The napkin is in a basket on the back and shaped like a rose. Surrounding the centerpiece is a base of stacked square votive holders with submurged rocks and floating candles.

Thank you to Prime Time for the opportunity to participate in this competition!

Favor idea for breast cancer

2010-02-21T22:59:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to the Cincinnati Cyclones game. It was a special event of "Pink in the Rink," where they dyed the ice pink, had the Cyclones in special pink and black jerseys, and encouraged people to dress in pink to create awareness for breast cancer research. I went with Tracy Bellman of Tres Belle Cakes and we were dressed in pink!

It got me to thinking about a favor you could use at your wedding to create awareness about breast cancer. These boxes are cute and available at The Knot (click on the photo to go to the page). You can make a donation in memory of one person, or maybe put one box per table and ask guests to put the name of someone they know who has lost their battle with breast cancer and make a donation in their name(s) after the event. This is a cause that is important to me -- I lost my sister to breast cancer six months before my wedding. Keep the cause moving forward!

Your Dream Day supports three causes in the community -- Breast Cancer, Lupus Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Pampering your guests for a penny a person...sort of

2010-02-18T21:44:00.000-05:00

Tonight I went to the mall and I stopped into one of my favorite stores -- Bath and Body Works! I bought my liquid soap supply for the year...10 bottles of hand soap for $30! It's such an easy way to pamper yourself every day. Think of the term "smell the roses," well, I take time to stand and smell the soap!

You can put a bottle of nice hand soap (at a minimum) in each bathroom for $10. You can also get matching lotion, antibacterial soap or spray. It makes the bathrooms smell wonderful and your guests will appreciate the little extra effort.

The special applies online -- you can only buy 10 soaps. Hence, the $30 we spent tonight...

Candy Buffets by Scoops and Sweets!

2010-02-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Brenda Pottinger of Pottinger Photography for sending these over. Prices for candy buffets start at $4.50 per person from Scoops and Sweets and it includes the glassware, scoops, bags, your choice of candy and an attendant to keep it stocked and pretty.

I hate snow! We have postponed Got Wedding Stuff

2010-02-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

Due to the fact that a good portion of Dayton is dealing with 1'+ of snow and 30mph blowing winds, we have decided to postpone Got Wedding Stuff until July 7. Event will still be at Country Club of the North with the same presenting sponsors. More details to follow!

Got Wedding Stuff event tomorrow at Country Club of the North

2010-02-16T03:09:00.000-05:00

It's not too late to donate items for this season's Got Wedding Stuff, which will be held on Wednesday, February 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Country Club of the North in Beavercreek. All items donated are tax deductible and, despite the snow, we will do our best to pick up your items or make arrangements to get them. You can also bring them to the Country Club tomorrow between 11am and 8pm or Wednesday anytime before 3 p.m..

We have over $20,000 worth of donations, including wedding dresses, gift certificates, veils, and other lightly used wedding items! You can buy your advanced ticket online or pay $10 at the door. Proceeds from the event will go to the Lupus Foundation of America. This is a great chance for brides to get a fabulous deal on things for their wedding, to talk with area vendors about their services, enjoy a glass of wine on us and dance the night away. I'll be updating the list of items tomorrow morning (we have about 20 more to add right now) and as we get them for the next 48 hours.

Online invitations and RSVPs, yes or no?

2010-02-15T16:50:00.000-05:00

Kathy Piech-Lukas (me) with Emily Post, etiquette expert

This past fall, I had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Emily Post, the world's premier expert on proper etiquette. One of the things she discussed during her presentation was online invitations. During this past week, I was talking with a reporter and she asked about online RSVPs and I shared with her Emily's view on the topic.

In not so many words.... Emily said that, although online RSVPs are being made available to brides through personal websites and service-based websites for brides, they are still a no-no for weddings. Wedding invitations and the way you communicate whether you are coming or not should still be sent by paper in the mail, and the communication about whether you are coming or not should be the same way. Weddings are a formal event and using an online RSVP diminishes the formality and taste of the event. The invitation you send and the method for which you send it (both to your guests and how you ask them to reply) gives your guests the indication of the type of gathering you are having.

Questionable acceptions to this (and this is even a stretch) is if it is a green wedding, the event is over the top green and this is part of your overall event's feel. And this is still very questionable.

When is it acceptable to use online and electronic invitations? Wedding showers, bachelorette parties, and small get togethers. But not your wedding. My favorite online resource for electronic invitations is eventbrite. You don't have to pay to use it, your guests can RSVP online, and no advertisements, unlike other sites. However, if you are planning an event that you do plan to charge for, you can accept paypal and credit card payments for the event (like a bachelorette or bachelor party). Highly recommended!

How did he propose? Or your favorite memory?

2010-02-14T12:05:00.000-05:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, I started thinking about my favorite moments with my husband. Some of them include us hiking down Sabino Canyon, us singing around the house, going to shows, and of course, our wedding day. He wrote me a card that he had my mother give to me two minutes before I walked down the aisle. He also wrote me a poem at our wedding reception which he read to everyone there. The day he proposed to me, he took me to all our favorite places, one of which was a coffee shop connected to Barnes and Noble. When we grabbed a table there were a bunch of magazines laying nearby (at least 10) -- wedding magazines, ironically! Those magazines, he tells me, were there before we got there and were confirmation to him that he was doing the right thing. Later, he gave me a $100 bill wrapped up like a ring, proposed, and said when we find the perfect diamond ring for this finger, we'll unwrap this and go to a nice dinner. When we got the ring two months later (because my hubby is the ultimate researcher!) we went to our favorite restaurant, Carvers, to celebrate.

Guess where we are going tonight for dinner? lol

What are some of your best stories and memories? Please post and comment!

We've been blogged!

2010-02-14T12:03:00.000-05:00

Thank you Chenese Bean for blogging about a wedding we did together this past fall. For photos and to see the blog, click here. http://bridal.chenesebean.com/?p=2125

Jim Hjelm bridal gown, AMAZING!

2010-02-13T03:38:00.000-05:00

One of my brides bought this AMAZING Jim Hjelm dress last week for her wedding from Bridal & Formal in Cincinnati. She was so excited about using their webcam. Her parents live in Canada and, thanks to the webcam, they were able to see her try on the dress, swish in it, pet it and eventually cry. It's like they were actually there. (Well, I guess they were cyber there!)

Preview Pixs from January wedding!

2010-02-13T02:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a preview of wedding photos from Kelly and Sean's wedding on January 8, 2010. She looked amazing! Not only did Kelly have a white birdcage veil, but her bridesmaids had black birdcage veils and black muffs (instead of flowers) with black cocktail dresses. VERY chic! Thank you Daniel Michael for the photos and Jason from Iconography for the video!

Streaming Video Footage

Groom's cake by Tres Bell Cakes

Setup at The Madison Grande Ballroom. Black sashes by Adora Event Rental.

Downtown Cincinnati

Wedding Registry: What if you don't need more stuff?

2010-02-12T01:59:00.000-05:00

I had a reporter contact me from a local television station this week about what couples should do if they don't want to register for gifts, but would rather ask their guests for cash. My first reaction was 'yuck, that's almost like asking your guests to pay an admission fee to your wedding.' However, I have had clients in this situation and here are some ways to get around this in a more etiquette-friendly fashion.

1) Don't register for anything at all. Most people will end up giving you a monetary gift because they aren't sure what to get you.
2) Our Wishing Well offers couples an option where they can put together a wish list of items they'd like to get, and their guests give them monitary contributions toward these wishes as their gift. It's free to sign up too and your guests only have to worry about one registry versus multiple ones. You can put it on your wedding website as well, which is great.
3) Bed Bath and Beyond allows you to return any item on your registry for cash, no questions asked, within 90 days of your wedding. Most other stores will give you store credit.
4) You can also do a honeymoon registry. Websites like Honeyluna let you choose things to do on your honeymoon, and your guests will cover the cost of it. For example, maybe you want to take a day to go snorkeling with dolphins, or go on an excursion of historic ruins, get a couples massage, or rent jet skis. You can register for these, along with the honeymoon itself, with a honeymoon registry.

Jen and Kevin's Engagement Shoot translates to save the date and guest book

2010-02-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

Aren't they adorable! =) I love Jen and Kevin. They are the nicest people and they photograph beautifully together! Huge thanks to Tim from Katz Eye Photography for sending these over! Very cool! Also a big thanks to Kelly from Cinci Makeup for making Jen's makeup look so amazing that day.

The couple used their engagement photos to make a save the date magnet for their guests and a guest book to use on the day of the wedding. The layout attached is for the guest book. It's a nice take on the guest book -- this is something that you'll be able to leave on your coffee table and regularly reflect on the well wishes from your friends and family.

Julie & Julia

2010-02-09T05:09:00.000-05:00

No this is not a same sex wedding entry. I actually rented the movie this weekend and I think I finally got a new insight into blogging. No, I am not going to cook 527 recipes in 365 days. (Good Lord, my husband would have my head! Cooking is not one of my talents. Take out is...lol)

However, I was fascinated about how the character, Julia, became so passionate about her blog. Her passion translated into readers. Wedding planners aren't like florists or cake bakers that do 5 or 6 weddings a weekend. I can't post colorful things day after day. Some of a wedding planner's knowledge expertise is wedding design and bringing all the elements together. The other part of it is know-how. A lot of the work we do isn't done on the actual day of the wedding, it's beforehand. So, after seeing Julia write her blog scene after scene, I've become inspired to approach my blog with a difference flavor (no pun intended). This will be reflected of my day to day life as a planner. (There will still be wedding day photos, don't worry.) That to me is like putting the cherry on top of a sundae you've spent months planning. So let's focus on the ice cream and the syrup for a change. Anyone hungry for more?

Wedding websites

2010-02-05T18:44:00.000-05:00

I am a huge fan of wedding websites! Wedding websites are a great way to keep your guests abreast of all the details about your wedding, including hotel blocks, directions, showers, bachelor parties, rehearsal details, rehearsal dinner and wedding day festivities. You can also share photos and information about who is in the bridal party with all your guests. It's also the ONLY way that you should communicate information about your registry to your guests besides word of mouth. You can put a slip of paper in your invitations that says "for more information, visit our website." Plus, after the wedding, you can post links to your photos and wedding video. Our full service clients get a website like this plus a complimentary .com domain name.

I don't recommend the freebie wedding websites. For one, the domain name they provide you is super long. Secondly, you can't personalize them or provide as much information to your guests as these personalized ones can. This is a wise investment for sure.

Hotel Blocks, how do they work? (Tips Tuesday)

2009-12-15T14:26:00.000-05:00

Hotel blocks are a great way to offer your guests many conveniences when travelling to your wedding. First, all guests can be in the same hotel. Second, they get a discounted rate. Third, as long as you fill up your block, YOU get a free room!

Here's how it works:
1) Determine which hotel you'd like your guests to stay in.
2) Contact the hotel with the dates you'd like to stay. I recommend you get a block for Friday night and Saturday night. A lot of people prefer to come in the night before.
3) They will ask you how many rooms you'd like. I recommend for every 100 guests you get 10 rooms. However, take in to account your guests and how many are travelling from more than 90 minutes away. This will impact whether you want to increase or decrease this number. Remember some couples and families will double up.
4) Within a few days, the hotel will send you a proposal with a reduced room rate. You simply sign the paperwork. The paperwork will require that you have a credit card number on file. However, it shouldn't be charged. The hotel will give you the option to have your third parties (a fancy way of saying your guests) pay for their own room.
5) Provide the information to your guests using your wedding website or in your invitation. (Do not put your registry information in your invitation! That's what wedding websites are for.)

There is a cutoff date for hotel blocks, which is typically 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding. Make sure your guests are aware of this. After the cutoff date, any rooms that are not picked up in your block are released into the hotel's general inventory and anyone can book them. They will no longer be available to your guests at the reduced rate. Check with the hotel a few days before the cutoff date and get a list of people who have reserved a room in your block. Check for any guests and family that you know will need a hotel room. Call those guests to remind them that the block closes so that they get the negotiated rate.

For all our clients, we coordinate the hotel block for them at no additional charge, so they don't have to go through the hassle listed above. One of the perks of having a dreamgirl.

Makeup makes a huge difference! (Shout out Monday!)

2009-12-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

So you're spending thousands to have your photos taken on your wedding day and you want to do your own makeup? My advice...spend another $150 to have your makeup done so you look amazing in those thousand dollar photos! Anytime you see movie stars on the red carpet, they have had their makeup professionally done. Have you ever seen photos of them without makeup on? They look quite different. That is thanks to their makeup artist.

My personal favorite is Kelly Ledford with Cinci Makeup. She and her staff have transformed my clients into absolute princesses with her talents. She uses high-quality products like MAC, Lancome, Trish McEvoy and others. Below is samples of makeup she's done for our clients through the years. Fabulous is the only way to describe Kelly!

Photo courtesy of Ron Shuller
Photo courtesy of Daniel Michael

Photo Courtesy of Dunaway Photography

Photo compliments of Laura Leppert

Cover of the Daily Advocate

2009-12-13T05:09:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Angie (Leland) Hayden, one of our brides from this past summer, who was featured on the cover of the Daily Advocate in October! Her wedding took place at her family's home in Greenville. Congrats, you are just beaming girl!!

So I am a real person too....

2009-12-12T04:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I even forget this! When choosing your planner, it's important to see if you click with the person. You're not just booking our planning style, you're also booking our personality. So here is mine...And I laugh...and smile....a lot. I'm a perky and happy person. I've had the nickname "peachy" since I was a kid, hence, why my name is hyphenated. A videographer told me once that he wishes he could bottle up my laugh. tee hee. I've been told my energy is contagious.

As much as I have tried to rid my "new york state of mind" ways (I was born and raised there), I am still direct, frank, blunt, honest and to the point. Now, its just more with a subtle and softer Midwest feel than in the old days. I think it earns me respect because brides and colleagues alike know that I am going to be an open book on just about anything. They also know that I will meet them halfway if I can. I love colors, fabrics, textures, tones, and bringing it together with a common theme that reflects my clients' tastes. I want clients and their guests to walk into a reception and gasp in delight, saying "that is SO them."

My husband is truly my ideal complement! He and I went to see Star Wars in (orchestra) concert last night at US Bank Arena. It was amazing! My husband and I both have a love for musical theater and going to concerts together. We've seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and A Chorus Line at La Comedia; Rent at the Aronoff (which featured original broadway cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascall!); Same Time, Next Year; Rent; Phantom of the Opera; Stomp; and Blast at the Schuster Center; Heart, Sheryl Crow, Brian Culbertson, Jewel, Dave Koz and Diana Krall at the Fraze; and various artists at JD Legends. We also love watching movies together. We try to (still!) have date night once a week and see a movie (in a theater or rented) or go to a show. We sing around the house all the time. No kids, don't plan on any, but we spoil our 6 nephews like crazy. We live each day like its our last, because we feel that life is yours to miss.

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a musical theater major as I had studied music and performing for most of my childhood. When I got to college, I decided to focus on event planning, marketing and PR. Before I started Your Dream Day, I performed or participated in 3-4 community theater productions per year and sang as a cantor at my church. Since then, I haven't been in a show or cantoring. I am thrilled that for the first time in 5 years, be in a show! I am doing a dinner theater production with the Darke County Civic Theater on new year's eve. I'd like to start doing that again more.

I am a total people pleaser by nature, so sometimes I put my work and clients before myself. This is good for the clients but can be sometimes bad for me as a person. It feeds into my workaholic nature. (Which I guess is good for the person reading this...lol...and for the 30+ event planning clients we have each year!). I'm also good with technology, multi-tasking, texting and computers so I can email, text, load things on servers, etc. I try to set one day a week as being off so that I am still married to Jim and not my job. I also schedule in personal time for myself during our busy season -- even if it's just a manicure, it's still an hour to myself that I wouldn't have had during a 7 day workweek. I think it makes me more productive for everyone, including myself.

So this is me. =) My style. My personality. And the planner you'll get from Your Dream Day. We like to laugh, keep it real and have fun planning the wedding. Is this thread too much information?

From me Friday: Finding the perfect venue is like finding a home...

2009-12-11T04:01:00.000-05:00

Although we don't have nearly as many actual weddings this time of year as we do in May, June, September and October, we are still working on weddings for 2010. Last week, we helped four of our 2010 clients locate the perfect place for their wedding receptions. The winners were the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati; Wetherington Country Club; the Schuster Center; and the Dayton Art Institute. Four completely different places, four completely different locations, four completely different styles. So how do you find the perfect location?

During these trips, I almost feel like I'm in the television show "Property Virgins." I ask the questions "what do you like, what don't you like?" Deducing what you like, your price range, and style before we even start looking for venues will help me to narrow down where to take you (and not take you). Questions to ask yourself before you call any venues:

1) How many guests will be attending your event?
2) Do you want a ballroom feel; downtown feel; unique feel; intimate feel
3) What price range PER PERSON do you want to stay in? Keep in mind this should include space rental; food; beverage; gratuity. Some facilities include chair covers, linens, centerpieces, cake, rentals, etc., some don't.
4) What kind of curb appeal would you like your guests to see when they arrive?
5) Do you want to have guest rooms on site or nearby? If so, how many?
6) Do you offer a contract agreement? What is your cancellation policy?
7) Will your ceremony also be taking place there? If so, how will the transition between ceremony and reception go? Where will the two events take place?
8) Is there a charge for parking? (Count on it if it's downtown!)

Each bride that we took around last week visited 4 locations -- each. Each knew as soon as they walked on the property (even though they saw photos ahead of time) knew right away whether they liked it or not. Always go with your gut instinct once you've determined the place is within your budget. You can do this long before you visit the facility by calling their event sales representative. Popular seasons and dates will book up fast and you don't want to miss the chance to get your favorite spot by pondering it over too long. (Okay, now I feel like the For Rent show! Can you tell I watch HGTV?)

Tip Thursday: Votive Holders

2009-12-10T04:33:00.000-05:00

We get SOOO many votive candle holders after wedding receptions. Truth is, these are very easy to use (and reuse) again and again. I think we have about 600 of them in our closet of free rentals that our planning clients can use. We let them use the votive holders free of charge if they unload the wax from the last wedding. (Or, for 25 cents a votive, we'll clean it out and put a new clean votive inside for them.)

Here is what we do:
1) Let the candle burn so the wax gets slightly soft for about 30 to 60 minutes. (Or do what I do -- have a romantic dinner with my husband while I'm actually multi-tasking! He loves the mood!) If you have a wick that is flat and you can't light it, put it on your coffee maker for about 10 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the votive holder -- if the glass overheats it will crack.
2) Blow the candle out -- make sure to extinguish the wick.
3) Using a knife, pop the wax out into a disposable aluminum baking pan from the store.
4) Put the votive holders in the dishwasher.
5) Voila! The votive holders will see another wedding.

I've also been told that freezing them works and that putting them into a tub of scalding hot water will also get the wax out easily. I didn't like the hot water method and never tried the freezing one.

When choosing your new votives, make sure that you have enough burn time for your reception. It takes one hour to light a room of votives for a wedding with 200 guests. The candles will be lit about 30 minutes before your reception starts. Therefor, most people will need at least four hour burning candles. I suggest you get 6 or 8 hour burn candles -- the last thing you want is the candles to extinguish themselves during the wedding reception.

Wedding Wednesday: Candace and Doug at Manor House

2009-12-10T02:43:00.000-05:00

Candace and Doug celebrated their wedding nuptials and reception at the lovely Manor House in Mason, Ohio. The ceremony took place outside by the gazebo. Destiny from Fassler Florist performed her magic on the beautiful flowers for the day. The amazing and talented Ron Shuller captured these amazing photos. Rounding out the day were Dale Moberly from Sounds Great Entertainment (DJ), Skeffington's (tuxedos and invitations) European Bridal for the dress; and Maribelle Cakery (yum yum yum!). The bride's brother performed the ceremony and Candace's mother took care of designing the programs and menu cards.

Some fun aspects to the reception? The groom is a huge Browns fan, the bride a huge Steelers fan. She had a garter with the Steelers colors and logo on it, and we handed out terrible towels to the men during the garter toss. The cake topper also matched the bride and groom's favorite pose, as you can see from their engagement photos. Fun fun!

Ironically, it was picture perfect weather during the ceremony. Instead of incorporating the dog into the ceremony, we had Layla come down for photos earlier in the day.
Just after the bouquet toss (right about the time the bride and groom were doing the Hora, a traditional Jewish dance), we had a tornado warning outside! Thank you, mother nature, for holding out for the picture perfect outdoor ceremony and keeping everyone safe during this fun filled reception!

Thanks Candace and Doug for letting the dreamgirls be a part of your special day!! =)

Tip Tuesday, The Groom's Workshop TONIGHT

2009-12-08T03:41:00.000-05:00

Brandon Lindsey, one of our favs who is the owner of Hey Mr. DJ, is having a no girls allowed "Grooms Workshop" this evening at Elements Event Center at 6:45 p.m.. It will feature some of our favorite boys -- Mike Folchi from Folchi's Formalwear; Dan from Images by Daniel Michael; and Steve Zugelter from Studio Z Films. Door prize is a gift certificate to the best steak and chops (my husband's favorite meal) place in town, Jags! To register, click here. Good luck Brandon! Great idea!

Shout out Monday to Belwood Country Club

2009-12-08T02:10:00.000-05:00

Country Clubs are one of my favorite places to hold wedding ceremony and reception combinations. They are accommodating to all budgets (and I do mean ALL budgets!), very convenient and not as expensive as you think. (But they sure do look it!) One of my favs is in a very private area of Warren County in Morrow -- Belwood Country Club.

Belwood was extremely accommodating for one of my clients this year and for another corporate client of mine for 2010. At capacity, the ballroom seats 250 people with round tables that seat six (very comfortably) to no more than ten people. A long head table can accommodate up to 18 people. The ballroom can also be divided in half for smaller parties and a large complimentary dance floor is centered in the room. Mirrored walls and stately columns provide charm and elegance. An antique, cherry bar adds a beautiful accent to the room. A wrap-around deck that overlooks the lush golf course is directly accessible from the ballroom and makes an ideal setting for wedding ceremonies and other outdoor events. The deck, accessible from the ballroom, can seat up to 200 people for a ceremony or can host lunch and dinner parties with round tables that seat six to ten people. It overlooks the first hole of Bel-Wood's challenging 18-hole golf course.

One of the other things I like about most golf clubs (and Belwood) is that they will give the bridal party and its photographer golf carts to use during the day for pictures on the course. Some courses will also give the groomsmen a round of golf before or on the wedding day, just for booking. The landscaping at any golf course is A+ and the staff treats you like gold. You can also get ready at the course in their locker rooms. It makes getting your makeup and hair done a cinch. Also be sure to ask the club about getting private lockers for you and your bridal party that day. That way, you don't have to worry about your valuables during the day.

Photos on this blog are compliments of Steve Lyons and Chapelo Photography. Tell Belwood you were referred by Your Dream Day and you'll get a nice discount! =)

InStyle Weddings is folding too!

2009-12-07T01:58:00.000-05:00

InStyle Weddings is closing too!!! The last issue will come out Christmas day.

InStyle Weddings is the number one wedding magazine on the market, with an annual circulation of 2.6 million, Fashion Week Daily reports. The fold is due to the changing behaviors of the bridal market and the economy. I really enjoy InStyle Weddings for inspiration for designing our weddings here in the Midwest. The trends you see on the west coast don't make their way here until about 3 seasons later. Brides seem to be going more on blogs and websites for inspiration instead of buying magazines these days.

Any predictions on what publication will be next?

Shout Out to Prime Time Party Rental

2009-10-26T05:04:00.000-04:00

Shout out to Prime Time Party Rental, who has featured Your Dream Day as a preferred affiliate on their website for wedding and event planning. They offer fabulous deals on chair, tent, linen and table rentals and we love working with them on Dayton weddings.

Open House at the Dayton Bridal Connection today!

2009-10-25T07:55:00.000-04:00

Be sure to visit us at the open house at the Dayton Bridal Connection today from 1 to 5 p.m. Free cake, free food, free chocolate, music, dove releases -- lots of fun for couples to be!

Tweet by Tweet of Today's Wedding

2009-10-24T04:42:00.000-04:00

Got Wedding Stuff -- 2/17/2010

2009-10-23T00:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I met with Pam Vitale at Country Club of the North to discuss the details for the next "Got Wedding Stuff" event, which will be held at CCN on 2/17/2010 from 5 to 9 p.m.

We anticipate roughly 100 vendors will be exhibiting at the bridal cocktail, so you can chat with them and learn more about their services. The event will feel like a wedding cocktail reception. A fashion show will showcase the latest and greatest in bridal attire. A silent auction, which will be loaded with generous gift certificates from local wedding vendors off their services, and lightly used wedding items such as dresses, jewelry, shoes, centerpieces, favors, unity candles, guest books, garters, and other accessories, will be at the event for all brides. (At the last event, more than $50,000 worth of items were donated! A bride won a $1000 brand new wedding dress for $50!) We're also planning to have other games and activities, such as a dollar dance with a local celebrity, to add fun to the festivities.

Cost will be $5 per person and includes one drink ticket for those over the age of 21. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lupus Foundation and all brides will certainly benefit from the fabulous deals at the auction! Lightly used wedding items and gift certificates may be pledged on the website and dropped off on 2/16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on 2/17 by 3 p.m. All donations to the silent auction are tax deductible. (Gift certificates only may be dropped off to Your Dream Day before 12/31 for a 2009 tax donation.) We'll get the items up as they are pledged and dropped off, so check the site regularly in the weeks and days leading up to the event. We encourage brides with lightly used items left from their own weddings to donate them to this event!

This event will be presented in sponsorship with Your Dream Day, Country Club of the North, Finch Rental and Party Pleasers. (We are still tying down the details for the fashion show, and PSAs with the local television media. Radio ads will start running in February.) If you are a vendor and interested in exhibiting or donating to the event, please call me and we'll get you signed up.

Oh, the wedding television shows....

2009-10-21T04:33:00.000-04:00

I met with our bride for October 31 yesterday to go over her schedule for the day of her wedding. She started talking to me about Bridezillas episode she saw over the weekend and how much the show scares her. She said, "I don't want to be like that on my wedding day. Please don't let me be like that!"

Here's what you need to know:
1) The show is entertainment. They are real brides, but it's entertainment. The girls are hamming it up for the cameras.
2) They get a free 3 day honeymoon for exploiting themselves on national TV and $2500.
3) Remember the segments are edited. It may not have happened exactly how you see it on the show.
4) The producers always throw one wrench into the wedding. They call the vendor and tell them not to show up, or create some type of drama. It doesn't just happen.

That being said ... it is a real wedding....I guess that piece of it is real!

We've been blogged!

2009-10-20T04:26:00.000-04:00

How exciting! Brenda from Best Wedding Sites has blogged a pink wedding that we designed in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was looking for examples of pink weddings and I sent her this one that we did at Cox Arboretum. I love her blog, it's a great source for inspiration for me! What an honor to actually be featured in it!!

Alterations Nightmare Resolved

2009-10-19T04:15:00.000-04:00

It breaks my heart when one of my clients calls me up in tears because her dress doesn't fit properly. Usually this happens twice a year. She's purchased her dress and the bridal shop that she bought it from refers her to a seamstress. She picks up the dress the week before her wedding and it doesn't fit right or its a shoddy alterations job. Then I get a phone call from the bride, in tears, and we have to find someone else at the 11th hour to repair it. Ironically enough, it's usually 1/3 the price of what they paid the first person! Sadly, it happened today for this coming weekend's bride. Luckily, we were able to schedule her a fitting for Tuesday and her dress should be done by Friday. Phew!

I tell my clients to purchase their dress at the dress shop and then to ask me for a referral for their alterations. I have 12 preferred seamstresses that literally run for a 100 mile radius, right up the interstates, for their convenience. Unlike the dress shops, I do not get kickbacks from them, so your cost is a lot cheaper than going through the bridal shop. And, they have an excellent track record of their work with our clients.

Shout Out to Crooner Jack!

2009-10-18T04:09:00.000-04:00

Shout out to Crooner Jack for adding Your Dream Day to his preferred vendors page! The dreamgirls worked with Jack Garrett at a wedding this past August at the Hilton Netherland Plaza. Garrett and his Cincinnati Wedding Bands serve the Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Lexington and Louisville area, providing professional Wedding Reception Entertainment ranging from Live Cocktail Music to Live Dance Party Music that includes a DJ Service. This Cincinnati Ohio Big Band and Dance Band features Singer Jack Garrett and his Professional Wedding Musicians who perform a variety of styles of Wedding Reception Music including Big Band, Swing, Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Latin and the Standards. Jack Garrett and his Live Bands provide entertainment for Corporate Events, Trade Shows, Fundraisers and Conventions in the Ohio, Indiana and the Kentucky area…a great full time Party Band with Live Music to keep everyone Dancing. Thanks Jack!!

Tweet by Tweet of Julie & Mike's wedding

2009-10-17T11:31:00.000-04:00

See behind the scenes of Mike & Julie's wedding day! http://www.twitter.com/yourdreamday

Way to go Michelle!

2009-10-15T04:18:00.000-04:00

Michelle DiFalco, one of our apprentices, just got her scores back for the Professional Development Program this week with the Association of Bridal Consultants and also received honors! Way to go Michelle!

For prospective clients with an MSN Live email address

2009-10-14T11:48:00.000-04:00

For whatever reason, yourdreamday.com has been flagged as a malicious website by MSN. (Even though we never send out email blasts to anyone, we're a small company in comparison to all Microsofts out there, and you're still getting all the offers for millions of dollars in your inbox every day from Nigeria regardless.) Any time a client contacts us for more information about our services we will email you once with our pricing sheet and call you to make sure you got the information and to see if you have any questions. That's it. We don't spam.

That being said ... if you have MSN Live Hotmail and you want to get the one email we send you when you inquire about our services, make sure you do the following.

A. To help prevent messages from specific senders from being evaluated as junk e-mail, you can add the senders to your safelist.
If you're using MSN Hotmail:
1. Click Options.
2. On the left side of the page, click Mail, and then click Junk E-Mail Protection.
3. Click Safe List.
4. Type an address or domain (a domain is the part of an e-mail address that follows the @ sign) from which you always want to receive messages, and then click Add. In this case, @yourdreamday.com.

If you're using Windows Live Hotmail:
1. Click Options.
2. Click Allowed and Blocked Senders under Junk e-mail
3. Click Allowed senders.
4. Type an address or domain (a domain is the part of an e-mail address that follows the @ sign) from which you always want to receive messages, and then click Add to List. In this case, @yourdreamday.com.

Thanks for helping us take on Bill Gates! =)

Preservations after the wedding day

2009-10-13T14:38:00.000-04:00

I see online on posting boards and at bridal shows that people are routinely looking for a great price for wedding gown preservation and bouquet preservation.

Your Dream Day is an authorized dealer for the Wedding Gown Preservation Company, and we offer gown preservation for $189, which includes veil, dress, and up to 3 select accessories for non YDD clients. (Our wedding planning clients get 25% off this service.) Turnaround time is 4 to 8 weeks and it also includes cleaning of the dress, the dress presented in a sealed box and a white protective box with carrying handle to protect it from light. (I have yet to find a dry cleaner in Cincinnati that can beat that price, and it's guaranteed for up to 20 years against yellowing!) Most dry cleaners in our area will range in price from $225 to $400 for this service.(This is what the box the dress comes in looks like -- sorry about the stock photo but it's better than mine would be! I have a real one at the office.) Last year, I actually travelled to their facility in Endicott, NY (a town of about 10,000 residents) and it's amazing the process that they do to make the gowns look flawless. I had a wedding that we planned there so I was able to incorporate it into the trip.

You can also preserve your wedding bouquet after the big day. YDD is an easy ship partner for Freeze Frame, so the night of our client's weddings we actually take the bride's bouquet with us that night. It is shipped out Fedex first thing Monday morning to Freeze Frame, along with a copy of the invitation, program, napkin, groom's boutonniere, and anything else that might look good in a shadowbox. The drying process takes about 4 weeks. The sooner it is sent after the wedding day the more likely it is to look exactly how it did on the actual wedding day once it's dried. Once the drying process is complete (typically four weeks), you can design your own shadowbox, jewelry, ornaments, or whatever memorabilia you like to remember your wedding day, directly with Freeze Frame. Non YDD clients can drop off their bouquets by appointment to our offices in Dayton and Cincinnati or to a participating florist as well should the dreamgirls not be at your actual wedding festivities.

A deposit is required and is based on the number of blooms in your bouquet. Prices for the actual preservation are all over the board -- a basic shadowbox (below) with your bouquet only will run about $250 to $400, and depends on the size of your bouquet.

A box with your invitation, program, or other mementos will likely be much larger (a square or a rectangle) and will range between $500 to $1000. The most expensive one I've ever had a client purchase was $850 and it was a large rectangular shadowbox with her save the date, program, invitation, bouquet, favor and her groom's boutonniere.

And you can go back and do this years after your wedding ... I am taking my dried up, shrivelled up bouquet to them and they are going to make it into a piece of jewelry (see below) for me. How cool is that! For me, it'll be a large brooch.

Excited about DJ intros for next Saturday

2009-10-13T02:20:00.000-04:00

This evening, my clients for 10/24/2009 and I met with their DJ to go over the timeline and schedule for the wedding reception. I am actually really excited about this wedding -- not only is the couple really nice, but the DJ had a fabulous idea for the introductions at the reception! This couple has a very large bridal party -- 9 couples, plus ushers and ring bearers. Doing the same song for that large of a group can make for a very long bridal party introduction. However, this couple is going to have each individual couple in the bridal party choose their own song to be introduced to, and the DJ is going to mix it so the song changes every 20 seconds to the next song. What a fabulous idea!

Lifetime Video (the fabulous Matt Pine, Dan Shallenberger and company) is shooting this wedding, so I'll be sure to post that portion of the intros on the blog once it's available. I also liked that the DJ took the initiative to have drink orders ready for the bridal party when they arrive that day. Normally, we do that (as well as pull hors devourers for the bridal party) but I've rarely seen a DJ bring it up before I do. It was a very nice surprise. I hope he does as well on the wedding day as he did tonight. Working with new vendors is always an experience, and it looks like this one is shaping up to be a good one! Great ideas tonight, Brian Benton!

Danielle and Michael, February 21, 2009

2009-10-11T22:17:00.000-04:00

Danielle leads by example! She is a fellow wedding planner who owns the company Soiree in Cincinnati. She and I spoke late in 2008 and she said to me, "Kathy, I need a wedding planner." At first, I was like, "Danielle, you're a planner?!?" She's said, "I am no different than any other bride, I need someone to help me tie down the details the weeks prior and make sure that everything goes smoothly on the wedding day. I'm a total hypocrite if I don't. I'm setting an example for my clients." She actually let go and let us handle the details so she could enjoy the wedding day. This is an example of how well the wedding planners in the Association of Bridal Consultants in our market get along so well and act as co-opitition instead of as vicious competitors.

We also helped Danielle pull off a surprise performance for her new husband, Michael, from their favorite performing artist. The two spent their honeymoon at the Willis Graves in Burlington, KY. Congratulations Danielle and Michael!! Thanks for choosing us to help you on your special day!

The testimonials below were pulled from Danielle's website. The video footage is compliments of Studio Z Films and the amazing Steve Zugelter and photos by Tine Hoffman. (My added comments are in parentheses).

Ceremony Location: Norman Chapel at Spring Grove Cemetery (Gorgeous!)
Reception Location: Private Recording Studio (Very contemporary and unique venue for a cocktail reception.)

Videographer: Glass Eye Video Steve Zugelter simply mystifies me with his many cameras and knack for being able to literally shoot everything at once. I have never seen a video of his that didn't leave me holding my breath and mine is no exception.

Wedding Coordinator: Your Dream Day
I tell brides all the time that they just cannot do this by themselves and I am no exception to that rule. Kathy and the Dream Girls were there from 9am till midnight taking care of every little detail from setting the room to making sure Michael didn't find out that I hired our favorite band to play a surprise private concert at the reception. There is absolutely no way I could've gotten through the day without them.

Ceremony Musicians: Ashley Peacock, Marjie Long, Alison Haynes
This is one area that I was so so glad to have the inside scoop on. I have been to so many weddings where the vocalists were painful or awkward and I knew I certainly didn't have to worry about that. Ash and Marjie sounded like absolute angels and were backed up on the piano by Alison Haynes, who I swear belongs on Broadway. (She gives private lessons by the way so check her out.)

Catering: Cincy Art of Entertaining
I cannot say enough amazing things about Julie and Chef Jacob. Amazing vision, fantastic staff, and they found a way to give our food some Indian Infusion without compromising the style of the event. (Dreamgirls thought they were amazing and easy to work with behind the scenes!)

Linens and Rentals: Finch Rental
This could be my new favorite rental company. Visiting was such a pleasant atmosphere and the owner, Russ Finch, was there to answer any questions I had. He was incredibly accommodating when I needed particular set-up and pick-up times. When he couldn't make the pick-up time I needed work out, he made a special trip from Dayton to do the pick-up himself. Huge thank-you to you, Russ!

Florist: Timothy's
I love this guy. I changed my flower order about 16 times and he stayed tracking with me the whole time. My bouquet was gorgeous and the way me got the feathers to look in the Bridesmaids bouquet was like magic.

Cake: Tres Belle Cakes
My favorite Cincinnati baker by far. Tracy makes amazing cakes and you get her awesomeness at no extra charge. ($2.50 a slice to be precise! She's amazing!)

Hair and Make-up: Hair and Body Works of Hyde Park
I stuck with my personal salon for hair and make-up and am so happy that I did. Debrah did an incredible job with my challenging veil. This place is an oasis of peace and beauty. Stop in for a new hairdo from Debrah or a life-changing facial from Benny.

Photo Booth: Say Cheese Photo Booth
Not only are these booths great fun but the operators are a blast to work with as well. It was so great to come back from our honeymoon and have a scrapbook full of photo booth pictures to look at. Frank had a flash drive with digital files of all the pictures in the mail to me within days of the wedding. This is must-have fun! (We love these guys! They are a great addition to any wedding and very professional to deal with.)

Photographer: TM Photography
Tine is, in my opinion, the very best photographer in Cincinnati. She knows how to shoot a woman and make her look like a rock star. Whether it is for wedding pictures, trash the dress sessions, or boudoir photos, she is absolutely the most creative and talented photographer I have ever worked with. Plus, her accent is fantastic.

Custom Jewelry and Veil: Meg Jewelry
This woman is just too many things. She is my friend and jewelry goddess. Every piece that Meg delivers is made with the purest soul and most positive energy. She designs magnificent pieces, intended to look as well when worn alone as when worn with a wedding dress. Please, please do yourself a favor and check out her phenomenal work. She made both my necklace and hairpiece/veil. (I loved her veil! It was one of my favorite things about the day!)

Invitations: Momental Designs
Our invitations were custom designed by Kristy Rice of Momental Designs. All of her invitations contain original artwork by Kristy.

Way to go Tiffany!

2009-10-09T22:16:00.000-04:00

Tiffany Brockman, one of our apprentices, just got her score back for the Professional Development Program from the Association of Bridal Consultants. She passed WITH HONORS! Way to go!!

It's True! Your Dream Day DOES save its clients money!

2009-10-08T18:23:00.000-04:00

We have a photographer that gave one of our clients 2009 pricing for her 2010 wedding because she was using Your Dream Day as a planner. A lot of vendors will give experienced planners' clients a discount because its easier for them to do their job on the wedding day and planners send them referrals regularly. Hence, a wedding planner should be able to demonstrate their cost savings to you!! This one? $3000!!!!

I'm just happy they're happy -- it means I'm doing my job. =)

Fun Fun with Tine Hoffman and Eleni from Adora

2009-10-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

Once a month, I get together with the amazing Tine Hoffman from TM Photography, Eleni from Adora Event Rental and Kelly Ledford from Cinci Makeup for coffee talk. We did that today for 5 hours! We have female "coffee talk" and catch up on things. (And a cup of coffee is a lot cheaper than therapy!) It's like we're the chicks from Sex and the City -- we talk about everything and anything, and anything is fair game. I can't believe Starbucks doesn't kick us out for laughing so loud. Love you ladies!

After the wedding, there is a marriage to consider....

2009-10-07T22:19:00.000-04:00

This blog has to do with the reality of marriage, which comes after the wedding party....it's not about design, colors, photos or happy and upbeat. This is real -- hopefully my heartfelt sincerity and relationship that we have with our clients comes through in this. I really care about our clients.

I had a client today that sadly called off her engagement and wedding for next September 2010. Turns out her fiance was keeping something from her, and when they argued last night, the argument proceeded to get physical. Police were called, she now has a restraining order against him, and he changed the locks to their apartment on her. This couple had dated for 8 years. She is obviously a bit shaken up. However, I told her that it is better that this happened now, before the wedding, than after she was married. Divorce lawyers, child and spousal support, and division of the assets is more of a headache than wedding planning details. Last year, I had a client find out that her fiance was stealing prescription drugs from her grandparents and she too called off the wedding. Now, she's happier than she's ever been and has a spectacular outlook on life. I had another girl last year who called off the wedding because she met another guy while she was engaged and planning the wedding. She ended up marrying him this year. I had a fourth bride whose fiance had a stroke.

Calling off the wedding doesn't make you a bad person. Trusting your gut and instincts when planning your wedding is so important, whether it's selecting your vendors or, in these cases, calling it off. Just remember that if you have signed any contracts you are responsible for the terms associated with them. Next year's bride is going to keep her credit with us on file for a future wedding and keep her contract open -- this way she locks in the 2010 rate should she ever get married again. The second bride decided to terminate her contract, largely because she is 19 and may not get married for another 10 years. However, any money she has already paid us will be credited toward any future contract and we still text and get together for coffee when we can! The third bride kept her contract opened and called us the minute she was engaged again to retain our services! The fourth bride had the wedding 12 months after his stroke and they now have an adorable little boy. Check with your vendors about their cancellation policies and understand what your rights are should something unexpected happen.

Sorry about the downer....just trying to keep it real today....tomorrow will be much happier and cheery, promise!! =) I hope we start a discussion about this on the blog! Please post your thoughts and comments about this topic.

Tuesday Shout-outs!!

2009-10-07T17:53:00.000-04:00

This week, I met with Tracy Claiborne from Claiborne Productions at her husband's chocolate and coffee shop, Winans. (Ever attend the bridal shows at the Dayton Convention Center, the Dayton Marriott, Manor House or Cincinnati Marriott Northeast? The talented Tracy runs these spectacular events!) Winans is located by the Dayton Mall and they now have a liquor license. My clients have purchased chocolate favors from Winans in the past for their weddings. Today, I enjoyed a Buttery Mocha made with Butterscotch Schnapps. Yumm!

I went to Ele Cake Company in West Carrollton this past weekend to get my husband a buttercream filled chocolate chip cookie sandwich and in addition to making amazing wedding cakes, they now also serve lunch!

The Rose Trio is a group that plays the cello, viola and violin for wedding ceremonies and cocktail receptions. Leah is offering some special promotions for 2010 weddings. Check it out!

Chenese Bean Makeup Artistry is having an open house at her new studio on Friday, October 23 in the evening and is offering a free mother-of-the-bride makeup artistry services! Any wedding booked with 4 people or more (flower girls and jr. bride not included in minimum) can take part in this current promotion. Services are for the bride's mother only and can be used for either one free in studio consultation or on the wedding day.

New Genesis Productions is also pleased to announce that their new studio is open and operational. Their new address is 3320 Tylersville Rd. Suite K. Hamilton OH 45011. They had an open house on Saturday, September 26, 2009 and I hope it went well! They offer videography and photography services.

Last but not least .... this one is sort of sad.... Folchis Formalwear just opened up a brand new location in Anderson, adding to their conglomerate of existing stores in Kenwood and West Chester. Well, last week, someone drove a car right through the front of the brand new store. Unreal!! (I hope it wasn't a competitor, that's just mean....lol). Anyways, best wishes to the Folchis on a speedy recovery!

Any other vendors have a shout-out on a great deal, promotion or announcement to make? Just email it to Kathy (me). Thanks and happy planning!

Monthly Mock Table in Cincinnati

2009-10-07T01:12:00.000-04:00

Today I went with my apprentice, Tiffany, to All Occasions to re-do the mock table in our Cincinnati office. We have a good history and relationship with this fabulous rental company, and they let us change out a mock table every few months. What does this mean for the dreamgirls? Playtime!!

Tiffany put together a beautiful ensemble of golds, oranges and browns for fall. We should be setting it up early next week. Pixs will be posted when its done.

Got Wedding Stuff? Yes we did (and will)

2009-10-06T14:38:00.000-04:00

A huge thanks to the participants and donors of the first annual Got Wedding Stuff, which was held in conjunction with The Wedding Mafia's bridal cocktail on September 24. The silent auction raised $2,180.66 for the Lupus Foundation.

The next event is scheduled for 2-17-2010 at Country Club of the North in Beavercreek, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio. Cost will be $5 per person. For more information about the event itself and how to donate used wedding items, visit www.gotweddingstuff.com. All donations are tax deductible. Photos and video from the event will be posted soon!

The Industry 411: Sharnett Bridal, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, Chimney's Inn.

2009-10-06T09:45:00.000-04:00

Chimney's Inn, located in downtown Miamisburg, is being sold according to the Dayton Daily News. They cater rehearsal dinners and small wedding receptions since closing the restaurant in 2008.

Sharnett Bridal in Dayton has filed for Bankruptcy according to WHIO-TV and the Dayton Daily News.

Modern Bride and Elegant Bride magazines will also be ceasing publication, according to the New York Times. The issue on news stands now will be the last.

Engagement sessions this week!

2009-10-05T17:33:00.000-04:00

Check out the amazing engagement shoots that our clients have done this week! The great thing about these engagements is that they both demonstrate a photojournalistic style of photography with completely different flairs. One thing they have in common -- both love their photographers, it shows in their photos!

Amy and John, by the amazing Brenda Pottinger

http://pottingerphoto.com/blog/?p=437

Melissa and Greg, by the one and only Daniel Michael

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115279&id=548432086&ref=mf

The great thing about these engagements is that they both demonstrate a photojournalistic style of photography with completely different flairs.

Got Wedding Stuff Charity Event for Lupus Foundation

2009-09-17T21:32:00.000-04:00

It's not too late to donate to the silent auction, Got Wedding Stuff, this coming Thursday, September 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Savannah Center. Cost is $5 per person and the fee will be deducted from any items you purchase from the auction that evening. Our first annual event is being held in conjunction with the Wedding Mafia's Bridal Event that evening. Visit the website for more details about donated auction items and other details! http://www.gotweddingstuff.com

Why Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease that primarily impacts women and onsets (in general) between ages 28 and 35 -- the same age when many women are getting married! I was diagnosed with lupus six months after my own wedding. Lupus has had a great impact on my life, and it took many years to get me on a balanced regimine of medications so that I can lead a normal life. This charity is near and dear to my heart -- I am a survivor. This event is a way to help brides find a great bargain while helping to provide funding for research and helping lupus patients throughout the State of Ohio.

Bid on lightly used wedding items, such as centerpieces, attire, favors, treasure chests, gift boxes, fabrics, wedding accessories and gift certificates toward services for your upcoming wedding! Items donated by past brides and Cincinnati area wedding vendors! All proceeds to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America. Admission into the silent auction is $5 donation per person. Should someone win an item in the silent auction, this $5 donation will be deducted from the winner's total at checkout. This event will be held at the same time as the Wedding Mafia's bridal event.

What are some thing you can donate? If you are a vendor, perhaps a gift certificate toward your services. Maybe your closet (whether you are a past bride or a wedding vendor) is full of items that have seen their day for you, but might be another bride's treasure. Regardless of what you donate, your donation is tax deductible. All proceeds raised that evening will benefit the Lupus Foundation of America.
Gift certificates for the auction may be donated between now and September 24 at 12 noon. Lots of large items may be dropped off at the Savannah Center on Wednesday, September 23 from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. and Thursday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon only. No large or bulk items may be dropped off sooner or later than that timeframe.

Presented in partnership with Your Dream Day, The Wedding Mafia, Perfect Wedding Guide and Bride and Groom Planner. For more information or to contribute to the silent auction at this event, visit www.gotweddingstuff.com or contact Kathy Piech-Lukas at 513-241-2777 or kathy@Yourdreamday.com.

Event Schedule
5:00pm Doors Open for Got Wedding Stuff Silent Auction, hosted by Your Dream Day.
6:00pm Doors Open for Cocktail Party, hosted by the Wedding Mafia.
6:30pm Section 1 of Auction Closes
7:00pm Section 2 of Auction Closes
7:30pm Section 3 of Auction Closes
8:00pm Section 4 of Auction Closes
8:15pm Fashion Show begins. Fashion Show production by Kotsovo's Furs and Fine Apparel, Folchi's Formal Wear, Peppe Ramundo and Sons, DJ Butlers, Chenese Bean and Macy's Ecotage Salon and Day Spa.
8:45pm $15,000 Fashion Giveaway
Includes custom wedding bands, bridal gown and headpiece, manicures and pedicures, hair and makeup for the bridal party, 2 $1000 tuxedo vouchers, bridal party gifts and more. Must be present to win.
9:00 Winners to pick up Silent Auction Items

I hope to see you and your family at this event! In case you have items to donate to after January, the next "Got Wedding Stuff" event will be held this February in Dayton. More details to follow!

Outside views at Newport Aquarium

2009-09-14T15:24:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of talking with Margaret Timmins of the Newport Aquarium this month, and we shot an interview overlooking the AMAZING view of downtown before the WEBN fireworks. Check it out!

I have fallen behind on blogging this summer, but I will be catching up on things now that we're into the fall. For the first time since opening the business, I took an extended vacation this July. After our July 4th wedding, my husband and I went to Punta Cana to an all inclusive resort for 10 days; I coordinated my high school reunion in New York; and my husband and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary at an amazing bed & breakfast in Kentucky. I'll post photos from all of these.

Next thing I knew, it was back to the details with our wedding in August and I lost track of the blog. I have photos and videos of some AMAZING weddings we've done this year. I'm so blessed, we've really worked with some amazing couples and vendors this year.

2009-08-14T17:43:00.001-04:00

Installing an outdoor wedding: the latest episode of the KPL wedding show on youtube http://ping.fm/GlTQg

Dayton Bridal Connection Fair this Sunday from 12 to 5

2009-07-25T02:38:00.000-04:00

Our office is located in the same building where this event is taking place!

Cost is $5 per person. Meet the Dreamgirls, along with 50+ wedding professionals, from the Dayton area! Visit www.dbcohio.com for more information. Lots of free giveaways!

Tweet by Tweet of JP and Christine's wedding

2009-07-04T10:09:00.000-04:00

Follow us on Twitter today! http://www.twitter.com/yourdreamday . Last weekend's weddings were also tweeted. Stay tuned for pixs from these and more weddings!

On to the next weddings....

2009-06-21T16:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's wedding was a huge success! Mom, bride and groom were very happy and we got a wedding for this fall from a guest. Yea!

This weekend we are double booked. I will be leading one team and Abbie, the best dreamgirl a planner could ever ask for as a right hand, will be leading the other team. Abbie started with me last September as an apprentice and has done at least 24 weddings with Your Dream Day. I can't say enough about her, I just adore her. I'm so blessed to have found her. When we aren't double booked Abbie assists me.

As far as my wedding goes, my poor bride has been having some issues finding the perfect stylist for her hair. She did a test run last week and was not happy with the results. It's so important to do a test run before your wedding day. We're also designing check-in bags for the guests, programs and menu cards this week. We're also distributing final payments to the vendors for food, cake, flowers and rentals. The bride and groom did assigned seating this past weekend as well. Abbie stopped by the office today and said the plans for her wedding are going great and smoothly.

I'll be doing a tweet by tweet on Saturday of my wedding from my PDA.

Tweet by Tweet: Outdoor wedding in Greenville, Ohio

2009-06-20T16:52:00.000-04:00

We have an outdoor wedding this past weekend in Greenville, Ohio, which is north and west of Dayton. It is a 300 guest wedding reception in the bride's parents back yard. I was a little worried last night since Tornado Watches were up. Let's hope everything is great! Check out the tweet-by-tweet of today's wedding at http://www.twitter.com/yourdreamday.

New computer up and running...

2009-06-19T16:48:00.000-04:00

How unreal! My laptop died last weekend, right before we have four weddings! Luckily, I always take care of backing up my computer system every night, so the crash wasn't as dramatic as it could have been. I bought an EeePC netbook and I love it! 2lbs, 1GB RAM, 160GB memory...it's so cute! It reminded me of just how much we depend on technology in this world. So, my computer is 100% back online. So now, backlogging begins....

Test Run of Hair and Makeup is so important!

2009-06-18T00:52:00.001-04:00

I was reminded today of just how important it is to do a test run of your hair and makeup before your wedding day. I had a client do her test run of her hair and makeup today and the artists simply did not understand her vision. As a result, we are exploring other options.

Have a clear vision of what you would like your hair to look like. Do you want an updo? Down? Hair Extensions? Lashes? Look at Hollywood red carpet events and wedding magazines for inspiration. As far as makeup goes, you want to kick it up a notch on your wedding day but still look like yourself. You want to resemble the girl that your fiance fell in love with! You have to feel confident in the person staring back at you. If you don't, it will show in your photos and to the people around you. This is the day you should feel like a total perfect princess. Your vendors are here to help you achieve that, so the more direction you can give us the better we can help you.

2009-06-18T00:37:00.001-04:00

Testing to see if my new skype account worked -- yourdreamday1 if you want to add me!

2009-06-13T21:16:00.001-04:00

Preview of the wedding pixs from 5/30/2009 wedding at Manor House, compliments of Ron Shuller http://ping.fm/EQYsH

2009-06-08T23:16:00.001-04:00

Surprise weekend getaway at Sagamore Resort at Kent Harbor's Marina in Brookville, IN http://ping.fm/a79ge

What a great surprise!! Sagamore Resort at Kent's Harbor Marina in Brookville, IN

2009-06-08T22:57:00.000-04:00

My hubby treated me with a great surprise this weekend. We went to Sagamore Resort at Kent's Harbor Marina in Brookville, Indiana, for a weekend getaway. We had a one bedroom, fully equipped condo which overlooked the lake. I also got Jimmy into a boat for the first time. By Sunday, he was speeding down the lake in a pontoon boat that we rented for a 'three hour tour'. Ainsley's Cafe had really decent food for lunch & dinner, but make sure to bring bagels and juice from home for breakfast. Make sure you have a cell phone, there is no phone in the room.

The living room area had a fireplace.

Fully Equipped Kitchen

Pool -- it was a little too chilly for me. Wish it had a hot tub!

We were in the middle unit, bottom floor.

View from our patio

The bathroom

We rented a boat like this on Saturday and Sunday and spent the afternoon on the lake.

Prices are very reasonable and would be perfect for a quick honeymoon. It's about one hour from Dayton and Cincinnati. Highly recommended!

2009-06-05T13:59:00.001-04:00

Updated blog! Outdoor weddings, bargains, tweet by tweet weddings, TV segment on Channel 9 http://ping.fm/x2NOB

Outdoor Weddings: Site Visit

2009-06-05T04:31:00.000-04:00

Today I will be doing a site visit on a family's property in Greenville, Ohio. Their wedding will be taking place in their backyard. In order to assure what rentals are needed to accommodate the number of guests and that the land itself will accommodate it, you need to make sure that you or your rental company take care of this. We offer this service to our clients, and afterwards, we'll sketch out a drawing for you which is to scale, like this one for a wedding we're doing on a family property this July. A common misconception is that it is cheaper to do a wedding at home under a tent than at a reception hall. This isn't usually the case.

Things to consider with outdoor weddings:

--Weather. Will you need air conditioning units (summer) or heaters (fall)?

--Chivari chairs will sink into the ground, so unless you're prepared to install flooring below the entire tent area, stick with white wood chairs.

--Your caterer will need a prep tent

--Setup will need to take place 3 days before the event

--Trash needs to be removed from the premisis that night or you will have animals during the night.

--Bugs. Consider using tiki torches around the tent to deter critters.

--Is the ground marshy? Guests with healed shoes will sink into the ground.

--Make sure that you provide a power source (outlets or a generator) for lighting, DJ / Band, and catering prep.

This cartoon says it all!

2009-06-04T04:18:00.000-04:00

Photos and video, dead flowers, a dirty dress and lots of memories are all that will be left after your wedding. Budget appropriately for your photography!!

Channel 9 News Broadcast

2009-06-03T11:27:00.000-04:00

Here is the interview that ran on Channel 9 on 4/29. Huge thanks to Mike for sending over the DVD of this!

Folchis Formalwear 50% off summer clearence

2009-06-02T11:40:00.000-04:00

Folchis Formalwear is having a huge summer clearance on tuxedos and accessories. If you're looking to purchase your wedding attire instead of renting it, definitely check this out! They have locations in Kenwood, West Chester and Anderson.

2009-06-01T22:57:00.001-04:00

This past weekend's bride already sent us a thank you note. Yea!!!

Candace and Doug; Tweet by Tweet today!

2009-05-30T11:22:00.000-04:00

We are doing a tweet-by-tweet of the festivities of today's wedding on http://www.twitter.com/yourdreamday.com

The really cool thing about this wedding? The photographer. Ron Shuller shot the groom's mother's wedding 30 years ago! He's so amazing! Here is the couple's engagement shoot at Pompilio's, where the couple got engaged.

Enjoy!