March 31st :: End of the Guinness Cupcake {in 2009}

A quick shout out, to all those that salivate over.........


Chocolate Guiness Stout Cupcakes with Bailey's Buttercream.


Trophy Cupcakes in Wallingford stops make this seasonal delight as of Tuesday night!


Get there quickly, these are NOT to be missed.

How to Interview a Vendor

Many Brides feel intimidated when meeting with several Vendors in each category.

They don't feel that all of their questions are answered, and when that happens, they tend to wait until the last minute to make a decision. This can result in a BAD decision.

It's all about Preparation. Determine what your needs are specifically, what you are willing to spend, and if this Vendor category is a high or low priority for the event.

Here's a general Vendor Questionnaire I provide to clients, to get them started.
You can tweak for different categories, by adding specific questions for your needs.

Vendor Questionnaire Sample

Category:
Name:
Price Range (circle one): High End In the Middle Low End
Recommended by:


How would you describe your style?
How many times will we meet before the Wedding Day?
Do you only book one wedding per day?
What sets you apart from other Vendors?


Do you have a price list, or price range available?
What happens if I have an unexpected change in plans? What are your cancellation terms?
Is there a monetary penalty for reducing my order number, or hours of service?

Do you require a deposit?
Is my deposit refundable in part?
Do you accept checks and credit cards?
Can you provide a few current references?


What’s your favorite part about a wedding celebration?
How do you interact with the wedding party and guests?
What attire will you wear at our wedding?

Do you anticipate and prepare for the possibility that something will go wrong?
How would you handle it?
What is the farthest distance you’ll travel? Are travel fees additional?

Being prepared builds confidence, and you'll walk away with the information you desperately want!

Guest Gripes :: How to Blow a Great Wedding Experience

I recently sat down with friends to ask about their Wedding Guest experiences.
Now, there was nothing scientific about this interview process, but they qualify as Veterans when it comes to total Wedding Attendance Numbers.
{Amongst them, there were over 14 weddings attended last season alone}.

Top 5 Gripes

Cash Bar
Just. Don't. Do. It.
You can limit the offerings {beer, wine, signature drink only}, or even the total hours that it's complimentary.... but don't make your guests pay for their own drinks upon arrival to the Reception.
It's just one word......Tacky.

Timeline
Get one! Pacing + transitions from Pre-Ceremony, to Cocktail Hour, to Cutting of the Cake is essential! No guest wants to feel like they're waiting around for something to happen. You need to have something for them to do {while you touch up your make-up, change, or get those last shots under the sunset}.
Guests have come to celebrate your union, and to chat with each other. Make sure each transition is smooth, and fully explained if need be.

Seating
Please, oh please ...... don't sequester all the Single people to one table.
Not everyone comes to a wedding to meet someone else.
Create a Seating Chart, and intermix singles, couples and all age groups.
Just because they're single, doesn't mean they want to sit at the designated 'loser' table.
Let the socializing be much more natural, and celebratory. People will find each other if they want too.

Toasts
This is a touchy subject for many. You need to have someone to troubleshoot the Drunks, and the Long Winded Relatives. Everyone wanting their turn is understandable, but getting up there, talking about basically nothing while getting your drink refilled is not cool.

Plated Dinner
Having over 50 guests? Then skip it. Otherwise, food will be hot for some, warm for others, and cold for the rest. It won't be eaten at the same time, and guests will be bored. Many will be waiting for Entertainment, Sweets or Dancing to begin. You want everyone to enjoy themselves and eat with leisure, not feel like they need to play 'catch up'.

So, what's your biggest gripe as a Former Wedding Guest?

Vendor Spotlight :: Eiffel Print Design

Gorgeous stationary sets the tone for your wedding. The mixture of colors, printing style, and embellishments create a unique + personal statement to your guests.



Brittany Hermansen of Eiffel Print Design has that instinctive eye for detail, and approaches each creation as a labor of love.

Bridetiquette recently chatted with Brittany, to ask about her love of all things paper.

What inspired you to start your business?
I’m a former bride who just couldn’t let go of weddings! Many brides experience a post-wedding letdown, but I was lucky enough to be able to channel my spare time and energy into a business.

I received so many compliments on the paper items I made for my own wedding, and I’ll admit, I was surprised. I knew my invitations were nice, but didn’t expect my family to rave about them so much! After the wedding, I had a few friends ask me to make things for them, and the whole thing just blossomed from there.

Where are you located?
I have a nice little studio in residential Ballard. I’ve found that my Ballard location has given me a little bit of hipster cred!

How long have you been in business?

This May it will be 5 years. What a journey it’s been! I can really see how my technique has improved since that first invitation, and how my approach to creative design has changed.

I started in my apartment and then moved to a separate, larger space and now have between 4-7 part-time employees who do assembly.

What special things do you create for weddings?
I can create a full service experience from a year before the wedding to 3 months after! I make save-the-dates, invitations, programs, rehearsal dinner invitations, menus, table cards, escort cards, announcements, thank-you notes, and anything else you can think of!

I love creating a palette that extends to all parts of the event.

What is unique about your work?
I think my work is unique because of the great attention to detail. With a strong background in scrapbooking and card crafting, I take a slightly different approach to invitation design.

I’m all about embellishments and 3-D elements that make flat invitations pop!

We regularly use rhinestones, brooches, seashells, charms, textured papers and anything tactile that brings life to an invitation.

I also have a fabulous collection of mix-and-match invitations, Eiffel Originals. These invitations come in 10 truly unique designs, 48 color choices and 7 size/orientation options. Most of them have fun embellishments, which is a nice departure from the standard mix-and-match designs you find elsewhere.

What advice can you share for all of the brides getting married this year?
Start early! Being prepared well in advance can keep costs under control; whether it’s hitting the bridal shows to look for discounts, or simply not waiting until the last minute, and incurring rush fees. Also, a good coordinator can be your best friend during the planning process.

Coordinators always have relationships with other vendors, and those alliances can save you time + money.

Where can we see/purchase/order your work/product/service?

My website would be the best place to start! www.eiffelprintdesign.com.
I also have a blog, http://eiffelprintdesign.wordpress.com/.
One of my newer invitation sets was also featured in the current edition of Seattle Bride, Spring/Summer 2009.

What inspires you?
I find inspiration in fashion design as well as nature!

Since creating my first beach-themed invitation, I’ve become more interested in using elements of nature in invitations, from printed flowers or leaves to sand dollars and even to feathers.

Of course, the feathers also cross over to fashion and my inspiration there.

I love ribbons, buckles and buttons; the fun and detailed accoutrements of clothing design.

I was thrilled to find Suburban Silk, a company that makes beautiful Thai silk boxes, and I love using them with my pieces.

What price ranges do your products/services fall into?

I have a mix-and-match collection called Eiffel Originals, and range from $6.25 to $7.75 per set.

My Completely Custom pieces range from about $7.50-$10.00 per set.

Boxed invitations start at $12.00 each.

What do you bring to the industry that sets you apart?

I think my personalized approach creates a customized design experience that brides appreciate. Sometimes brides come in with no concept of how to start the design process, but we are easily able to come up with something gorgeous in a short period of time.

I approach each first consultation with the idea that we are creating some brand new and original for that bride. All of the customizable elements; from fonts, to ink colors, to size and orientation, to embellishments, are part of making a truly original invitation suite that reflects the bride and grooms’ personalities!

Where can clients contact you?
Clients can contact me directly at 206.784.5122 or by email at: brittany@eiffelprintdesign.com

Thank you so much Brittany, your invitations are divine!

Waterways Cruises :: Spring Showcase

Looking to get married on Lake Union?

Don't miss the Open House at Waterways Cruises.
Amazing location, great food, and fantastic staff.

You can get married on one of three yachts, or at their 'land' location - Lakeside Events Center.

Super close to GasWorks Park for some great memorable shots!

When? Thursday, March 12th, 2009 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Where? The Lakeside Events Center 2501 N Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103

Gourmet Cuisine by CaterArts
RSVP at www.waterwayscruises.com or #206.223.2060

Feather + Flower Power :: So Faux Stylish

I absolutely adore fresh flowers, and have a personal allergy to potpourri, or silk flower arrangements used as decor in a home, shop, spa....

But if you're looking to save a bit of dough, and possibly cut down on the Fresh Flowers cost, here's a few options that will not your socks off.

Gorgeous Boutinnieres, Fascinators and more!

All are handmade, and courtesy of amazing merchants on Etsy.com