Wedding Recap: Mandy + Brandon

Mandy and Brandon were married on March 27, 2010, and I had a blast working with this Baltimore couple.  The fact that they lived 1000 miles away from Birmingham proved to be a bit challenging at times, but it all came together on wedding day!  The outdoor ceremony and reception took place at The Sonnet House.  David Shirk with Unplugged Photography did a beautiful job with the photography.  I am always totally impressed with his work.  Main Street Productions was on site the entire day to capture every detail and expression.  If you missed Mandy and Brandon's video clip, scroll down a few posts or go to Main Street's blog to watch!

Mandy chose a bright and fun spring palette.  The florals were by Kathy Miller with Kathy Miller Floral Design.  The bouquets included orange and pink gerber daises.  The food was absolutely delicious!  Cela and her staff at Imperial Catering did a wonderful job with the menu and services.  

The two cakes were done by the fantastic Barbara Sullivan of Barb's Cakes.  The groom's cake was unbelievably cool.  Brandon is a University of Georgia fan and Barb was able to tie in his passion for Bulldog football into the cake.

DJ and lighting services were provided by Carlos Olatera of Total Entertainment and he kept the party rocking until the very end!  As guests were leaving, they each grabbed some delicious pralines, made by the bride's mother.

Congratulations Mandy and Brandon!

Never Get Your Heels Stuck in Grass Again!

My solution to walking in the grass with heels has always been to walk on your tip toes until I came across SoleMates. This might be the best invention ever! It is a MIRACLE for all those ladies who want to show off their trendy heels.

Discreet and easy to use, the SoleMates High Heeler™ attaches easily to most stiletto and kitten heels. By increasing the surface area on the base of the heel, it reduces the pressure on this area and prevents the heel from sinking into grass or falling into cracks!

The patented design of the SoleMates High Heeler™ is mechanically engineered to fit snugly on most heels and yet the flexible material grips securely without damaging the heel or compromising the aesthetics of the shoe.

Tipping Guidelines for Weddings

"Who do I tip after the wedding?"  So many of my clients ask me this question and it's always a tough one to answer.  I feel there are no hard and fast rules that you have to stick by, but there are some vendors for which NOT tipping can seem a bit rude.  And for the rest of the vendors out there, it sure is appreciated!

Tipping is never mandatory, but there are some folks that you should really plan on tipping, and the amount should be dependent upon the level of service.  For catering, 20% is standard, so much so that they usually just include it in the bill as a mandatory service charge.  Same goes for limousine companies, most just add that 10-20% right onto your final bill.

For valet-parking attendants (($1-$2 per car), restroom, or coatroom attendants ($1-$2 per guest), and bartenders (10% of final bill split among them) arrange to tip them in advance so that your guests aren't obligated to during the festivities.  For vendors that work for a larger company (and don't own it) such as hair-stylists, make-up artists, DJ's, band members, and ceremony musicians, it is customary to tip 10-15% (divided up amongst multiple band members or ceremony musicians).

From there it gets a little sticky.  Many websites and wedding books out there tell you that if any of your vendors own their own business, you don't have to tip them.  And yes, this is true, you don't HAVE to, however I often explain to couples that it is the nice thing to do if the vendor was a pleasure to work with, did a great job, and especially if they went above and beyond their service.

Wedding vendors work in this industry because we love it.    I know brides and grooms think the cost of a wedding is exorbitant, but vendors charge what they do to keep their businesses afloat, and to keep meals on the table.  Giving a tip, or even a nice gift, is truly appreciated.  And if, for whatever reason, you do decide to forgo a tip, at least write a nice thank you note!!  It's also a nice gesture to take the time to write a referral or review on a website such as WeddingWire.  It really does mean a lot to vendors.  I am occasionally appalled when I see a vendor working their tail off to please a demanding couple, and don't even receive a thank-you at the end of the day.  That's just poor manners.

Anyway...moving on.  Here are some guidelines for tipping those that you don't HAVE to, but really should consider if they did a wonderful job.

- Catering Manager or Venue Coordinator: $100 - $200 or a personal gift
- Chef: $50 - $100
- Officiant: $100 - $500
- DJ (if they own their own company): 10% of the fee
- Photographer/Videographer: $100 - $200 or a personal gift
- Wedding Planner/Coordinator: 15% of the fee, or a personal gift

How should you deliver the tips?  Always tip in cash since you may not know the full name of everyone you are giving a tip to.  The week before the wedding, put the amount you expect to tip in labeled envelopes but don't seal them.  Towards the end of the night, seal the envelopes, and hand them to your wedding coordinator to distribute.

There you have it!  So again, tipping is never mandatory and you are not obligated to tip your wedding vendors, but it is kind and thoughtful after everything they do for you.  And at the very least...send a thank you note!

Rosewood Hall Bridal Open House

Vendor Spotlight - Main Street Productions

Angela Deaver, owner of Main Street Productions, and I have run into each other at so many wedding industry networks events over the past year that I had always hoped to get to know her and her husband, John, better.  Finally, we had the chance to work two events (back to back, I might add!) together and it was so wonderful to learn so much more about their team.  Main Street Productions specializes in high quality and compelling wedding videography and truly has beautiful work.  One of my favorite things about John and Angela is that they truly care for each and every one of their brides!  Here are some Q&A!

Why did you choose to work in weddings/events? How did you get started?
John and I met at the University of Montevallo where he was a Mass Communication major and I was in Marketing. Once he started his career teaching Broadcasting at Spain Park High School, people started asking him to film this wedding or that sporting event and it continued. At that same time, I joked with my good friend and current marketing manager, Kerri that we should go into business with each other in the wedding field. Little did we know that we would be working together now! In 2005 we were starting to get a little busy, so we took a BIG leap of faith and I quit my job. It was tough when we were growing like crazy and John was still teaching. But finally in 2009, he was able to "retire" from the state and we couldn't be happier!

How would you describe your style/product?
People look at our work and say "wow, it's like a movie." We approach a wedding event with the goal of creating a cinematic film for the bride and groom that captures the emotion of the event. Just as a Hollywood filmmaker's job is to evoke an emotional response from his audience, we as wedding filmmakers try to make the bride and groom feel like they did on one of the most important days of their lives. A close up on the groom's face as his bride takes her first steps down the aisle, a close up on the bride's mother during the first dance, a kiss stolen when the bride and groom are sure no one is looking, these are moments we use to evoke powerful memories.

What separates you from other Birmingham area vendors?
We work very, very hard to get it right. We spend between 40 and 80 hours in the editing process. We practice with new tools and techniques at home in our off time. We participate in contiuing education programs. We don't rely on special effects or a lot of flashy editing. We have very high standards for ourselves and shaky camerawork and poor audio quality is something you won't see in our final product.

What would you be doing if you didn't work in weddings?
For years I worked as an event coordinator for a local company. I enjoyed it, but when I became full time with Main Street Productions, I really felt like THIS is what I am supposed to do with my life. It is cheesy, but we get to be with people on the best day of their lives. We get to capture them when they feel most beautiful. It is a great job!


Favorite TV show and why?
Although I (Angela) see a lot of Dora, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Curious George, I tend to like shows with less counting! Ha! John likes TV with great stories. It doesn't matter if it is a drama or sci-fi, it needs to have a great story. It needs to be well-done and innovative.


What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?
First of all, picking professionals for your wedding is of the utmost importance. You want to work with vendors that have your best interests in mind. Meet with them before you hire - make sure that you click. After all, you will be spending a lot of time with that person on your wedding day (and before). We are big fans of wedding planners! They make our job easier and they day flows so much better. The money you spend on a professional wedding planner will ensure that the rest of the money you spend, will go further. They know who to call, who to trust, and who will do the best job for you.

What advice would you give to brides in choosing a videographer?
Pick someone who is passionate about what they do. There is a story in every wedding: It's emotional, it's exciting, it is joyful and powerful. You are going to cry, and laugh, and feel sick to your stomach, and someone is going to fall down, or get cake on themselves, or the ring bearers are going to start a pillow fight during the ceremony (happened at our wedding).

Here are some basic guidelines for choosing a videographer for your wedding: Hire someone who is interested in your story, has been in business for a long time, who constantly is working to improve their own work, and who you feel comfortable with. Do not choose a videographer who's prices are too good to be true, who doesn't meet with clients prior to the wedding, who tries to sell you on their superior equipment, or who's best work is from three years ago.

The right videographer will bring your story to life in a way you and your new family will treasure forever. Every time you see it you will get emotional, you will be excited, you will feel the joy and it will be powerful.

Finally I would like to stress the importance of having a professional wedding video.  Probably about 70% of our brides book us 9 - 12 months out, with the other 30% booking at 3 - 6 months out.  We get numerous calls for last minute weddings when the bride just decided that she HAD to have video of her wedding.  Sometimes we can help these brides, but most of the time, we can't.  It is heartbreaking.

If you are one of these brides that don't think that you will watch your wedding video, then you picked the wrong videographer (direct quote from one of our grooms).  Yes, the video allows grandparents and/or family members that can't come to the wedding a chance to see it, but it is so much more than that!  We capture what happens between the photos.  Imagine having a video of your parents or grandparents on their wedding day.  We actually had a bride last summer that unexpectedly lost her father just weeks after her wedding.  The footage that we had of she and her dad dancing suddenly meant so much more to her.  It was priceless.

Check out these two sample teaser videos of recent M. Elizabeth brides.  Thank you John and Angela for capturing such special moments for these two couples.

Mandy & Brandon: The Sonnet House from Main Street Productions on Vimeo.

Marquita & Marcus's sneak peak! from Main Street Productions on Vimeo.

To see more from Main Street Productions, visit their website or blog.  If you are a Birmingham vendor and would like to be featured on the M. Elizabeth Events blog, shoot me an email!

Bromberg's Diamond Dash Recap

Last Saturday morning, Jonathon (the boyfriend) and I participated in the first ever Bromberg's Diamond Dash in downtown Birmingham.  The dash was a highly competitive scavenger hunt/puzzle solving game on the streets of Birmingham with all clues and answers sent and received via text message.

We arrived at Linn Park at 11 am to see a crowd much larger than I anticipated, but when the grand prize is a $15,000 Ritani diamond ring, why would I expect a light turnout?  The sun was shining brightly and we were working up a sweat just waiting in the registration line.

After Jim Rooney with Unique Sounds officially kicked off the event, the first text messages were sent to everyone's cell phones simultaneously.  What a sound...600 cell phones all going off at the same time with the first clue.

The first clue sent via text message lead us to a location in Birmingham.  Once we texted back the name of the location, you would receive a text message confirming whether or not you had given the correct answer.  If you were correct, you received a second text which would involve answering a question about that location to confirm you were actually there.  For example...here are a few samples text messages about one location:

Q: "This hotel on 20th Street North is a new version of the historic original that existed fro 1914 to 1972.  Head to its location and send back its name."


A: "The Tutwiler"


Q: "You got it! Take a look at the rather royal looking crest that is the hotel's logo and send back the words you will find there."


Looking back through our texts, here are some of the stops we made over the 2.5 hour hunt:

Start - Linn Park

Jefferson County Library Annex

Boutwell Auditorium

Birmingham Museum of Art

Jefferson County Courthouse

Bromberg's Jewelers

First Presbyterian Church

Alabama Theatre

Cathedral of St. Paul's

The Birmingham News

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

First Presbyterian Church

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

The Birmingham News

16th Street Baptist Church

Wachovia Towers

McWane Center

Harbert Plaza

City Federal

As you can see, we zig-zagged all over the downtown area riding a grand total of 12 miles.  After two and a half hours, we ended up with 335 points.  We were extremely proud of ourselves, regardless of the outcome.  Unfortunately, the grand prize winners had 401 points and were awarded the diamond ring at the after party at Rogue Tavern.  We did not finish in the top 6, but I have a sneaking suspicion that we ended up in the top 20.

All in all, we had an absolute blast.  It was great to see hundreds of people in blue t-shirts running, biking, and rollerblading all over downtown Birmingham on a beautiful Saturday morning.  A big thank you to Arden photography for snapping these great action shots at the event!

Vendor Spotlight - Vince Gray & Flowerstems

Gorgeous centerpieces, distinctive bouquets, and wildly unique touches...you name it and Vince Gray can bring your dream wedding to life.  I love talking to Vince and hearing him describe how he sees a wedding or event come to life.  I'm not exactly sure where he gets his amazingly creative ideas, but there is one thing we're certain about - when to comes to floral design, Vince and his team at Flower Stems will come up with a slew of fun and classy ideas to make your big day completely one of a kind.

Why did you choose to work in weddings/events? How did you get started?

I have always had a creative side and have enjoyed the arts my entire life. I started in the floral business over 17 years ago by opening Homewood Florist on the recommendation of a friend, who believed it would be a good creative outlet for me to explore. It turns out they were right! I opened a second florist in Helena years later when I had a home in the area. I moved back home to Homewood, sold the Helena business, outgrew the Homewood store and settled into the Loft at Flower Stems downtown, which we have been in for 4 years. We have over 10,000 sq. ft. of space, which works out great because we are able to work out of the downstairs portion and rent out the upstairs loft for weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions and events/parties. Although many of our events are outside of the loft, we do enjoy holding parties here. We have a true NYC loft atmosphere with a large crystal chandelier, modular white Italian leather furniture and a very open floor plan. Brides love the character provided by the space. We also are very accommodating, allowing clients to use any outside vendors of choice and the freedom of bringing in their own alcoholic beverages. I personally meet with each bride and design each wedding that Flower Stems coordinates. I have a passion for my business and enjoy being ethical in helping brides with their individual budgets. I am always striving to put a different creative element into every wedding and do not like to be repetitive in my designs. 

How would you describe your style/product?
Our inventive living works of art utilize seasonal and regional elements in a modern way. Here at Flower Stems, we set the trends and do not follow or copy works from other events. Each wedding should be a reflection of the individual bride's style, vision and taste. If it is a free choice, we have a highly unique, modern and elegant style that is always elegant with a twist.

What separates you from other Birmingham area vendors?
Just as each couple has a different story and each bride is distinctively special, we never design the same event twice. We are a full service event design company and coordinate/design everything from wedding flowers, linens, lighting, rentals, centerpieces, and other detailed elements of décor. Our staff is extremely skilled in working with design elements such as color, texture, shapes, furnishings, food, lighting, and even music to create individual and unique experiences. By setting the tone and mood, we can ensure your wedding will be both memorable and breathtaking. First, a consultation appointment is scheduled in which we will get to know your individual couple personality-the dreams, ideas, passions, styles and visions you both share for this special day. We are skilled listeners, and we will stop at nothing to bring your vision to life. We have an unsurpassed passion for our profession and value our unique creativity and ability to work within any budget. I personally designs each event for our clients and has been in business for over 17 years.

What would you be doing if you didn't work in weddings?
If I was not involved in the wedding business, I would probably be involved in some full time line of missionary work with my church, The Church of The Highlands. I am very passionate about helping the less fortunate and spreading the good news of my savior, Jesus Christ. As a new Christian myself, it is very important to me to show love to others and reach out to those who are unable to help themselves. I am not necessarily adamant about being a "pushy" religious individual, but simply care to love on those who have not ever felt wanted or needed. I try to live my life in a daily way which puts others first and acknowledges there is no problem too large or small to bring to God. We never know what another person is going through during their daily struggles and I strive not to judge others or become quick to anger. I am involved with The Dream Center ministry and would more than likely embark on some full time outreach service. However, through my business I am blessed with the opportunity to bring flowers each Thursday to the people we outreach to and the appreciation and gratitude for that small act of kindness is truly a blessing for me to receive.

Favorite TV show and why?
I really don't have much time for television and probably am the only person who has yet to invest in TiVo or a DVR system. I enjoy spending time with my 4 yr. old son Walker any free time I have. He LOVES to come to Flower Stems to help work and is already becoming such a wonderful little man in so many ways! We go to the park, the zoo, ijump, but mostly just enjoy playing at home and jumping on the trampoline with the neighbors, making art, and wrestling with each other. He has just started soccer and karate. He is the love of my life and is so creative and brilliant! But, the television channels I frequently watch in my alone down time are the Discovery Channel, the History Channel and Nat-Geo.

What advice would you give to brides in choosing a florist?
Just as each couple has a different story and each bride is distinctively special, we never design the same event twice. Our design team will create a cohesive style that translates throughout your entire wedding. Each bride needs to find a florist who can translate and design their style and vision for their specific day. Although many florists have signature styles, we recommend a bride find a florist who can go beyond the scope of their own style and really reach the understanding and vision of the couple. Also, personality compatibility is a key aspect of the decision process.

What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?
Put together a team of trusted vendors which you enjoy, can relate to and always maintain a line of communication to greatly reduce your stress level. This is a guarantee to staying organized and on task. The wedding planner is the much needed "head coach," of your vendor "playlist" and will ensure no little detail is overlooked on your special day!

Whether you're going for something totally traditional, uber modern, country chic, beach babe, or some fabulous twist in between, you can count on Vince Gray to design an unforgettable look for your soiree. Call Flower Stems today at 205.835.2003 to schedule your appointment.  You can also go visit their beautiful Loft at 213 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard South in downtown Birmingham.

Full Wedding Recap: Marquita & Marcus!

Marquita and Marcus were one of my favorite couples to work with!  They were so relaxed and open to ideas and just wanted a beautiful wedding and for their 160 guests to enjoy some good food and good times.  And that they did!  Marquita and Marcus were married on March 20 at the Northview Christian Church in Montgomery, AL with a reception following at the Alabama Activity Center.  Jessica Messer photographed this wonderful day and did a fantastic job capturing so many little moments!

Rosemont Gardens did a beautiful job creating various centerpieces for the guest tables.  As for the personal flowers, each bridesmaid carried a single calla lilly.  Marquita carried a beautiful bouquet of ivory roses.

Montgomery Catering provided a delicious buffet of chicken fingers, fried and boiled shrimp, meatballs (a favorite of the groom!), carved beef tenderloin, and a mashed potato bar (are you hungry yet?).

The bride's cake was a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream by McKinney Cakes.  It was a simple three tiered round cake, topped with the couple's initials.  The groom's cake was a delicious chocolate cake with layers of peanut butter icing.  Chocolate-covered strawberries adorned the cake.

Special Event Lighting did a wonderful job adding lights to the stage and dance floor.  DJ David Wiseman kept guests on the dance floor for hours.

Congratulations Marquita and Marcus!  I wish you all the best!

Barb's Cakes to be on TLC's Ultimate Cake Off TONIGHT

Birmingham's own Barbara Sullivan, owner of Barb's Cakes, will be competing tonight on TLC's popular competitive cooking show, Ultimate Cake Off.  Barb has been decorating cakes for over 20 years and has numerous awards to show for it.

Alabaster's Barb Sullivan explains a detail of her cake project to Ultimate Cake Off host George Duran, left, and a client judge. (TLC)

Don't miss Barb tonight at 8 p.m. Central!  Click here to read an article on her experience and how she landed a spot on this highly competitive show!

Wedding Recap - Mandy & Brandon Part 1

Mandy and Brandon tied the knot on Saturday, March 27 at The Sonnet House, and you would not believe the perfect weather we had.  With a cold and rainy week leading up to the wedding day, we had been watching the weather all week hoping that just maybe the cold front would snap just in time for Saturday.  Mandy stayed calm and decided to proceed with the outdoor ceremony and reception since the doppler forecast didn't look too dismal.  We set up the ceremony and reception outside and hoped for the best!  Saturday morning, we woke up to strong gusts of wind...but with beautiful blue skies and 70-degree weather.  Thank you, Lord!  A huge thanks to Kathy Miller and her team at Kathy Miller Flowers who did an amazing job setting up despite the ever-challenging wind.

David Shirk with Unplugged Photography, sent over a few "teaser" photos from Mandy and Brandon's special day.  I will have a full re-cap as soon as I get some additional photos.

This just goes to show that just because inclement weather is predicted for the day of your wedding, you still might be able to pull off a beautiful ceremony or reception.  Keep your eye on the doppler and weigh all the pros and cons of doing an outdoor set-up and check with all your vendors to be sure that no one minds getting wet.  Fortunately, we had wonderful vendors who were all very cooperative and willing to do whatever it took to pull off Mandy's dream wedding!  Mandy and Brandon - hope you guys had a fantastic time in Jamaica on your honeymoon!