Weddings and Wisdom

Realistic Budget

• We will compute a budget to show you what costs will be: varying the number of guests and vendor fees.

Location

• Your Image - Do you want: Outdoors and Natural, Elegant and Formal, Private Club (we have relationships with several), Bold and Hi-tech, Mansion and Distinguished? Your preference guides our recommendations.
•  Appropriate Size - "Over capacity" quotes are common. What size ballroom do you need to accommodate your guests comfortably with a generous dance floor? That is a different question than, “how many will the room hold?” Space design is our specialty.

Food

• Food requires detailed planning. We attend all discussions and tastings at your reception site.
• We help plan unique, contrasting flavors for each meal course is our goal.
• Appearance - Color, height, and texture are given serious consideration
• Wine - We look for the finest quality at the most favorable cost.
• Dessert Table Experts - Getting the finest product in all dessert categories is what we do. Our setups are gorgeous, giving your wedding meal a grand decadent finale.

Music: Band

• Number of Pieces and Quality of Singers
• Complexity of Arrangements
• Sound System Analysis
• Band Leader who emcees in a sophisticated manner (Leah Kathrein can emcee leaving the band leader free to focus on the music. She knows the pace of your wedding based upon your specifications ).

Music: DJ

• Our recommendations depend on the DJ's ability to play wonderful medleys, varying the mood throughout the reception. We are partners with Ameritune DJs, but we are proud to recommend any disc jockey service.
• Quality of MC and demeanor are crucial to your reception.

Flowers

• Demonstration viewing different floral styles - These pictures help you pick your favorite flowers which best suite you and your bridal party. Part of planning your wedding is to determine your personal taste in flowers.
• We recommend Bridal Garden Florist, but we also work with a broad range of florists.
• Meet with you and florist to plan the centerpiece and overall atmosphere - unique and inspired is our mantra.
• Pick florists that can get greatest selection of flowers any time of the year - who do not constantly say "that flower will cost more”.
• See a sample to guarantee your fabulous wedding vision
• We review the proposal - being sure every detail is included

Photographer

• Weddings and Wisdom recommends people equally good at Formals and Candids.
• Sensitivity to your personality - Photographers will capture the wedding couple's personality and spirit in the photos.
• Color variability - photos available in black & white, sepia, and color
• Relaxed personality so you will enjoy being the focus of the lens
• Works throughout the reception - We suggest photographers who keep shooting ‘till the very end, not photographers who are looking to leave early or charge excessive overtime fees.

Videographer

• We are partners with Rembrandt Studios but we understand your video needs, so we offer a range of videographers
• Lighting that does not ruin the reception's ambiance
• Great editing - smooth transitions
• Clarity of Video
• Superior Sound

Invitation Ordering

• Start in enough time to do proofs and extra time for redos, if not to your satisfaction
• Huge selection and price range - Traditional and Engraved - Long and Narrow with Vertical Envelopes - Square and Contemporary
• Calligraphy Sources - Hand and Machine
• Can offer Carlson Craft discount

Ceremony Direction

• Give you choices for "walk in" patterns.
• We print out your processional and recessional, so you can visualize the pattern.
• Everyone in the wedding party gets a copy of this plan at the rehearsal.
• We are experienced at running rehearsals. A confident bridal party creates an elegant ceremony.
• We recommend several ceremony musicians based on your personal needs.

Reception

• Together we design a schedule specifying times of blessings, toasts, bridal dance, cake cutting, father-daughter - mother son dance, traditional dances, bouquet & garter.
• All vendors receive a copy in advance. Their input is welcome. Schedules are written and agreed upon so all vendors are working as a team.
• Food Served Hot Is Our Priority. We have great respect for your reception location. We want them to “look their very best”. We respect the hard working chefs. The meal should not be delayed. As soon as the meal is ready, we alert the musicians to seat your guests.
• Ceremonial aspects occur throughout the reception but never all at one time. This pacing is crucial to your wedding reception. You and your guests remain connected throughout the party, as special happenings take place.
• Concluding dances. Very often it is just you and your bridal party having a great time. Consider choosing that concluding dance giving it your personal touch.
• Additional decoration is not second on our list. We make sure that your decorative and rental needs are just as much of a priority as the venue itself.

And don’t forget the dress!!!