Investing in your Photography | Consider your Exit

By Molly

I love it when my clients consider their photography in the details of their day.  If I arrive at the house of a bride getting ready and find she has laid out her jewelry, shoes and other items for me, ready to be photographed, I know we are going to be good friends.  Make your photographer's job easier and your pictures will be that much better.

Small details aside, there also ways you can consider your photography that add to your experience of your day as well.  One really easy one - the exit of your ceremony or reception.  This is a dramatic moment already, a time during the day where everyone is cheering for you and the two of you get to walk hand-in-hand, off into the future (well, so to speak).  Photographically speaking, a beautiful smiling couple surrounded by family and friends is great.  Add a little extra effort and it becomes a show-stopper. 

Consider one of these ideas for your recessional or for as you leave your reception:

Confetti:
{easy to make, customize and inexpensive - think left-overs from your invites and programs} 

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Pom-Poms:
{different, visually stunning, easy to customize, soft, fun and inexpensive} 

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Streamers:
{you'll probably need to buy commercially made streamer throwers} 

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Flower Petals:
{bio-degradable, soft, easy to coordinate with your look, could be costly}

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Sparklers:
{Check with your venue on this one, have a few "fire marshals" handy, and plenty of lighters}

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Bubbles:
{likely the hardest one to pull off well}

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With any exit strategy, there are several things to consider and ways to make it the most successful:

-Try out your distribution method.  Cones, boxes, bags, whatever is holding your items to toss - make
  sure they work like you want them to.  Do the objects toss well?  What is their hang time?  How can
  you make it work the way you want it? 

-Check with your venue to be sure your toss will be allowed - some don't allow flowers or sparklers. You
  might have to agree to clean up afterwards.

-If you aren't working with a planner, assign one or two people to coordinate this effort.  Someone will
  have to distribute the items, gather the crowd and give them instructions.

-Both Sparklers and Bubbles have to get started before you make your way through the crowd.  They take 
 a little time to be visually present, so keep that in mind.

-Give your photographer a heads-up on the plan.  That way they can be in the right place at the right time
  to get a great shot.

-If you are planning to do this at the end of your reception, will there be enough people still there for it?

These are all tossing ideas that show up visually very well, and make for stunning pictures when executed well.  It is more traditional to toss rice, birdseed or herbs, but they are typically too small to show up on camera in the way you see above.

Do you have any other more unconventional ideas for a visually stunning exit strategy?

DIY Alternatives for Wedding Lighting

By Carolyn

If you’d like to take a hands-on approach to lighting your wedding, there are a number of options you can try. Consider booking a consultation to work with an expert for an hourly fee to put together a lighting design. You can then rent the equipment necessary and save on labor costs by having several friends or family members set up and take down the equipment for you.

If professional lighting equipment is out of your budget but you are still looking for a way to make your reception look special, you could also consider some creative alternatives to our services. Here are some DIY lighting suggestions that Recessionista brides may want to try.

Candles

Nothing says romance quite like the soft glow of candlelight. Dim the overhead lights during your reception, and the more votives and/or tealight candles you can use, the better. Place them on tables, and you’d be surprised how much light they produce. You could also line the path to your reception space at an outdoor wedding with luminaries.

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Centerpiece LEDs

We offer small round discs to light clear vases and centerpieces. They are 8 inches in diameter, cordless, and battery operated. You can rent these from our studio and pick them up the day before your reception. They are easy to set up, and very cost-effective. The light lasts up to eight hours, and it’s bright enough to light a centerpiece as well as a small section of ceiling.

Monogram Projection

If you want to project your monogram onto the wall, check with your venue to find out what audio visual equipment is available with your package. Some ballrooms offer the use of a built-in projection screen. Consider creating a slide with your monogram artwork, and use the ballroom’s A/V equipment to project it onto the screen.

Colored Uplighting

I’m sure you’ve noticed the houses that are lit entirely in red and/or green around the holidays. If you’d like to accent certain elements of your reception space, colored flood lights may come in handy. They come in a variety of colors, and can be purchased from stores such as Menards or Home Depot. If you plan to use these fixtures, make a note of where the power outlets are located in the room, and keep in mind that you may need extension cords to reach the outlets. You should also check with your venue about power capabilities, and make sure that the wattage of the bulbs you are using does not exceed the amount of power available. When setting up, carefully arrange cords and fixtures in low-traffic areas, and tape them down with mats placed on top of the cables, if possible. You wouldn’t want your grandmother tripping and breaking a hip at your reception!

“Christmas” Lights

Mini string lights can look beautiful when used artfully, especially at outdoor receptions. They are inexpensive, but the only drawback is that the setup can be very time consuming.

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Chinese Lanterns

Depending on the theme of your wedding, Chinese lanterns can be a fun option. Purchase them at party stores or online in bulk. As with string lights, a downfall to Chinese lanterns is the amount of time and effort it can take to set them up.

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Note: All of the above options are to be used at your own risk. Please keep safety in mind when handling candles, cords, and other potentially hazardous materials. Be sure to check with your reception space to see if DIY lighting is acceptable. Due to liability issues, some venues will not allow clients to bring in their own lighting. When in doubt, I’d still strongly recommend hiring a professional.

Feel free to comment if you have used any of these methods, or if you have any other creative lighting suggestions to share.

Upcoming Bridal Expos

By Craig

Whether you're just starting out planning your wedding or trying to finish that last detail, one of the best places to get ideas is a wedding show. The Sheraton in Brookfield will be hosting three upcoming Bridal Expo events, and free tickets are available through The White Box and All-Star Music.

Bridal Expo is a showcase for dozens of the area's best wedding products and services gathered in one convenient location. One of the highlights is a fashion show featuring new styles in bridal gowns, attendant dresses and tuxedos and helpful advice from top wedding planning experts.

Upcoming Bridal Expos at the Brookfield Sheraton:

Sunday, June 7th (11am-4pm)

Sunday, September 13th (11am-4pm)

Sunday, November 1st (11am-4pm)

Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel

375 South Moorland Rd.

Brookfield, WI 53005

262-786-1100

Contact The White Box or All-Star Music for your free tickets!

Go Green with your Wedding Lighting

By Carolyn

Wedding lighting can be green. No, I’m not suggesting lighting the room with Kermit the Frog hues. However, if you are planning an eco-friendly wedding, there is an option for lighting.

You may wonder if lighting can really be considered “green.” I won’t lie, if you want a truly eco-friendly wedding, you can’t go any greener than natural sunlight. For those planning an indoor or night-time reception, however, there’s no way around it unless you want your guests to fumble around in the dark… Lights take power. Special lighting takes more power. That being said, it is important to note that LEDs consume far less energy and create less waste than other traditional uplighting options. Take a look at the following pictures of the two most common types of uplighting.

LED Uplighting

Par a.k.a “Can” Uplighting 

As you can see, LED and Par uplighting look entirely different. LEDs create a wider spread of light, while Pars provide streaks of color. From a design perspective, it’s a matter of personal preference, but from an eco perspective, LED fixtures win.

LEDs use such a small amount of power that lighting an entire room would take about as much energy as a desktop computer plugged into an outlet. Pars take a lot more energy. Just one Par light needs the same amount of power as at least 6 LEDs. Therefore, certain venues have restrictions for the amount of Pars you can use without blowing a fuse. LEDs rarely if ever have this problem.

Even choosing the color of your lighting is more environmentally friendly with the use of LEDs. Pars use gel, a petroleum-based filter that is placed over the fixture. The gel is usually tossed after use, contributing to the amount of waste building up in your city’s landfills. LEDs on the other hand have the ability to change colors quickly and easily through internal color mixing with the use of a power supply/controller. This means that LEDs do not contribute extra waste to the environment.

We all want to find a balance between environmental costs and the cost to our wallets. The question every bride or groom needs to ask yourself is what is most important to you. At least now you can make an informed decision about your lighting, knowing that although Par fixtures may be the cheaper option, LEDs save on energy and waste. The choice is yours.

Top 5 places to propose in Milwaukee

By Monica

Not engaged yet? We can help you get the ball rolling.... ;-)

Here are my top five places to propose in Milwaukee. If I were a groom (as if only grooms propose, but I'm old-fashioned like that) and I didn't know of any particular place of sentimental value to my bride, I would propose in one of these places.

1.  Lake Park Grand Staircase

(Image found here)

I'm partial; I was married here. And it was gorgeous.

Cost: Free

Bonus points for: Dinner afterward at Lake Park Bistro of course!

2.  Villa Terrace Decorative Art Museum

(Image found here)

We all see it when we drive down Lincoln Memorial, but its even more beautiful from inside.

Cost: Rent the space for a few hours. That makes it way more special than trying to sneak in a proposal while browsing art collections. Judith will help you figure it out.

Bonus points for: Having a private catered dinner in the ballroom or on the terrace for the two of you. Double bonus points for a violinist or string trio.

3. The gazebo at Pere Marquette Park

(Image found here)

I've always loved that gazebo. It's pretty always - daytime, nighttime, even in winter!

Cost: Free

Bonus points for: Doing the Riverwalk tour including dinner, and dessert after.

4. Hotel Metro's Zen on 7

(Image found here)

Posh gardens, and a gorgeous view of the city at night.

Cost: Depends on the night. You'll need to book the space as though you're booking an event, so I'd make it a weeknight to avoid a more pricey "minimum."

Bonus points for: Sneaking friends and family into the event space while you two are outside by the garden. She'll be super surprised to find a party waiting for her when you go back inside!

5. The terrace off the Pilot House at Pier Wisconsin

(Image found here)

Stunning view of Lake Michigan and the city lights. 

Cost: You'll want to talk to The Bartolotta Catering Company about that. It won't be cheap, but it would be fab.

Bonus points for: Fireworks, anyone? :-)

So, what do you think? Got any good spots to add to the list? Where did YOU get engaged?

A DJ's perspective on selecting your wedding venue

By Craig

Most brides and grooms wouldn't think to consider a DJ's opinion when selecting a venue for their wedding reception, but we definitely have our preferences. Since the dancing at a wedding reception often seems to be fueled by a little alcohol consumption, it is always an encouraging sign for a DJ to see the dance floor within close proximity to the bar.  In addition to providing encouragement for those who may not be as eager to hit the dance floor, the bar usually serves as a gathering place for wedding guests to reconnect with others they may not have seen in some time.  Because of that fact, it can often become quite challenging to locate people for special dances or activities if they are out in the hall enjoying drinks with friends and relatives. 

One factor that may not be given quite as much consideration is the size of the dance floor.  If the dance floor is too big for the size of your group, it will likely be much more intimidating for guests.  On the other hand, if a dance floor is too small, some people may be discouraged by the lack of space.  Also, if the dance floor is positioned in the center of the room as opposed to on one end, it becomes more inviting and more of a focal point for your reception.  In many cases you have limitations because of a venue's layout, but, if you have options, it is good to remember that your entertainment is likely to be one of the biggest parts of your wedding day.  

In addition to having a well-positioned dance floor, it is a huge relief to arrive at a reception site and see plenty of available space to set up in.  If your DJ is crammed into a tiny corner of the room between two service doors, he may be distracted from providing great entertainment by having to move for waitstaff or for bartenders restocking the bar.  Providing ample space for your DJ to set up can also prevent speakers and other bulky equipment from having to be set up right next to your guests while they enjoy their meal or drinks.  

It is also a great convenience for your DJ to have multiple outlets nearby.  Having to run hundreds of feet of extension cords could be dangerous and take away from the beautiful decor of your reception. 

And, if I had my way, every event space would be quick and easy to get to from the point of unloading all of the equipment.  This gives your DJ the chance to calmly set everything up, do sound checks, and review all the important details for the night ahead without having to break a sweat.

If you have any questions about making your reception venue work for your entertainment, leave a comment below!

Behind-the-scenes with a Lighting Designer

By Carolyn

Many people don’t realize that event lighting takes more than just the flip of a switch.  I’d like to walk you through the process. 

It all begins with a call or email from a potential client, namely you.  At this point, I will either book an appointment to discuss lighting options, or if I have enough information, I can begin working through your preliminary quote.

Usually it takes a few days to put together a quote for lighting your event.  The reason I can’t name a price right off the bat is because the cost always depends on a number of factors.  The type of lighting, the location of your venue, the event date, and time window for equipment set up and take down may affect the price.  The size and layout of your reception space also makes a difference.  For example, a smaller ballroom with limited power may need a lighting package with less equipment, while an outdoor reception may require the use of a generator or extra cables.  For event sites we have not been to before, I usually schedule a site visit with you and/or the onsite coordinator for a walkthrough.  After the site visit, I check on the availability of our equipment for your date, and speak with one of our lighting designers for recommendations about your event.  When all of this is done, I can give you a budget range.   

Once you approve the budget range, I’ll put together a formal quote.  To do this, I work with a lighting designer to create a map of where the fixtures, cables, and other hardware will be placed on your floorplan.  After we create a drawing, I can enter the proper equipment and labor into our system to come up with a firm package price.  I will then send this quote to you. 

When we receive your signed contract, your event gets booked on our calendar.  Several days before the event we assign a technician to prepare and pack your equipment to be loaded into our truck or van.  The day of the event, our technician(s) loads the truck, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the extent of the job.  They drive to your venue, where ideally they will have several hours to set up equipment. 

There is more equipment to deal with than just the lights themselves.  Our technicians need to carefully place power supplies in areas where they won’t be noticeable, and tape down cords to avoid tripping.  If you want lights to shine down from above, we either attach these fixtures to the ceiling or set up poles or truss.  Depending on your lighting needs, an operator may stay for the event to make sure the equipment runs properly.  Otherwise, the tech(s) will return late at night to take down your lights after the event, or very early in the morning, to make sure our equipment is out of the venue before the next event.  We then take the equipment back to our studio, where it is unloaded from the truck and examined for damages, then checked back into our system and restocked for future use.

Although there are many steps that go into event lighting, our goal is to make everything as easy as possible, so your special day is stress-free.

What if you had never been to a wedding?

By Molly

What if you had never seen a wedding before but you were getting married?  How would you plan it?  What would you include?  Would you carry flowers?  Would you cut a cake?  

This weekend I shot an engagement session for a Bride and Groom and the Groom told me something very interesting : he has never been to a wedding before.  Never.  Not even as a kid.  So, outside of what he has seen on television, he doesn't have a memory bank of pre-conceived notions of what it entails.   I imagine most of the planning discussions for this couple involve the Bride or their families telling him what is "supposed" to happen. 

So, I got to thinking.  What if you had never been to a wedding?  What if you had never even seen one on TV?How would you plan your wedding day if you had no pre-conceived ideas of what it should be?

Imagine for a moment that this is you - a total blank slate in the wedding department.  And then look at your plans - how much of what you are planning to do is what you know you should be doing, and how much of it is what you want to do, or what has meaning to you as a couple?  I invite you to be brave and cut out all of the items that fall in that "should do, but don't mean anything to us" category.  

Make your wedding something that means something to you, not something you should do just because everyone else has done it that way.  My favorite weddings are always the ones where the couple has thrown out the rule book and constructed a ceremony and a day that truly means something to them.  Not just because these days are different from the norm, but because they are oozing with meaning, symbolism and purpose. They feel that way because they were designed to be that way.  Find something else, reinvent what wedding means to you.  Make it your own. 

You CAN have a $10,000 Milwaukee Wedding

By Monica

Planning a Pellegrino wedding on a bubbler budget? You're not alone. As often as you'll hear that the average wedding costs somewhere between $25,000 and $35,000 (depending on who you talk to), I've met a good many brides who are planning their dream days with one hundred Benjamins to spend (hmm... kind of sounds like a whole lot when you put it that way, doesn't it?).

It's true that $10,000 won't get you everything you've always wanted. In fact, it will barely get you in the door of some venues. If you're like many Milwaukee brides, you're probably still having floral shock ($250 for a bouquet?? $4.50 for a piece of cake? Plus delivery? PLUS a cutting fee??). Hopefully, you have a deeper appreciation for what goes into your catering, and we'll share more about why your wedding day costs what it does in future posts, but when you don't plan events everyday, you may not be prepared to throw a fancy wedding with all the typical trimmings.

Don't panic. We've got you covered.

The White Box was contacted by TheKnot to plan a mock $10,000 wedding in our area to share with their readers. We were happy to help, and we put together a pretty fabulous wedding under budget. Check out all the details, vendors, budget breakdown, etc. here.

BUT, before you get all excited, you must realize two things:

1. The wedding we put together was designed for a guest list of 80. If you're planning on sticking to that $10,000 figure, you're going to have to pare down your guests to family and closest friends.

2. You can't have it all. Get that Cinderella ballroom and fancy dinner out of your head. It's time for a new approach. Stop thinking of all the other weddings you've attended. This is your wedding, and you've never been to your wedding. So be daring, and have fun.

Okay, now you can go see how to do a $10,000 wedding in Milwaukee. And, of course, let us know what you think!

Appreciating Your Caterer: What happens behind the scenes

By Gary

As caterers, we do so much behind the scenes that many people do not begin to realize all that it takes to service a client at their reception. Even our hourly employees sometimes think we just show up for the event as they do not realize all that it took to get to this point.

It all starts with the first meeting or call from the client to set up an appointment to discuss their big day. Of course, so many of the normal things that one might expect, such as meeting to discuss menus, times, and locations, will be expected by brides, but what is not necessarily expected are those little small details, many of which are totally unnoticed or even unappreciated.

Some of the unrealized expectations about wedding planning come with handing off the menus to the Chefs and the staffing person to schedule staff in advance for the wedding. It is important to explain the bride’s expectations to those people so that the right staff is matched with that particular event in case there may be some personality clashes or some other deterrent. In many cases, especially as a custom caterer, there is so much research to do to fulfill the bride’s intentions. Recently, we had a bride from California who wanted Asian Latin fusion cuisine for her reception. She mentioned a particular L.A. restaurant so we took the time to find menus from the restaurant, find the recipes, and then practice making them before the actual tasting for the bride to perfect the recipes we had found.

Custom caterers will find that it is often the little things that keep people coming back and referring other clients. For instance, one of our brides wanted an outdoor Garden Party theme for her reception. After I had met with her a few times, I found out that she was going to release butterflies at the end of her outdoor ceremony. Our creative designer was inspired to out whimsical prints of butterflies to put on the straws that were being used for the specialty cocktail. You wouldn’t think that such a small little detail would get such great reviews, but we received so many compliments from the bride, her guests, and even the children who thought it was such a special touch.

One of the things that many people don’t realize happens when a bride, or any client for that matter, changes their minds about the menu originally chosen. Often it doesn’t take just the first meeting with the client to decide the exact menu. Sometimes this process involves numerous alterations to the original menu due to preferences, pricing, something else they saw somewhere else, or some other reason. This can often be one of the most time-consuming aspects of our jobs as event planners. The re-typing of menus, the sending of revised menus to the client, and then waiting for responses can often take weeks of playing phone tag or emailing back and forth.

Another thing that brides and other clients do not often realize is how much detail goes into just setting the table for the reception. Tables have to be ordered in some cases, linens need to be selected then ordered CORRECTLY, all necessary flatware, China, place cards, glassware, candles, party favors, napkins, wine glasses, champagne glasses for toasts, and the list can go on. As party planners, we have to have a detailed checklist so that we don’t forget any little thing that might throw off the overall effect. Once, our staff had arrived at a venue and unloaded only to realize that the salt and pepper shakers were not packed. One of our extra employees had to drive back to the office (about 30 minutes each way) to retrieve the necessary amount and the problem was solved without anybody even knowing (except our staff).

Though I have touched on only a few behind-the-scenes elements here, I hope those reading this blog can get a small picture of how detailed planning an event can be. We are all in this business because we love it, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.