"Learning From The Experts"

Its that time of the week again when we all look to a little bit of advice!  Do you think your wedding food is important?  Do you think it leaves a lasting impression?  Well why don't we hear from someone who knows A LOT about it!

Thank you to Marianne Moore for her contribution this week.  She has been in the wedding and culinary industry for over 20 years!  She has been the Director of Catering for five of more of the biggest venues in St. Louis and she has always done the most amazing job.  She is currently the Chef & Manager of the School of Cooking Culinary Event Center at Dierbergs Markets. PS - you should DEFINIELY take a class!

For many wedding guests, the reception menu is one of the most memorable parts of the experience, so choosing the right food is at the top of the list for couples as they start their planning journey.  There are so many choices, where to start?

As you begin your overall reception and menu planning, take time to have some honest discussions with your fiancée and family regarding the budget and overall vision.   Do you envision a formal plated sit-down dinner, or a bit more interactive family style meal? Would you prefer buffet style or food stations?  How about casual cocktail reception?

There is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on the overall style of your wedding.  Some think that a buffet dinner is way too casual for a wedding reception. Others think that a formal sit down dinner is too stuffy and keeps guests at their seats too long.  Keep in mind that if your vision is a formal wedding reception, then a buffet style meal might look out of place. On the other hand, if you're having an informal celebration, a cocktail reception might be your best option.

Here are some of the most popular options and the pros and cons…

Sit Down

With a sit-down dinner, guests sit at assigned tables and dinner is served in courses. This is considered the most formal of all event styles.   It is elegant and guests will experience the dish the way the chef intended, with the right amount of sauce and appropriate side items.  Menu items can even be paired with wine selections.   One disadvantage is that guests have a limited number of food choices.  Normally, only 2 – 3 entrée options are offered and your guests have to confirm their choice when they send you their RSVP.

Family Style

Family style is similar to a plated sit-down dinner. Guests are assigned to tables, but instead of individual plates, the food comes on large platters and is placed in the middle of the table. Guests help themselves with the food and decide which items they want and how much. Family style set-up is considered to be less formal, but it provides an opportunity for guests to interact with each other.  This type of service works especially well with larger, square tables and a smaller guest list.

Buffet style

With a buffet style all food items are set on a long buffet table. Guests pick up a plate and serve themselves choosing items they like. Keep in mind that with the buffet style people tend to have larger portions. One of the main disadvantages of the buffet style is that guests might have to wait in line to get their food.

Food Stations

Food stations are a great alternative to buffet style.  They can be placed in different areas of the venue and can be designed with one central or a few different themes - carving station, pasta stations and sushi stations are a few of the more traditional stations.  For more unique stations think Mac and Cheese, Risotto, Mashed Potatoes.  The Chef prepares food in front of the guests, to order providing a great interactive experience.

Cocktail Reception

A Cocktail Reception can be less formal, but can still be chic with creative food presentations and a unique cocktail bar. Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres are butler passed and paired with various signature cocktails to create a one of a kind custom event.   Another great idea is to combine a cocktail party with food stations.  Contrary to popular belief, a casual reception can be just as costly as a formal sit down dinner as it requires a high number of service staff. The price also depends on the ingredients used in your hors d'oeuvres selection.

I can’t stress enough that whatever style of service and menu you choose for your wedding, always keep your budget in mind.  Think about overall tone of your wedding, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.  Do you prefer classic and formal, stylish and modern, fun and interactive?  Communication with everyone from your family to your event professionals is key to designing the perfect menu for your wedding and to getting the most from your budget and creating an event that is uniquely you!

Pink & Blue Baby Shower - Featured on Amy Atlas Blog

We had such an amazing time planning this event.  What a cute way to celebrate with friends and family.  We were also fortunate to be featured on the Amy Atlas Blog...check out the feature here!

But here are even more pictures that didn't make it on her blog!

   

Desserts: St. Louis Wedding Consultants
Photography: L Photography
Stationary: M. Haley Designs
Balloon Ceiling: Hi Ho Helio

Amy Atlas Feature

We are very excited and always honored to be featured on other websites...

One of our previous features was on the Amy Atlas Blog for an adorable 2nd Birthday Party!

Here is a alittle preview.  To see the entire feature, check it out here!

"Learning From The Experts"

This week we get to be educated on "Finding the Light" with photography.  Such an important topic...

Let's hear from Kate at L Photographie!

Let there be light!  Tips to help your photographer put you in the best light possible for your wedding photographs.

        What is the most important ingredient in the recipe for amazing wedding photos (besides you, of course!)?  LIGHT.  Ask any photographer worth their salt and this should be their fast reply.  For every wedding we shoot here at L Photographie, Both Liz and I spend the majority or our spare moments on a busy wedding day examining the light, and deciding how to use it best to make beautiful photos. Boiled down to it’s nuts and bolts, photography is the art of capturing light, so let’s talk a little about light and how you can be in your best light throughout your wedding day. 

         Let’s begin at the beginning… your getting ready location!  Most people haven’t put much thought into where they will get dressed and ready for their big day with regard to light, but all of the beautiful photos that you see of brides details and getting ready that look bright and warm and dreamy have one thing in common, and that thing is windows.  We, as photographers are in love with natural light and will seek out the area with the most window light we can find for you to get dressed in.  If you are in a beautiful hotel room or a big house with vaulted ceilings this is easy… if you are in a church basement or cry room it may not be so easy.  That is the primary reason your wedding planner or photographer may suggest a hotel room for getting ready.  Not only is it clutter free, full of mirrors, and big enough for you and all your girls… it also has windows we can use… big open spaces to hang a gown, pretty tables for jewelry and shoe shots.  Your makeup person will thank you as well… as natural light is also much better for applying makeup than tungsten (regular yellow bulbs) or the dreaded green glow of the fluorescent light! 

        After the bride and groom are ready to roll, the next lighting scenario we see is usually the ceremony.  Many times you have your heart set on a particular church or venue and we do the best we can with the light available.  Sometimes it is a little and sometimes a lot.  Big booming Catholic churches are gorgeous but often offer little light with the exception of colored stained glass and many modern churches are lit with stage lighting, or can lights that shine downward (hello dark circles!!) or fluorescent lighting, so we as photographers are constantly challenged.  In most cases flash is not allowed during the ceremony, so you may see us using flash during the processional and recessional and then putting them away during the ceremony itself.  As a side note, it is important to note that many churches and venues have strict restrictions on where a photographer can and cannot stand or walk, so all of this information, combined with the available light will determine the quality of images your photographer can capture of your “I do’s”.  If we are banished to the balcony, for example, close up shots that show your expressions are not in the cards. 

        Following the ceremony (depending of course, on your individual timeline) are the family group photos.  These are usually done with flash of some sort at the altar, unless you prefer them outside.  Outside clearly wins for lighting, but all photographers should come equipped with flash knowing that most couples want some traditional photos inside the church or venue of the ceremony. 

        Next we can talk about the fun part, the portraits of you and your bridal party!  The light plays a huge role here since you, your coordinator, and your photographer have the power to choose the time of day these photos will be taken, and their location(s).  The prettiest light of the day is in the few hours before sunset, so if you can time it out to land in that range you are golden (literally, the sunset light is golden and glowy and awesome!) If you decide to stray outside that time, some concessions will have to be made.  Without exception, high noon is the worst time for photos on a sunny day… there is no direction we can face you that you will not be shadowy and squinting (and nobody wants that!), so we head for shade.  This means that locations without shade available (such as outside Busch Stadium or the Arch, for example) do not work well at these times.  These are all things to discuss with your photographer and wedding planner when setting up the timeline, and also when choosing locations for photos on your wedding day… I am just trying to plant the seed here that light is important!  This can be controlled by adjusting the schedule, possibly adding a “first look” and doing some photos pre-ceremony for a late wedding, or limiting the number of locations so you have time to make it to that perfect spot!

        The reception, in most cases, is happening after sunset, so we employ flash once again to capture these moments.  Don’t worry! There are still a few things you can do to improve the look and feel of these images.  You can control the light in the space with lighting.  Your planner can help you choose from a variety of things like up-lighting for walls, pin spotting flower arrangements and tables, and candles etc…  All of these will all add light and visual interest to the room.  They also add a wonderful ambience for you and your guests! 

       So there you have it!  A look at your wedding day in terms of light and some thoughts from a photographer’s perspective on how to get yourself into the best light possible to get photos you and your family will love for years to come!  Happy Planning!

"Learning From The Experts"

"Learning From The Experts" - How to find the Perfect Bridal Salon?

Lets hear from the Editor of St. Louis Bride Magazine:

Before a bride invests the better part of the year finding, fitting and outfitting the perfect wedding gown, she should first take a little time to shop around for the perfect bridal shop. After all, the staff at the bridal salon is going to play a key part in the bride’s overall happiness in the months leading up to the big day.

Here, the experts suggest a few things to look for when finding the bridal salon that’s right for her.

Even when a bride is “just looking,” it is always best for her to call ahead and arrange an appointment with the salon, so that she can receive the most attentive customer service.
Don’t just size up the merchandise. Are the fitting rooms well appointed? Is the lighting suitable for inspecting the details of a dress? Do the floor samples seem to be worn out?

Try to find a friend there. A Bride should feel the consultant she works with it not only going to be her advocate in the purchasing and tailoring of a gown, but is also going to give her kid, honest opinions during the entire process.

Don’t’ be afraid to ask any questions. A bridal consultant’s main job is to make the bride happy.

Check out the other people in the store. Do the other clients appear to be happy? Do they seem to be having a good experience?

Trunk ShowsFor a list of upcoming events and trunk shows, please visit http://www.bridestl.com/events.html

Nancy Slade is the editor of Saint Louis Bride Magazine.