MTP: Hard Work Pays Off

I am not someone to brag or boast but I've been very fortunate and lucky in life with good family and friends. Among the complexities of life, I've learned the value of patience, commitment, determination, and a hard days work to get to where I want to be. My journey started years ago and I'm happy to say that the trip is so worthwhile that I hope my ability to challenge myself, remain passionate about what I do, and grow as a professional will continue to evolve. This past weekend, I was so honored and happy to be featured in The Post Standard on an article about successful entrepreneurs.

I can honestly say that my business sense was shaped and enhanced by the "Entrepreneurs Bootcamp" I participated in at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management and I'm forever grateful! It is a great place to be when you love what you do and it fuels your creativity and livelihood. I hope all of us can find that joy!

forever & for always

xoxo, Meg

Congratulations!

A sincere congratulations to the new brides of this past weekend who utilized the wonderful services of Kathy Knittel and her team at The Floral Gardens!

-Christine Sugrue


-Kassie Bruchle


-Stacy Vagon


-Corrine Crain


-Stephanie Townsend


"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

Eenie Meenie Miney Moe?

Choosing your wedding photographer shouldn't be a game of chance! Here are our tips on how to pick the best photographer for your big day.

1. Check out their credentials and personal referrals. See how their other clientele felt with the results of their wedding pictures. Stay away from the photographer's website for feedback, as you will only see the positive comments.

2. Visit their website. A photographer uses their website to showcase the best of their work, so take advantage of this before scheduling an appointment.

3. Figure out what style of pictures you're looking for, and match your prospective photographer to this style. There are many varying types of photographers, and it's important that your tastes coincide, to get the most out of your wedding pictures.

4. Ask lots of questions. Don't be afraid to ask every thought that runs through your mind. You don't want to be worrying about specific details regarding your pictures, after your photographer is hired.

5. Ask to view an entire wedding album from start to finish in a similar venue to yours. This way you will be able to easily imagine how your pictures will turn out. 

The photographer partner at the Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison is Meghan Thomas Photography. Check out her website and follow our tips to see if she is the right fit for your wedding, as we highly recommend her!

How do you Choose?

Choosing the right vendors for your wedding can be difficult. With varying availability, price, and styles, it can seem overwhelming to make the right decision for your big day. When choosing a videographer, you can follow a lot of the same tricks of the trade used in selecting your other vendors, however there are some that are solely related to this particular field.


1. Prioritize what is most important to you. Is it creativity, uniqueness, or price? These factors will help determine which videographer you choose.
2. See two or three examples of their work, preferably at a similar venue as yours. This will allow you to really picture what your video will look like.
3. Research their reputation. You will be able to find lots of opinions and referrals about your potential videographer online, as well as from friends or family.

Remember, you are hiring someone to capture one of the best days of your life, so it's important to put the time and effort into choosing your videographer. MaryBeth from Video Network, Inc. is one of the best videographers in Central New York, and is highly recommended by her clients, so put her on your list!     

A First Class Bash

Music at your wedding is a key facet of your event. It adds a whole other dimension to your ceremony and reception. For an elegant touch, you should consider an orchestra or band. They can provide the traditional sounds of instruments such as a piano, flute, or violin. You can specifically choose songs that have a personal meaning, and when sung by a talented singer like Maria DeSantis of Maria DeSantis Music, the song will begin to take on a whole new form.

Name that Tune

The music at your wedding is such a crucial part of your big day. It's important to put a good deal of thought into what music will be played, and more specifically which songs you choose for the traditional dances: father and daughter, mother and son, and of course, your first dance as a couple. Although these dances are not mandatory, they are quite common and it's a good idea to put some time and effort into making just the right musical selection. Here are some tips to get started.

1. Choose a song that has a special meaning for the two of you. Is there a song that always makes you think of the other person? Is there a song that you both really like? You these questions as grounds for possible song choices.

2. Choose a popular song with a good dance tempo. Some professionals suggest staying away from the more emotional songs that will only leave the two of you with tears in your eyes. If this sounds like you, then a song with an upbeat rhythm will let you enjoy each other's company without getting too sad.

3. Do some research. If no particular songs come to mind, then ask around. Your family and friends, or even Google can help you think of a perfect choice. Another great option is consulting your DJ for suggestions. Our friends at Ormond Entertainment will be happy to help you come up with a solution!  

Rental Items from A to Z

The world of rental items has come leaps and bounds from where it used to be. If you have not checked out the incredible amount of rentals available from companies such as Hank Parker's Party and Tent Rentals, then I strongly suggest you do! Even if you are not planning an event in the upcoming months, Hank Parker is a great resource to have in the back of your mind. They offer everything from flooring and lighting, to chair covers and outdoor games. They even have baby and guest needs! You name it, Hank Parker most likely rents it. With such a diverse selection, you are guaranteed to find what you're looking for, or be inspired to have an event in the future. Visit their showroom at The Events Company today!

Flowers in Every Color!

Flowers are a great way to add color into your ceremony or reception sites. You can use them to continue your color scheme already set in place by your invitations, or to introduce new colors. When working with floral companies like The Floral Gardens, your possibilities are endless! Flowers come in almost every color imaginable, so get inspired and use these resources to their full potential, as they are sure to have a huge impact on your wedding day.

Finding Just the Right Words

Today there are many different types of families, from single parents to step-parents. No matter where you fall on this scale, there is the correct wording for your wedding invitations!

 1. Both sets of parents are helping with the wedding and the couple wishes to include their names on the invitation:
ex. "Taylor Smith and Adam Armstead, together with their parents, Linda and William Smith, and Barbara and Robert Armstead, invite you to join them in celebrating their marriage." The parents' names printed on a wedding invitation used to imply that they were taking care of the wedding financially, however that does not always hold true in today's day and age.  


2. The groom's mother is deceased, but he still wishes to honor her:
ex. "Jane Hunt and Noah McAdams, together with their parents, request the honor of your presence." Technically, when parents' names are listed on the invitation, it implies they are hosting the event. Therefore, it doesn't really make sense to have a parent who is no longer here, listed on the invitation. By saying "together with their parents" it can be assumed that her spirit is present. The couple can then honor her in another way, such as a candle-lighting ceremony.


3. The bride would like to include her parents, as well as her step-parents on her  invitation:
ex. "We invite you to share this day of happiness in the marriage of Jill Morgan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey and Kathleen Wood, and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Jennifer Morgan, and Chris Mackenzie, son of Mrs. Sarah Mackenzie and Mr. Luke Mackenzie. 


Still having trouble figuring out the right wording? Erin Nowak of Bride Design can help you work out the kinks.   

Sample Gourmet Foods and help stop hunger!

The Events Company is excited to share with you an awesome event -Savor Syracuse. This is the premier gourmet tasting gala to benefit the Food Bank of Central New York. During the event, guests will be able to enjoy delicious tastings from more than 46 of the region’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries.

SavorSyracuse helps the Food Bank raise community awareness about their hunger-relief mission, and to raise funds in support of our programs and services. Last year, SavorSyracuse raised more than $54,000 in net proceeds and welcomed more than 800 attendees. This year, as we deal with the harsh reality of our troubled economic climate, your support could not be more important!

It’s a win-win situation: Buy a ticket to SavorSyracuse on Thursday (April 28th) and you A) graze for two and a half hours on a gourmet buffet of sample-size servings and B) support the mission and programs of the Food Bank of Central New York.

The food: Tasting stations showcase some of Central New York’s most interesting restaurants, including Zabroso (Spanish-Latin American cuisine), Kabuki (sushi/Japanese) and Mai Lan (Vietnamese). Newcomers this year include Francesca’s Cucina and Peppino’s Restaurant and Catering.
Several CNY-based food producers will also be offering samples, including C’s Cheese (cheese balls) and Ramona’s Dressings.

The beverages: A selection of Finger Lakes wineries will be offering pours (Heron Hill, Fulkerson, Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars and others, etc.) as will brewers like F.X. Matt (Saranac) and Ithaca Beer Co. Need a little pick-me-up? Sample some Paul de Lima and Starbucks coffee.

The chefs challenge: A panel of top chefs representing participating restaurants will try their creations on a panel of judges (myself included), who will decide a favorite. The winner takes home a flat-screen TV plus a table top item from Oneida Limited.

The details: Savor Syracuse takes place 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn, Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. Tickets cost $70 (a portion is tax-deductible) and can be purchased online in advance or at the door.

Do I really need the support of a wedding planner?

This is a question many brides ask themselves as they debate the investment verses DIY.

Hiring a wedding planner is a personal decision that only you can make. There have been more than a few weddings where a professional planner was not involved and the day went just fine. And yours will probably go fine, too. But at what expense to your nerves, your relationship with your mother, groom, bridesmaids, family, co-workers...

The investment you make hiring a professional is an intangible and the true value is not realized until the last song is played. We (professional wedding planners) are there to ensure you hire the wedding vendors who fit your needs, personality, and budget. We are there to ensure no detail is forgotten. We are there to ensure your day unfolds flawlessly. But most importantly we are there to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with planning such a personally momentous occasion.

We offer customized support that fits your needs. Maybe you want someone to be by your side throughout the entire process or perhaps you just want support the final month and day of or just someone to run ideas and questions by. No matter the need, a true professional will not try to fit you into a "package."

Example: We (The Events Company) met with a bride a couple months ago who felt she wanted day of support. We reviewed her needs, expectations, concerns, and overall wedding plan and submitted a proposal. This was a bride who was used to having full control and doing everything herself, so making the decision was difficult. The event more difficult decision was selecting between 2 the companies she interviewed; the challenge was she liked us better but we were more expensive. After much personal debate she opted to hire The Events Company. Yes, we were more expensive, however she felt more comfortable with the personalities of our team and the level of service we would provide. Now, we WOW! her.

Welcome to the Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison

The Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison came to fruition in a short length of time, although the relationships with the partners were developed over a number of years.

Being astute entrepreneurs, we look for opportunities to better serve our clients and grow our businesses. The cross-over for the partners was the bridal market. We saw an opportunity and seized it; creating a wedding destination for bridal couples getting married in Central New York.

The concept is simple; create an upscale studio where busy bridal couples (and their families) can meet with wedding professionals on all the services that are needed to create an amazing wedding celebration that is flawless.

It’s all in one place so you can spend an afternoon with us and leave knowing that you have the right team and your wedding plans are in great shape. Or just come in with your questions; we’re here to help.

It really can be that simple and done in a setting that is comfortable and relaxing. We even have beer and wine in the fridge.