MTP: Jill & Jeff Married @ Turning Stone

Happy 2011 Wedding Season! Thanks for visiting The Wedding Studio at 224. Meghan Thomas Photography (MTP) is one of the Studio Partners and I'm looking forward to showcasing great CNY Weddings! I have been in full swing this season photographing some fabulous couples at awesome venues throughout the CNY area. Hope to catch you up to speed! There was something about this year that I'm ecstatic about. Maybe its the awesome couples I'm looking forward to working with, like Jill & Jeff who were married at The Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY the weekend of May 21, 2011.

These newly weds are totally in love! There was such great chemistry between them you couldn't help but feel it yourself. To see more photos and slideshow from Jill & Jeff's Wedding Day, check out my brand new blog!

forever & for always

xoxo, Meg

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.

Luxury at its Finest

Clarence Henry Coach, a proud partner of the Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison, is pleased to introduce the newest addition to their line of luxury vehicles: a vintage Bentley! This nostalgic car is the perfect option after your ceremony to bring you and your new spouse to your reception destination. Or attach a "just married" sign on the back and use this as your honeymoon "getaway" car after your reception. Either way, this vintage car adds a classic touch to your wedding, reminiscent of years past.   

A classic car like this Bentley is just one of the many luxury vehicles that Clarence Henry Coach offers to make your wedding one of the best days of your life. 

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.

The Best of Two (or several!) Worlds: When Vendors Collaborate

One thing I love about being a part of the Wedding Studio is the chance it affords me to provide services for many of the same bridal couples that my fellow Wedding Studio partners are working with. In fact, the Wedding Studio was created a to be a place where bridal couples can meet with creative wedding professionals who share many of the same values, such as a high regard for client satisfaction, customer service, and fashion-forward style.


For this real wedding, The Events Company and the wedding planning arm of their business Marry Me NY, introduced Bride Design's invitation services to the bride. The result was a lush paisley themed invitation that accented the planning, decor, and most especially the cake, as captured by the talented eye of Wedding Studio photgrapher Meghan Thomas.

Every bride strives to make her wedding her own, infusing their day with graphics, colors, and motifs that reflect their unique style and tastes. When choosing your invitations, consider how certain elements from your wedding stationery may be used throughout the event. As you can see from the above example, one sweet way to keep your guests engaged throughout the wedding experience is to carry your design style through from the first look to the last bite. I also had fun collaborating with sugar artist Jen Comfort of Nonpareils on this fun cherry themed wedding. Jen provided the cake, while Bride Design provided the hand-illustrated pocketfold invitations.


So ask ask your stationer or planner to refer other trustworthy vendors who they have experience working with—experts who will capably capture your vision and enhance the tone you've already set with your save the dates and invitations. You'll be glad you did!