The City's Best | Cracked Designs

I introduce to you Cracked Designs, owned by Tara Scheuerman.

1.How long have you worked in the wedding industry?

I've been designing wedding stationery for almost 3 years now.

2.Describe your style and approach.

We try to create modern and fun designs that are elegant in a non-traditional sense. Every invitation is also handmade which makes each invitation completely unique. We want to make something that will stand out when your guests open the envelope. We have fine art and graphic design background, and I think that helps us create a really unique blend of design style.

3.What sets you apart from other vendors in your expertise?

I think we offer a more unique approach to wedding invitation design by not creating your typical wedding invitation. Our designs are more fun and modern and don't follow in the footsteps of every other wedding invitation out there. Plus we offer handmade invitations that are affordable- by offering both custom designs and pre-designed invitation sets.

4. What is your best piece of wedding planning advice for brides?

I would say to take your time and research your vendors and research the trends out there now. Having vendors who know what they are doing will make your life so much easier. Also, talk to other people who have recently gotten married, a lot of times they can offer some of the best advice for what they would have done differently.

5. Just for fun, share something unique about yourself.

I love taking really weird road trips. I collect postcards from all of the odd, off the beaten path places that I've been. My most recent road trip was along Old Route 66, which goes from Chicago to Los Angeles, it was awesome.

Chat with Cracked Designs:

Ring: 414.687.8803

Web: cracked-designs.com

Blog: crackeddesigns.blogspot.com

Etsy: crackeddesigns.etsy.com

Tara, congrats on being one of The City's Best and thank you for sharing your passion and beautiful designs with local brides!

How NOT to Act at a Consultation

You may not realize this but when you attend an initial consultation you too are being interviewed as much as the vendor you are meeting with. Yep, believe it or not, vendors do turn clients away. Here's the truth. Vendors obviously want a bride's business but more importantly we want to work with clients that mesh well with our style and are pleasant to work with. With that said, unfortunately, not all potential clients will be extended a contract.

So, here are some examples of what not to do during an initial consultation that may influence whether or not a vendor extends a contract to you.

At no point during the meeting should you answer your cell phone. It is very awkward to sit there and listen to someone else's conversation while of course, you are pretending not to listen. 9 times out of 10 it is not an emergency and can probably wait another 20 minutes until the meeting is over. And, if you are wondering, saying "excuse me" doesn't make this situation okay.

Don't spend half of the meeting bickering with your mom about wedding plans, especially those that don't have anything to do with your current meeting. This is also an awkward moment for vendors. Whose side do you take, the bride or the mother's? And yes, we will be forced to take a side and it isn’t pleasant.

Leave your groom bashing comments at home. Vendors obviously want to contribute to healthy and successful marriages and don't want to hear that you feel your groom is inadequate to make decisions or that you already have your second wedding planned.

As you can see, the way that you act during your initial consultation can really influence your future relationships with vendors. Read yesterday's post for how to appropriately act during a consult.

P.S. Some of the above examples were dramatized during the process of writing this post and may not be described exactly as they first occurred.

Advice for Initial Consultations

Brides are typically nervous when they first begin meeting with potential vendors. I don't completely understand it but it's true. This should be an enjoyable time in your planning process and I don't want you to feel anxiety, so here is some advice.

1. Be calm. We understand that planning a wedding is stressful but we want to know that you are organized and can deal with {at least a little} stress. If you are calm the discussion will flow naturally and we will be able to learn much more about your wedding and your expectations.

2. Have a clear vision. Before you attend an initial consultation discuss with your fiance (and maybe family) the level of service you are seeking. It is always uncomfortable when surprises arise in conversation and someone doesn't know what is going on.

3. Have a budget. For some reason discussing money always seems awkward. I've been there, I know. However, this is no excuse not to discuss a budget before meeting with a vendor. We can't even begin to help you find the best service if we don't know how much you can spend. By the way, no matter what anyone says no {respectable} vendor is going to charge you more just because you tell us you have a large budget. We will charge you what the service is worth.

That's it! Pretty simple, huh?

Keep these few tips in mind and I promise you will feel more comfortable when you meet vendors!

The City's Best | Reminisce Photography & Design

I introduce to you Reminisce Photography & Design, owned by Miranda Zynda-Kneeland and Adam Kneeland.

1. How long have you worked in the wedding industry?

We photographed our first wedding a little over four years ago. We fell in love with the industry with that very first wedding, and there’s been no turning back. We couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

2. Describe your style and approach.

We’re a hubby and wife team who love life, laughter, people, art... and combining them all into what we do best. With a photojournalistic approach, we create images that are fresh, fun, contemporary, romantic and artistic. Above all, we want our work to be honest. We love getting to know our clients and creating images that truly reflect who they are.

3. What sets you apart from other vendors in your expertise?

We value the relationships we form with each of our clients, and this shows in how sincere each of our photographs are. We’re also very particular about our work, striving for every single photo to be a work of art. We submerge ourselves with our passion for what we do, regularly attending photo conferences, workshops and shootouts (check out our blog to see some of those), learning new lighting techniques, critiquing our work, and striving for the most dynamic compositions possible. There’s such a big difference between taking pictures and creating images.

4. What is your best piece of wedding planning advice for brides?

Have fun, be creative and ask for help. Planning the wedding of your dreams can be a full-time job. If you try to do it all on your own, it won’t take long before you’re overwhelmed with it all. If you seek assistance from friends who have recently gotten married (if you liked their wedding, that is ;) and a wedding planner, things will come together much more smoothly. Having help will free up time for you to have fun with the process. You can soak up all the inspiration you like from wedding blogs and magazines, and find a wedding style that speaks to you. You’ll know what you want and will be confident that you’re making the right decisions. One of these big decisions is who will be your photographer...

Guarantee yourself that you’re going to have amazing photos from your wedding day. Whose work speaks to you on an emotional level? Your photographer should be an Artist and a Professional who can not only anticipate moments before they happen, but through a trained and instinctive eye, know how to interpret and capture them creatively. You should also enjoy the personality of your photographer, as you’ll be hanging out with them the entire day. Let their style, passion and personality be determining factors- not package prices. Your photographs are how you’ll remember your wedding, and they should be just as wonderful as your Big Day.

5. Just for fun, share something unique about yourself.

We’re super addicted to wedding shows... Cake Boss, Platinum Weddings, Say Yes to the Dress (Adam will probably deny watching this with me, but he does!).

Miranda loves Wikipedia, constantly looking stuff up when a question about anything comes to mind. She can also wiggle her ears, and has a shoe and hat fetish. Sushi, veggies, a rockin’ steak, tacos and cheese are her favorite foods.

Adam’s loves cooking and kicks butt at pool. He also has mastered the guitar... in Guitar Hero and Rock Band of course. He enjoys watching a good football game and discovering a new quirk about Miranda on a daily basis.


Chat with Reminisce Photography & Design:

Ring: 414.405.6693

Web: capturingyourday.com

Blog:reminiscephoto.blogspot.com

Twitter: @reminisce_photo

Miranda and Adam, congrats on being one of The City's Best and thank you for providing local brides with a great experience and service!

A Note on Negotiating

This post is very straight forward and completely my personal opinion. If you don't wish to know how about I feel about price negotiating, come back tomorrow for The City's Best premiere.

An email from a vendor in the local wedding industry sparked my thoughts regarding the act of negotiating prices during your planning process.

Many brides are planning a wedding on a budget and I totally respect (and suggest) that. However, constantly asking for a discount is inappropriate. You may not realize this, but when you ask for a discount you are decreasing the value of the service that a vendor is offering and you are flat out suggesting that their service isn't worth the money. The conversation can become awkward and also puts the vendor in an odd position. You are asking them to quickly decide between cheapening their value and making a sale or standing behind the quality of their service.

Now, since many vendors do offer an off-season or a non-Saturday discount, there is a proper way to discuss the matter. Simply ask the vendor for their different pricing structures and you can do the math yourself. If you do happen to find a vendor that does offer a discount don't continue to try and talk them down. It's just rude.

So, the next time you are considering approaching the topic of a discount, keep in mind the proper way to do so and remember that it may lead to an awkward conversation.

Don't Leave Us Hanging

Please.

Often times brides meet with many different vendors within an expertise and hire one but never contact those that they don't wish to hire. This can be really frustrating for vendors. There is a lot of time and creativity that goes into customizing a proposal and it would be nice to get some feedback and possibly an explanation from those potential clients that don't follow through.

I am not saying that you need to write a novel to every vendor that you don't hire throughout your planning process but a short email or phone call would be a nice gesture to those vendors who have shared with you thoughts and ideas about your wedding.

I don't have much personal experience with this issue but I know that it is something other vendors deal with frequently. Be courteous and let us know if we aren't the right fit. We want your wedding to be fabulous and will respect your decisions. Just let us know.

Wedding Planner and Guide Expo

This weekend, January 23 and 24, I will be assisting Miss Ruby Boutique at the Wedding Planner and Guide wedding show at the Midwest Airlines Center. The show includes over 120 exhibiting vendors, many prizes and giveaways, and of course, a chance to say hello to me. It doesn't get much better than this!

The Details:

Hours: 11 am to 5 pm both days

Fashion Show: Noon and 3:30 both days

Cost: $7 in advance or $10 at the door

I hope to see you at the show and don't forget to come say hi!

The City's Best | Introduction

Yep, it's my first video blog. I introduce to you a new blog series that is sure to be a big hit with local brides. Check it out!

What do you think, should I video blog more? Any topics you would like covered?

P.S. Just so we are all on the same page, I am not saying that the vendors featured in this series are the only great local vendors. These featured vendors are simply people that I have worked and interacted with and that I know will provide stellar service.

A Guide to Tipping Your Vendors

While you are in the beginning planning stages of your wedding you may not be incorporating the extra money into your budget for gratuities, so I want to ensure that it’s on your radar from the beginning.

Many vendors, such as caterers, include their gratuity within their contracts so be sure to read them carefully. If the gratuity is not included the general standard is 15-20%. The actual amount is your discretion based on the service that you receive. However, even if you have a below average experience you should tip something. Think of it like this, if you were at a restaurant you would never leave without giving a little something as a tip and the same applies here.

Now there is also another rule that you may be familiar with. If the vendor owns their own company it is not necessary to tip them because the fee that you are paying for their service is going directly to them. However, I don’t completely agree with this. The "rule" makes it seem like all of your fee is going directly into their pocket but in reality it's paying for expenses to keep their business up and running. Also, the owner of the business is doing more work for you than any employee would. Again, this concept is your discretion.

If you would like suggestions for actual amounts to tip vendors, read this article from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Fab Wedding Reads

Even in the world of wedding blogs, every bride should own (or at least read) a few inspiring planning books. Here are a few of my favorites.

Simple Stunning Weddings: by Karen Bussen. If you’ve used the words simple and elegant to describe your wedding this is the book for you. The book is filled with practical design ideas and advice. Karen also authored a fabulous book filled with shower themes and ideas.

Emily Post’s Wedding Planner: 9 times out of 10 when a bride comes to a consultation she is armed with a big heavy binder filled with all her planning materials. If you are that organized bride, this is the planner for you. It guides you through the entire planning process including budget, attire, and ceremony and reception planning.

Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: This book is filled with gorgeous wedding inspiration. The book touches on the majority of wedding elements including bouquets, centerpieces, stationery, and food and drink. My advice for getting the most out of this book is to find a few elements that you love and incorporate them in your own way. The designs as a whole can be over whelming and unattainable with most budgets.

Happy reading!

Setting the Style Record Straight

Meghan: “Tell me about the style of your wedding”

Bride: “Well, my colors are tiffany blue and white.”

Meghan: “Okay, tell me about how you want your event to feel.”

Bride: “My colors are tiffany blue and white.”

Meghan: “What type of experience do you want to create for your guests?”

Bride: “My colors are tiffany blue and white.”

Does this conversation sound at all familiar? Unfortunately, my guess is yes.

I know that I may be over exaggerating just a teeny tiny bit with this conversation but as I mentioned before, brides have a terrible time describing their style. So, I am setting the record straight once and for all.

Your wedding colors do not define your style.

Sure, your colors are a clue to your overall style but they are not the sole indicator. The style of your event is about the feeling that you create for your guests and what they experience throughout the day. My best advice for you is to forget the colors and think about your wedding with a more sophisticated approach.

Creating an event that reflects you as a couple will go much farther than tiffany blue and white. Trust me.

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!

Looking for a way to change your look from your mid afternoon ceremony to your late night reception? It’s all in the accessories. Accessories give you one more opportunity to show off your personal style and allow for a change in your look without the expensive gown change.

Ban.do headbands are my new favorite accessories. They offer something for everyone’s style and also in many different price ranges. Go ahead, I give you permission to gush over them.

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A belt doesn’t need to be restricted to every day wear. Jazz up your wedding gown or your bridesmaids' dresses with a beautiful ribbon belt like this one from J.Crew.

Before you and your new husband are formally introduced pop on an oversized necklace. For our reception I wore a beautiful strand of opera length pearls.

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Boleros are a perfect way to add a little drama to your gown and are the perfect accessory for the victorian inspired bride. Etsy is a great place to look for the perfect bolero.

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Please, don't be afraid to accessorize on your wedding day. Afterall, you wouldn't leave them home any other day!

Kicking off 2010 with Randomness...

I am continuously thinking of new ideas that I’d love to see at a wedding but don’t always have the right bride to use them for. So, to kick off 2010 I am sharing some of my favorites in hopes that at least one bride will be inspired and find them useful. Bear with me, they are very random.

How about a patterned wedding dress like this Oscar de la Renta beauty? It’s perfect for a bold spring wedding and would be gorgeous paired with this bridesmaid dress, in clementine of course.

Why not dress your maids in ball skirts like this one from J.Crew? It is totally unexpected but yet not too extreme. (By the way, if you use this idea, please ask me to be in your bridal party. I’ve been dying for an excuse to buy this skirt!)

Why not have an outdoor winter ceremony? If your ceremony is short and sweet it would be beautiful. As the guests walk into the candle lit pavilion hand them a hot chocolate and a blanket and they will be all set. Also, check out this post for some fun winter reception ideas.

In terms of décor, how about an all white wedding? Many people envision white as boring but I think the simplicity is beautiful. By using a mixture of creams and whites you won’t be obsessing on the right color which allows you to design more freely. The options are endless. Of course, in Milwaukee the perfect venue is The Art Museum.

Anyone else have a fun idea they'd like to share?

Happy Birthday Sister!

Here is a shout out to my sister who turns 17 today!

Photo courtesty Mthree Studio

Chrissy, you are beautiful, talented, smart, and have the ability to make me laugh more than anyone I know. I love you so much and am so proud of the young lady you have become. Your future is bright and I can't wait to see what 2010 and your 17th year will bring.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!