The City's Best | All-Star Music

I introduce to you All-Star Music, owned by Craig Krueger.

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

I've been DJing weddings since I was 18 years old...so 17 years...you can do the math on how old I am!

2. Describe your style and approach.

We are fun without being "cheesy", and aim to keep the party going without bringing much attention to ourselves...After all, it's the bride and groom's day, not ours. In that vein, we aim to customize the entire reception to their tastes and desires.

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

My years of experiences, for one. DJing weddings and other events for 17 years has helped me learn a lot about what it takes to help create a memorable event and it has given me a good sense of how to read the crowd when it comes to keeping a dance floor full. I also have strong desire to provide superior customer service on top of being a great DJ. Because DJing is my full-time career, I am available 24/7 to answer phone calls and emails or meet with clients. Another attribute is I have an absolute love for music... it's my passion and I think it shows!

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

Before you start planning ask yourself, "What do I want to remember from my wedding day and what do I want the guests to remember?" Your answer to that question will create your priorities and everything else will fall into place.

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

I hosted my own radio station called "Sunday Night Jams" on 91FM WSUP, the campus radio station at UW-Platteville. Being involved with the show for four years helped develop my MC skills and my ability to program four entertaining hours of music. That eventually led to DJing school dances and campus events and encouraged me to start up my first DJ company. That feels like a lifetime ago, but it was a huge step toward my current position as owner of a DJ service that seems to be held in high esteem!

Chat with All-Star Music:

Ring: 414.405.3675

Web: all-starmusic.net

Blog: all-starmusicplanner.djintelligence.com/blog

Twitter: @allstarmusicwi

Craig, congrats on being one of The City's Best and thank you for sharing your talent and passion with Milwaukee brides!

Wedding Planning Q&A | Part 2

This weeks question comes from a reader, Liz.

"Here's a question I have been stumped on for months...We are having a small intimate ceremony at Villa Terrace (okay, not that small 120 people) but we are inviting another 100 to the reception at Lake Park Bistro. How do I word the invitations to those not "invited" to the ceremony."

Thank you for the question Liz, invitation wording is something that almost all brides struggle with at some point during their planning.

First off all, to make the invitation process easier on you, I would keep the designs very similar for both invitations. Also, not knowing much about your wedding other than the venues, I would take a more formal approach.

For wording the reception only invitation there are various ways to appropriately invite the guests but I would keep it simple and say something like:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith invite you to an evening reception to celebrate their wedding.

Also, be sure to include the time and address of Lake Park Bistro.

One more thing to consider is timing. If these guests are only invited for a portion of the reception (such as dancing) make sure that you pad a little bit of extra time in your schedule just incase your dinner (assuming you are having one) takes longer than expected. You definitely don't want the guests that arrive later to show up while your other guests are still seated and eating. It can be a very awkward situation.

If you have a question to be answered leave a comment and I will answer it next week!

You Don't Want a Cheap Wedding, Trust Me!

I hate the word cheap, it is a dirty dirty word and should be expelled from the English language and therefore never again used in the wedding industry. Sure, something cheap is low in cost but it is also low in quality.

So many brides are looking for cheap photography, entertainment, catering, etc. and when I am asked who those "cheap" vendors are I am normally a little stunned. Sorry, I don't refer cheap vendors, some may be more affordable than others, but none offer a cheap quality.

I myself was a Recessionista Bride looking to get the most from my budget so I can relate to the brides who are seeking the benefits of a "cheap" vendor but please don't compromise the quality of your wedding day just to save a few bucks. There are definitely some very quality vendors around that are affordable for your budget. Trust me, I found them and my wedding was far from one that was lacking quality.

One more thing, you may have noticed already but try and replace the word cheap with affordable. Beyond the fact that it's a nicer sounding word, I also find it less insulting. No vendor wants to be known as the cheap guy in town.

The City's Best | Petals Floral Design

I introduce to you Petals Floral Design, owned by Carrie Kroening.

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

10 years, we specialize in wedding and special fresh floral design.

2. Describe your style and approach.

Every bride has a style and feeling that she wants her wedding to have. We feel that flowers are one of the signature ways to capture that. We will work with any bride and any budget and pride ourselves on great custom design and even better customer service.

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

We only do weddings and parties so we are familiar with venues, trends, and what will work for every budget. We custom order for each bride so the flowers are always really fresh and just what each girl wants. We work with a great deal of out of town brides and are happy to accommodate their unique needs. Our studio is home based so it allows us to offer unbelievable prices and very personal service.

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

Have fun! This can be one of the most exciting times in your life embrace it and enjoy it. Hire vendors you have a connection with and feel you can trust and most of all that you enjoy working with. The planning process should be fun not a chore.

5. Just for fun, tell us something unique about yourself.

I started this business 10 years ago because I wanted to spend my life doing something I love and that I am naturally good at. This was a talent I was given and I look at it as a gift and I love sharing my gift with others. For fun and on my "spare" time I enjoy going to the park with my 3 girls, 2 young daughters and my overly friendly golden retriever.

Chat with Petals Floral Design:

Ring: 414-526-0298

Web: petalsck.com

Carrie, congrats on being one of The City's Best and thank you for sharing your talent and passion with Milwaukee brides!

Wedding Planning Q&A | Part 1

Even though no two brides are alike (kind of like snowflakes) they still ask similar questions. In the next couple weeks I am going to be doing a mini series answering some common questions that I find myself frequently answering.

If I am wearing an ivory gown is it okay to have white linens, groomsmen shirts, etc.?

It is certainly acceptable to mix shades of white, or any color for that matter, without having to worry about clashing. My only hesitation would be if your gown is a true ivory color, with a yellow tone, then you may want to consider using ivory linen, shirts, etc. only because you don't want your gown looking dirty or dingy. However, most gowns that are an "ivory" color don't pull too much yellow so again don't worry too much unless it's really a yellowish color.

Is it okay to serve only one entree at our dinner?

Some people may disagree with me but yes, there is no need to offer more than one entree choice at your dinner. If you are hesitant think of it like this. The last time you attended a dinner party (essentially what your dinner is, just on a larger scale) were you given a choice or did you call the host and give your suggestions? My guess is no, you didn't. I do suggest though that if you are only going to serve one entree that it be something the majority of people enjoy, and I would skip the red meat and maybe consider serving a combination plate. Also, if you are concerned about dietary needs, don't be. As a guest, it is their responsibility to contact you if they have an allergy or special dietary needs.

What time should an hors d'oeuvre reception start?

The timing of this type of reception can be tricky and you want to ensure that your invitation conveys to all of your guests that the food is going to be "limited" and that they aren't having a 5 course meal. With that said, I absolutely wouldn't start an hors d'oeuvre reception before 7 pm and if possible would start it a little later. You want you allow your guests time to eat dinner before they arrive to your reception otherwise you could run out of food and have disgruntled starving wedding guests. Not fun.

Do you have a question you'd like me to answer? I'd really love to hear them! Leave a comment or email me at meghan{at} thecitybride{dot}com.

The {Approximate} Cost of a Backyard Affair

To follow up with a post from last week, I'd like to further discuss the costs of having a backyard wedding. I am finding it very common that brides are unsure of the actual cost of certain services and a tented outdoor wedding is no exception.

For the sake of ease, lets say this backyard wedding is for 100 guests.

The following equipment is absolutely necessary for an outdoor affair:

tent including poles and sidewalls $2000

tent for caterer $150

13 60" round tables $107

2 8 ft banquet tables (head table) $16

5 cabaret tables (cocktails) $34

1 cake table $7

1 8 ft gift table $8

100 basic wood folding chairs $375

13 linens for dinner tables $468

2 linens for head table $59

5 cocktail table linens $105

1 cake table linen $23

1 gift table linen $29

100 napkins $60

dance floor $475

portable restrooms $1000

Total: $4916

Keep in mind that this is a ballpark figure and all the equipment (except for linens) is very basic. I also did not incorporate delivery and set up charges since they vary depending on the company and location but you can estimate at least $500 total.

Now that I have crunched the numbers for you go ahead and decide if an outdoor wedding is for you (and your budget!)

The City's Best | m three studio photography

I introduce to you m three studio photography, owned by Molly Michel.

And, because I just can't help sharing one of my favorites from our wedding day.

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

2.5 years, full-time. My husband and I started my photography business essentially on our own wedding day. A reshuffling at my day job caused me to take what had been an on-the-side fun job and turn it into my own business full-time. My business cards arrived on our wedding day, so I've always thought of our wedding day as the beginning of m three studio as well.

2. Describe your style and approach.

I create Fine Art Wedding Photography. My clients commission me to create my art for them in a way that tells the story of their relationship and their wedding day. I have a deep love affair with light and color, and both play prominent roles in my work. I aim to create a memorable photography experience as much as beautiful images.

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

My background is decidedly old-school. I have degrees in fine art printmaking, animation and film. I also have worked as a graphic designer, art director and production designer. This gives me a unique approach to a day - my training allows me to see the big picture and the still frames that make up a story. I take what is in front of me and create a total look from it that is edited to be cohesive and subservient to the larger story arc. I've always been inspired by a sense of place and history and these are the themes that I gravitate towards on a wedding day. I want to deliver images that show who a couple is, not just what is happening.

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

Don't take on more than you can happily manage. Notice I said "happily". The biggest mistake I made in my planning was not delegating more, and failing to see the value in exchanging expenses for time. If I could do it again, I would hire a planner from the beginning. I had so many projects and wanted to accomplish so much for our wedding that I didn't get to enjoy being engaged. There were so many projects I could have easily hired someone else to handle, create and manage. I wish I had. By the time our wedding came around I was beyond stressed, overworked, and spinning on so many levels and I couldn't really enjoy and appreciate what was happening. You only get one wedding day and one engagement - invest in enjoying it.

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

One nugget of my past life that seems to shock people the most : I used to be in pageants. In college I participated in the Miss America system for a couple of years. (This was before it became a reality show.) I learned a lot about myself, my abilities and about communication. I also learned that if you can walk on stage in 4" heels and a bikini in front of hundreds of people, you can do just about anything.

Chat with m three studio photography:
Ring: 262-497-7246
Web: mthreestudio.com
Blog: mthreestudioblog.com
Twitter: @mthreestudio

Molly, congrats on being one of The City's Best and thank you for sharing your contagious laughter, talent and passion with Milwaukee brides!

How About We Just Throw Up a Tent!

A bride planning a backyard wedding is a girl after my own heart. I love the atmosphere, intimacy and the endless possibilities of a backyard affair but what many people don't understand is that you can't just "throw up a tent."

This post is by no means intended to deter anyone from hosting a backyard wedding, I just want to remind you all that is involved.

A backyard wedding requires a tent, tables, chairs, and possibly a dance floor, lighting, electricity, and portable restrooms. Doesn't sound like much? Well, you are coordinating it all. There is no banquet manager to ensure that you have enough tables, chairs, linen, etc. or to help you with the layout of the dance floor or guest tables. With that said, hiring a good rental company is absolutely necessary. They will help you every step of the way but you need to stay organized and be the driving force for all of the communications and planning. Also, not only are you coordinating all of this during the planning stages you are also supervising set-up just days before your wedding.

There is one last thing. I try not to push on the blog that you should hire a Wedding Day Manager but here you must. When your wedding is at your (or parents') home you will not be able to escape the mishaps that occur. I mean really, what are you going to do when the guest shuttle gets stuck in the mud, it begins to pour rain 5 minutes before your ceremony, or the portable restroom overflows? You will be panic stricken and you don't need that on your wedding day.

If you are organized, up for a bit of a challenge and can handle a higher level of stress, by all means plan a backyard wedding (and have so much fun!).

Ditch the Pre-Made Timelines

Is anyone else frustrated with the pre-made timelines that all of the wedding magazines and websites are providing? They frustrate me because I see brides using them as a resource and just getting stressed out in the process.

Every couple's planning timeline and situation are different, so I don't think it's appropriate for everyone to use the same timeline. Especially since most timelines are based upon a 12 month period and we know not everyone has a 12 month engagement. I sincerely suggest ditching the pre-made timeline and creating something that suits your situation.

To get you started, here is what is important. First, before you do anything else, create a budget! (yes, the exclamation point is necessary!) With the excitement of engagement comes the immediate need to start planning but without a budget where do you even start? Well, many brides just start planning and claim they have no budget. Even if your budget is a million dollars, you still have a budget. Create one and I promise your planning will be less stressful.

You should of course then choose the date followed by venues for both ceremony and reception. I know that this can be challenging, especially if you have your heart set on specific venues but use your problem solving skills and I know you can work it out.

After the date and venues are chosen you need to hire a photographer. Good photographers book fast and unless you have weekday wedding you don't have time to wait. Sorry if this stresses you out but it's true. Now, you have a date set, you've chosen venues and you have a photographer...now you can breathe for a few moments.

At this point, you should begin researching other vendors and meeting with those that best suit your style. If you have more than 6 months before your wedding I certainly wouldn't rush this phase. Take your time and meet with lots of different vendors in each category and find the ones that you like the best and really want to work with. This phase can be time consuming, but in the end the better relationship you have with these people the more enjoyable your wedding will be.

The pre-made timelines touch on things like asking your bridal party to participate, creating a gift registry, finalizing plans for your honeymoon, etc. and while these are all important aspects of your wedding I don't feel that they need to be part of your timeline. The simpler this "checklist" is for you the better.

I obviously didn't touch on everything that should be included, like buying your dress, creating a guest list, and choosing linens because you need to do that when you are ready. Face the fact that some things can't be done a year before your wedding.

P.S. Please leave a comment if you would like to know what timing I suggest for a different aspect of your planning that I haven't included in this post.

The City's Best | freshdesign

I introduce to you freshdesign, owned by Sue Shunta.

1.How long have you worked in the wedding industry?
4 happy years!

2.Describe your style and approach.
We believe seriously that the process of wedding flower planning should be as fabulous as the end result. As a once in a lifetime event, all elements, including the planning process should be relaxing, fun and creative. So at freshdesign it’s important to us that a bride or couple’s time with us is just that. Our design style is clean-lined, simple and modern. We find this approach surprisingly versatile and have worked with clients who desire a minimalist approach, garden style or lush and luxurious flowers. The common denominator is thoughtful design that ensures that each and every element used has a purpose.

3.What sets you apart from other vendors in your expertise?
Milwaukee brides are lucky in that there are many talented and versatile wedding artisans all across the city. This keeps us on our toes! We hope to distinguish ourselves with a warm experience, impeccable design and attentive service.

4.What is your best piece of wedding planning advice for brides?
It is 100% true that if you make selections of things you love…. flowers, cake, linens etc your day will come together in an inspired, personal and gorgeous way. Trust yourself.

5.Just for fun, share something unique about yourself.
I have an unexplained affinity for cows. I find them soulful, peaceful creatures and have been known to stop the car next to a farm just to watch them graze.

Chat with freshdesign:
Ring: 414.467.4310
Web: freshdesignflowers.com

Sue, congrats on being one of The City's Best and thank you for sharing your talent and passion with Milwaukee brides!

City Bride Style | Audey Bridesmaid Dresses

Lately my posts have been filled with motherly advice and lots of nagging but today I am sharing with you one of my new favorite style ideas in the wedding industry.

I introduce to you Audey, a designer who has embraced the idea of letting your bridesmaids rock their personal style. Audey has created a bridesmaid line that is completely customizable, allowing your ladies to choose both a top and a skirt that is flattering for them. Some of the top options include boatneck, strapless and triangle and for the bottom, pencil, circle and pleated skirts.

Aren't they so fun and beautiful? And the patterns, oh I love the patterns!

Not only will your bridesmaids look ultra stylish but they will have bonded during the designing process and will feel more comfortable on your wedding day. I love that Audey has created an experience out of bridesmaid dress shopping.

Now you want your very own Audey dress, don't you? Well, you are in luck! These dresses can be designed at Miss Ruby Boutique and if you come in on a Saturday I may be able to help you!

And, since you know I love bonus points, the designer of this line will be in Milwaukee in a couple weeks to help brides design the best dresses for their maids. Contact Miss Ruby to set up your private appointment.

Happy Designing!

Don't Be a No Show!

As I have mentioned before, I help out at Miss Ruby Boutique every Saturday and I love it! It allows me to witness brides in action and help them in another capacity. Last Saturday however, I was very disappointed in the actions of a few brides. I am not sure why, but when brides appear to be uneducated (in a sense of wedding planning) it always bothers me. Most likely because I feel the main purpose of this blog is to educate brides throughout their planning process and guide them to make good decisions.

Anyway, on Saturday there were 2 no show appointments. To many of you this may seem like a ridiculous reason to be upset and at first I wasn't but then I started thinking.

Brides were calling all day long hoping to get a last minute appointment for that day. Unfortunately, we were completely booked and I had to turn them away. But, really if the brides who didn't show up for their appointment had canceled I probably could have accommodated some of those other brides.

My point here is that everyone's time is important and if for some reason you can't attend a meeting or appointment just let us know. We will be happy to reschedule and accommodate you in any way that we can.

Still aren't convinced it's important to cancel? Think of it like this. By canceling your appointment or meeting you are opening up an opportunity for another bride. Maybe you are making her planning less stressful, allowing her an opportunity to hire a vendor before her date is booked, or just allowing her to do a little more planning that day. For whatever reason, remember that you are helping her.

Please, please, please, cancel the appointments you can't attend. It will make me feel so much better.