Where's the Gift?

I have couples a lot of the time that only want to receive monetary gifts from guests for their wedding...the "Wishing Well Syndrome" is what I've named it. Couples are merging two households or have been living with one another for a while before the wedding date, so why register for gifts "when we have everything". But if you add registering to your wedding to-do list and register thoughtfully, you will thank yourself in the months and years to come. Plus take into consideration the guests who just want to give a gift or have credit cards to use instead of cash.

I have listed a few registry tips to help you with this process:

• Register early in the planning process so you won't find it to be a tedious task later down the line
• At minimum, choose two stores to ensure your guests have various price ranges
• Choose stores that will have your registry posted online and the website is user-friendly
• Remember, registry information should not be included inside your wedding invitations. Word-of-mouth and wedding websites are the best options for spreading the word to those who want to purchase a gift or gift card.
• And have fun with it! Your registry is a wish list of items you want to enhance your home as Mr. & Mrs.

Below are some popular registries you might want to consider:
www.Macys.com
www.BedBathandBeyond.com
www.Target.com
www.Kohls.com

Until next time WEDologize!

You Can Eat That Flower!

In wrapping up my blog segment on wedding cakes and dessert (yes, I know...it was suppose to end last month), I stumbled across a company that uses edible flowers to decorate wedding cakes and cupcakes.

Now the concept is pretty simple, instead of using sugar flowers or flowers created by some type of frosting, this company is using flowers from nature and making a statement in the confectionery world. "The Crystallized Flower Company is home-grown out of Willoughby, Ohio. All of there edible blooms are grown naturally, free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or growth hormones." What an eco-friendly way to decorate your wedding desserts!!

In the photo above, pansies and mint leaves are used to decorate those decedent cupcakes. You can see more of their edible flower offerings at http://www.crystallizedflowerco.com/.

Until next time...WEDologize!

A Cup of Cake!

I thought at one point that cupcakes at weddings was only going to be a trend...BOY WAS I WRONG and so VERY happy to say so! I simply LOVE cupcakes...well any cake for that matter...but nothing beats those 5-6 bites of divine perfection and frosting!

Cupcakes aren't only making an appearance in the place of wedding cakes, but brides and grooms are creating complete cupcake stations where guests can add their own toppings. Or you might to decide to display cupcakes on a dessert station or in conjunction with a candy buffet. Either way, think about making those cupcakes stand out even more with custom cupcake wrappers. They'll be sure to make a statement.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo Credits: cupcakes - www.theknot.com; cupcake wrappers - www.cheftools.com, Bella Cupcake Couture Wrappers

Not Cake Walk...Cake Talk

In selecting that beautiful piece of art to be on display at your wedding reception, there are some important cake terms you should know when meeting with a cake designer. Outside of thumbing through bridal magazines and surfing the web for that fabulous cake photo, you must consider your budget when make your cake selection because YES, that jaw-dropping cake that has caught your eye...just might be the jaw-dropping cake that will blow your budget out the water!

FRESH flowers vs. SUGAR flowers -

If you don't remember anything else, fresh flowers are much less expensive than sugar flowers. Reason being is that the caliber of time and energy that goes into creating a sugar flower so that it looks like a live flower is a talent in itself. And the steps it takes to create one flower, let alone a casade of flowers, can be daunting...but none the less amazing when compared to a fresh flower. Should you want sugar flowers for your wedding cake, use them in moderation so that you don't cap your budget.

BUTTERCREAM frosting vs. FONDANT-

Buttercream frosted cakes are far less expensive than fondant cakes. But know that buttercream, although better in taste, does has it's limitations. It is not a good cake for an outdoor wedding reception because the heat can cause it to melt. It would need to be brought out right before the cake cutting ceremony happens. Also, that smooth look that you see on many cakes today is not created with buttercream. Those looks are actually created with fondant, as well as the sugar edible flowers and lot of the detailed work. But should you want the best of both worlds - the smooth outer texture and good taste - ask your cake designer to put a layer of buttercream frosting underneath the fondant. That way, when the guests pull off the overly sweet fondant, they still will have a tasty frosted slice of cake.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.weddingchannel.com

Let 'Em Eat Wedding Cake!

For those that know me...know that I'm a cake junkie! I just love the taste and smell of sweet confections and in my opinion, it's doesn't get any better than the centerpiece of the wedding reception - THE WEDDING CAKE. So for the remainder of the May, I'm dedicating the WEDology Blog to wedding cakes and desserts at the reception.

Below are some beautiful cakes I stumbled upon on http://www.theknot.com/ with green and orange accents, and the cost effect use of fresh flowers. Note: any time you want to cut down on your cake budget, opt for fresh flowers over sugar flowers. The flowers are typically provided by your florist once you give them a sketch of your wedding cake and some times are discounted since you have already purchased your ceremony and reception flowers through them.

Until next time...WEDologize!

10 Years In The Biz!!!

Sorry, but I took a brief hiatus to continue planning and then hosting the Dejanae Events 10th year in the business celebration. I've posted pictures on Facebook, but I decided as a tribute and a way of saying thanks, that I wanted to share with you the fabulous vendors that assisted me with the celebration.

On Friday, April 23rd, over 80 family, friends and colleagues came out to celebrate at Ven Sherrod's Photography studio from 6-9pm. Check out Ven's website at http://www.vsphoto.com/ to learn of his loft studio space for your rental needs. But also view his portfolio to see one of Chicago's premier photographers awesome work. The photos provided in this blog (well most of them :) were taken by him and are much appreciated. Thanks Ven!

During the week of the celebration, I launched the newly redesigned website and logo (well actually that was debuted in February) for the world the see. I have to give thanks to Christy Toney of CT Designs for all her hard and generous work for bringing the Dejanae Events look to life. Check her out at http://www.ct-designs.com/ as this custom invitation designer and calligraphist stands out above the rest.

In addition to his fabulous toast to me, LeVern Danley, owner of LAD4 Creations, made a wonderful video clip of several of the weddings we have worked together on over the years. LeVern is such a professional in the business and can be found at http://www.lad4creations.com/. Check him out for media services because his service is impeccable!

Now I received so many compliments on the food and bar menu and I owe thanks to 4 Generations Catering for creating such a swank menu and providing awesome service!! Tiffany Fulton's talents should be announced to the world! Check her company out at http://www.cooking4generations.com/. Oh and can I tell you, she set up a wonderful display of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Vegetable Skewers, Whole Grilled Chicken Wings and Fruit and Cheese Kabobs! And Terisita, the bartender-extraordinaire, finished off with the "Deja-Tini"...a martini of vodka, pomegranate and blue raspberry fruit juice infusions and a green grape for color. Want a professional and lovely-spirited bartender, reach out to her at katiemae2@comcast.com. One of the largest rental companies, if not the largest, Classic Party Rental provided the cabaret tables, hiboys and walnut wood folding chairs. Their detailed site can be found at http://www.classicpartyrental.com/. The tables were draped by a lovely designer that I just recently met - Enchanting Events Created by Angie. With her use of purple and sage green, she brought the business colors to life and totally rocked the space! E-mail Angie at amoten2@yahoo.com for a list of all her services.

The live entertainment was provided by The Chris Greene Duo and although I literally just meet him the evening before the event (don't ask :), he was so professional and my guests LOVED his music. What a wonderful musician! Check him out at http://www.chrisgreenejazz.com/. And I can never forget the DJ, that although he could not attend due to a previous engagement, made some CD's of my favorite songs to pipe through the surround after the musicians departed. DJ Bo rocks and you can find him on Facebook/DJBo.

Last, but never least, I have to give a big shout out and many, many thanks to Bob, the owner of Rosemary's Garden, for the 10+ dramatic centerpieces he created for my cocktail party. Using hydrangea, calla lilies, roses, irises, dendrobium and cymbidium orchids...just to name a few... literally brought me to tears. High, low and submerged floral arrangements simply completed the elegant look I was hoping for. Check out Rosemary's Garden at http://www.rosemarysgardenbridal.com/ and tell him Desiree' sent you.

Once again thanks to the talented vendors who assisted in making this milestone such a success! I could not have done it without you and I'm so very thankful for each of you!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Addressing Etiquette and Assembly

Now that you have selected your beautiful invitation ensemble and they are in your possession, it's time to assemble those invitations and get them in the mail! The first thing you want to do is take a completely assembled invitation, including enclosures and the envelopes, to the post office to get it weighed for mailing. Most invitations will cost at minimum $1.05 to mail and can require additional postage do to weight and shape. This amount will include the outer envelope postage and the reply card envelope postage, so remember to include this cost in your stationary budget.

Now you need to get your best girlfriends together and plan an "invitation assembly" day...the more help the merrier! If your invitation suite contains the following components - outer envelope, invitation, reception card, reply card and envelope - they should be assembled in the following fashion:

From top to bottom
Invitation
Reception Card
Reply Card (tucked under the flap of the reply envelope)
Reply Card envelope (and don't forget to adhere postage)
Additional inserts such as Direction or Accommodation Card
...Then place these components into the INNER envelope
...Finally you will place the stuffed inner envelope into the outer envelope flap-to-flap and adhere postage.

Rather you are hiring a calligraphist to address the outer envelope or using labels or writing them your self, there are certain rules of etiquette that you should consider:

• Avoid nicknames or abbreviations unless you are using the following salutations - Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Dr., Rev., Jr., Senior, Roman Numerals, etc.
• Use full titles when addressing the military
• It is okay to use a First initial if you do not have the full first name
• City, State and Numbered Streets are spelled out
• Avoid the phrase "and family" but instead list everyone who is invited in the household on the inner envelope
• Both the names of two unmarried people living in the same household should appear on the envelopes
• Your return address should appear on the back flap of the outer envelope

Until next time...WEDologize!