Be Different

A year ago, I joined the Junior Leagues of Birmingham to not only meet new people, but to get more involved in the community. This past weekend, we held our annual Mistletoe Event at Cloverleaf Fine Wine in Royal Oak which was a huge success. While it was a new venue for the league, it turned out quite well. The two story space has a modern loft feel to it with exposed pipes and beams which supported our cocktail event. Along with a wonderful band and plenty of wine and appetizers, there was a silent auction with a large array of wonderful items to choose from.

The reason I am mentioning all of this is that there are so many great places in Michigan to hold an event and that if you really want to be creative and different, you can absolutely make your wedding or special event something to remember. I challenge you to think differently for your next big event. If you have any examples of doing something a little bit different that you would like to share, please e-mail me at mrosenthal@merrittrosenthal.com . I look forward to your responses.

The Centerpiece

The Centerpiece

Lately, I have been working on putting together new ways for bride’s to re-invent the centerpiece and have come up with some different ideas. I love that even the smallest, most insignificant thing can spark inspiration such as a trip to the grocery store. So, the other day, I was picking up the usual list of items from our local store like milk, juice, eggs etc and came across an almost antique looking shampoo bottle. You might say “What in the world does a shampoo bottle have to with weddings,” but let me tell you it can. At that moment, I had a wonderful thought come to mind and I had to sketch it right away. I pulled out my little notepad from my purse and sketched away (I think a few bystanders thought I was a little strange, but oh what I would do for my job). Then, I tucked it away until I could get home to do more research on antiques. Now at home, I typed in “antiques” into a Google word search and was on my way. After a short time, I was able to build an entirely new type of centerpiece around my idea and I truly look forward to the day when I can put it to good use.

Family Wedding in Arizona

My husband and I attended a relative’s wedding this weekend in Arizona which was lovely. The wedding ceremony and reception were held at the picturesque Four Seasons in Scottsdale where the warm weather, great food & decor and terrific company made for a memorable experience. From every wedding that I attend, I like to take away at least one favorite moment or idea and this time it was definitely the setting. Having the ceremony outside with a beautiful background of mountains, cacti, candlelight, and roses was indescribable. In fact, I did not think the site could be topped until I noticed the amazing sunset before me. What an image! If I could change one thing about the whole weekend, it would have been to stay longer. In fact, the weekend went so fast, I barely even remember being there or even that I was able to bask in the sun for a few hours at the hotel pool.

Joe Cornell Expo

A couple of weekends ago, I participated in the Joe Cornell Event Planning Expo at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. I was actually representing both the Troy Community Center as well as my own business, Merritt Rosenthal Weddings & Events. It was not only nice to see such a great turn-out for the show, but it was great to be part of such a well organized and intimate show (the vendors are limited to between 60 and 70). Here are some pictures from the show…

Parisian Weddings & Dresses

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I traveled to France for the first time and spent time in Paris and Tours. We absolutely loved every minute of it and cannot wait to return one day. During our time there, we visited such historical and beautiful sites as the Louvre, Versaille, Orsay, Montmatre, Chambord and the list can go on and on.

Also, I had the opportunity to sit down one on one with a couture wedding dress designer, Ana Quasoar, at her salon on Rue De La Banque. We discussed Parisian weddings as well as her exquisite work. It was a fantastic experience and look forward to the day when we can meet again as well as work together. Please feel free to peruse her work at http://www.anaquasoar.com/wedding_gowns.php.

September 26, 2009 Wedding

Congratulations to Sarah and Matt Beer! I so enjoyed being a part of your wedding day and wish you all the happiness in the world. Here are a few pictures from the grand affair.

Wedding Classes at the Troy Community Center

Announcing two new wedding planning classes at the Troy Community Center on 9/15 and 10/29-Weddings 101 and Weddings on a Budget. There are a limited number of spots available, so sign-up now! Call 248-524-3484 for more information or to purchase your ticket.

August 22, 2009

Congratulations to Lindsey and Mark Sislo on your recent nuptials. I am so pleased that I could be a part of your day as your wedding planner. It was a wonderful time and I wish you both have all the happiness in the world. Here are some pictures of the memorable day.

Passion

This past weekend, I attended Julie & Julia with my oh so wonderful husband at the old theater in Birmingham and absolutely adored it. I have to tell you that is one of those movies that you could see over and over again. Basically, I know this movie will end up driving my husband crazy because I will want to watch it every time it comes on television. Ladies, I know you know what I am talking about.

Meryl Streep was amazing in her portrayal of Julia Child and Amy Adam’s character was equally adorable and fun to watch. I believe the best part of this movie, however was the passion each woman possessed for food and cooking. I instantly felt a connection to these women because of it. What I love about passion is that once you find it, you cannot get enough of it nor do you feel as alive doing anything else. I feel so lucky to have found wedding planning and only hope that my passion for the business continues until I am old and gray.

First Fitting

I recently shared in the joy of attending the first dress fitting with one of my brides and loved every minute of it. My absolute favorite moment is watching a bride put on her very own dress on for the first time and then seeing that noticeable expression of excitement in her face. I also love it when the mother of the bride, friends and other families attend to support the bride and gush over the dress. I always encourage this!

Attending the first fitting can also be nerve-wracking, so here are a few tips to make the appointment go smoothly:
1.) Bring the shoes and undergarments that you are going to wear the day of the wedding.
2.) Bring a few different jewelry pieces to try on with the dress.
3.) If you have it, bring along your veil and/or headpiece just to get a feel for the full picture.
4.) Always bring a camera and family or friends!
5.) Take along your wedding planner to make suggestions on the bustle or fit of the dress.

The Photographer

Photography is a wonderful way to capture your wedding day memories. It is also a key element in determining many couples’ budgets. Here are a few questions to consider when selecting the right person for your wedding.

1.) Will you be at my wedding or will you send someone else? If so, can I meet him/her?

2.) What type of camera do you use?

3.) What is your style of photography?

4.) When will the proofs be ready?

5.) What type of packages do you offer?

6.) Do you have different styles of wedding books?

7.) Will there be online ordering?

8.) What do you require for the deposit? When is final payment due?

9.) Do you offer videography services as well?

Wedding Elements- The Flowers

Flowers are one of my favorite elements to a wedding and I love devising new ways to use them. Sure, they may be an added expense, but they can easily and beautifully transform a space in minutes. Here are some questions to ask when you are meeting with a florist:

· What packages does the vendor offer?

· Can they work with your budget?

· Do they understand your wedding style?

· Do they deliver the flowers? Is there a charge?

· Do they offer other rentals (linens, candles, chair covers, chairs)? What are the fees associated with these?

· Do they set-up the flowers at the ceremony and reception sites?

· If needed, can they move the ceremony flowers to the reception site?

· Can they provide flowers for the cake?

· What do they require to book a date?

· What is their cancellation policy?

Wedding Elements-The Invitation

In the next month, I will be examining several elements of the wedding planning process. This week, the focus will be on selecting the right invitation.

An invitation will not only set the tone, but will be your guest’s first glimpse into your dream day. Here are a few factors to think about when selecting the perfect invitation:

· What is your wedding theme?

· What colors are you incorporating into the wedding?

· What time of year will your wedding take place?

· What do you want the invitation to say about your wedding?

· What will the text say on the invitation? Will it say black tie preferred?

· What is your budget?

· How many invitations will you need?

· What is the lead time on the invitations?

· Do you want to custom invitations

Lauren & Wes Herrin's Wedding-Flowers (Breath of Spring), Invitation (Lee's Specialty)

Troy Community Center & Merritt Rosenthal Weddings & Events Partner Up

It is an exciting time in the event planning world as The Troy Community Center and Merritt Rosenthal Weddings & Events have aligned to offer special event planning services starting now. A group may select from 2 unique packages and/or hourly assistance to create the perfectly planned shower, graduation, anniversary party, birthday party, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and more. Take a look at the marketing piece on my website or call 248-524-1835 for more information.

Petoskey Tasting

This past weekend, I traveled to Petoskey for a tasting/logistics meeting for one of the weddings I am coordinating this fall and had a wonderful time. While I will not reveal the lovely details of the wedding, I will say it is going to be beautiful. The venue, staff, and vendors we are working with are fantastic and I truly look forward to the wedding day. Here are just a few pictures of the venue itself including indoor and outdoor shots.

Maria's Bridal Couture-Styeline Magazine

Last Thursday, I participated as one of the featured vendors at the Grand Opening of Maria’s Bridal Couture in West Bloomfield. Maria’s Bridal Couture offers an amazing array of wonderful designers and collections including Vera Wang, Katerina Bocci and more all in a grand and upscale atmosphere. The Open House itself took place from 4pm-8pm and offered brides a chance to view featured gowns on models as well as to check out various local wedding vendors. I do wish Maria’s Bridal Couture so much future success! Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day.

Check out the article/photos on Stylelinemag.com or facebook.

Venue Locations

I have had quite a few requests lately for “different” venue locations. With the trend of personalized weddings, I am finding that more and more brides want a venue that is truly unique to the wedding couples personality (which I think is terrific). I love the challenge of finding that hidden gem for a bride and groom and seeing their face light up when they see it for the first time. I also enjoy the fact that couples are really celebrating their unique style and tastes. Just a few hints when thinking about such venues….

1.) Consider whether or not the venue offers rentals (tables, chairs, dishware) or if you will need to take care of that on your own.

2.) If the venue has not held a large event before, I highly recommend hiring a coordinator to assist you with the logistics.

3.) If the venue is outside, be sure to ask about a rain option.

Feel free to e-mail me at mrosenthal@merrittrosenthal.com, if you have held your wedding at an unknown place in Michigan.

Inspiration

Recently, I had a friend inquire about creating her overall wedding vision. She was in the initial stages of planning her wedding, but needed to develop a more concise theme and just did not know where to turn to for ideas (other than her wedding planner pal, of course). I suggested looking for inspiration in magazines and books. Actually, I told her she could look in anything from an architecture based magazine to gardening or fashion. Really, anything that evokes a wish, a feeling, a desire can and should be used when designing a dream wedding. She immediately went to her local bookstore and bought a handful of magazines and started tearing out pages and pages of ideas. Within minutes, she was inspired by a home design magazine showcasing a modern loft in NYC. The loft was filled with vibrant reds, oranges and yellows and clean lines. Then and there, she knew exactly what she wanted for her wedding (after, of course checking, with her soon to be hubbie), a modern art museum inspired event. Good job, Jen!

If you have any thoughts on inspiration, please feel free to e-mail me. Thanks.

The Rehearsal Dinner

Last weekend, I was thumbing through several wedding magazines and came across an interesting article on rehearsal dinners. While I agreed with the author’s opinion on finding the right venue and atmosphere for the occasion , I disagreed with the fact that the choice could not be more casual. To me, the rehearsal dinner should be more relaxed and playful while the wedding day should be opulent and formal. In fact, I love the idea of themed based rehearsal dinners without of course going over the top. Here is one themed based rehearsal dinner that I did with a past bride….

Venue-Mac & Rays

Dress-Cruising Attire

Everyone received a special monogrammed cap upon arrival

Invitations-Fun, chic invites with a sailor theme

When you are thinking about your rehearsal dinner, have some fun with it and enjoy!

Classes

Starting in March, I will be teaching a few wedding classes at the Troy Community Center. The ticket prices range from $26-$31 depending on your residency status. Here is some general information about the first two classes:

March 28 1-3pm

Congrats on your wedding. Now what? Join me for this introduction to wedding planning as I walk you through the steps to make all your wedding day dreams come true.

April 4 1-3pm

In this economy, every little bit helps. The class discussion will revolve around cost cutting tips and how to create a beautiful wedding on a budget without sacrificing elegance and class.

For more information, contact the Troy Parks and Recreation Department at 248.524.3484. Hope to see you there.

January Bar Mitzvah

A few weeks ago, I handled a Bar Mitzvah at the Troy Community Center. Following that, one day around lunchtime, I got a call from our front desk that a packaged had arrived for me. I headed to the front desk and saw a delivery man with two huge boxes of cookies. I quickly opened the attached card and realized it was from the mother I had been working with on the January Bar Mitzvah. I was so surprised and delighted all at the same time! I just wanted to take this time to say thank you. It was much appreciated by all (especially my husband)!

Dress Shopping

While I have many favorites of my job, wedding dress or bridesmaid dress shopping are definitely ranked in my top 10. I love to see a bride and her friends/family members delight in the new experience especially when they find a dress that they love. Yesterday, one of my brides found 3 dresses which thrilled me. To top it off, she could not decide which one she liked the most, so now comes the hard part of trying to make a final decision. What made the experience even better was the wonderful customer service, so thanks to the Macy's team at Somerset!

January 17, 2009 Wedding

Congratulations to Lauren & Wes on your beautiful wedding. It was such a pleasure to be a part of your event as your day of coordinator. When we met back in September, I knew your wedding was going to be fantastic. I immediately loved your chosen theme, décor, and vendors and knew organizing the day would be a great experience. In honor of your memorable day, here are some pictures.

Vendors
Florist-Breath of Spring
Linens-Chair Covers & Linens
Venue-Centerpoint Marriott
Cake-Home Bakery
Chuppah-Ron Herrin
Programs-Wes & Lauren Herrin

Movies & Trends

Bridal Wars is coming out on Friday and I have to admit I am really excited to see it. Plus, Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are two of my favorite actresses. You would think I would get sick of wedding related movies, but it never gets old to me. I cannot help it, but when I see a preview for anything wedding related, I must watch it.

One of favorite movies of all time is Steel Magnolias which of course opens with a wedding between Julia Robert's character, Shelby and Dylan McDermott's character, Jackson. To be honest, when I first saw this movie, as a teen, I always wanted a pink wedding & dress just like Shelby. I eventually grew out of this phase and when it came time to get married, decided on a different, more “in” color scheme.

It is interesting how trends can influence a wedding. In fact, so many easily just come and go over the years. However, I know one that will always remain and that is personalization. I believe it is so important to truly represent the bride and groom’s individuality. It can play a part into everything from the cocktail napkins to the type of music played at the ceremony. So, whatever it may be, just personalize it like Shelby did.