ColumbusBrideandGroom.com

Running of the Brides

2011-05-19T13:30:00.002-04:00

Hundreds of brides-to-be are expected at the legendary Running of the Brides® sale on May 20, all looking to snag the wedding gown of their dreams at a bargain price. At 8:00am the brides and their helpers will burst through the doors of Filene’s Basement in Columbus to wade through over 1300 gowns, sizes 2 to 26. So deep are the discounts, many customers will literally pounce on dresses priced from $249-$699 that might otherwise cost as much as $9,000. This year, Filene’s Basement is partnering with Slim-Fast® to help brides get the perfect fit in the perfect dress for the big day.

“We know looking for the perfect dress at a great price is a primary concern for many brides,” said Joel Feigenbaum, president and COO of Filene’s Basement and its parent company SYMS Clothing. “But we also know brides want to look their best on their big day and Slim-Fast® can help. Filene’s Basement and Slim-Fast® are a good match – we both want to help brides look picture perfect on their wedding day.”

The racks are stripped bare in less than 90 seconds as the brides and their teammates grab the first dresses they reach. Then it’s time for the women to strip down to leotards, sports bras or even underwear to try on gowns right there on the sales floor.

But what happens if a petite bride snagged a size 14 dress in pink chiffon when she really wanted a size 4 in white satin? That’s when the real fun begins, as the women barter to find the right dress. Some even display their own “trading” signs that specify the style and size they’re looking for. It’s a ritual that turns Filene’s Basement into an old-fashioned bazaar.

For brides who don’t like crowds there are plenty of great deals to be found later in the day when things calm down. Whether you get there at 8:00am for the ‘rush to the racks’ or plan to arrive later, bring a camera—veterans of this sale agree, it’s an experience worth preserving.

The Running of the Brides® sale takes place Friday, May 20 2011 at Filene’s Basement, 3704 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43235. Checks, credit cards and cash are accepted. All sales are final. For more information call 614-932-1001 or visit http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides.

The Wedding Experience- Grand Prize Giveaways!

2011-04-18T14:12:00.001-04:00

Thank you so much for joining us as one of our exclusive guests at The Wedding Experience at Grand Oaks, The Pinnacle, and Oakhurst this past Friday!

As one of our guests you got to enjoy some of the best wedding professionals in Columbus. From dancers, to florists, makeup artists, invitation companies, jewelers and so much more! There was free transportation for some, signature drinks, goodie bags filled with inspiration and lots of prizes given away on-site.Our event is still not over as couples are still benefiting with even more giveaway!!!

If you have been following the list located on the Wedding Experience website over the months you will have seen some of the fabulous prizes our vendors are giving away.

Below are the prizes and next to them if you see your name YOU ARE OUR WINNER!!!!

Pure Romance Bridal Solutions

On-site pampering with Beauty Artist, Tiffany Chan!

Hair and/or makeup for up to 5 people on your wedding day-$500 value

The lucky bride is......

Jecoliah Harris you are our winner!

"For You" Event Consultation

A gift card towards all services!

$350 value

The lucky couple is.....

Brittany Wood and Curtis Leuenberger you are our winners!

Custom Foto

Deluxe Bridal Session

Includes 20x24 Gallery Mount Canvas-$495 value

The lucky couple is.....

Loren McCambridge and Matt League you are our winners!

Doug Melvin Photography

Photography/Video Engagement Session

$500 Value

The lucky couple is.....

Jessica Norman and Josh Banik you are our winners!

Jordance PDA Dance Studio

Dance like a star on your wedding day!

10 Free dance lessons $890 Value

The lucky couple is.....

Megan Johnson and Kyle Sadaluk you are our winners!

Columbus Party Bus

Party like a rockstar

2 hour Party Bus Rental-$500 value

The lucky couple is.....

Ashley Backs and Devin Judge you are our winners!

A Golden Memory

Complimentary Engagement or Family photography Package

$375 value

The lucky couple is.....

Katie Ball and Jason Marks you are our winners!

Mary Kay Cosmetics

Ultimate Bridal Pampering Package

$400 value

The lucky Bride is.....

Erin Henschen you are our winner!

Pink Tomato Paperie

Custom Invitation Package

$400 value

The lucky couple is.....

Rachel Lieb and Phou Soukkay you are our winners!

The Columbus Photobooth Company

Gift Certificate towards Photobooth Services

$300 value

The lucky couple is.....

Rachel Levi and Chris Bryan you are our winners!

Moments Matter

Bridal shower

$500 value

The lucky bride is.....

Jenny Scott and Doug Hugo you are our winners!

Please contact us at 614-787-1840 or info@columbusbrideandgroom.com to make arrangements to collect your prize. You may also want to check out the vendors website for more info on their company and services. You will have until Monday, April 25th to arrange collection of your grand prize otherwise it will be forfeited.

Experience Vintage Classic

2011-04-02T12:08:00.000-04:00

Grand Oaks offers a stunning ballroom which opens onto a large private patio with built-in fireplace, beautifully landscaped lawn & gazebo with wooded backdrop.

This Vintage Classic theme was designed for the bride and groom who want to create a timeless event. Bold reds combined with black and white accents provide a dramatic element to the evening.

Experience Rustic Charm

2011-04-02T11:51:00.000-04:00

Oakhurst offers the perfect setting for your event as its abundant windows overlook the picturesque golf course surrounded by trees, flowing fountains and beautiful landscape.

This Rustic Charm theme was created for the bride and groom who want to bring the outdoors in with a romantic touch. Earthy brown tones are offset with a merlot red, kelly green and honey yellow to provide natural warmth.

Experience Royal Elegance

2011-04-02T11:19:00.002-04:00

The stylish English manor architecture, garden setting and unique spaces of The Pinnacle offer beauty, excitement and true pleasure to you and your guests.

This Royal Elegance theme was created for the bride and groom who want their guests to leave feeling like royalty. Shades of gold and ivory are accented by a deep plum to give a grand and elegant feel.

Columbus Bride & Groom "Wedding Experience"

2011-03-17T12:02:00.000-04:00

March Hostess Special brought to you by Cookie Lee Jewelry!

2011-02-22T11:48:00.000-05:00

Book a home show anytime from now until April 1 and receive next month's hostess special FREE! Call or email today and lock in your date.

Megan Hinton
Independent Consultant - Cookie Lee Jewelry

Senior Team Consultant - Quick Start Recruiting Achiever
http://www.cookielee.biz/megancrum

http://www.facebook.com/megans.cookielee

megans.cookielee@yahoo.com
614-783-9363 call or text anytime!

The Wedding Experience at Station 67-Video provided by Too Wise Productions

2010-11-15T16:07:00.001-05:00

The Wedding Experience-Grand Prize Giveaway Winners Are.....

2010-11-15T15:57:00.004-05:00

Thank you so much for joining us as one of our exclusive guests at The Wedding Experience at BoMA, Station 67 and The Columbus Renaissance this past Friday!

As one of our guests you got to enjoy some of the best wedding professionals in Columbus. From dancers, to florists, makeup artists, invitation companies, jewelers and so much more! There was free transportation, signature drinks, goodie bags filled with inspiration and lots of prizes given away on-site.

Our event still is not over as couples are still benefiting from this event. We have more giveaways!!!! If you have been following the list located on the Wedding Experience website over the months you will have seen some of the fabulous prizes our vendors are giving away.

Below are the prizes and next to them if you see your name YOU ARE OUR WINNER!!!!

Urban Express Transportation2 hr limo or bus service
$400 value
Bruce Robinson- You are our winner!!!

Bed Bath & BeyondCookware Set
$299 value
Kathryn Mueller- You are our winner!!!

Romanoffs Classic TuxedoFree Caravalli Suit
$295.95 value
Lashana Johnson- You are our winner!!!

The Columbus Photobooth1.5 hr photobooth rental
$250 value

Katie Ball You are our winner!!!

Erika Taylor Urban SpaEyelash extensions and $50 Gift Certificate
$300 value
Traci Zufall You are our winner!!!

Too Wise Productions:Wedding Story Video Package in HiDef
$350 Value
Sherrice Dickerson You are our winner!!!

Flex Fitness Studios:One Month Free Training
$400 Value
Kyle Pace You are our winner!!!

Bare Esscentuals:Exclusive Bridal Party 'Get-Together'

Alisha Gerren You are our winner!!!

Rock On Ice:
Ice Sculpture
$350 Value

Malana LaBlanc You are our winner!!!

Moments Matter LLC:
Bridal Shower
$500 Value
Alisa Buck You are our winner!!!

Girls in White Dresses:
Hair Accessory (ie: Tiara)

Sarah Rice You are our winner!!!

Short North Piece of Cake:
Wedding Cake
$500.00 value
Carolyn Titko You are our winner!!!

The Pink Tomato
one custom invitation package
$400.00 value-(order must be placed by June 2011)

Jessica Codespoti you are our winner!!!

Uniglobe Travel Designers:
Overnight Stay at The Westin
(breakfast for 2 and valet parking included)
Melissa Cates you are our winner!!!

Tastefully Simple
Bakers Delight Goodie Package
$50 value
Lisa Bongiorno You are our winner!!!

Columbus Party Bus
Free 2 hr party bus rental

Lauren Huff You are our winner!!!

Lifestyle Family Fitness
12 personal training sessions (6 weeks)
$564 value
Eli Smith You are our winner!!!

Please contact us at 614-787-1840 or info@columbusbrideandgroom.com to make arrangements to collect your prize. You may also want to check out the vendors website for more info on their company and services. You will have 1 week to arrange collection of your grand prize otherwise it will be forfeited.

A Bride's Design on a Dime, Tip of the Week!

2010-06-29T14:33:00.000-04:00

"How to save money on your linens"

by Amrta Kenner, Wedding and Event Designer

A wonderful way to save some money is to cut some from your linens. Although you will not be able to create a big effect as you could with your linens, you can save a lot by just getting colored napkins and colored sashes.

When meeting with your venue be sure to ask if they offer floor length linens. Most venues do have these as well as have the option to give you a colored napkin choice. I would however go with getting a colored linen for cocktail hour. This will give a nice touch as many dont really put centerpieces on these tables, although I am all for adding something small to these tables!

There is a right way to using in house linens that can still create a wow factor. Lets say our color pallet is, Coral, Sea Green, Tiffany Blue and White and I want to create a romantic beach theme. The way I would do it to use the in house floor length white linens. Use all white chair covers and ad a sea green sash on some tables and a tiffany blue sash on others. For my napkins I would also alternate as I did with the sashes. You can also keep the sashes white and alternate with colored napkins. Add in some texture and creativity in your centerpieces and use drift wood and coral. I would use long banquet style tables for either of these. Add in alot of votives and all white flowers as well as some coral colored flowers and greens. If your budget allows I would do a colored glass on the tables, blue goblets and blue rimmed plates are a perfect mix with this theme since you will have all white table clothes.

Use different types of shells for your escort cards for a little fun! These can be hand made as well as your centerpieces. Use this money that you save and add an ice blue or amber uplighting to your room for a final touch. This is a must for any wedding on a budget or not. Lighting creates a big difference in all events. If you dont have alot going on table wise, create a factor in your room and ad lighting!

Be sure to check back for our weekly tip for A Bride's Design on a Dime.

Find Your Wedding Style: Simplistic Chic

2010-06-29T13:52:00.001-04:00

Choosing colors and manipulating them into your style!

by Amrta Kenner, Wedding and Event Designer

Finding your wedding style can be very difficult. There are so many options as well as ideas out there to choose from. You may have your mother wanting you to go with a traditional white wedding, and you may have your girlfriends wanting you to think outside the box and have an upbeat wedding. All these different opinions may clutter your sight of what you really want. Take a step back, discover your taste and just go with it. Some of the best ideas come from mistakes.

This is by far one of my favorite color schemes, I call it Simplistic Chic. The color pallet is made up of many different tones of yellows like, peanut butter, honeysuckle, caramel, sunshine yellow, hickory, honeycomb, ivory, creams and white.

If you want to add a little color I would suggest a deep plum for a fall wedding, tiffany blue for a winter wedding, pale pink or fuschia for a spring wedding and Grass green or sea green for a summer wedding. These accent colors can be nice to add on escort or table number number cards, the ribbon on your bouquets, bridesmaids dresses or sashes or my favorite place is a flower on a folded napkin. However, this pallet speaks so much that you could even just keep it these color of yellows. If you are more of a homey bride, a cute favor idea could be mini glasses of honey or peanut butter and jelly! Add honeysuckle to the centerpieces or to a coktails and give the guests a sweet surprise!

The way I would use these colors is to alternate them on table clothes and napkins. Give a few tables peanut butter table clothes with white napkins, some a honeycomb table cloth with a caramel napkin and make the head table all white with a yellow napkin, add a splash of color in the centerpieces whether it be the color of the ceramic vase or in the flowers.

There are so many options to add depth and texture to your event. Explore all options and know no boundaries!!!

Leo Alfred Diamond Dash!!!

2010-05-07T12:26:00.000-04:00

A $12,000 engagement ring has been hidden somewhere in Downtown Columbus and it is up to you and your fiance to find it and........KEEP IT!!!

Leo Alfred Diamond Dash is a city-wide treasure hunt brought to you by Leo Alfred Jewelers! In this high-tech treasure hunt, all of the clues and riddles will be delivered via text message right to your cell phone! Any cell phone, any model, on any carrier can play! And playing is totally FREE! However, spots are limited and you must win a spot to participate, so please go to www.leoalfreddiamonddash.com to find out more and register to be one of the competing teams!

Come and join Columbusbrideandgroom.com, Leo Alfred Jewelers and many other wedding professionals tomorrow Downtown, May 8th at 11 am and compete against hundreds of couples in hopes to finding a $12,000 engagement ring, which you will get to keep!

-Too see a list of more exciting events for our engaged couples, please visit our events page on www.columbusbrideandgroom.com!

Inspiration brought to life

2010-05-01T20:26:00.000-04:00

How to make your inspiration become reality in a few simple steps!
by Amrta Kenner

What all goes into inspiration? Where do you get it from? How do you go about looking for the key element to plan your special day around?
Inspiration is the special element that you find that makes your creative juices flow. It gets you going and it becomes something that is non-stop. Many brides find this key element in the many bridal magazines and online resources, but many never think to look right under their nose. Inspiration can come from your favorite rug, vacation spot, even your favorite book or a movie. It may spound bizarre but imagination comes from the many things that make up your day.

The key to making your inspiration come to life is to take a few special elements from your piece. Are the colors a good representation of you and your fiance? What type of emotion do you want to portray? The intensity of the color plays a big roll in this. If you need you can soften or brighten the colors of the inspiration piece and adjust them to your preferred version of the color. Can you use the desgin of this piece on your cake or invitations, maybe even translate it into your favor or even centerpieces?

Take whatever you can from your inspiration and use it to the fullest. There are no limits to imagination but there are when it come to your budget. This is when you have to become even more savvy. Take table designs from some of the top event specialists and they will cost you anywhere from $1000+ per table. This usually includes everything from floral to lienens. But for those of us who actually want some more elements in our wedding besides a reception table, we need to be more realistic. How about $50-$100, is that comfortable enough? Just because it is cheap doesnt mean that it has to look it.

This is what I call "A Treasured Fairytale". I took many new "in" elements such as moss balls and the branch centerpiece look and twisted to create my own affordable version. Hanging from the branches are little tin buckets that are filled with votives to add a little romance. Instead of using real flowers I used rubber orchids that look so real that you have to touch them to be sure. I got the branches in a soft lime green for color so there is no need for a colorful linen. This is a good option if you want to cut in decor and use house linens from your venue. The branches are nestled inside a medium height cylinder vase. The top is overflowed with hydrangeas which I also kept green, to not overwhelm the eye. However I chose to put one single stem of white orchids with a soft pink center peaking out of the middle of the branches for a little spunk. For those who are whimsicle I chose to clip a few green butterflies off the ends of some of the branches. I always loved I SPY and adding little details makes it fun for guests as well as the little ones you may have at a table.

The centerpiece is surrounded by a bed of moss where there are many different votives and candles. There are green moss balls to add dimension and bring more of the nature feel to the table as well as smooth earth stones. When you are not using real flowers you can use light scented votives to add more to your guests curiosity.

For the complimentary colors I added purples and soft pinks. I also threw in multiple color greens, such as olives, limes and valley green. I used these colors in the invitations, guest books, thank you cards and programs. You dont have to stick to one version of the color you chose. The easiest way to get a great dinamic of one color is at the hardware store. Get the strips of paints that have multi-ple shades of a color. Then mix and match with different colors. The outcome is great if you do it properly.

On the head table you can put great gifts for your guests. These charming little books are made for Bridesmaids, Flowergirls and Brides. Find a cute way to display them and they look of high quality. For favors I used everything that gave me a light hearted earthy sense. Something personalized is always great for most themes and decor. The display is what makes it look and feel the way you want it. For my fairy theme I chose small jars of peanut butter in jelly in which the labels are personalized and they are both wrapped in a bag of tulle. If that doesnt work for what your taste you can try this nice way of giving your guests your favorite recipe. A pampered Chef book with a metal spatula and a bag containing a complete mix of your favorite Aunts recipe for cinnamon bread. Use the label a add the backing directions. Your guests will be sure to save this favor and think of you and your fiance every time they make your favorite Aunts cinnamon bread.

Never be afraid to add your personality to your centerpieces. Step out of the box. As one of our brides Jenny said "I want to leave my guests wondering what just happened and what they just got through witnessing when they leave my wedding. They will never forget my special night!"

Great Skin for your Wedding Day and Forever!!!

2010-03-23T12:44:00.003-04:00

Here are some great skin tips on how to have the skin you've always wanted, not only for your wedding day but forever!!! provided by the Facial Cosmetic Center at OhioENT.

Make up is an amazing tool but what is it all worth if you wakeup every morning with clogged pores and sun damage? Here are some tips to help your skin glow through a lifetime of anniversaries. These skin conditions and tips are for both men and women. Plan ahead to have great skin for your wedding photos!

Uneven Texture and Clogged Pores: Dead skin cells are shedding and constantly renewing daily. As we age, this process slows down and we need a “burst” of exfoliation to jump start the cell renewal process. Using the proper tools at home and combined with in office skin treatments such as a Purifying Facial or Microdermabrasion will give the best and quickest results. Gentle chemical peels with salicylic acid will help treat acne flare ups. Home care can consist of basic care of cleansing, toning and protecting coupled with Active Serum. The Clarisonic Skin Care Brush can clean the skin 2X better than by hand and can be used daily to keep the pores clear.

Uneven skin tone: Unfortunately, most people have sun damage (dark spots) that will appear in the 30’s. If nothing is done to correct it, by 40 the dark spots that were thought to be freckles will consume our skin. It can be improved! Mild sun damage or redness on the skin can be improved and prevented with a topical Vitamin C such as iS Clinical Vitamin C serums. Deeper pigment damage will need to be lighted with a topical prescription, hydroquinone, which is a main ingredient in the Obagi Medical Skin Care System. Just as with texture, the proper tools at home coupled with in office procedures such as TCA peels can fix these problems within 3 months. Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection is the best way to prevent those dark spots at bay.

Fine lines and wrinkles: Thank goodness, those wonderful signs of wisdom and life can fixed in less time than it took to form them. Worry lines can be improved with injections such as Botox Cosmetic which work for about 4 months even if you just have one treatment. Smile lines and wrinkles can be plumped up with a dermal filler such as Juvederm or Restylane, which last up to 18 months. Dr. Powell, Facial Plastic Surgeon at Ohio ENT performs all injections as well as facial cosmetic surgeries. Unfortunately, the skin loses its tenacity as we get older. A few ingredients that can be applied topically to promote collagen and elasticity are: L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), hyaluronic acid such as Hydra Cool, peptides, retinol or prescription tretinoin, and a whole plethora of antioxidants. It is possible to achieve newer, fresher skin within 3 months. With a few chemical peels to shed off the layers of dead skin you can have the more youthful layers showing through. Only a skin care professional can help you with this process. Expensive department store products are made for the masses and assume that you are the average person. Professionals can address your individual concerns and offer more potent products.

Tips for a lifetime of great skin:

1. Start using skin care products that are designed for your individual skin type and that address your concerns. Wash your face morning and night.

2. Add a facial scrub such as Brightening Polish a few times a week to smooth out the skin and help decrease clogged pores and ingrown hairs.

3. Use the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush to aid in removing makeup 6 times better than you can with a wash cloth alone. The brush can be used daily just as you would an ultra sonic toothbrush. In grown hairs will be a thing of the past.

4. Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids come from fruits and plants and when used on the skin they help to brighten and smooth the skin. These ingredients can be found in iS Clinical cleansers, serums, or creams.

5. Microdermabrasion is a skin care treatment performed by a trained skin care professional that will remove the outer layer of dead skin and allow the newer, fresher skin cells to show through. The skin may remain sensitive for 24 hours after a treatment but results are immediate. Baby smooth skin!

6. Chemical peels range from light, medium and deep and are performed by a skin care professional or a doctor. The purpose of a peels is to remove the superficial layers of dead skin and treat the deeper layers beneath. Benefits are smoother texture, more even skin tone, less pigment damage, decreased fine lines and wrinkles. Some peels require no down time and others are about 1 week of flaking skin.

7. UV protection should be applied daily in the form of either a sunscreen, mineral makeup, or moisturizer. UVA rays cause the deepest damage so use broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection SPF 25-35 every day. Micronized zinc oxide will block UVA rays the best. Men and women get skin cancer and men are the majority of cases. So, golfers and sportsmen, use your UV protection and wear a hat!

Suggested products and professional skin care services are available at The Facial Cosmetic Center at Ohio ENT

iS Clinical by INNOVATIVE SKINCARE
Cleansing Complex
Super Serum Advance+
Pro Heal Advance+
Active Serum
Youth Complex
Youth Eye Complex – New!
Hydra Cool

Obagi Medical Skin Systems
Nu-Derm System
Condition & Enhance System
C-Rx System
Rosaclear
Clenziderm
Elastiderm Eye Cream & Gel
Elastiderm Decolletage System
Refissa .05% Emollient Tretinoin

Information provided by:
Dr. David Powell, Facial Plastic
Surgeon & Otolaryngologist
and Julie Panzera, Aesthetician

glotherapuetics skincare
Purifying System for Normal/Oily skin
Conditioning System for Normal/Dry skin
Restorative products for extra dry skin
Condition specific serums

Also available:
Botox Cosmetic
Juvederm Dermal Filler
Dysport
Restylane Dermal Filler
Latisse Eyelash Solution
Rapid Lash Eyelash Enhancing Serum
glominerals makeup

Visit us at:
The Facial Cosmetic Center at Ohio ENT
974 Bethel Road, Suite A
Columbus OH 43214
614-538-2424 X165
www.ohioentdocs.com

The Running of the Brides Tips to Success

2010-01-23T11:33:00.007-05:00

FILENE’S BASEMENT, INC.

Strategies for Success

at the Filene’s Basement Bridal Gown Sale

(aka The Running of the Brides®)

The Week Before the Sale:

Pick a team -- people whose taste you trust and are willing to get in there and do shopping battle for you

Hold a pre-sale meeting with your team
1. Come up with a team uniform- matching hats, t-shirts, headbands, carry whistles-anything that would make it easier to find each other in the crowd
2. Assign jobs to team members—someone to gather, someone to trade, someone to help you in and out of the dresses, someone to guard your inventory from prowlers
3. Tear out pages from bridal magazines, or print styles from on-line wedding gown sites to show your team what you’re looking for
4. Pick place to rendezvous in the store

The Morning of the Sale:

Dress code-- wear a sports bra and shorts or a bathing suit so you can try on dresses anywhere in the store; DO NOT WEAR FLIP FLOPS if you plan to participate in the “rush to the racks” (we’ve seen a couple of nasty tumbles)

Leave your handbag at home—you’ll need both hands for this.

Please, NO MAKE-UP. You wouldn’t want to see the dress of your dreams only to find it smeared with lipstick. CLEAN HANDS are appreciated.

No food or drinks inside the store; get rid of trash before the doors open in the receptacles provided

Best Time to Arrive:

The doors open at 8am. Brides-to-be and their teams who have been in line the longest will get to the racks first. In fact, it’s possible that the racks will be bare by the time you get into the store. DON’T DESPAIR! The dresses are not all gone. You’ll see brides trading or putting dresses back on the racks almost immediately. Use the first hour to look for brides who are trying on dresses you like. Then, be there to grab or trade for her “rejects.”

INSIDER TIP: If you’re not up to the chaos of store opening, arrive late morning or anytime up to store closing. Dresses will be back on the racks and the atmosphere will be much calmer. REMEMBER, this sale looks a lot more competitive than it really is—most of the hundreds of people you see in the rush to the racks are helpers, not buyers. Each team ends up with just one dress. (Alright, sometimes two, but that’s rare). There are still plenty of dresses to choose from. In fact, last year over 90% of the brides-to-be who came to this sale found their dream dress.

At the Event:

Be nice—with all the excitement, shoppers have been known to get a little territorial and competitive. As our security manager once said to a TV reporter, “you don’t want to be walking down the aisle knowing you had to punch somebody out to get the dress.”

Be considerate—have your helpers put dresses you don’t want on the hangers and back on the racks. Think of how disappointed you’d be if you found your perfect wedding dress, only to see that it had been trampled on and damaged.

Be fair–keep only the dresses you are seriously considering, and set the others free as soon as possible.

Remember, wedding gowns don’t always run true to size—look not only for your regular dress size, but try a size or two bigger as well. Even if a dress isn’t the perfect fit, at this price it may be worth the cost of alterations. Experts on gown cleaning and alterations will be on hand to advise you.

Try on whatever comes your way--sometimes a gown that isn’t what you pictured yourself wearing turns out to be “the one.”

Be decisive--it’s only a one-day sale and gowns are not returnable.

Have fun--if you find a dress, great. If not and you still have some time to look, go to www.filenesbasement.com/bridal for the city and date of the next sale.

Brides-To-Be Get Ready to Run

2010-01-13T13:35:00.003-05:00

Filenes's Basement holds famous

Running of the Brides sale in Columbus on

January 29th!

Columbus, OH January 12, 2010 -- What if you could score a designer wedding gown for under $250, in just three hours or less, and create an unforgettable experience at the same time. That’s the promise of the annual Running of the Brides®, Filene’s Basement’s legendary sale of wedding dresses, which takes place this year in Columbus on January 29, 2010.

Shopping for a wedding gown can be daunting, especially when the bride is on a budget. As a little girl, she probably had a vision of walking down the aisle in a knockout designer dress. Cut to adulthood and her dream might just go up in smoke when she comes face to face with the multi-thousand dollar price tag. Unless she shops at the Running of the Brides® sale, where the prices on designer gowns are slashed--most to just $249 and a few of the really high-end dresses are cut to $499 or $699.

“In a bridal salon, the same gowns would cost anywhere from $900 to $9,000, but when wedding gown manufacturers and retailers need to clear space for new arrivals, they sell to Filene’s Basementat fraction of those prices,” explains Nicole Iaricci, buyer for the Running of the Brides®.
On the day of the event bargain-hunting brides and their teams line up outside Filene’s Basement hours before the 8 a.m. opening, many in clever matching outfits to keep track of each other once inside the store. Helpers grab gowns off the racks and stand guard while each bride takes stock of what she has. If her dream dress isn’t there, team members fan out to barter one dress for another until she finds the one.

Each bride who buys a gown gets her own “I survived the Running of the Brides®” tee shirt. For brides who don’t like crowds there are plenty of great deals to be found later in the day when things calm down. Either way, bring a camera—veterans of this sale agree, it’s an experience worth preserving.

Keep an eye out for the ColumbusBrideandGroom.com crew for help and tips for all of your wedding needs! We will be there from when the doors open until when they close. Don't forget to ask us about information on The Wedding Experience and RSVP! This will be an event that you won't want to miss! For more information visit us at www.columbusbrideandgroom.com and click on the wedding experience tab.

Filene’s Basement’s Running of the Brides^®

Friday, January 29, 2010 -- 8:00am to 9:30pm

3704 W. Dublin-Granville Road

Columbus, OH 43235

614-932-1001

Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. All sales are final.
www.filenesbasement.com or visit us on facebook

The Wedding Experience 2010!

2010-01-07T12:19:00.001-05:00

Now released to the public an exclusive event just for our Columbus brides and grooms, "The Wedding Experience 2010"! This is not your ordinary bridal show, brides and grooms will experience something for all the senses. You will get to see a real wedding reception with all the glitz and glam. You will get to feel the textures of all the linens and hear the bumping sounds of the bands. Come and taste the wedding cake and the h'our derves. Learn some new steps to display on your first day from professional dancers and surprise your guests with hot and hip moves. Come and see some of Columbus's top Wedding Professionals in action, while they showcase their best work for you to experience.

Below are inspiration boards for the three themes that will be showcased at "The Wedding Experience 2010".

Fall:

Spring/Summer:

Winter:

“Blown Glass…Blown Sugar”

2010-01-07T10:51:00.000-05:00

A new idea that is sure to put a twist on any traditional wedding cake!

Trying to create a unique flavor for your wedding cake? Not to fond on gum paste or royal icing? Well a great undiscovered art of glass blowing has now been translated into sugar art. A technique used to create a glass looking object made from tempered sugar that can be formed into different shapes, ribbon, and balloon like objects. Almost identical as glass this art is also fragile and can be affected by humidity and extreme heat. Its’ consistency is that like taffy and is kept constantly cold to leave it shiny. This sugar art can also be made in vibrant colors and be given different textures to add any effect wanted. Many have found inspiration from unique flowers and different glass art pieces, such as those from the artist Dale Chihuly.

Once you have your inspiration piece the time has come to research and find the right cake artist. Take a picture or a sample of your inspiration and bring it with you to your consultations with your bakers. This will give them the idea of what you want and they will inform you if it is possible whether or not they can make your vision reality. I would also recommend to ask them before scheduling a consultation if they can make blown sugar art. This will avoid any confusion and will save you time and energy. Find a complete list of local cake artists in central Ohio at www.ColumbusBrideandGroom.com , just click on the cakes and sweets category page on the left side and you’ll be on your way to finding the right cake artist that fits your budget and style.

Make your inspiration reality with blown sugar and create the ultimate WOW factor with a beautiful unique wedding cake!

"Cheat Sheet to Wedding Lingo"

2010-01-05T12:59:00.001-05:00

Wedding Terms and Wedding Words

Sometime understandig wedding lingo isn't very easy. In this industry there are abreviations, acronyms, and specific terms that confuse even the most knowledgeable bride and industry professional. Whether it is dress or cake terms, sometimes we need a guide to help us interpret wedding lingo. Below is our dictionary of fun and useful wedding terms.

Basque- refers to a style of waistline that drops 2-inches below the natural waist and often dips into a point in the center.

Bomboniere- an italian term for 'guest favors',given to wedidng guests as a keepsake in appreciation of their attendance.

Chocolate Ganache- a thick wedding cake icing made of chocolate and heavy cream.

Damask- a fabric like brocade it has raised designs, but is lighter in weight.

Fascinator- a hair accesory worn to the side that is often made of feathers, flowers, or wisps of fabric and worn either attached to a comb or a headband.

Gauntlet- Wrsit and arm covering of lace or fabric that replaces gloves.

Nosegay- also called a "tussy mussy'; a round cluster of flowers wrapped tightly with ribbon or lace for a delicate effect; popular in Victorian times.

Thermography- Thermography was developed as a less expensive alternative to engraving. The printer uses ink and powder resin combined with heat to reproduce the raised lettering effect of engraving. THe text has a shiny finish and is often said to not be as sharp as engraving.

And for those tech-savvy brides hitting up the online message boards, these abbreviations might be helpful in understanding the language.

FI- Fiancé
FH- Future Husband
DH- Dear Husband
MIL- mother in law (also works for father- FIL and sister-SIL and brother-BIL.)
FMIL- Future Mother-in-law
IL- in-Law
MOB- Mother of the Bride
MOH- Maid of Honor
BM- Bridesmaid
BP- Bridal Party
GM- Groomsman
FG- Flower girl
RB- Ringbearer
DOC- Day of Coordinator
CP- Centerpiece
STD- Save the Date
OOT- out of town
E-pic, E-ring, E-party- Engagment
RD- Rehearsal Dinner
NWR- Not Wedding Related
SWR- Somewhat wedding related
HM- Honeymoon
GTG- get-together
DW- Destination Wedding
TIA- Thanks in Advance

There are so many more wedding word lingos out there, but these are the most commonly used. Stay current and keep checking back for our updated wedding lingo postings!

"Holy Chihuly!"

2009-12-30T00:15:00.003-05:00

Inspiration used to the fullest.

Finding it difficult to find inspiration for you special occasion? Try looking in local art museums for new artistic fads and ideas. The biggest inspiration that many couples have found is that from Dale Chihuly, a master glass art maker. With his bright fun colors and nature inspired pieces, he has caught the eyes of many couples looking in creating a unique WOW factor for their event.

There have been cakes designed around his pieces, invitations, flowers and more! Some couples have even gone so far as to purchasing items from his showcase to have displayed at their events. The idea of creating a wedding theme around art is unique and will be memorable. Dale Chihuly’s pieces are becoming the new wedding inspiration décor fad for the year of 2010! His pieces are a true inspiration and can be easily used to find the right colors and feel for your event!

"Color Oops"

2009-12-29T11:00:00.002-05:00

"Are all money saving DIY'S really worth it?"
By: Brittany Doherty, Wedding and Event Planner

Trying to save money in these hard times? Thinking you can get salon quality hair from a box? Well think again, I thought that I could save money by dying my own hair from a box, thinking I could get salon quality results. However, I was terribly wrong-I was going for a deep auburn color and ended up with purple hair.

After I was done panicking I rushed to the computer to see if there was any natural ways to remove my horrible mistake. To my surprise I found two promising hair removal methods. The first method I tried was crushing 4-16, 500 mg vitamin C tablets into you’re a quarter amount of your normal shampoo; then mixing the two into a paste and applying the paste onto your dry hair and leave it on for 45mins-2 hours depending on how much color you would like removed.

The comments from answerbag.com sounded promising so I thought I would give this home remedy a try that helped so many other women in my situation. I have extremely long hair so I decided to crush 10- 1,000 mg Vitamin C tablets into a palm size amount of shampoo, mix into a paste and apply to my dry hair. The solution didn’t cover nearly half of my hair so I decided to put it on my roots. After I applied the paste I patiently waited for an hour and rinsed my hair. To my surprise my roots in some area’s turned back to my natural color, while other area’s stayed red. To make this remedy work I figured I would have to use a whole bottle of vitamin C tablets and a whole bottle of shampoo.

I was not ready to give up quite yet, so I thought I would try the second method I found called “Color Oops” which is supposed to gently remove both permanent and semi-permanent hair color to bring you back to your original color. The method only takes 20 minutes and is ammonia and bleach free. Color Oops works by correcting your hair color by shrinking the dye molecules, allowing you to simply wash them away.

Color Oops sounded promising without drying out my hair, so I thought I would give this method a try before making the embarrassing phone call to my hair dresser. The Color Oops solution was very messy and smelled horribly, and not as easy as it sounds. If you try to use Color Oops you will need to buy protective gloves, hair cap, and cotton to make sure the solution doesn’t touch your skin or run onto your clothes. Although Color Oops only takes 20 minutes, the directions tell you to rinse your hair for 15-20 minutes, wash your hair with shampoo, and then rinse your hair for another 5 minutes. After ALL of this there was NO improvement.
To my dismay I finally swallowed my pride and called my hair salon and booked an appointment with my hair dresser. Although I thought that I would be saving money by dying my own hair I ended up spending more money then I normally would to get my hair done.

My advice to everyone especially on your very special day and trust your hair only to a professional and book your appointment in advance. Some hair salons that Columbus Bride and Groom recommends are……….If you would like more information on these company’s please visit www.columbusbrideandgroom.com and click on hair stylist on the left hand side.

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/20099
The second method I found was Color Oops
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Hair-Color/Extra-Strength-Hair-Color-Remover/ID=prod2180463&navCount=1&navAction=push-product?tab=warnings

Top Five DIY's Brides love

2009-12-07T10:41:00.000-05:00

Looking for a few ways to save some money and cut costs from your wedding? Here are a few Do It Yourself ideas that make a big difference with least amount of spending. However be aware that your time is valuable and don't commit to a huge vital project that will add to your wedding stress.

1. Wedding Favors-
Do it yourself wedding favors are a way to say thank you to your guests. Plus, wedding favor crafts are so fun, easy, and cheap to make yourself if you use a little creativity. A favor can be a keepsake that the guests take home, or an edible favor that is likely to be eaten before dinner is served. Some favors help guests join in the celebration (noisemakers, bells, etc) or are functional at the actual wedding (such as champagne glasses). Others, like wedding CD favors are to be enjoyed by guests later. Another popular choice is to use seed packet wedding favors which are decorative, symbolic and functional.

2.Charger Plates-
If you are looking for a simple quick way to dress up your guests table with the least amount of money spent than creating your own decorative charger plate is a great way to do so. It is a great way to also tie in any theme that you may have and really bring the tables to life. A charger plate is a decorative plate that goes underneath the dinner plate, almost like a small, circular place mat. The charger plate stays on the table through the whole meal, the plates for each course are put on the decorative charger. If you do not have the time to create plate chargers for each guest, consider creating them for under the centerpiece of the table only, under buffet items, under a guest book table, cocktail tables or under a program table.

3.Bridal Party Gifts-
Don't waste money on generic bridesmaid gifts! With a little thought and creativity you can come up with something unique and personal that they'll be thrilled to receive. Your gifts to your wedding party don't have to expensive. They are all special friends that you choose to be a part of your special day and understand that you may be on a tight budget. Hand made soaps, candles or even a small group package deal to a spa would be a great idea. There are so many options when it comes to choosing unique bridesmaid gifts and only you know your friends the best.

4.Hair & Makeup-
This category is very crucial for every bride for any wedding, but today times are hard and money is tight and this may not be an option for every bride. Do it Yourself Hair and Makeup is a great way to go especially for the bridesmaids! Choose a look that you love, practice it or get some great tips from makeup artists at the mall. Its all Free! Appoint the bridesmaids with the best skills and put them to work. Make sure you do a practice run before the big day to be sure it all goes smoothly. If you have a few girls that werent able to be a part of the wedding and want to contribute, this could be a great way to do so! As the bride you can still have a real hair and makeup artist for yourself and cut costs by eliminating the amount of girls needing done, and still know that your bridesmaids look wonderful.

5. Wedding Programs-
Wedding programs used to be where you’d list the names of the wedding party and family, a brief outline of ceremony order…and that was about it. Not anymore! You can personalize your do it yourself wedding programs just like any other aspect of your wedding, and you will probably want to write it in your own words, with your own personality shining through. The hardest part is deciding what to write and then picking out your wedding program paper. The rest of the process is simple!

Wedding programs are also the place to thank and give credit to important people. For example, you may want to thank your parents, or thank a mutual friend who introduced you. You could thank Aunt Mary for doing your flower arrangements, etc. It is also nice to acknowledge all the guests as a whole, thanking them for being there.Another thing some people do is to have a short dedication to those family members who are not there, that have passed on. Although Do it Yourselves are a great way to add some creativity and personalization to any wedding, I wouldn't recommend them to any bride with a tight schedule. You should put your bridal party to work and do it all together to keep the stress level to a minimum. So create and apply your personality to your wedding with DIY'S made for everyone!

For Signature events choose Signature Wines!

2009-10-28T16:28:00.001-04:00

Kelly Harvey, Signature Wines’ owner and winemaker, cuts a new niche in the local wine market by specializing in designing customized and personalized labels that are placed on the six different types of wines made and bottled at her winery located on the east side of Columbus. This makes each bottle of Signature Wine unique and different than any wine you could purchase in a store.

Signature Wines can be personalized with a custom designed wine label. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, anniversary, appreciation, or corporate holiday gift, Signature Wines can create a label to commemorate any event or occasion. Signature Wines has an extensive selection of label graphics and a library of phrases appropriate for any occasion. Once the labels are created, they are affixed by hand to the wine bottles. Customized label design is included in the price of the wine.

Kelly makes and bottles six different wines ranging from a sweet Rosé to a dry Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a port. Signature Wines uses only the finest grapes and juice from California to produce exceptional, hand-crafted wine. All wine is fermented and aged on the premises of Signature Wines. Signature Wines is one of the few commercial wineries in the United States that is woman owned and operated.
Because nothing symbolizes celebration and romance better than wine, Kelly is delighted to be working with wedding planners and with brides. Wines with customized labels are not only perfect for the wedding reception, but also for serving at bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. Signature Wines with personalized labels are also the perfect addition to gift baskets for out of town guests, and as gifts to the bridal party.

Recently, Kelly has made several wedding labels by incorporating and re-fashioning the wedding invitation into a wine label. She can also create a label utilizing the wedding colors, theme, or type of flower to continue the wedding theme on the wine label.

Signature Wines never requires a minimum order and there is no set-up charge for the customized label. In addition, Signature Wines offers a 10% discount on a case of wine with the same customized label on all 12 bottles. To place an order and to have a special, personalized wedding label created for you, please e-mail Kelly at: kharvey@signaturewinesofohio.com or visit the website: www.SignatureWinesOfOhio.com, or call 614.395.2355.

Wedding Reception Music Playlist Tips

2009-10-21T16:14:00.000-04:00

Choosing the songs you want played at your reception seems like a simple thing to do. Just go down your mp3 player and check mark them off. Right? Not quite.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to create the "just right" playlist that will keep your guests dancing and enjoying your reception.

1. Choose songs with appropriate lyrics. Some songs just aren't for weddings. Songs like "I Will Always Love You", by Whitney Houston, and "White Wedding", by Billy Idol seem perfect. Don't let the title mislead. Listen closer to the lyrics and you'll discover that these songs are all about breaking up. Common sense says stay away from break up songs.

2. Choose songs with the ages of your guests' in mind. Think about choosing PG13 songs that your grandmother and great aunt wouldn't be embarrassed to hear.

3. Choose songs with the perfect beat. Some songs just do not lend themselves to dancing. On the other hand, there are tunes that get just about everybody out on the dance floor at the first note.

4. Choose songs that your guests look forward to hearing. You might even give your guests an opportunity to make requests when they RSVP. You want your guests to remember your reception as one of the best they have ever experienced!

Looking for the Perfect
First Dance Song ?

Still stumped about that special song you will first dance together as the new husband and wife?

Here are a few great possibilities!

Come Away With Me~Nora Jones
Feels Like Home~ Chantal Kreviazuk
Open Arms~Journey
Could Not Ask For More~Edwin McCain
Someone Like You~Van Morrison
True Companion~ Marc Cohn
The Way You Look Tonight~ Elton John
Cross My Heart~George Strait
Bless The Broken Road~Rascal Flatts
You Make My Dreams Come True~ Hall and Oats

by Matt Ryan Mobile DJ Entertainment

Feeding Wedding Professionals at Your Wedding

2009-10-04T13:18:00.000-04:00

This has always been a hot topic in the wedding industry so I thought I would give you my thoughts, opinion, and etiquette on the matter.

It is proper etiquette that you provide your wedding professional with a meal if they have worked more than 5-6 hours and will be present during the time when dinner is served on the day of your wedding. Why? They do not have time to go out and grab a bite to eat during your wedding day, and trust me; you do not want them to leave to eat!

Who to feed?
You may have up to 2-3 wedding planners, 2 photographers, and 1-2 videographers that have been with you for the entire day. In addition to offering to feed all of them, it is also etiquette to invite your officiant to eat.

It gets trickier with entertainment, but you should use the “hour rule.” The DJ or band is typically there for 4-5 hours and you do not have to feed them. Most couples do offer to feed the DJ and some will decline. Also, some DJ’s have an assistant to consider as well. So for this one there is really no hard and fast rule, and is left up to you. Also check their contracts as bands many times require food and beverage in their agreement.. Since they have not worked more then 5-6 hours and there could be up to 12 members of a band, you can get by with lighter fare.

What to feed them? A hot meal is appropriate for those vendors that work over 6 hours at your wedding.. It can be the least expensive hot meal on the menu but a sandwich or deli platter does not cut it for working 8-10 hours on the wedding day. For vendors that work less than 6 hours, such as a DJ or Band, you are fine to go with the Deli Platter or boxed sandwiches. This expense should be figured in up front in the wedding budget.

Where should they eat?
The best option for you is if to put your wedding professionals in the same room with your guests at a vendor table. This allows them to constantly view what is happening during dinner and able to react- whether it is a spontaneous toast that needs to be captured, or an incident that a planner would need to react to immediately. If there is a space or an expense issue, then put them in a room that is as close to the guests as possible. They will still be up and down during the meal to check in but this is not desirable as being in the same room. I can list many things that have happened during wedding dinners that I was able to catch and react to because I was right there. A band should be in a side room since they will be probably be eating at different times. Again, the closer the room the better in case we need them back quickly from break for any reason. The DJ should eat with the other vendors in the room. The officiant is usually seated at a family table.

When should they eat?
It is important that vendors are not fed last, because by the time the vendors are able to eat, it is usually about the time your post dinner events begin to happen. Typically the bride and groom are finished eating by the time food comes for the vendors but that is when the vendors need to be up and ready to work. Rule of thumb is that vendors should be fed immediately after the bride and groom - to allow them to eat quickly and be back to work by the time most of the guests have finished eating. This needs to be stressed to your caterer – most caterers think the vendors are to eat last. By specifying to your caterer the importance and reasoning behind the vendors eating early, you can potentially avoid problems in the post dinner timeframe. Bands and DJs must eat during breaks or when they are able - which is another reason for it easier for it to be a cold meal.

Drinks
Unlimited water or soda for your vendors throughout the night is the etiquette. Alcohol should not be allowed under any circumstance for your wedding professionals while they are working. They are on the clock for you and must perform at their best. In my opinion this includes a band. Again you need to look at your contracts to see what is required but I would question any band that had to have alcohol to perform at one of the most important days of your life!

Keep your wedding professionals happy and they tend to work longer and harder for you!

by Jamie M Rapavy, Owner of Devoted to Details, LLC, Wedding Professionals of Columbus, and Columbus Bride and Groom.

Calling all Brides looking for FREE wedding Jewelry...Check out Lia Sophia's 2009 special! Host a show and recieve FREE jewelry & major discounts!!!

2009-06-27T15:42:00.000-04:00

July 2009

Host a Show in July! As a Hostess with a Qualified Show, you are entitled to:

FREE Jewelry
Receive 20% of your Show sales in FREE
jewelry credits.

Hostess Bonus Items
Choose any 4 items at special Hostess Bonus Prices.
($15 unless otherwise noted.)

Half Price Items
Choose any 2 items at HALF price.

40% Hostess Credit
Have 10 orders and 2 dated bookings from your Show and get 40%
of your Show sales in jewelry credits for only $15.

July specials run 6/29—7/31/2009

Check out www.liasophia.com to see July 2009 customer and advertiser specials!!!
or contact:

Stephanie Sabado
lia sophia Unit Manager
614-771-6616

ssabado@ameritech.net

lia sophia
SHARE THE LOVE OF JEWELRY®

The Knot "Best of Weddings 2009"

2009-04-22T16:54:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to all of the Columbus vendors who won in their catergories for The knot "Best of Weddings 2009" !

Bridal Salons

Gabriele European Bridal & Formal http://www.gabrielebridal.com/

Girls In White Dresses http://www.girlsinwhitedresses.com/

La Jeune Mariee http://www.lajeunemariee.com/

Cake Bakers

Cake Dots Wedding Cakes, LLC http://www.cakedot.com/

The Cake Studio http://www.thecakestudio.net/

Dublin Cake Cottage http://www.dublincakecottage.com/

Jan Kish La Petite Fleur http://www.jankishlapetitefleur.com/

Mozart's Bakery http://www.mozartscafe.com/

Resch's Bakery

Short North Piece of Cake http://www.shortnorthpieceofcake.com/

The Suisse Shop http://www.thesuisseshop.com/

Best Event Planners

Bobbie Izeman, Bridal Consultant http://www.iwed4u.com/

Devoted To Details http://www.devotedtodetails.com/

Florists

Cua's Of Columbus, Inc. http://www.cuasofcolumbus.com/

The Daisy Basket http://www.thedaisybasket.net/

Hilltop Florists http://www.hilltopfloristshop.com/

Janna Coe Designs http://www.jannacoe.com/

Jeanette's Flower's and Gifts http://www.flowersbyjeanette.net/

Orchids & Ivy The Flower Post http://www.weddingsbyorchidsandivy.com/

Victoria's Flowers http://www.victoriasflowers.com/

Music

A Solid Gold Sound http://www.asolidgoldsoundcolumbus.com/

The Conspiracy Band http://www.theconspiracyband.com/

Encore Entertainment http://www.encorediscjockey.com/

Music Express http://www.music-expressdj.com/

Night Music Disc Jockey Professionals LLC http://www.nightmusicdj.com/

Paradise Island Band http://www.class-acts.com/

Paragon Music & Entertainment, LTD http://www.paragonmusic.com/

T.E.A.M. DJ http://www.teamdj.com/

Ceremony Music

Stage Monster http://www.stagemonster.com/

T.E.A.M. DJ http://www.teamdj.com/

Photographers

Banks Photography http://www.bankspix.com/

C Studios http://www.cstudiosphotography.com/

Callentine Photography http://www.callentinephotography.com/

Davis Photography http://www.davisphotographer.com/

Glass Image Photography http://www.glassimagephotography.com/

IQ Foto http://www.iqfoto.com/

Journal Weddings http://www.journalweddings.com/

K&M Photography http://www.kandmphotography.com/

Kevin Keefer http://www.kevinkeefer.net/

L & L Photography http://www.photosbylarry.net/

Leddy Photography http://www.warnerleddy.com/

Lorn Spolter Photography www.PBase.com/lornspolter.com

Lotz Studios http://www.lotzstudios.com/

Mark Hefner Photography & Design Studio http://www.hefnerphoto.com/

Morning Light Photography http://www.morninglightstudio.com/

New Image Studio http://www.new-imagestudios.com/

Nicole Dixon Photographic http://www.nicoledixon.com/

Nyte-Flyte Sound, Lighting, and Video http://www.nyte-flyte.com/

Open Image Studio http://www.openimagestudio.com/

Robert Hughes Photography www.roberthughes.net

Videography

Ditigal Wedding Vendors www.ditigalweddings.com

True Video www.truevideo.biz

Reception Sites

Berwick Manor Restaurant & Party House www.berwickmanor.com

Brookside Golf and Country Club www.brooksidegcc.com

Confluence Park Restaurant www.confluenceparkrestaurant.com

Crowne Plaza Hotel Columbus - Downtown www.ichotelsgroup.com

The Darby House www.darbyhouse.com

Embassy Suites Columbus www.columbus.embassysuites.com

Hyatt on Capitol Square www.capitolsquare.hyatt.com

The Jessing Center www.pcj.edu

La Scala Italian Bistro www.lascalaitalianbistro.com

Longaberger Alumni House - Ohio State University www.ohiostatealumni.org

Makoy Center www.makoy.com

The Medallion Club www.medallionclub.com

North Bank Park Pavilion www.recparks.columbus.gov

Wothington Hills Country Club www.worthingtonhills.com

York Golf Club www.yorkgolfclubonline.com

Transportation

Cardinal Transportation, LTD www.cardinaltransportationltd.com

Lynn's Limousine Service www.lynnslimo.com

MUSIC OF THE HEART: Ceremony Music that Creates Emotion and Memory

2009-03-18T15:20:00.001-04:00

Music has an amazing power to connect people with their emotions. It can melt away the stresses of daily life, and open us to tenderness, hope, joy, love. And these happy emotions are what a wedding is all about.

Even the most hardened, overworked listener can unwind for the wedding, through beautifully performed music. One guest at a recent church wedding told me that her usually stressed-out husband started humming along while The Paragon Trio played their classical prelude music. (Amazed, she lovingly hushed him.)

Live music, performed flawlessly and with “heart,” can also rivet together a song and your emotions as you listen, together in your memory. For example, think of your favorite movie scene with a great sound track--how vividly you remember the scene, every time you hear that music! (Take for example the movie Platoon—that incredible music is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. When you hear that music, you can’t help but remember the movie.)

Well, artistically performed music works that way for weddings too, preserving memories more deeply and powerfully than any photograph could. As one bride recently said, “I will never, ever, forget the sound of that beautiful music as I entered the church with my father, and how I felt at that moment.”

With fine instruments and talented musicians, music can also help the bride and groom, family and guests, to feel more deeply the meaning of the occasion. “The music made us smile and touched us to tears,” a grandmother of the groom recently told me. “The music truly touched our hearts and made the service so meaningful,” a bride commented. Said another, “We had lots of compliments from our guests on how moving our ceremony music was. It was beautiful and touching!”

How to select your “Music of the Heart”? Just keep these points in mind, and then follow your heart—

1. Think about your favorite instruments, favorite styles of music or favorite songs/pieces. When you shop for musicians, this is a good starting point in describing music that will be meaningful for you. If you don’t have preferences, ask an entertainment adviser to tell you what type of music has worked well for other weddings at your same ceremony location.

2. Choose professional musicians who perform music for a living. For example, Columbus Symphony musicians perform music full time. Professional, formally trained musicians are the best qualified and the most experienced. Symphony orchestra managements don’t book weddings, but these players can be engaged through certain entertainment agencies, such as Paragon Music & Entertainment.

3. Seek musicians with plenty of experience performing specifically for wedding ceremonies. The ability to coordinate music with the pace and timing of the ceremony, comes only with years of actual experience. Musicians need to be able to play their instruments beautifully and intelligently, while judging the correct timing and appropriate duration. This is not easy!

4. Don’t just “shop price” for your wedding musicians. Consider training and experience as carefully as you consider fees. You really do get what you pay for.

5. Use a music provider with an organized way of documenting your musical requests. Look for a music provider that provides a Ceremony Music Request form, to ensure that your requests are understood and honored.

6. Really listen to demo recordings. Even if you are not a music “expert,” the recording will tell you a lot about the sound and style of the musicians. It should also indicate whether they are able to play appropriate music for wedding ceremonies.

7. Ask to see comments from brides who have used the musicians in the past. Past customers’ experience is a good predictor of what your experience will be.

8. If your ceremony is to take place in a church or synagogue, contact their music department before deciding on your musicians. Some have in-house rules about what music may be played, or whether outside musicians may be used.

By Rhonda Frascotti, Paragon Music & Entertainment, Ltd.
website: www.paragonmusic.com
e-mail: rhonda@paragonmusic.com

Love is in the air...

2009-02-11T15:12:00.002-05:00

Millions of red roses are shaking in their thorns. Bottles of champagne are chilling, strawberries are taking baths in chocolate, and men everywhere are descending upon jewelry stores with trepidation. Yes, Cupid is circling the neighborhood as Valentines Day is less than a week away. As you’re planning your wedding this year, the question is shifting from what chick flick you and your girlfriends will see (He’s Just Not That into You, no matter who you are, it’s a goodie) towards how to make this day romantic and special for you and your fiancé. There will be many Valentine’s days in your future, and it seems like every year the search is on for the perfect dinner, perfect present, etc…

First and foremost, remember that you’re madly in love. With that, any Valentine’s Day is sure to be wonderful. As you’re juggling through lists of caterers, florists, and every other vendor that a wedding requires, you have all these great resources to help you out. After all, these are experts in flowers, cakes, candy and catering.

Most local restaurants offer amazing Valentine’s Day deals. One look at the unique 19th century church, white tablecloths and candlelight of The Refectory is enough to make a reservation for two. One bite of the food however is enough to never want to leave. If a romantic dinner is what you had in mind, The Refectory might be just what you need.

If your fiancé has more of a sweet tooth, MJ's Candy Bar is a great resource for finding a great original gift. Maybe his favorite candy growing up was Bottle Caps and Candy Buttons, or perhaps he has more of a mature appreciation for dark chocolate. All of these are options at MJ’s, with my personal favorite being the Candy Topiary Trees ;).
A new survey that was done by the ladies bible, Cosmopolitan, shows that a majority of men enjoy receiving flowers. So if you’re wanting to try something new, or even give your guy a great florist to keep in mind for the future, The Daisy Basket is one of Columbus’ best resources for beautiful and original flowers. Be warned, he might be accepting of flowers, but probably not of pinks, purples, or an over abundance of satin ribbon. Simple arrangements with clean lines in blues or whites can say I love you without too much fuss.
So whatever the gifts, whatever the meal, just remember that very soon you and your fiancé will be enjoying a lifetime together and that’s the best gift you could ever give or receive. For those sappy romantics out there I thought I would include my all-time favorite poem, in case you are still in need of some inspiration for the 14th or possibly your wedding day.

I Seem to Have Loved You...
~ Rabindranath Tagore
I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times, In life after life, in age after age forever. My spell-bound heart has made and re-made the necklace of songs That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms In life after life, in age after age forever. Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, its age-old pain, Its ancient tale of being apart or together, As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time: You become an image of what is remembered forever.You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount At the heart of time love of one for another. We have played alongside millions of lovers, shared in the same Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell- Old love, but in shapes that renew and renew forever. Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you, The love of all man's days both past and forever: Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life, The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours- And the songs of every poet past and forever.

2009-02-11T15:12:00.001-05:00

ColumbusBrideandGroom Launch Party

2009-01-20T15:48:00.000-05:00

Devoted to Details held the launch party for it's second business,

ColumbusBrideandGroom.com,

on January 15th at a new venue called Shanes in the City. This is located in the City Center Mall at the previous Forever XXI store. The space was rented by Shanes Gourmet Catering who also provided absolutely incredible food and friendly staff. The space was initially bare and provided a clean slate for The Daisy Basket to work their magic. It was decorated and designed to perfection from mirrored walls to hanging palladium windows from the ceiling! With the help of Lasting Impressions Event Rentals who provided the tables, linens, and amazing lounge seating, the look was complete!

Braving the extremely cold weather well over 200 guests were in attendance. They were greeted with champagne and hors d' oeuvres. The evening began with lounge music by Fermata Music, models were provided by Alan Ray Bridal and Classic Tuxedos. Arthur Murray Dance Studio provided gorgeous ballroom dancers to entertain us with their wonderful moves.

Guests could move around throughout the evening, having a chance to meet the particpating vendors:

They could get their make up done by Make-up MelissaRashan

They could have their hair done by J.Bentley

Flavored lattes were provided by Latte 2 a Tea

As well as the bar, guests enjoyed the slammin drinks from The Margarita Man

A make it yourself cup cake bar with unusual flavors was provided by Our Cupcakery

A candy buffet was provided by MJ's Candy Bar

The 8 person photo booth was provided by The Columbus Photo Booth Company,

Old fashion flip books and props were provided by Sneakers Productions- these were really cool!! I can see this being the new wedding reception trend!

Black Jack tables were provided by Interactive Game Solutions

Invitations with Bling were provided by Paper Occasions

Mood lighting was provided by Buckeye Sounds

Guest Favors by my FAVOR-ite things of Columbus and Buckeyes On A Stick

And the best entertainment of the night came from Class Acts Entertainment who provided an amazing band called Lt. Dan's New Legs -check them out!

Photos by Banks Photography

Ok. So I was not dancing on a table but on a glowing dance platform provided by Sneakers Production. How could anyone not dance to this awesome music! It was a great party and a great way to launch a wonderful resource for local engaged couples in Columbus!

Much thanks goes out to these incredible vendors for a job well done!

Top 10 Questiosn To Ask When Choosing A Band For Your Reception

2008-12-31T12:55:00.000-05:00

Top 10 Questiosn To Ask When Choosing A Band For Your Reception
by Robert Frascotti, B.M., M.M. (Paragon Music & Entertainment, Ltd.)

1. Does the band have a good quality demo tape that I can receive in the mail? You should not have to traipse all over town trying to duck into someone else's reception in order to see a band perform.

2. Are there written comments on file from customers who have used the band in the past, that I will be allowed to examine? Your best assurance that a band will do a good job at your reception, is a documented "track record" showing that the bad has satisfied its previous customers.

3. Does the band have experience performing specifically at wedding receptions? Providing the entertainment for a wedding receptions requires a unique set of skills that are acquired by a band only through plenty of actual experience. These include emceeing, pacing, protocol, modes of behavior and dress, and much more. A band that usually performs in bars or lounges will have little or no such experience.

4.Does the band wear black tuxedos when they perform? Formal black tuxes for men, and dressy gowns for ladies are the standard attire that you should expect from your reception band.

5. Are the band's promo materials neat, attractive, well-organized? Nice materials indicate an organized, experienced band. Messy materials warn of sloppy habits and probably music. No materials means - losers.

6. Does the band play the styles of music I am expecting? You should be provided with a sample song list, which will relflect the kinds of music the band normally plays.

7. Has the band been recommended by a reputable entertainment agency? The best bands will have been noticed by companies such as Paragon Music & Entertainment, (740) 548-5250. Their recommendation means that the bad has been auditioned and selected by music professionals who are trained to evaluate musical talent and who understand the requirements of wedding receptions. It should carry a lot of weight in your decision-making process.

8. Does the band specify their instrumentation, or do they offer to "put something together?" The phrase, "Sure, we can put something together for you" should turn you off immediatly. The speaker is suggestingthat you accept an "ad hoc" group of musicians who will likely be playing together for the first time at your reception! Not a good idea.

9. Will the band leader call me the week of my wedding, to "touch base" with me about my entertainment? You have a right to expect this personal touch, and the opportunity to fine-tune your entertainment agenda.

10. Once I choose, will I receive a written contract from a responsible entertainment agency to guarantee the band's appearance? This is a must. A company such as Paragon Music & Entertainment will provide this to you.

Robert Frascotti, President of Paragon Music & Entertainment, Ltd, holds music degrees from the Indiana University School of Music and from The Eastman School of Music. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the International Special Events Society, on the music faculty of Indiana University and of Capital University. He is the co-author of the acclaimed music text, The Orchestral Saxophonist. As a noted jazz saxophonist, Mr. Frascotti has appeared with such music legends as Liza Minelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Leslie Uggams and Sarah Vaughan.