A VERY UNIQUE CONCEPT

Every so often I see something on Facebook that floors me!  This photographer's work is one such example.  Paul Roebuck has such a knack for finding those amazing locations for a wedding photo, that his pictures look like art.   Unique Concepts Studios is just that- UNIQUE!      The first photo I ever saw from UCS was of a couple standing in what looked like a castle arch.  The color was amazing and the vision was magical.  Since then, I have watched, daily, to see what new and exciting things would pop up on Paul's wall.   
One of the things I really love about Unique Concepts Studio is their philosophy.  They are passionate about what they do and they only do as many weddings in a year as they can do without compromising YOUR once in a lifetime!!   From your engagement shoot to your big day, Unique Concepts Studio will give you lasting and glorious memories of this special time in your life.   

Unique Concepts Studio is a member of many prestigious associations and has a reputation for being completely dedicated to every client- as if you were their only one.   They take the time to listen and to get to feel your vision.  You will not be disappointed with the results.  

So, take a look at these few examples of Unique Concepts Studio's work and then go to their site to see more amazing photographs taken all over the USA.  And, when you contact them, tell them you saw this from Bridal Affairs!!      

WILL YOU LOVE, HONOR AND RESPECT...

When choosing the professionals that are going to help you plan the most important and emotionally charged day of your life, there are many things you need to consider. Today, I am going to try and guide you down the path to choosing vendors that will ensure you have a perfect wedding day. Some of the same qualities that you looked for in choosing a mate, you should also look for when choosing your vendors. These qualities are TRUST, RESPECT AND OPEN COMMUNICATION. You must also realize that you are buying products, though emotional in nature, you are still in the marketplace and the professionals you are seeking are in business. Every bride is on a budget of some sort. And, there are wonderful professionals for every budget. Respecting the fact that these professionals make their living in this industry is important for you to remember. There are many ways to save money, to cut costs in one area in order to use it somewhere else and ways that your wedding vendors will be happy to add in something, cut the cost of something or help you to tailor your budget and not lose the integrity of your big day. So, before you cancel someone out as "too expensive" or "I don't need that" or " I have a friend who can do that cheaper", think about the fact that hiring a professional is the REAL cost effective and surest way of having a day that is flawless and wonderful.

What should you look for in your wedding vendors? There are so many websites to "guide you" to choices. There are hundreds of wedding pros in all facets of your wedding needs. How will you know if you have chosen the right one, the best one for you, an ethical and honest one? Here are five things to look for when meeting with prospective vendors. Photo Courtesy of Sarah Dicicco Photography 1. Are they caring and available? Your wedding should be a priority to someone you hire. They should be interested in you, your wedding, how you met, your family dynamic and your vision and budgetary boundaries. 2. Do they listen? You should hire people who hear you, who listen to you, who understand what your wedding means to you. 3. Do you "click"? You should feel a connection to the people you hire for your wedding. Photographers and planners, especially, should be people that you like! 4. How prompt are they? When you call or email a vendor with a question or a thought, it should be addressed in a timely fashion. You should not have to wait days to hear back from them. 5. Don't be afraid to ask questions. And, make sure the professional you are meeting with asks questions too. No one should assume they "know what you are thinking". If they aren't asking questions, they aren't listening.

Here are some other things to be aware of when you begin hiring the people who will be making your wedding day a flawless one. **Know your budget going in. Be realistic about what you have to spend and how much wiggle room there is. Meeting with vendors who are out of your reach is a waste of everyone's time and can be very upsetting and frustrating to you. **Understand that this is a business. Be respectful about discounts. This is how these people pay their bills. Just like your doctor, a plumber- and you, this is a job. So, don't ask for things that are unreasonable to ask. **Be upbeat and friendly. Bossy behavior and aggressive demands are not the best course toward a happy day. Remember that you have put your trust in these people. And, though this is a huge event in your life, you would not want someone to treat you badly in your business life. It is true that you catch more flies with honey! **Be flexible. Be ready and willing to compromise on things and be aware of what is readily available, such as seasonal flowers, limited bars and shorter time slots for photographers and videographers. **Be aware! Have a trial hair and makeup session before you finalize the deal. Do a tasting, so that you know how your meal will be presented. Go to an open house at a venue or caterer, so that you can taste the food and see the set up before you commit. Look at the photographer's work. They all have books, web sites and blogs. Just make sure that what you see is really their work- especially on line. Get referrals. Find past clients that have worked with the people you are considering. See how their day turned out. **Read the contracts! Don't assume anything. Make sure you understand exactly what they will do, how they work and what they expect in return. **Plan for emergencies. Mother nature, an unexpected disaster, all kinds of things can happen. Have a plan B and get wedding insurance. **Trust your vendors.

Once you have contracted with the people who will bring your dream wedding to life, trust that decision. You have chosen these people intelligently. So, let them do their job and allow them to guide you in the right direction. **Hire a planner. I know, it isn't in the budget, you are doing it yourself, your mother is helping you. A planner can save you money along the way, can steer you to the best vendors for your dream and your budget, can fend off many emergencies before they occur and be your advocate during the process of hiring vendors. A good planner will also be able to facilitate your day from start to finish and that is something that you, the bride, can not do yourself. From choosing colors and flowers and linens, erecting a tent in hurricane season, to getting you down the aisle in style and presenting a feast to die for, your wedding professionals are there to help you. If you use your head, as well as your heart and you apply the three basic concepts of Trust, Respect and Open Communication, you will have the perfect wedding. There are many seasoned and wonderful people in this industry. There are also bad ones. Use these tips and you are sure to weed out the garbage and find the gems!
And, as always, let me know how I can help you to have a Beautiful Day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! YOU'RE ENGAGED!!

A new year is a week away and you are either just engaged or hoping to be so when the ball drops! Before you start planning, call me at 215-237-7149 and let me know what I can do. Large or small, formal ballroom or an outdoor country affair, you will have questions about how to plan your "once in a lifetime".

And, you are going to want to start shopping for THE DRESS, while friends are in town, while family is near and while you are out buying all those magazines and looking at wedding web sites for inspiration. Remember this- January is trunk show month!! Stay tuned for updates, here, about what designers will be in the Philadelphia area. Sarah Jassir, is one designer that you are going to want to see. There is more to come, but here is just one of the gowns you will see. And, there are others. In the coming week, I will be showcasing some of the designers coming to make your wedding dreams come true.

Another thing you will start looking at is THE VENUE. Ballrooms, barns, raw space, museums, unique
places and hotels- no matter your vision, you will find the perfect spot. But, don't be hasty. Figure out what kind of wedding you are having, what your budget is and how many guests you will invite. Then, read some of my past posts about great options for your big day. Places like the Arts Ballroom, Drexelbrook, PAFA, Duportail House and many others. Need a suggestion- contact me.

Whatever you do, enjoy being engaged! I look forward to hearing all about your wedding!! Let's chat soon.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

To all of my past brides, my future brides, my amazing network of vendors and bloggers and to all of my loyal readers- A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

RING IN THE NEW YEAR, HERE

Hoping for that little box under the tree this year? Dreaming that you will be planning your special day in 2012? Then, here is hoping! And, when you start planning, remember...

Your wedding day has to be “just perfect.” It’s a time when your dreaming turns into planning and your window of time relates directly to your wedding date.

Wendy's Affairs of Heart is a bridal and special event planning service with a unique and personal approach to assisting brides. Wendy Hartigan is an organizer and a dream and memory-maker, with over 10 years of experience. Her expertise lies in organizing exquisite food, flowers, and even standing- in, consulting on bridal fittings; she’s all about everything weddings!

She’s a trend- watcher, always finding that special touch to create a one- of- a kind event. As a bridal planner, she will shoulder all or part of the day, leaving you to relax and enjoy your guests.

As a seasoned professional, she has produced a wedding for ABC’s 60 minutes. An older, first time bride with a heavy schedule retained her services “Her vision was concise and my job as a wedding planner was to keep things moving forward quickly,” says Wendy. “ It was a perfect day and a beautiful wedding!

From art galleries to chic indoor urban ballrooms, to perfectly beautifully, orchestrated outdoor venues, her duties include all the coordination and details. Like a choreographer, she ensures that everything is beautiful, runs smoothly and is timed to perfection.

When you retain her services for a wedding you have someone else to worry about the details!! Hartigan is there to foresee things that you may never know went amiss and solve them before they become a problem.

Some people think the addition of a planner is expensive when in fact she can save you big dollars because of her association with other industry professionals. That’s reason enough to hire her services.

Your engagements should be stress-free and filled with love and joyous times. Wendy’s Affair of the Heart is right beside you acting as your “wedding angel.”

With the start of the bridal season and a mandate to get a wedding done on task and with astute organization, Wendy is looking to fill some spots in her hectic schedule. Why not? Make your day a day to remember for all the right reasons!

Contact: Wendy Hartigan, 215-237-7149 Bridal Affairs wendyangell@gmail.com.

THE BEAUTY OF MY JOB

Every wedding I do, and have done, for the last 9 years has been different. They all bring me joy and pride and the satisfaction that I had a small part in making a dream come true. But, seldom do I have the distinct honor and pleasure of working with people like Paige and Michael and Paige's mom and dad, Chere and Steve. I have only had this kind of wonderful experience once or twice before- most notably, the bride who referred me to Paige. I don't have the words for all the amazing things that have come from this wedding- the kind words, the loving memories, the thank you's that I didn't even expect- and the prospect of new brides, friends of Paige getting married in the near future. But, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the kindness that has come my way since last weekend. In addition to the phone calls and email messages, I also have fabulous photos and these words. I am blessed to have been a part of their day and this is...

...THE BEAUTY OF MY JOB!

From Paige's mom:

"We are still smiling!!!! Thank you for an amazing day. Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it....because of YOU!!!"

"We feel so blessed to have you as part of our special event. Your attention to detail and readiness to work hard will make our daughter's wedding seamless. Thank you for your help with everything.."

From Sarah DiCicco- who took this spectacular photo and 6,000 more!

"I just love you!!! We shot over 6000 images! Wait until you see these shots!

Thank you so much for making my job easy on saturday! you are the best~

xoxo"

Sarah and I have not worked together before. But, it was as if we were the right and the left hand all day! It was an extreme pleasure to be in her company all day and her talent is top notch!








And, my incredibly lovely and sweet Paige, called me yesterday to say that she loves me and was so glad I was there to make her day perfect. She wanted me to know that she will tell all her friends and would be willing to give a testimonial to anyone who wants one. She was thrilled with her day, is still on Cloud 9 and can't wait to get together soon.


Finally, this is what Chere had to say about me on Weddingwire:

Our daughters Wedding day was seamless. From beginning to end Wendy was there. Her attention to detail and readiness to work hard was fantastic!!
Having Wendy as our planner was the best investment we made.....it enabled us to truly enjoy a very special day in our family.
Her sternness with vendors and loving hand with our family made her a perfect fit for us!!
Thank you Wendy....you have now become a friend!!! And we will miss you. You always "had our back!!"

THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart!

PAIGE AND MICHAEL: A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Saturday, December 3, 2011- WHAT A DAY!!! The sun was shining and so was the face of this exquisite bride!! Paige and Michael said their "I Do's" at the Cathedral Basilica in Philadelphia and then celebrated in style at The Union League. It was a spectacular day! I took so many photos that is was hard to decide which ones to post. I also have the first sneak peek of the amazingly wonderful and talented Sarah DiCicco's professional photos.

But, this photo, taken just before the groom sprayed all of us with champagne, really speaks to the day- it sparkled with the love and the beauty that all weddings should have!!! And, this photo of the girls "hiding" the bride as the last of the guests arrive gave me a chuckle!

These are Sarah's photos. Paige is so lovely and Michael a fittingly handsome prince for this princess. Together they are destined to make a beautiful and rich life together full of many more memories like these. They are blessed with a great love and respect for each other, amazing family to surround them,
wonderful friends and this day, that just kept bursting with love and celebration.

After the ceremony the wedding party went to the Art Museum for photos while there was still good light. I love this shot that Sarah took of the couple.

Then, it was off to The Union League for some fun photos of the group outside and the couple in the lights of the city.
Yes, there were sparklers and champagne and lots of smiles. These images were not staged. The smiles are real and the natural ease of Sarah's talent to capture the essence of the couple's love is breathtaking!
The city lights pale next to the brightness of these two beautiful people! I can't say enough about how special they are. From early in the morning until the wee hours, the bride smiled from ear to ear. And,Sarah captured all of Paige's radiance and goodness.
This is one of my favorite photos of the day! I have to send a special thanks to Sarah! She was amazing to work with and helped me to smooth out some little issues in the day- Sarah, you know what I mean!!!



The ladies of the wedding party were expertly made up by the talents of Face the Occasion. Working with Jill and Kelly is always a pleasure! And, they had beautiful faces to start with here, so it made their job that much more fun. The house was full of Christmas- the smell of pine, carols on the stereo and the incredible tree- that we used as a photo op for the bride's dad and the girls to gather. Dressing Paige was great to watch. As I usually help to dress the bride, it was hard to step aside and let the girls and her mom do it. But, it was ok. These photos are priceless! All that Vera Wang organza needed to be fluffed just right!
The Union League did a fabulous job! There wasn't a glitch in the service! Every detail was just as we had requested and Michelle, Brian and the staff were amazing!


I have to tell you about the fabulous Petah Bashano! He created a winter wonderland for Paige and Michael! The cocktail hour was very festive in red and green,with lots of candlelight and Paige's snowflake theme. But, inside the ballroom was a splendid vision in white and gold! Trees with "snowballs" and votives hanging from the branches, gold linens, and chargers that captured the light. The backdrop to the bandstand was a winter tree- bare, but beautiful. When Paige walked through the doors to the reveal, she was thrilled! It was awesome!

The flowers, which look purple in this photo, were actually rich shades of red. And, the little flower girl's basket was white satin with crystals around the rim. She was so excited to be a fairy princess! Every detail, from the red dresses, to the snowflake ice sculpture, to the cake that was dripping with "ice" and crystal snowflakes, this wedding had every element to make it the perfect day!



The Sid Miller Band had everyone on the dance floor all night! The chairs were empty except during dinner. I had to switch things up several times during the evening, and every time, the band was right there with me to make the change or add a request. I love working with pros like this!

Thanks to Sid and his band for helping me make this a memorable day for this special pair.


The couple danced to All I Want For Christmas Is You. And, I love this shot of Paige's gorgeous mom in red! What a wonderful lady and how smashing she looked!


I could go on about this wedding for days! It was great fun, a very rewarding job and I can't say enough about the team!!! A resounding THANK YOU goes out to The Union League, Petah Bashano Event Design, Sarah DiCicco Photography, Video One Productions, The Sid Miller band, Wertz Motor Coach and King Limo, The Philadelphia Pretzel Factory and The Sofitel and Ritz Carlton for taking such good care of the guests.




This was one of those weddings that I will never forget!! Thank you Paige and Michael and Chere and Steve for letting me be a part of this exquisite and special day in your lives!!!

For more about this wedding check out Philadelphia Weddings.

Photos: Courtesy Sarah DiCicco Potography

MICHELLE AND DAN: A BEAUTIFUL DAY

This photo sums up the feeling of Michelle and Dan's wedding last Saturday- A dozen red roses and a handwritten and framed love letter from the groom to his bride. It was the first of many touching and beautiful moments in the course of a spectacular day.

We started the day at The Four Seasons in Philadelphia with a bevy of lovelies primping and giggling while waiting for the photographer. The bride was calm and relaxed as she sat by the window having her pretty face made even prettier by the expert hands of Vanity Salon. With each ring of the doorbell, and each bridesmaid appearing, the excitement grew. It wasn't long before all 8 girls and the bride were drinking champagne and chatting as John Barone was snapping his camera and Tweed Productions was getting it all on film. While downstairs, the groom and his groomsmen were nervously trying to tie bow ties and I tried to get everyone in a tuxedo jacket and pinned with a rose. The concierge at the hotel graciously came to the rescue to help me and the men with the ties. Though I had printed out directions for them, the fingers just weren't working fast enough. Time was of the essence and we needed to keep moving. As I ran back and forth between the 4th and the 6th floors, Michelle's mom was putting her into the traditional bridal sari for photos. "The Dress" was still on a hanger on the door, but Michelle was happy to take some photos in a sari for her mother. The girls were in amazement as they watched the process of folding and pinning the sari.
Finally, the guys were ready to head out to the fountain- and the girls stood at the window watching as John and Jay led Dan and the boys around outside. Meanwhile, the buses were arriving- a huge piece of the day. All the guests were staying at three hotels in the city and had to be transported to church and then to The Willows for the reception. Also, there was a school bus for the guys to get to church and a limousine for the girls. All of this had to be coordinated and timed to the minute. The bride and groom did not see each other before the ceremony,so I had to keep them apart for pictures. The buses were great! The school bus was adorable and the limo driver made sure the bride didn't get dirty in and out of the car. I love working with pros!
The Details
There were plenty of details for this wedding! And, they changed constantly during the process. So, I had to keep careful notes and check in with vendors often to keep everyone on the same page. Michelle, be in the fashion industry, has great taste. She wanted every element of her wedding to be perfect. And, with a Blackberry, and iphone and an ipad- pictures from the internet were a daily surprise in my inbox! The gorgeous flowers, by Chantilly Floral, were amazing! Three shade of pink- from fuschia to medium to light pink and hen mixed with ivory, to create these very lush bouquets and centerpieces. Michelle combined a mix of high trumpet vases with three dozen fuschia roses on top and pink calla lilies floating inside, with alternate square vessels, six to a table, with three dozen mixed roses scattered between the six vessels. Gold chairs, ivory linens and gold edged china, made for a beautiful table setting. And, there was lots of candlelight and pink uplighting in the tent thanks to Moore Events. Other details included the custom table numbers made by- ME! And, the unique escort cards- a full blown rose with a calligraphied leaf for each guest. The leaves came from Etsy and the assembly of the leaf to the rose was done by my daughter. Also, I made 50 pew bows for the church which was a darling little Catholic church. Every room at The Willows was lit with votives and scattered with vases of roses. When the guests arrived for cocktails on the patio, they were greeted by the wonderful staff of Perfect Setting catering and a "Blushing Bride" - pink, of course. Oh- let's not forget THE DRESS! Vera Wang and stunning! Michelle looked like a Barbie doll in her ivory satin gown with a billow of organza flounce on the bottom.

The Party

When the party moved into the tent, we didn't need the heaters to keep everyone warm! There was plenty of energy and great food to do that! The introduction was easy- just the happy couple. They were so excited that the DJ didn't even get their names announced before they made their grand entrance! The groom thanked everyone for being there and handed over the microphone to the bride's father for the blessing. Then the bride's sister and the groom's brother gave two touching toasts before dinner. Michelle and Dan waited until after dinner to do their first dance- a Motown favorite to get the party in high gear- AND IT DID! With the help of the very talented Vaughn Walter, from Silver Sound, the tables emptied to the dance floor and stayed that way all night! Vaughn really rocked the party!! Getting the cake cut was a challenge, as the couple didn't want to stop long enough to do it. Once they did, John had to do 3 takes to get a shot of them feeding each other- it was really cute and SO funny!! Cake and chocolate covered strawberries were set out for dessert along with a lovely coffee station. Perfect Setting did a fabulous job all night! Again- I love working with the pros!!

There was no break in the fun. Everyone was on the dance floor! The groomsmen did an Irish jig for the groom, the bride's family danced some Bollywood and taught the girls how and they even danced the hora- though the couple wasn't Jewish! It was a perfect day! The couple were happy, the food was good, the music was upbeat and great fun and...IT DIDN'T RAIN! I promised the bride it wouldn't and the rain gods and I kept the promise! I LOVE my job!

SAVVY PLANNER SAVES THE DAY- A TRUE STORY

This lovely bride, with her calm and relaxed pose on her wedding day, was anything but calm while she planned her fairy tale wedding. This is the story of just one of many unforeseen disasters that befell this adorable and organized bride. But, there were more. From the venue that changed on site event coordinators faster than you could write the name of the last one, to the seamstress who didn't know how to make the gown fit the bride- teeny as she is, to the hotel mix ups and the unfriendly staff that met the florist at the venue for set up, this wedding could have been a bride's worst nightmare. Listen to the story and see how Kathleen got her "fairy tale wedding".