Your Wedding Day Magazine Party, LA-Video Party Recap

Video by Russell Fowler Studios

Last month, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge had the pleasure of attending an amazing party in Los Angeles for the Spring 2009 Launch of Your Wedding Day Magazine at the Ebell Club, Los Angeles; a venue that is synonymous with the Hollywood Glamor era. 

It was an incredible evening with the very best of the best in the south west and California wedding industry and I was so excited to be a part of it, as well being a marketing partner with Your Wedding Day Magazine (which you must get your hands on-IT'S A GORGEOUS publication!!!)

This party was over the top with an elegant garden decor to welcome us and delicious cocktail designed by the Ebell, Los Angeles featuring my new obsession, Ventura Limoncello. 

The piece de resistance of this event, the drop dead gorgeous "Marie Antoinette Gone Modern Ball Room"  was the result of the magic spun & designed by my very good friend,  Jeannie Ward, The Wedding Jeannie. 

The other rooms, featured an opulent & sensuous "Bollywood" Room & henna plus a totally chic "Le Discotheque" room. Of course, I danced all night to the DJ-live entertainment fusion sounds of 11H Entertainment. You have to let me book these amazing people for your event & YES, they travel!

It was one of the most amazing industry events I have been to & one I will remember for a long time. I am sure Your Wedding Day will have a great time trying to outdo themselves for the parties for their upcoming issue (which will have some exciting surprises) but I'm not telling:)

Enjoy the fabulous video recap of all the party fun above and you might just see Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge and friends at the very end having some fun at the LA Photo Party Booth which is a total blast & I totally want to book them for a wedding (hope it will be YOURS)!

Check out the Your Wedding Day Blog (& you will want to stay tuned to this blog in the near future for some other exciting information regarding yours truly!) for more info, phenomenal images by CherieFoto (and decor ideas galore) of the event and links to all the great event designers and sponsors of this fabulous event. 

The iPod Wedding-The Sad, Sorry Truth Revealed!

Image found at Angel Zapien.com: Cabo San Lucas, MX Wedding Videographer

Way back in February 2007, I wrote one of my first blog posts on "Why You Should Not Hire an iPod to DJ Your Wedding".

Fast forward 2 years and I'm going to revisit this topic because it is too important to be hidden back in blog archive land.

Now remember, I LOVE iPods. I have 2 of them and I also think they DO have their place within certain aspects of a wedding but they are no replacement for a live professional who will keep the events flowing smoothly , allow your guests to be the guests and keep the energy "up" all night long so the dance floor stays full! 

For the record, the guy or gal in the tacky sequined suit/hat or whatever, sitting by bored or being the overbearing and tacky jerk playing all "his/her" favorites is NOT a professional. 

As I was reading the blog of my friends and one of my most trusted wedding professional partners, Sight N' Sound Events, I noticed Jodi Harris, owner & "CEO of Fun" had posted an article on this very topic recently. In the post, Jodi shared an article from the American Disc Jockey Association (of which she is a member) on "The Truth About iPod Weddings".

You can read the article and see the video at: http://www.adja.org/general/ipodwedding.asp

It's an excellent article from an association of fellow event professionals that I highly respect who truly care about raising the bar of excellence for disc jockeys and educating both colleagues and consumers about the value of working with a professional; especially at such a monumental event as a wedding. Trust me, the difference is glaringly unfortunate, expensive and alas, too late.

The video that accompanies the article is produced by the ADJA. It's a real life, unedited wedding where the iPod was the DJ. I am 1oo% certain this video and the article should settle the issue and many will realize the iPod DJ route is generally "penny wise and pound foolish". 

Thanks Sight N' Sound Events and ADJA for the link, the article and information.

What is Good Advice Worth To You?

My wedding coordinator friend Isis of Posh Events, LLC in Cherry Hill, NJ mentioned me in her blog post today (thanks Isis) but the topic really was focused on the percieved value of what a wedding planner can do and the all too true fact that a good portion of the population still doesn't get it.

I think we will always be competing out there to make a reputable name for our industry and the best way to advertise our value and our worth is to keep putting good information in the hearts and minds of readers & viewers to share what qualified wedding planners are capable of and how they can help the average bride make their day just a bit easier.

It will come Isis, I promise you. Thank you again for the shout out friend and for being able to quote your blog entry.

Have a Stylish Weekend!

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A very good friend of mine contacted me today to let me know that his friend was getting married in Vegas and he wanted to know if I had any recommendations, good links, etc. Quite naturally, I pointed him in the direction of Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge, who is an extraordinary planner and quoted him her hourly rate. I recommended that his friend sit down and speak with her and after 2 hours or so, I’m confident she’ll be well on her way…after all-I live in NJ, I plan in NJ, DE and PA…I am clueless as to quality vendors in Las Vegas and it didn’t seem like taking my Vendors to Vegas was an opportunity his friend would be willing to entertain… Logical right?

His response- eh, not looking to pay for advice… thank you anyway though".

Ok, someone please help me…If you needed to defend yourself, you’d contact a lawyer; hurt-call the doctor; car breaks down-dial a mechanic…Not necessarily looking for “the cure” but some advice to lead you in the right direction so that you can narrow down just what the issue may be.So…why in the world, when you are participating in what for most is the 2nd largest expense in your life, would you just “wing it”?

I’m a bit confused.I know there are authors who recommend not hiring a Wedding Planner and every magazine that you pick up these days shows you the easiest way to plan your big day. Can you do it-absolutely! It’s no secret; people have been doing it for years. The difference is, when you hire a Professional Wedding Planner, someone who is trained in the field as opposed to the new generation of “wanna be’s”, you are paying for sound, expert knowledge in the SKILL of planning a Wedding.

We have invested time and a substantial amount of money to research the industry and reputable vendors, learn the skill of negotiating, contract review and budgeting, execute the flawless movement of 300 plus people from one location to another, in under 30 minutes for a 5 hour event involving alcohol (and it’s liability), massive amounts of food consumption and on average 6 other vendors, on time and without complication.

After spending $30,000 to assure that you have the day of your dreams, $300 for a consultation to guarantee that you get what you are expecting, just doesn’t seem to compare. I know that budgeting for a Wedding is extremely difficult and I am very conscious that as it gets down to the wire, money becomes the determining factor for a lot of decisions.

I also have personally planned enough Weddings to know that when I do the last “fluff” of the veil and I lock eyes with my Client (and there is a tear in both of our eyes), in that moment of silent communication-we both agree that all of the time, dedication, effort and money spent to execute her vision, has just paid off-there are no regrets and no fear and she is ready to begin the next phase of her life.This is why we do what we do. Believe me, it is a job unlike any other.

When Planning Your Event, Make sure to "Book it Right"

Image Credit: Images by Ingrid
Some good Wedding Advice from Your Wedding Concierge...

When you are considering booking the venue and package for your reception, don't forget to "Book it Right" as my friend Andy Ebon would say. Andy has been involved in the wedding and event business in a variety of of capacities since 1977 including owning very succesfful mobile DJ entertainment companies, and as a marketing and communications consultant to businesses in the wedding & hospitality industry.

So what does "Booking it Right" mean you ask? It means knowing and booking the correct amount of time for your wedding based on the particular service style, details & amount of ceremonies involved as well as the number of guests so that there is a comfortable flow of events within the time frame.

Not every wedding can be put into the category of a "4 or 5 hour reception package". Sometimes 4 hours is not enough and sometimes 5 hours is too much time.

If you are having a cultural wedding with 300 people serving a 4 course plated meal plus all the traditional & cultural wedding ceremonies & dancing, you should consider extending the event an hour..maybe 2!

On the other hand, that 5 hour reception package you love may be more time than you need for your less formal cocktail party of 75-100 so ask your catering manager if you can have the same package and food options for 4 hours instead?

When you have the proper amount of time for you or your wedding planner to create an effective timeline, it should allow for everyone to mingle, dine, take part in all the traditions and celebrate until their feet hurt and leave happy when the wedding is over.

Your wedding planner, catering manager and entertainment specialist should all be consulted on the best way to "Book it Right" at your event and coordinate an effective timeline for a great and memorable wedding celebration!

Have a Stylish Day!!

Love Your Wedding Vendors? Please Feed Them!-Long!

I get asked this question by every client when discussing the food and beverage and budget during the reception planning meeting...

"Tracey, what is your advise when it comes to providing meals for the vendors?"

And my answer every time is 110% "Yes, please allow room in your food and beverage budget to feed your vendors and your humble consultant too! Please know that this request is made for the benefit of all.

First of all let me specify those vendors that should be receiving a vendor meal is anyone who will be on site working at your event for 5 or more hours (including set up and breakdown). Generally the people this usually applies to is your consultant and assistant(s) if they are on site for 6+ hours, your photographer(s), videographer(s) if applicable and yes, your DJ or entertainment (band) if they are there more than 6 hours.

Why should I pay to feed all of you you may ask? Well, over the course of a long day of setup and service (especially photographer and videographers) for a 4-5 hour event, we need to get sustenance so we can be at our very best for your event!

2nd point is that we are there to coordinate, photograph, videotape and entertain at your wedding and need to be on site to do so. It would be to your advantage for us to remain on site at the event. Even while we may be eating our meals (after you and your guests have been served of course) we are still there for you and your event and will return to work feeling satisfied and ready to go:)

If you need something from me, I am on site (not in some long drive through line waiting for food), if a priceless spontaneous photo/video opportunity happens, the photographer and videographer can jump out of their seats (they have camera lenses in the back of their head I think) to capture it and your DJ can monitor the vibe of the event or have their assistant change dinner music if needed.

I also highly reccomend that you ensure to confirm with your catering manager (especially at hotels/country clubs) that YOU want/demand (whatever it takes) that all vendors taking vendor meals be seated either at a table placed discreetly at back of the reception ballroom or in an area as close as possible with good sight lines. Again, I refer to the paragraph above and reiterate that we need to be close to you and your event for your benefit and to ensure your wedding runs smoothly. It's very hard to do that when we are down the hall or upstairs or unaccessable.

Now, it is not necessary that you feed us lobster and filet mignon or whatever you and your guests will be dining on. A less expensive plated meal or small station of sandwiches, etc. is perfectly acceptable. Many hotels and venues offer a vendor meal at around $15-25 that includes bottled water and soft drinks. It is well worth the price to know that your vendors are watching out for you and on the ball.

I know you love your photographer, videographer, DJ/entertainers and your humble consultant:) That is why you hired us. I love them too and I love my staff so I will make sure that I take good care of them so they (and I) can take extra special care of the two of you!

If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please feel free to to do so here on my blog.

Have a Stylish Day!!

Do You Want the Best Wedding Reception Ever?

Maybe it's because I am such a music lover, but in my opinion, the topic of wedding reception entertainment is probably one of my favorite things to discuss with a client and just how important a part it is in turning your wedding reception into a memorable party for you and your guests.

Long after the wedding day is over, what is always remembered by guests is how much fun they had (or unfortunately didn't), how great the music was (or wasn't) and how much fun the DJ or band was (or wasn't).

The entertainment choices should reflect your personal tastes and personality, style of wedding and budget but one thing is for certain is that whomever you hire, they should enhance your party with their professionalism, talent and skills as entertainers whether you hire live musicians or a DJ (or both).

My good friend Jodi Harris, "CEO of Fun" at Sight N' Sound Events is one of the most sought after "Wedding & Event Entertainers" in Las Vegas as a DJ and Mistress of Ceremonies at the top of "preferred vendor" lists of the best resorts in town and Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge's as well.

Jodi is passionate about providing the very best professional DJ services and feels that there is so much more to what she does than simply spinning tunes. She is dedicated to promoting professionalism among her peers in the DJ business and to all of us in the wedding industry both on a local and national stage.

She also wants you, Miss and Mr. Bride and Groom, and your families to know that there is someone out there that wants you to know that you too, with some helpful pointers, can ensure you have your "Best Wedding Reception" ever.

Jodi will be speaking on this very topic at the All About You Bridal Galleria in Henderson on Tuesday April 10 at 6:00 pm.

Just so you know, this is not a sales pitch for Jodi's company, but just a presentation and discussion of useful information that will be helpful to you in selecting your wedding entertainment and planning your reception.

If you are at the point of selecting your wedding reception entertainment and want honest advice to help you make the best chocies, or you are a local Las Vegas wedding professional who wants to learn more (I sure do) about working effectively with your DJ so that you can help make your clients' have a memorable event for all the right reasons, then you should be listening to Jodi at 6pm on April 10.

Please RSVP for this event to 702.365.9526. If you are one of the first 25 to RSVP, you will receive a special gift from Jodi. You can read more about this presentation on the Sight N' Sound Events Blog.

Have a Stylish Weekend and Happy Holiday!

Why you should not hire an iPod to play at your wedding

Dear Brides and Grooms,

The time has come for selecting your wedding reception entertainment!

This is probably one of the most fun aspects of your wedding planning because it's all about the party (woo-hoo) and what you and your guests are probably looking forward to the most..having a wonderful time and dancing the night away! And for this reason, in my opinion, your choice of entertainment and style is one of the most important (if not the most) decisions you will make that is the difference between a good party and a truly memorable one for all.

And so dear readers, here is Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge's plea. 

Please Do not hire an iPod to play at your wedding!

I will be the first person to tell you that I am positively addicted to my iPod! I carry it everywhere and close to needing a second one. I show clients slideshows on a special i-Pod dock, I turn them on to the Wedding Podcast Network for planning ideas & I always have my iPod & portable player in my emergency kit at weddings (with ceremony & reception music playlists) for "emergencies". However, I will never refer my clients to an iPod (or their kin) as their 1st choice for their reception entertainment.

Now you may be thinking this is so I can keep my DJ and wedding band friends in business. Although it's true that I certainly want my fellow wedding professionals to do well, this is not about their livelyhood, it's about the success of YOUR party and one of the reasons you choose a Las Vegas wedding...keeping it stress and hassle free for you and your guests!

• In hiring an iPod for your wedding, someone,(not your iPod) will have to rent the proper sound system and equipment to play the device so that it is appropriate for the size and space of your event.
• When you hire an iPod, you still have to enlist the volunteer assistance of one of your friends to "babysit" it when the volume needs to be turned down for toasts, playlists to be changed, or the device may have technical difficulites. Wouldn't you rather your "techie friend" was out there on the dance floor with you having a good time doing "the Robot" instead of worrying about what song is coming up next or fiddling with the wires?
• Did the iPod you hired bring a backup iPod or CD's in the event of technical difficulties?
• Your iPod really should come dressed in a different outfit and come as your laptop instead with iTunes and all your playlists at hand so the iPod babysitter can manipulate the music choices better. Are you going to enjoy shlepping your laptop and cables with you to Vegas along with all your other belongings? Are you sure everything will work with the equipment you are renting?

I am sure, smart readers that you are getting the picture that, as cool you think hiring an iPod is for controlling the style and flow of your music and reducing costs, this "wedding vendor" will still cost you in money, stress and time.

• Money that could be spent working with a professional band or DJ who will listen to you and play music that is a great mix of your style & the grooves that make a party fun and memorable for all the right reasons!
• Stress that could be reduced in knowing that your wedding planner found you a professional entertainer who has all the right equipment, backup and the know how to set it all up. And you didn't have to lug any of it to Vegas yourself!
• And the time...oh the time you will enjoy not running around getting the equipment, returning it because it won't work with your laptop or iPod like they said it would on the phone. The time you will get back with your iPod babysitter and iPod MC's so you can enjoy their company (which is why you wanted them there in the first place!).

An absolutely amazing way to include your iPod in your wedding is to have your photographer download digital images on site at your wedding to create a slideshow that can be played instantaneously and loaded on to your iPod to take with you on your honeymoon. Now that is COOL!

So, bring your iPod to Vegas, plug it in the MP3 radio in your hotel room, enjoy it at the pool and spa, but then give it the night off for your wedding reception. Your iPod will appreciate the break while you and your guests enjoy the night partying with the real professional music makers!

Have a Stylish Day!