2009 in Review

I started this year off with apprehension. Like most people I get apprehensive about the unknown and running my business while starting our family was definitely unknown. But what an amazing year we had here at Memorable Events! I cannot be more thankful for the AMAZING brides and grooms, the FANTASTIC vendors and venues, and my AWESOME crew.

This year was fun with the majority of our ceremonies being outdoors, which always involve their own unique twists. It was great to have so many challenges to increase our experience and knowledge. This industry is always growing and changing, it is wonderful to grow with it.

Some of the fantastic venues we were honored to work at this year included:

The Ravines Golf Course (Saugatuck)
Windmill Island & Gardens (Holland)
McIntosh Apple Orchard & Winery (South Haven)
The Wave Room @ Celebration Cinemas (Grand Rapids)
Spring Grove Park (Grandville)
Frederick Meijer Gardens (Grand Rapids)

It would take me forever to list all the amazing photographers, florists, bakers, caterers, musicians, etc., etc. from the past year. But I am so thankful to know so many talented people in the industry and know that I can call on them when I have an important project.

Our couples from 2009 were super creative and included so many fun and unique personal touches to their big days. Vibrant colors, romantic settings, yummy treats, every detail was gorgeous. I am so humbled that I was able to help them make their visions come to life.

This was the first year that I took on an intern to help Memorable Events and it was such a great decision! I had two lovely ladies from GVSU that assisted me with day of duties, Therese and Stephanie. They did a great job. Also, having my associate Amber around was a huge help as well.

All in all it was a great year and I'm so thankful for every moment. Looking forward to the future of Memorable Events!

Get To Know - AMB Paperworks

1. What type of services do you offer?

All types of design & printing really – everything from custom wedding invitations and coordinating items to birth announcements to corporate branding and marketing materials to personalized stationery items. Something for everyone!

2. How long have you been business and where are you located?

I’ve been in business for just over 6 years now and run my business from my home in Grandville, MI.

3. How did you get into making stationary products?

Funny story… It happened on accident! I designed and printed my oldest daughter’s birth announcements and sent them out to family, friends, and some of our neighbors. One of those neighbors had a daughter getting married and called me to find out who had done the birth announcements. She ended up being my first client. Happy clients and word of mouth has helped my business grow to what it is today.

4. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

Personalized service. I LOVE shopping online as much as the next person, but when it comes to something as important as your wedding invitations brides what a little more personalized service. I meet most of my customers face to face. I get to know them and learn a little about their style and taste and then help them find or design the something that is them to a tee.

5. What is your most requested product (i.e. Save the Date, baby announcements, wedding invites)?

Pocket style wedding invitations. EVERYONE loves these! They are so beautiful and they can be customized in so many different ways! I carry a line of papers called “Envelopments” and what you can do with their products alone is so amazing.

6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

Downtime – what’s that? In addition to running a business I’m a full-time stay at home wife & mom of two beautiful little girls. I stay busy spending time with my family – boating, running to gymnastics & music classes, volunteering at my daughter’s school, and staying involved in our church and community, reading, crocheting, and I’m a sucker for all types of home-parties!

Epic Save the Date

Amber Gustafson of Amber Events in LA posted about a 2010 couple that she is working with and their amazing Save the Date. Here is the link to their website, it's SO worth the download!

I have seen some really fun and unique ideas but this one tops the list for me, even my husband sat and watched it :)

Get To Know - Sinful Cheesecake Company

1. What type of services do you offer?

Weddings by SCC provides tasting/consultation appointments for those who prefer something different in the dessert area. We provide our cheesecakes for weddings, along with dummy cakes for those who want a more traditional look without purchasing actual cake. We also provide delivery/set up services for our clients.

2. How long have you been business and where are you located?

We have been in business for 8 years now. We currently work from a State Licensed kitchen in our home in Hudsonville.

3. How did you get into making cheesecakes?

When we got married we decided we didn’t want to go the traditional route. We wrote our own vows, went barefoot at an outdoor ceremony, things like that. Neither of us likes cake all that much… so, we decided to have cheesecake. I found a recipe that was good enough but, it needed some tweaking. So, I adjusted it until it suited us. We served it at the reception and everyone kept asking “where” we bought the cheesecake. I laughed and told them we “made” it. People began encouraging us to go into business… so we gave it a shot and here we are.

4. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

Wedding cheesecakes! There are very few companies that do them. We strive to provide a quality product that looks beautiful and tastes wonderful. I believe Weddings by Sinful Cheesecake Company is unique in a baking industry that mainly provides traditional wedding cakes.

5. Do you have a favorite flavor of cheesecake? What is your most requested flavor?

Oh, yes I do… actually; there are two…Key Lime and Tiramisu. Our best seller is White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl. That one out sells every other flavor we have.

6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

Spending time with my family, decorating my house, planning something… I really do seek out creative outlets… even when I am not working.

Get To Know - En Gedi Bridal

1. What type of services do you offer?

En Gedi Bridal is a full service wedding and event specialist. We do not offer typical retail floral service, which allows us to concentrate fully on the goals and needs of our brides and event planners. From the first consultation to the delivery of your event you will deal directly with Jodi and Sara which allows us to get to know each bride's personality and dreams. This helps make your wedding unique and personalized in a way that is unparalleled by florist shops.

2. How long have you been in the floral industry and where are you located?

En Gedi Bridal has been servicing brides in West Michigan for ten years. We are located in Holland, but have served brides from Grand Haven to Saugatuck and from Holland to Lowell.

3. Is there anything that you specialize in?

Our specialty is weddings. Because we deal exclusively with brides and event planners we are not distracted by retail sales. Our goal is to get to know each bride and what she visions her wedding to look like, then we make it our priority to exceed that dream in quality and creativity with our floral design.

4. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

When a bride is dealing with a traditional floral shop she typically has a consultation with one person, another one orders her flowers, another one designs her flowers, and another delivers her order. This allows for the brides vision to be "lost in translation" and produces a mass production look. At En Gedi Bridal, the bride only deals with the designers, Jodi and Sara. We personally handle every detail of her event, making sure it is a reflection of her personality.

5. Do you have a favorite flower that you like to use? Do you have a favorite color scheme?

A favorite flower is difficult to choose. Our favorite designs are ones which embrace the season of the event. Nothing is more beautiful than a red, orange and russet event in October, a vibrant pallet of hot pinks in July, or a crisp pallet of whites in January. We enjoy wowing brides with unique seasonal flowers and greens that make her event more special than the cookie cutter floral mix.

6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

Both of our designers are full time moms of very active children. We also both have a passion for interior design. Both Jodi and Sara are also active as volunteers in our churches and in our children's schools.

Contact them soon!

Jodi Dykstra and Sara VandenBosch
engedibridal.com
engedibridal@gmail.com

Get To Know - DJ Vybes

1. What type of services do you offer?

DJ Services is my specialty. I feature in occasional club scenes and also cater to various functions including Wedding Receptions, Birthday Parties, Private Parties, Holiday Parties, Family Gatherings, Anniversary Parties, etc. Name it, I cater to it.

2. How long have you been in the industry and where are you located?

I’ve been a Disc Jockey for over 10 years. I am based in Holland, Michigan but take pride in being open enough to go pretty much wherever the client is.

3. Is there anything within your business that you specialize in?

Mixing music and incorporating various styles of the art, eliminating dead air, and playing tunes that move the crowd. My goal is to always infuse electric energy, keep the crowd on their feet and entertained throughout the night. I like the challenge of mixing genres you’d never think possible;, example a rock n roll song with a country ballad…

4. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

A personal touch and great customer service! In addition to my DJ role, I wear the cap of an event planner/organizer. I like to pay attention to small details like getting to know the client’s taste, their guests tastes, themes, visiting venues before hand, etc. I also negotiate contracts or service terms on a client’s behalf. These qualities and more, I find, are key to pulling off successful events and make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.

5. What is THE most requested song? Have you ever had any really bizarre requests?

Wow! There are several but if I had to pick one song I’d have to say the “Electric Slide.” As for bizarre requests, none comes to mind at the moment. Each client/event is unique.

6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

I somehow find myself mixing music for fun, listening to it, reading a good book, or watching a movie. I also enjoy outdoor activities such as biking, jogging, and photography.

Traditions - The Bouquet Toss

Lately, at most of my consultations, my couples have one or more tradition that they want to stray from. When they tell me this they always get quiet and look at me like they are anticipating to hear "GASP!!! What!?" out of my mouth. But the answer they usually get is "Great! Let's make this exactly how YOU want it, nothing says you have to use all the traditions". So I decided I was going to post a little bit about the main traditions, their origins and other options you have. Let's start with...

The Bouquet Toss:

(okay, I had to use this picture I found here, for so many reasons!!! Talk about non-traditional!! Love the girl in the bikini.)

The origin of the bouquet toss goes back to the fourteenth century. Guests believed that it was good luck to get a piece of the brides dress. Often one of the ribbons tied into the dress to bring the bride herself good luck. The "well-wishers" would rush the bride to get this good luck. In a way to try and protect themselves and appease the crowd brides began tossing their bouquets at the guests.

If your guest list doesn't have many single ladies (you're singing right now aren't you?) or you just want to do something a little different. Here are some alternatives to tossing a bouquet.

• Present the bouquet to a special friend or family member (either privately or publicly)

• Have a "couples dance", where the DJ announces certain number of years (such as 5 years or less) and couples that have been married longer than that stay until you get to the couple that has been together the longest and give the bouquet to the wife.

• Florists can make breakaway bouquets that would be multiple little bouquets all tied together and when thrown they break apart, that way multiple ladies win!
  

Whatever you decide to do for your big day, just remember one thing...have fun and be creative with it!