New Website and Email

Hello all!

I have finally updated my website domain and my email.

New site: www.MemorableEventsLLC.com

Email: Michelle@MemorableEventsLLC.com

The old ones still work and are just getting forwarded for now but eventually everything will switch over.

Thanks! Have a great holiday weekend!

DIY Petal Cones

I offered to run some errands and pick up some last minute items for a client and on the list were paper cones for the tossing rose petals. Easy enough I thought, I'll just go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels and pick some up. Ummm...nope! My mom and I were out one day and looked everywhere! We even started just looking for anything that we could make into cones, I was getting very frustrated. A couple of days later my mom called from the parking lot of Walmart saying "she thinks she found something that would work". Walmart carries a line of Wilton cake supplies including...10" white grease proof doilies with a lace like die cut edge. My mom is brilliant!!!

There are 10 doilies per package for $1.98, so out of one package you can get 20 cones. For this wedding we only needed 40 so it cost us under $4!


Step 1: Cut the doilies in half to make 20


Step 2: Roll each half into a cone shape, there is a smooth side and a rough side of the pattern, I rolled it with the rough side facing in. After a couple you will figure out the trick to getting the edges to line up.















Step 3: Tape or glue stick the edges, both inside and out. I used a small piece of double sided tape on the top corner where the pattern is because there isn't a lot to hold glue there.


Step 4: Fill with flower petals of your choice!

Have fun and enjoy!!

Holland Historical Venues

If you are looking for intimate unique venues for wedding ceremonies, receptions, cocktail parties, showers or all of the above take a look at the Holland Museums. There are multiple venues available, the Holland Museum, the Armory and the Cappon House and Visitors Center. All are rich in history and would turn your party into an event. In addition to your rental fee you are given the opportunity for you and your guests to tour the building and exhibits during the time of your event. Renters are allowed to bring in their own caterer or to choose from a list provided by the rental coordinator. Bar service is also allowed on site.






The Museum lobby can hold up to 150 for a stand up cocktail/appetizer reception or around 40-50 for a sit down reception. The Museum is directly across the street from Centennial Park which has a gazebo perfect for ceremonies and then your guests could walk right over to the reception.






The Cappon House and Visitors Center is lovely for an outdoor ceremony and a tented reception. There is a nice porch/front entrance that is a nice backdrop for the ceremony and there is plenty of lawn space for smaller tents. Inside there are a few rooms available for public use. The dining room can handle a sit down dinner or luncheon for 24 or a stand-up reception for 40.





The Armory building has recently undergone some renovations so the pictures on their site are outdated. They have opened up the ceiling and have redone the floor to get away from the gymnasium look. The Armory can hold up to 500 people for a sit down reception but would also be a good site for a trade show, fundraiser or some other event where you would need a lot of room to spread out.

On-site Coordinators

I am often asked if couples should still hire an independent day of coordinator if their reception venue has an on-site coordinator. The answer is Yes.

Most reception venue have someone on their staff that acts as an on-site coordinator, working directly with the couples and as a liaison between the couple and the venue staff. But remember they are employed by the venue not by you, they will always have their own best interest in mind not yours. Depending on the size of the venue this coordinator may have other responsibilities beyond special events so their focus may be in multiple areas. If you have issues with one of your other vendors (DJ, florist, caterer, etc.) you will be the one handling this on your big day, not them. It is very frustrating when couples give all their wedding details to the event coordinator at the venue and work with that specific person during the entire planning process and then that person is not working the night of the reception and those details have not been passed on.

Hiring an independent coordinator takes a lot of pressure off of you and your family. They will deal with any issues that come up. When you hire someone they are being paid to be your advocate and to take care of your needs. And often you have worked closely with your coordinator over the last few months and have built a good relationship with them. You have gone over all the details with your coordinator, they know the event as well as you do so this will help to eliminate people bombarding you with questions all night and help to keep things from falling through the cracks. And of course, the obvious reason of having your own coordinator. This person will be with you all day, running the ceremony, the set up and then the reception.

On-site coordinators serve their purpose and can be very helpful when you have questions regarding the venue and its policies. But if you are in need of assistance on your big day and are concerned with having any issues handled in your best interest don't hesitate, hire a day of coordinator.

Candy Buffet Vases

If you are thinking of doing a candy buffet at your reception check out TJ Maxx and Marshalls for great deals on apothecary jars. I just got a larger sized jar with lid for $10!

Flavorful Favors for under $1

There are two things I look for when chosing favors, okay maybe three.

1. I find that guests love edible favors. Chocolates, jelly beans, M&Ms, anything tasty. Even a candy buffet is a great idea, just place a bag or box at the table with a cute note and have the guest fill them with all of your favorite candies.
2. With all the money you are putting into the rest of your wedding, favors should be reasonably priced. Since you are giving one to every person the cost of favors can add up quickly.
   
3. Whatever you give your guests as their favor should represent your overall look and feel of the wedding. The biggest way people do this is by incorporating your color scheme and any graphic they may be using.

The favors above were extremely easy to make and the cost came in for under $1 a piece! All the supplies for both favors pictured were purchased at Michaels.

I will start with how to make the favors in the top picture, the tulle with the cute charms.

• The tulle is available is pre-cut circles to make it easier to gather and tie and comes in different colors. Another super easy way to get this same sort of look is to purchase organza bags with pull ties (look on ebay if you want a specific color)
• Cut your chosen ribbon to a good length that you will be able to get a nice bow out of, slip on the charm before you tie the bow.
• Lay out the tulle circle and place your candy in the center, gather the edges together.
• Tie the ribbon around the tulle just above the candy and make a cute bow.
• Enjoy!

How to make the boxes with the ribbon bows.

• The boxes are available in rectangular ivory or white squares and they come in boxes of 100.
  
• The boxes are very easy to fold together.
• Place a square of tissue paper inside to surround the candy. Use paper in your wedding color to add a little splash when the boxes are opened.
  
• Fill the boxes with your candy, we used Assorted Gourmet Jelly Beans from GFS Marketplace stores. A 1/2 cup fit into the rectangle boxes.
  
• Next we cut the ribbon to a length that would wrap the box and provide a good sized ribbon.
• Tie the ribbon around the box and...voila! Adorable favors for under $1 each.

Here is one done using the square white boxes.

Have fun!

Ebony & Sean - August 15, 2009

Ebony and Sean were married this past Saturday! They have been dating since high school and have been looking forward to this day for a long time, which I can understand since my hubby and I dated through high school as well. I have been working along side Ebony since May of last year, I'm going to miss her phone calls and coffee dates!

Ceremony: Lamb of God Church
Reception: The Wave Room, Celebration Cinemas
Photographer: A&E Entertainment
DJ: A&E Entertainment
Decor: Celebration Central
Cake: M & M Bakery
Limo: Affordable Limo

Here are just a few of my snapshots from the day, check out more here.

I just love the pose, you can just tell what she is thinking!

Thank you, Ebony & Sean for letting me be a part of your big day and your life for the last 16 months! I wish you all the best in your new life together.