PRESS RELEASE :: Wedding Industry Experts, 2014 Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

We have just entered the Wedding Industry Experts 2014 Awards.

 
It’s Official!  Pink Tie Preferred has entered the Wedding Industry Experts, 2014 Awards in the category of Most Popular Wedding Planner in Detroit.  We want to send a clear message to future clients that we are proud of the level of service we deliver for every couple, and prove that those who know us are happy to support us.

About the Awards

Each year of the Wedding Industry Experts Awards attract a vast array of world class wedding professional and related businesses of all sizes, from across the globe.  The awards are now the largest international popularity competition for Wedding Professional worldwide and we are proud to be one of the participants.

Our vote page shows are category, location and a description of our service.  There is no judging panel.  Past clients, peers and fans vote for their favorites.  In previous years fans could vote more than once.  This year they have limited it to one vote per email address for the duration of the month long voting period.

The voting process is simple.

Fans can cast one vote per email address anytime during the voting period. They can log into the new awards system via a simple sign-up form, or with ease via their Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn accounts.  The number of votes will not be shown on the awards site – just rank form most votes to least (once voting commences).

Saundra Hadley from PlanningForever Events sums it up best when she says: “There is nothing more honorable and exciting to win an award for your business. It validates your efforts, your relationship with others and frankly, it’s the cherry on top for your hard work.  It’s comforting to know that people, besides your Mother, think you are special.”

If you think we are worthy of The Most Popular Wedding Planner in Detroit, starting May 1st you will be able to visit our page (HERE) and cast a vote for us.  We will send a reminder when the voting period starts.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us to date.  It is through your support and referrals that we can continue to do what we love!

Blessings.

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Signature Vendor: Courtyard Flowers

To assist you in your vendor selections, we have decided to start featuring some of our favorite vendors.  These are vendors we have worked with, and trust.  Just because a vendor fits your budget does not guarantee a match in style and professional personality.  Building an ideal Wedding Team means prudently selecting vendors who will work together to create an event just for you. 

We start this special edition blog post featuring one of our favorites: Courtyard Flowers.

In case the name doesn't give it away, this Signature Vendor is a Wedding Floral Specialist.  Take a gander at our interview with the owner, Katie Trost.  She's excellent at what she does and has often shocked me and my clients (in a good way) with the wonderful way she's able to take an example photograph and bring it to life with such elegance.

 

 

Pink Tie Prefered:  How did you start your company?

Courtyard Flowers:  I bought an existing floral shop In October of 1999.

Pink Tie Prefered: How long have you been in business?

Courtyard Flowers: This year marks my 14^th anniversary.

Pink Tie Prefered: How did you get started?

Courtyard Flowers: I started as a flower “ cleaner “ dethorning roses at a floral shop when I was 18 years old.

 

Pink Tie Prefered:  What services do you provide?

Courtyard Flowers:  I help choose wedding floral designs, consult with my brides, arrange the flowers, deliver and set up the flowers.

 

Pink Tie Prefered:  Where and what does your inspiration come from?

Courtyard Flowers:  My true love for design. I am lucky to enjoy my work, it is my passion.

Pink Tie Prefered:  What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Courtyard Flowers:  The most rewarding part is seeing a bride’s vision from start to finish, and seeing the happiness on her face on her big day. I like collaborating with my brides.

 

Pink Tie Prefered:  What's your favorite part of your job?

Courtyard Flowers:  The challenges of taking something a bride saw in a magazine, and duplicating it with my own little twist on it.

Pink Tie Prefered:  Why do you think it's important for clients to hire a professional florist?

Courtyard Flowers:  I just feel like a professional can definitely help make the wedding prettier and nicer with the floral designs.

Pink Tie Prefered:  What unique qualities do you possess that sets you apart from other florists?

Courtyard Flowers:  I keep up on trends and listen very carefully to what each bride likes, and doesn’t like. I am very hands on, as a business owner, I do all my own consulting, return emails, everything.

Pink Tie Prefered:  Besides being a florist, what else do you like to do with your time?

Courtyard Flowers:  Huge gardener, love to cook. Love to read, and to travel.

Pink Tie Prefered:  How can potential clients reach you?

Courtyard Flowers:  Website or Facebook

 

To reach Katie or find out more about our Signature Vendors contact us today!

"Day of"... more like "Month of"

Not every couple understands how involved "day of" coordination is.  Many think that it is as simple as coming in for the rehearsal, and actual "day of".  

The problem with that is any experienced planner worth their fee knows it is impossible to come in and execute a well planned event coming in the day before.  Hourly rates for planners start at $50 per hour.  So while it is tempting to hire a coordinator who charges $500 for a "day of" package, they are going to work more than 10 hours ($500 divided by $50/hour).  Check out this breakdown in a recent Huffington Post article.

• Contacting your contracted vendors and obtaining their contracts -- three hours
• Reading and fully comprehending contracts -- three hours
• Venue walk-through -- two hours
• Creating a timeline to perfection -- three hours
• Assisting you in creating your ceremony order and flow -- one hour
• Rehearsal -- one (more like two) hours
• Pre-planning with the bride on ceremony lineup, guest lists, floor plans, etc. -- two hours
• Wedding day -- 10 to 12 hours
• Total hours required to PERFORM SUCCESSFULLY on the wedding day: 25 hours

25 hours X $50 = $1250.00

Would you really want to trust your special day to someone who sells themselves short?  If they don't value their experience and skill set, why should you.  Take the $500 you would spend on the "day of" package with an inexperienced planner and put it as a down payment on a more experienced planner.  In the long run, it will be worth it.

Experienced planners have better resources and are better equipped to provide you with your dream day.  Most experience planners also offer payment plans - making their packages more affordable.  At the end of the day: "Don't put the success of your wedding day in the hands of the $5-an-hour wedding planner."

For our rates, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website to contact us today!

Where NOT to Skimp

Regardless of budget, event hosts are usually concerned with costs.  Be it a wedding, baby shower or judicial investiture, the budget is usually reviewed on a line-by-line basis rather than from the overall bottom line.

With each and every client, the most consistent advice I give clients is not to skimp on the memories - and anything attached to them.  Want to know how to best allocate your funds and still have a fabulous time?  Here's our list of areas we suggest you do NOT skimp on the budget:

• Food:  Ample portions of well-seasoned, promptly served food will keep guests happy.  Happy guests create happy memories.  Nothing is worse as a guest than having to wait for food to be served (either because of tardy hosts or the venue), except for having to wait for food service and receive an unfulfilling portion.  If your venue and/or caterer offers a tasting, schedule one and choose entrees that best fit the occasion and guests attending.  Make sure portions are generous.  Another benefit to promptly served, healthy portions is a fewer number of overly intoxicated guests if an open bar is offered.
• Music: Some of the best shots captured are of guests having a great time on your day.  What better way to get them active and moving than fantastic music.  Whether your preference is a live band or a disc jockey, or if you prefer line dancing over ballroom dancing, with great music your guests won't be able to sit still too long.  For some of your guests, it is quite possible that this is a long overdue night out without the kids. Be sure to make it worth their while, and show them a good time!  (Besides, they'll probably need to work off some of the meal you just served.)
• Photography: All of the special moments from entrances to dances can be relived repeatedly through beautifully captured, professionally shot photographs.  This is one the first areas hosts tend to want to skimp.  "It just pictures" or, "my best friend has a really good camera, can't she take pictures?" are two statements often used in an attempt to justify cutting corners on photographs.  At the end of the day, pictures (and video) will be all that's left.  Let's be honest, if it's a wedding you're hosting - will you really wear the gown again?  And, the flowers will die before the week's over.  Spend the money where it counts - what will live on: Your Memories.
• Cinematography: Same with the photography, this is what will last after your special event is all said and done.  It may seem like a high expense, but you'll be grateful on the back end.  You may not pop it in every time you sit down for a movie night.  But, it's a great post-wedding recap with the bridal party (a "release" party), and something to do on your anniversaries.  If you're celebrating another life event, the memories of some of the guests present will eventually become priceless - trust me.

It seems like that's the whole budget, right?  These are some of the big ticket items, I know. But, there are several other areas of the budget where you can scale back without sacrificing the event's experience.

For a review of your budget, visit our website and contact us today!

Expanding Services

In June 2002 we serviced our first bride and groom.  At that wedding, a young and naive planner with intense passion provided not only planning and coordination services, but offered ceremony decor as well.  Shortly thereafter, we decided to focus just on event production.

 

Eleven years later, we offered the centerpieces and worked with other vendors to bring together the design vision, for an intimate wedding.  It quickly renewed our passion for design and a different level of creativity.   So, with that, we are pleased to announced that we are expanding our offerings to better serve our clients.

 

Keep an eye out for our new decor items, which will also include chair covers in several colors.

 

For more information or to book your rental, contact us today!

Signature Event: An Intimate Affair - Six One

Saundra and Jeffrey's intimate affair on was one of our first events of the season.  We were excited to work with some of our favorite vendors such as TinaJanel Makeup, DSH Photography and AtLarge Sound & Lighting. 

This deep purple, lavendar and silver wedding also introduced us to some new favorites!  Guests thoroughly enjoyed the vanilla, chocolate and red velvet cupcakes from Sweet 220.  It was our first time working with the staff at The Embassy Suites - Livonia.  However, Colleen, Derrick, Pam & Bernard, along with the rest of the staff went an extra three miles!  It was truly a pleasure working with such accommodating staff.

 

More pictures and details to come.  For information about this or other signature events, or to host your own contact us today!

Inspiration Guide: Peacock Theme

With Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year being announced, the emerald tones have quickly led to a return of the peacock theme.  By adding just a touch, or even carefully carrying it throughout, here are some ideas to provide inspiration. 

We've given you ideas for attire, including "blue" bottoms by Christian Louboutin and a peacock inspired party gown.  Jim Hjelm offers soft gowns from his 2013 collection.  Maggie Sottero's Saffron can be worn with or without a strap. (We happen to think the strap is gorgeous!) 

Centerpieces, invitations, bouquets and even boutonnières can help bring your vision to life without over doing it.

When it comes to decor, you can keep the room simple by using candles and theme-colored flowers in a cylinder vase, or go all out with peacock themed chair sashes.

Even the cake and Viennese table can become an elaborate display with elegance - either with simplicity or in the most ornate way imaginable.

For more ideas, or discuss your vision with a professional, contact us.




*This is an inspiration guide. We claim no rights to the photographs used.