Weddings in 2012

I can't believe it has been three years since I last posted. I have a lot of plans though for 2012. But first let me fill you in on what's been happening in my life and with OKE.

In 2009, I worked with some amazing couples and thoroughly enjoyed the weddings that I helped to create. It was such a blessing to see OKE bloom and grow. We had beautiful weddings, most of them outside, either under a beautiful tent by the lake, at wineries, or historical inns with lots of character.

In 2010, OKE saw a huge decline in referrals and interest in wedding planning assistance. However, I continued to assist a friend of mine with her floral deliveries, went to some beautiful locations, met great vendors, and dreamed of weddings to come. I believe that everything happens for a reason. At the end of 2010, some personal issues emerged for me that needed to be dealt with.

2011, I spent much of this year dealing with these issues and focusing more on my own marriage and our future. The down time from planning weddings was a gift. And I was further rewarded for my hard work by getting repeat business with a fabulous family from 2009. My soul searching has led to some great possibilities and goals for 2012. I do greatly enjoy the wedding planning business and working with families to get through the daunting but most exciting times in their lives. Life is a celebration!

I have also discovered that changes in my "day job" have left me feeling unfulfilled and wanting to return to a passion that has been a part of me since I was a child. I love being in nature and I love animals. I am most myself when I am interacting with one or both. I was also born a caring helper with the desire to make a difference. This naturally led me to the decision to pursue a career change working with animals and the environment. 2012 will be the year of my journey toward this new career. And building OKE back to where it was in 2009, hopefully even better.

To blend these two goals together, OKE will also be donating 10% of it's profits from each wedding to the animal or environmental charity of the couple's choice. It's my way of giving back more consistently and encouraging couples to think about the future of the world in which they may be raising their children. Also, I am pursuing becoming a "green certified" wedding planner. There are very few wedding planners in the area, and even fewer focusing on the impact of weddings on the environment.


Now having a "Green wedding" does not mean sacrificing your "Dream wedding". One thing I took to heart this past year was that "every purchase we make is a vote." So whatever we purchase something we can expect to see more of that product produced and on the shelves. So, every choice we make matters and is a vote in favor of the world around us. So, even if a couple only chooses one or two "green" items to be a part of their wedding, it makes a difference. Just imagine if every bridal couple did the same thing. And what a lovely sentiment to share at a celebration with all the people you love most. That being said, OKE would never pressure any bridal couple to make a choice they don't want to make, the choice for green wedding elements is completely up to the couple. OKE is just trying to be educated enough to offer it as an option.

Finally, in 2012 OKE will spotlight a winery wedding location in the Finger Lakes area each month in it's blog. When I first decided to go into the wedding planning business in this area, it was inspired by my own wedding, but also my love for the area's wineries and natural beauty. I would love to someday be the area "expert" in winery events and develop a relationship with local wineries with the capacity to host events. Wine has been used since the very beginning as a celebratory drink, sparkling juices are an equally fun option.

Best wishes for the coming year!!!!

Winter 2009

It's hard to believe that it's been three months since my last wedding. It seems like only weeks. Next month I will be teaching, so that will take up some of my time when I'm not at my day job. I miss my weekly phone calls with my brides and working with some incredible vendors. I was very blessed this summer. The weddings I assisted in turned out to be unique and very special. The families that I worked with were sincere, quirky (in great ways) and kind. I am looking forward to the next wedding season, new trends and ideas.

Private Seneca Lake Wedding

What a wonderful wedding experience! I was able to work with my assistant Jean to transform this private lakefront location into a wedding wonderland. I wish I could take more credit for the planning phases of this wedding, but the bride's mother did much of the footwork. The bride and groom were also incredibly organized and wonderful to work with.

With the help of catering staff, all of the chairs were moved from the tent to a patch of land near a small willow tree. The wedding music was a combination of CD, piano, guitar, vocals, and the recessional sung by the bridal party, "All you need is love" by the Beatles. It was a non-traditional wedding with an uneven number of attendants on each side, including the bride's brother whom stood on her side in support. It was lovely to see a couple so sure in what they wanted and unwilling to compromise their heartfelt wedding for "tradition." Watching the wedding ceremony unfold is my favorite moment of wedding planning, and just one of the reasons I love this job so much!

A picnic table was used to create a festive guest book and place card table. One one end, guests were asked to write a small note and insert it into a scrapbook containing colorful envelopes, creating a collection of special messages for the couple to read through the years. On the other end, place cards were placed into slotted branches to ensure stability in the wind. Favors for the reception included tall sparklers, set on the benches of the table, which would be lit later during a fireworks display.

The tent, lighting, tables and chairs were provided by Tailored Events. The tent was in great condition. Wires were hidden and buried in the grass to avoid tripping. The round lanterns above provided the perfect amount of lighting on dimmer switches.

The flowers were provided by Plenty of Posies and were a wonderful assortment of fresh homegrown blooms in shades of purple, pink, greens, and white, with some accents of yellow. They were in great condition and held up wonderfully. Audrey, from Plenty of Posies, also included some fresh herb clippings, which provided a wonder aroma to the arrangements and boutonnieres.

Entertainment was provided by Rochester Brass and Electric. They did a great job! They sounded wonderful, had a good sense of humor, were willing to play requests, and rolled with the punches of this lively reception. I have never seen a bridal party and guests dance so much and have so much spontaneous fun. Events of the evening included impromptu dance performances, stories from friends and family about the bride and groom, a bonfire by the lake, a fireworks display, and the entire bridal party jumping into the lake from one of the docks. It was a fantastic party which will surely be remembered for years. I was glad to be a part of it.

"Thank you so much for all of your help...It was more than I could have hoped for & I really couldn't have done it without you!" -Sandy

Otesaga Resort Hotel

Several weekends ago, my husband and I attended a gorgeous wedding at this historic hotel in Cooperstown, NY. I knew at once that I must include it in my blog. The Otesaga is a magnificent, Federal-style structure with an imposing front portico supported by massive 30-foot columns. It occupies 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego.

The ceremony was held on the lawn overlooking the lake behind the hotel. We approached the ceremony site after passing a spacious pool, crochet court, and hotel guests dinning on the terrace. The ceremony itself was simple and elegant, offering guests ice cold bottles of water and fan wedding programs as favors. The site wedding coordinator provided excellent service with a smile.

After the ceremony, the cocktail hour was held on the upper terrace, also overlooking the lake. A variety of passed hors d'oeuvres were offered along with a scrumptious table display.

The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom. The romantic ballroom is lined with parallel colonnades of fluted Doric columns and lattice-work panels. It boasts 20-foot coffered ceilings, crystal chandeliers, windows on three sides and pre-Raphaelite murals original to the structure from 1910.

Prior to the reception, I was already impressed with the views, the Resort itself, and the wonderful condition of the grounds. This experience was heightened further during the reception. The linens were freshly pressed and had the soft texture of brushed silk and cotton.

The utensils were a fine silver and polished to a bright shine. The decorations were minimal, so as to let the structure of the ballroom itself shine. The woodwork itself was very impressive, with windows allowing a soft view of the lake.

Finally, I would like to say that the staff was professional and efficient, but also fun. They treated us like important guests, but also had a warm and friendly manner. It was a wonderful wedding experience. I highly recommend considering this site!

www.otesaga.com

Vendor Communication and Documentation

I learned recently the importance of good communication and documentation with your vendors. For most quality vendors this will not be an issue, but is a good idea to have all services outlined in writing so that everyone is on the same page. Therefore, it is always a good idea to document the conversations that you have with vendors that explore the details of your wedding. This can be done several different ways. I do a great deal of communication through e-mail. I keep all of my e-mails regarding each wedding (sent and received) until about a month after the wedding date. This way I can clearly track the conversations with each vendor, resend messages as needed, forward copys to my brides, and have clear documentation for any desputes. It is also nice to compile a summary letter to send to each vendor outlining your understanding of the services they are proviing the all the details discussed. That way any miscommunications can be clarified.

A New York Wine Country Wedding

One of the most beautiful places in New York to get married is at a winery!

Wine: You don't have to love wine to enjoy the naturally beautiful views at a winery. But, being an amateur wine connoisseur has many benefits at a winery wedding including a specialty wine tasting, wine pairings with your Hors d'oeuvres or a "tasting hour", and selected wines for the meal. Many wineries offer their wine at a discounted rate during the wedding, personalized labels, and pint sized versions of their wines for favors. Many wineries will serve only their own wines, so plan a tasting to determine your favorites. Offer speciality wines with dessert and a small sampling of port with cheese.

Nature: Most winery weddings and receptions are held outside in the open air or under a billowy tent overlooking a lake, the vineyard, a mountainside, or lush green valley. This setting is ideal for those who love the outdoors and beautiful wedding photographs. Tenting provides shelter from the sun and any inclimate weather. Some wineries also offer intimate receptions in their wine cellars. Wineries have an old world charm that is idea for celebrations.

Fresh: What an opportunity to focus on local fresh produce and flowers. There are many catering companies willing to use organic and local meats and produce. Wineries are naturally situated in farming areas, making eating local and fresh easier and more desirable for environmental and economic reasons. It supports the local community! Consider protecting any exposed foods (especially sugary cakes and punches) from outdoor pests.

Timing: Most vineyards host their weddings in the late afternoon or early evening after their normal business day has ended and expect that the event will be completed between 10 and 11 pm. This is more than enough time to host a wedding and reception. Typical outdoor weddings last about 30 minutes, followed by a cocktail hour, and then a reception lasting 4-5 hours.

Decor: Keep it simple. Consider staying with natural colors that compliment a winery like lavender, cream, dark brown, greens, and red. Decorate the tables with grapes, nuts, cheeses, olives, break sticks, fresh fruit, and a few blooms. If you are a flower lover, stick to non-fragrant blooms like sunflowers, dahlias, and some varieties of roses. Use natural containers like baskets, ceramic pots, wrought iron, fine linen, and wood. Arrange the reception tables in long banquet style rows and use large barrels for cocktail tables.

Location: Have the wedding ceremony over looking the lake or a sunlit pond, with cocktail hour in the tasting room or wine cellar, and the reception under a tent near the grape vines. Use various parts of the facility to keep the location interesting to your guests and make it easier for staff to prepare for the next event.

Style: All wineries are not alike. Make sure to visit several wineries to meet the staff, consider the architecture and layout options, and learn that winery's preferred vendors. Obtain a floor plan for the wedding site, stick to what the staff knows will work best, and always have a rain plan.

Season: Wineries look very different at various times of the year. So make sure to visit the winery during the season of your wedding so that you know what to expect. Also ask what processing with be occurring at that time and any associated noises and odors to expect.

Transportation: While being located amongst the hills and valleys of wine country has many benefits, overnight accommodations are often limited to B&Bs close by and hotels that are a distance from the winery. So I strongly encourage you to consider offering complimentary busing to make travel safe and convenient for your guests after a long day of enjoying the vineyard.

Favors: The options are endless- a pint of wine with a personalized label, a wine tasting book, a book about New York's wine country, a corkscrew, wine vinegar, wine jams and jellies, wine scented candles, personalized wine glasses, and many many more.

This posting was inspired by "Simply Stunning Weddings" by Karen Bussen and Bride and Bloom Magazine's article "Creative a Vineyard Wedding in Your Own Backyard".

Websites to help with planning a Fingerlakes Wedding:

www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com, www.keukawinetrail.com, www.senecalakewine.com, and www.cayugawinetrail.com.

The Eco Wedding

Have an Eco Wedding in the Fingerlakes!

Try to make each part of your wedding day Eco friendly in some way:

Location: Have your ceremony and reception at the same location to reduce gas emissions related to your wedding day. Have an outdoor event under a tent! Use a non-profit space to host your ceremony and reception. If you want to have a local destination wedding, have all the guests stay in the same bed and breakfast or inn. Have the reception and ceremony in that same place! Calculate the mileage guests will travel and then offset their carbon footprint by donating to preserving the rainforests.

Linens and Place settings: Use the linens that your reception site provides and use only cloth. Rent real glasses and dishes, as opposed to using disposable plates. Or go for shabby-chic and mix and match plates from a local thrift store. Donate all the plates back when you are finished.

Attire: Brides! Wear a dress made of raw silk, in a style you would wear again or donate it to charity. Use an environmentally friendly cleaner when it comes time to clean the dress. Use your Grandma’s vintage veil. Choose clothing for your attendants that they will wear again for work or other parties. Use all natural make-up. Have your bridesmaids wear black dresses that they already own for the ceremony. Purchase wedding shoes that you will wear again. Or Go barefoot!

Stationary: Use a reply postcard, rather than a note card that needs an envelope. Order your stationary printed on 100% recycled post consumer waste paper that has been processed without chlorine. Or use hemp or bamboo paper.

Flowers: Use a florist who uses flowers from local or organic farms, make your own bouquets from wild flowers or use potted plants as centerpieces for a more organic wedding. Donate the flowers from your wedding to a hospital.

Gifts: Register for your gifts at local shops, so as to save on shipping materials and gas. Use a green wedding registry. Or give your guests the option of donating to charity, rather than purchasing a wedding gift. Give a reusable, locally made cloth tote bag to your bridal party as a gift.

Wedding Rings: Use recycled gold for your eco wedding rings or give each other antique wedding bands.

Favors: In lieu of a favor, give the money to a charity for a greener world. Eco favors: organic chocolate, dried organic herbs, flower bulbs, seedlings, an 11-watt compact fluorescent bulb, or a recycled handmade paper bookmark with wildflower seeds that you can plant after use.

Drinks: Rather than hosting a full bar, have a personalized cocktail made of organic ingredients – including organic vodka. Or use local organic wines. Rather than purchase champagne for the toast, have guests toast with what they are already drinking.

Catering: Use food that is in-season for the reception and use a caterer who composts or donates the leftover food. Use locally grown berries in your wedding cake. Consider having a meat-free menu at your reception. Do your rehearsal dinner at a friend’s home and have everyone chip in to cook.

Guest list: Keep the wedding small. The more guests you invite, the bigger the carbon footprint left from the wedding. Opt for a cocktail and appetizer reception, rather than a plated dinner. Elope locally for your ceremony and then have a cocktail party when you return to celebrate with your friends.

Transportation: Travel by train, rather than by plane. Travel to your guests instead! If most of your guests come from one part of the country, go to them instead of everyone coming to you.
Arrive to the wedding reception in a hybrid or smartcar! Use a horse and carriage as your form of transportation, rather than a car.

Honeymoon: Take an eco-considerate honeymoon. Travel close to home or consider eco-tourism for your honeymoon destination. Have an outdoorsy honeymoon, such as camping, backpacking, or fishing.

Vendors: Hire local vendors who are committed to being “green” and providing sustainable wedding practices. Hire an all-digital photographer and videographer.

Decor: Use beeswax or soy based candles. Have your guests sign the mat of a framed photo from your engagement instead of a guest book. Decorate with branches! If you have separate sites for your ceremony and reception, use the same décor from the ceremony for the reception.

Adapted from "101 Ways to make a wedding Eco-Chic" from http://www.styleunveiled.com/.