Same Sex Wedding Giveaway, Take 2!

 

Rothweiler Event Design is proud to announce New Jersey's second Same Sex Wedding Giveaway! Last year, we made history when New Jersey legalized same sex marriage, and Kris and Wesley won a complete wedding package to celebrate their union! One year later, same sex marriage is being celebrated again as we have partnered with Vegas NJ in Randolph to giveaway another wedding package to one lucky couple!

If you and your partner are engaged in New Jersey, or if you know of a deserving couple, please send in a story complete with pictures to info@rothweilereventdesign.org. The deadline to enter is October 24, 2014.

All finalists will be invited to a cocktail party on November 6, 2014 and MUST be present to win this incredible prize!

We are looking forward to another amazing celebration and cannot wait to read your story! Don't delay!

 

Rules:

1. Contest is open to all same sex (man and man, or woman and woman) couples that reside in The State of New Jersey and are engaged to be married.

2. Couples must each be 21 years of age or older at the launch of this contest (August 27, 2014).

3. Couples agree to allow their essays and photographs to be published on the social media sites of all participating vendors that are donating their services. These pages includes but are not limited to Rothweiler Event Design and Vegas NJ.

4. Couples are to "like" the pages of all participating vendors which will be updated on the Facebook page of Rothweiler Event Design throughout the contest.

5. Finalists will be contacted on or before October 31, 2014. If, for some reason, any finalist is unreachable, or unable to be contacted by that date, they will forfeit their spot and another couple will be selected.

6. Each contestant agrees to be present for the announcement of the winner on November 6, 2014 at 7pm at Vegas NJ in Randolph, NJ. 

7. The winning couple will be selected by the participating vendors. All decisions are final.

8. The winning couple agrees to work with each individual vendor that is giving away their services for their wedding day. The packages that the vendors are giving away are at the sole discretion of the vendors.

9. The winning couple agrees to allow their wedding to be photographed and published in multiple media outlets.

10. The winning couple agrees to allow their wedding to be recorded for future media use.

11. The winning couple agrees to hold their wedding on a date that has been pre-selected by all vendors involved. This date is non-negotiable. Should the winning couple not agree to this date, they will forfeit their prize, and another couple will be selected.

12. The wedding guest count giveaway includes up to 70 guests (including the couple). If the couple chooses to have more than 70 guests at their wedding (maximum 150), they agree to pay the difference to all of the vendors involved to cover the additional costs if necessary.

13. The winning couple agrees to be interviewed for the media and publications regarding their wedding planning, relationship, etc.

14. The winning couple will be awarded various prizes for their wedding package. These prizes have already been pre-determined and are non-negotiable.  

No ring? No planning!

We're not sure why this is becoming common, but more and more we are seeing non-engaged people already planning their wedding. This isn't about the endless Pinterest boards with wedding ideas for a day long in the future, this is about actually venue and vendor shopping without one necessary item: an engagement.

A few years back we were contacted by a woman that wanted to consult with us for planning services. We set up an appointment and took time out of our day to meet with her for close to 2 hours. Her ideas were lovely and the entire concept she had in mind sounded so exciting. She was a bit non-traditional, so we didn't question her when she showed up without any bling on her finger.

And then we found out. Engaged? Nope. She later admitted to us that "he hasn't given me the ring yet, but I know it's coming."

Stop. The. Madness.

Recently, we spoke with another professional in the field who also met with a woman sans engagement. In fact, her boyfriend probably won't be proposing to her anytime soon, but she is venue shopping for the future. This non-engaged girlfriend toured a venue and took up an appointment for a wedding that may or may not ever happen.

We get it, weddings are exciting and planning is fun. But if you aren't engaged, just stay on Pinterest until you are. There is not one reason, at all, to be setting up appointments to view venues that you like or meet with any vendors for your special day. One of the first questions you will be asked is "have you set a date?" or something along those lines....so it will come out that you haven't set a date because no one has even asked you to marry them yet.

Besides wasting your time, it wastes the time of the professionals you are meeting with. Maybe the ring is coming soon and maybe you've even been shopping together, but if you don't show up with a little sparkle on your finger, you are going to be questioned. Plus, the engagement period should be exciting and fun and you will be racing from appointment to appointment to show off the new bling. Until then though, he is not your "hubby" and you are not his "wifey" (in fact, please don't use those terms without that second ring called a wedding band).

We want to celebrate with you and plan your special day, but it is unfair to everyone involved (you too) to start planning without blueprints. What happens if that ring never comes?

....and that girl we met with years ago? The one where the ring was coming? 

We never heard from her again.....

Congratulations: Kris and Wesley!

This blog post is long overdue....

Earlier this year, Rothweiler Event Design hosted New Jersey's first Same Sex Wedding Giveaway. We partnered with our favorite New Jersey venue, The Wilshire Grand (it's not a secret, we love it there) and some seriously talented and dedicated vendors to give away an all inclusive wedding valued at over $70,000. 

Late last Fall, couples were asked to submit their stories or nominate a couple that was deserving of this amazing prize. We received plenty of entries and then narrowed the field down to 10 finalists. These finalists were invited with their friends and family to celebrate New Jersey making same sex marriage legal and to find out who the winner was. On January 9, 2014, we announced Kris and Wesley as the lucky couple and the planning took off!

On July 27, 2014, Kris and Wesley had their special day. Surrounded by their closest friends and family members, their wedding was complete with love and support. We were more than excited to have Mitch Maged (aka Mitch the Minister) preside over their ceremony and announce them as husband and husband. The grooms looked stunning in wardrobe provided by Robert's Tuxedos, and the ladies were decked out in bling provided by Elizabeth John's. Live music was provided by The Smokin' Section for both the ceremony and the cocktail hour, before Ambient DJ took over and got the party started at their reception.

From the signature drink cards to the menus, escort cards and more, designs by RSVP to Me were seen everywhere and added the southern charm the grooms were looking for. Rothweiler Event Design provided the flowers and decor and used sunflowers (the grooms' request) as a base in the centerpieces. 

Even though the food was abundantly provided by The Wilshire Grand Catering, desserts were plentiful as well. Their cake was modern and fun from Confectionary Designs, and they also enjoyed a late night cupcake service from Polka Dot Cupcakes.

Above all, Kris and Wesley were all smiles the entire day. Their story won them this incredible wedding and we were ecstatic to put this together for them. We believe that love is love and celebrate everyday that New Jersey has legalized same sex marriage.

Congratulations to Kris and Wesley!

Planner and Event/Floral Design: Rothweiler Event Design
Venue: The Wilshire Grand Catering
Stationary: RSVP to Me
Officiant: Mitch the Minister
DJ: Ambient DJ
Live Music: The Smokin' Section
Men's Wardrobe: Robert's Tuxedos
Women's Jewelry: Elizabeth John's
Videography: Gabelli Studio
Cupcake Truck: Polka Dot Cupcake
Photography: Al Ojeda 
Cake: Confectionary Designs
Horse and Carriage: Dream Horse Carriage
Photobooth: Goodwin's Good Time Photobooth
Hair and Make Up: Deeva Beauty

Thank you also to Erik Kent of NJWedding.com for being the gracious media sponsor of this event!
 

Event Planner Rothweiler Event Design (Danielle Rothweiler) www.rothweilereventdesign.org

Catering and Accommodations Wilshire Grand Hotel www.thewilshiregrandhotel.com

DJ Entertainment Ambient DJ Service (Gregg Hollmann) www.ambientdj.com

Photography Al Ojeda Photography www.alojeda.com (the beautiful images in this blog are courtesy of Al Ojeda Photography - follow them on Facebook to view the complete gallery! )

Videography Gabelli Cinema www.gabellistudio.com

Photo Booth Goodwin's Goodtime Photo Booth (Gus Goodwin) www.goodwinsgoodtimephotobooth.com

Hair and Makeup Deirde Mahon from Deeva Beauty www.deevabeauty.com

Media Sponsor NJWedding.com (Erik Kent) www.njwedding.com

Invitations RSVP to Me www.rsvp-to-me.com

Ceremony Officiant Mitch the Minister www.mitchtheminister.com

Wedding Cake Confectionary Designs www.confectionarydesigns.com

Cupcake Truck Polka Dot Cupcake Shop (Little Ferry) www.polkadotcake.com (thank you for serving us a heavenly late night Red Velvet cupcake!)

Horse & Carriage Dream Horse Carriage (Tania Lawson) www.happytalespets.com/carriagerentals/

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music The Smokin Section www.smokinsection.com

- See more at: http://ambientdj.com/ambience-a-nj-dj-blog/305-wedding-gig-log-kris-a-wesley-the-wilshire-grand-hotel-loft.html#sthash.0e9Obuwx.dpuf 

Event Planning/Floral Design and Decor: Rothweiler Event Design, www.rothweilereventdesign.org

Event Planner Rothweiler Event Design (Danielle Rothweiler) www.rothweilereventdesign.org

Catering and Accommodations Wilshire Grand Hotel www.thewilshiregrandhotel.com

DJ Entertainment Ambient DJ Service (Gregg Hollmann) www.ambientdj.com

Photography Al Ojeda Photography www.alojeda.com (the beautiful images in this blog are courtesy of Al Ojeda Photography - follow them on Facebook to view the complete gallery! )

Videography Gabelli Cinema www.gabellistudio.com

Photo Booth Goodwin's Goodtime Photo Booth (Gus Goodwin) www.goodwinsgoodtimephotobooth.com

Hair and Makeup Deirde Mahon from Deeva Beauty www.deevabeauty.com

Media Sponsor NJWedding.com (Erik Kent) www.njwedding.com

Invitations RSVP to Me www.rsvp-to-me.com

Ceremony Officiant Mitch the Minister www.mitchtheminister.com

Wedding Cake Confectionary Designs www.confectionarydesigns.com

Cupcake Truck Polka Dot Cupcake Shop (Little Ferry) www.polkadotcake.com (thank you for serving us a heavenly late night Red Velvet cupcake!)

Horse & Carriage Dream Horse Carriage (Tania Lawson) www.happytalespets.com/carriagerentals/

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music The Smokin Section www.smokinsection.com

- See more at: http://ambientdj.com/ambience-a-nj-dj-blog/305-wedding-gig-log-kris-a-wesley-the-wilshire-grand-hotel-loft.html#sthash.0e9Obuwx.dpuf

20/20 Vision

"I wish I had...." said the regretful bride.

Probably one of the most painful moments I have as an event planner, is hearing the regrets of my clients that either didn't listen to my advice, or worse, listened to the advice of their friends while planning. They ignored their gut and let the outside world influence them. Only on the day of the event did they see what they should have done, and by then, it was too late. Now, they shout from the rooftops "don't do what I did!" Is anyone listening?

Hindsight is interesting. Frequently, people believe that they know what is best and there is no convincing them otherwise. You can use spreadsheets, a slideshow, puppets, it doesn't matter. It's not until something blows up in someone's face and they actually see it that they actually believe it. So I was wondering what are some of the major regrets clients had, and I caught up with my friends over at Elegant Ensembles in New Jersey. They have provided amazing live music for many events we have put together, and as an established vendor, they know what the clients "shoulda, coulda and woulda" done differently.

A whopping 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment. Almost 100% of brides say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment. 

I believe it.

I see brides spending over 50% of their budget (please refer to a previous blog where I say not to do that) on their venue and then digging for change in their couches to pay the rest of the vendors involved. 

Here's the thing about entertainment: if it sucks, so does your entire event. Empty dancefloor? No one will care about anything else. I could bring in ceiling flower installations, top caterers from across the country, vodka direct from Russia that is served by bears on little bikes and none of it will matter if the entertainment is sub-par. 

We are seeing more and more clients pick up bad talent for their entertainment. This includes radio DJs that have never performed at a wedding before and probably never ever should. A good DJ/MC combination (if you prefer to not do the band thing) is essential. You need people that will communicate with you as clients, your crowd throughout the night, and especially, your wedding planner. Too often $5 DJs are hired and make the entire event about them and their music. They ignore your timeline, forget the bouquet toss and announce the wrong people as they enter. All that matters to them is playing music. That's great, but then your caterer plates the food late (how much did you pay per plate again?), the cake doesn't get cut until everyone leaves, and your mom is making her entrance to the wrong damn song. Just say "no" to the radio DJ and those that make it about them and not about you. Because if a DJ is doing his own thing, there is little to nothing that can be done by us to fix the problem....aside from "grabbing the microphone" and "taking over" as was suggested to us to do at a wedding one time. PS- that's not our job. Nope.

Going the band route? Awesome. There are so many to choose from and we recommend meeting with them and hearing samples, live if possible. The amount of bad music and really bad pitchy singing that is out there is extraordinary. Don't have a great ear for this type of stuff? Bring someone with you that does and ask that person to be honest. You do not need some Christina Aguilera wanna-be riffing flat notes all night. 

Finally, with any music, this is not where you cut your budget (go after that 250 person guest list instead). Bad music=bad event. There is no way around it. Always ask your planner for their recommendations because they will be working with them to time the entire event. 

When asked, 81% of guests say the thing the remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.

Don't be a hindsight disaster. Kick "shoulda, coulda, woulda" to the curb.

Thanks to Elegant Ensembles for providing the statistics! Check out their website for your music needs: http://www.elegantensembles.com/

Cheers and Jeers

Ah, the wedding toast.....s.  Do you take the sentimental route and pray that you have everyone crying? Do you play stand up comedian and hope for roaring laughter? Do you go up to the microphone with your i(way too big to be holding and you look ridiculous)Pad in front of your face the entire time?

Toasts are interesting at any type of event. They should be reserved for the person (notice how I said "person" and not "people") closest to you that speaks the most eloquently. The person that will not be too wasted to speak. The person that will not reveal secrets that you thought were, ya know, secret. This person could be a parent, best friend, best man, uncle, sister, brother, college roomate...that's right, there are no rules so you do not have to feel obligated to let Cousin Kenny rattle off for hours just because you two grew up together. 

As a planner, I am frequently asked to review toasts ahead of time. I'm happy to edit them and give commentary, but 9 times out of 10, if they needed reviewing, the toaster is going to ignore every last word of advice that I give. I have heard it all and while you are probably reading this thinking "that isn't going to happen to me", trust me, it can and it very well might.

Example of an actual conversation I had:

DJ: Hey, I was handed this (shows me $20) by some guy that wants to give a toast when everyone is done.
Me: Absolutely not. There are already too many toasts and if the couple wanted to hear this person, they wouldn't be bribing you to speak. 
***15 minutes later***
DJ: I'd like to welcome (name of person that bribed the DJ $20 to speak) up to the microphone.

Know what happened? That person embarrassed not just the bride but plenty of other people. There were details that were told that should only be shared on an episode of "Maury". Now, the DJ...he's another story (and had never done a wedding before), but it was an impossible situation and unless someone was going to tackle the microphone from this guy (that's not our job by the way), he was going to finish his speech.

Frequently people get nervous when a microphone is in their face and they will make jokes to ease the situation. If they are funny, then great.  It is your job to select a person that has a certain level of wit that they will still be able to use while under the pressure of delivering a toast at your wedding.

Another issue? Most times, the toast is too damn long. I cannot tell you the amount of times I have wanted to cue the musicians to start playing (ala any awards show) and have the speaker escorted off the stage. A toast needs to be practiced in front of other people who will give their honest opinions. 

Which brings me to another point: a toast cannot be written on the same day of the event. If you are giving a toast, please respect that honor by taking time to put it together. It is highly unlikely that the vows are written on the day of, and your toast shouldn't be either. In fact, your first draft should never be your last draft. 

Please do not bring your iPad up with you. In fact, write your speech on an index card (one side) and bring that up with you. You do not need to memorize anything and you will feel more comfortable with the paper in your hand, even if you never look at it.

Ironically, one of the best toasts I have ever seen was performed (yes, performed) by the bride's sisters. It was around 4 minutes in length and was funny, thoughtful and clearly took at least a month's worth of work. Everyone was in awe, laughing and crying. It was perfect. Of course, this is an exception to the time limit suggestion, but when you work on a toast like they did, time didn't matter.

Toasts should be done early in the evening so that the party can get started and so that the toaster can have a few more cocktails. I have been approached by many a maid of honor asking when her toast was, and I had to tell her "not until the cake cutting".....the response is always the same, "well, if I'm sober enough by then."

Finally, when deciding whom to ask to give a toast, make sure you are giving that person enough time. 2 months prior to the event is the minimum amount of time a person will need to really put together something thoughtful.

Of course, make sure that your caterer has your glasses of champagne filled up when the toast is ready to go! 

Good luck and cheers!