Wow! This summer went by in a blink, and we're so excited for the fall. From the warm colors, to the firepits and s'mores, it's no wonder this season is full of parties, celebrations, and of course, weddings. The humidity disappears, the temperatures cool off and the smell of the leaves changing fills the air.
We are so inspired by this season. One of the favorite things we like to do is to incorporate fruits with warmer colors into centerpieces. As seen in this picture, we used oranges (some halved) along with deep purple grapes to add something a little different for this fall wedding. Fruits and vegetables to be considered? Artichoke hearts, grapes, pomegranates and yes, even blood oranges. Work with your florist to pull these items together with the flowers you want to use.
Think back to those campfires with friends...remember how cozy the firepit was? Think about having one at your reception, complete with hot cocoa and s'mores. Let your guests put the marshmallows onto sticks and roast them over a warm fire before placing them between chocolate and graham crackers. Want to skip the mess, or don't have room for a firepit? Consider giving away pre-packaged s'mores as your favor for guests to enjoy later in the season.
What about the fall inspires you? How will you incorporate the season into your big day? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Danielle Rothweiler
Rothweiler Event Design
We are, obviously, major advocates of hiring a party planner for your next big event. From weddings to Mitzvahs, it's great to have someone by your side handling every last detail. One of the best things about hiring a planner is using their expertise and working with vendors that they recommend. There is an endless supply of "photographers", "DJs", "bands", "caterers", etc....but a solid planner will be able to hire talented vendors and the best people for your party. So, step one: hire a planner and not a "planner"; because, oh, did we mention...everyone is a "planner" now.
It seems that once someone plans their party, or especially, their wedding, without hiring a planner, they suddenly feel qualified to become a planner. They don't work for anyone else, they just start their own company, charge ridiculously low prices and ruin what otherwise would be an amazing event. They start their instagram pages with inspiration pictures from pinterest, and come to facebook groups asking basic questions that experienced planners would already know. They charge their clients almost nothing, and frankly, that is more than they are worth.
Recently, a "planner" asked in an open forum for venue recommendations. She didn't mention that she was a planner and many people assumed she was a bride. I, and plenty of other experienced professionals, handed over to her multiple suggestions before she had to admit that she was the planner. She also mentioned that "cost isn't an issue" for the bride. Let's look at this from the bride's point of view: she is paying a "planner" for her advice and experience, yet this planner cannot even offer a venue recommendation without coming to facebook for assistance. This "planner" then takes all of these suggestions (that came from experienced professionals) and brought them back to her bride, and the bride assumes that this "planner" did actual research. How happy would this bride be to find out that her "planner" also said that cost "isn't an issue"? It doesn't matter the budget or lack thereof, you want to find the best option for your client. But this "planner" doesn't know that because she has no experience.
I have also stumbled across a "planner's" website that states her "years" of experience but she has no portfolio to show for it. In fact, all of the pictures on her instagram account are pulled straight from pinterest. Years of experience and yet not one picture to prove it? That's very strange.
The bottom line is this: you get what you pay for and not all planners are created equal. When shopping for a planner, you want to make sure they have a solid portfolio, references, reviews and can back up their work. While a planner won't give up their ideas during a consultation, they should be able to give you enough information to prove that they know what they are doing. No matter if they meet you in their office or Starbucks, they should always be able to prove that they have a solid background. Why pay for someone that goes to facebook for venue recommendations? It just doesn't make any sense. A planner should be responsible for all of the decisions you are hiring them for, and if they are seeking advice elsewhere, how is that going to be possible?
I really didn't want to have to write this blog. I am not seeking to tear down people that want to become planners either. There are a good amount of talented planners out there, you just have to make sure that you're hiring one of them. Ask for the portfolio and the references/reviews. You have every right to know whom you are hiring.
Do you have a bad experience with a planner? Did someone ever lie to you about their resume and you found out? We'd love to hear your story! Please feel free to leave your comments here or email us at info@rothweilereventdesign.com
We'd also like to thank the real planners out there. The ones that work hard to put together the best event for their clients and have the experience to back it up. You know who you are, and we do too. Cheers to you all and best wishes for the future!
Danielle Rothweiler
Rothweiler Event Design
www.rothweilereventdesign.com
info@rothweilereventdesign.com
Marriage is forever, right? And we're forever changing, right? So, what happens when we change but we're already married? Does or should the marriage change to? How do we and/or can we evolve as a couple?
There is the idea that as we go through life, we experience things that change us as a person. Many people think they don't really know who they are until well into their 20s. Yet, plenty of people are still getting married before that time. There are the parents that tell their children "you're too young to know what you want", and what they basically mean, is that you don't even know who you are yet. So why are people getting married before they are done growing up? Or does it even matter since we're always evolving as people?
When you make the decision to be with someone for life, you also choose to accept them "for better or for worse". If you're evolving as a person, do you evolve as a couple? How can we keep from "outgrowing" our spouses? Perhaps the answer is better communication and taking time to really listen to one another. Don't forget, that you married your best friend, and that trust and conversation will always be important.
How about you? How do you evolve as a couple? If your beliefs change, and they no longer coincide with your spouse's, how do you communicate this?
We love the planning aspect of the wedding and making everything beautiful...but the marriage is what truly matters, so we hope you'll join the conversation! Please feel free to leave your comments below!
We love seeing proposals, in fact, we even help plan them! They can be over the top or simple, but they are becoming the first step towards planning the wedding day in more ways the one. Proposals are becoming more than just getting down on one knee, they involve candles, photography, music, and....helicopters?
Of course, with the large amount of reality television available right now, the stage is set for stars to showcase their weddings and of course, their proposals. Starting with The Bachelor over a decade ago, on screen proposals are popular because, let's face it, people love love!
We are big fans of almost every show that Bravo has to offer, including The Housewives franchise. Recently, one of our favorite housewives, Gretchen Rossi, flipped the script and proposed to her sweetie of many years, Slade. Through all the editing, it was still so easy to see how much thought and effort this blonde beauty put into her proposal, and the love was just bursting through the screen. From the surprise serenade, to greeting her love "on top of the world", and ending with an engagement party, it was just gorgeous!
What we really loved was the idea of a woman proposing to her man. It's 2013 and we have seen tradition go right out the window with many of the weddings we work on. This proposal was complete with a ring, and although Gretchen didn't get down on one knee (Slade did however), the proposal that she put together is something most women (and men now?) dream about!
So what did you think? Should women consider doing the proposing? Men, what would you think if your girl popped the question first?
Please feel free to leave your comments!
Danielle Rothweiler
Rothweiler Event Design
www.rothweilereventdesign.com
