Planning A Graduation Party?

Wedding: Rachael & Mark

I was so excited for Rachael & Marks wedding to get here. Rach and I have been working together since January and she went instantly from client to friend. She was such a pleasure to work with. It was a perfect Saturday in May and everything fell into place just right for this fantastic couples wedding.

Watch their amazing wedding trailer here: http://vimeo.com/65612506

Thanks to all the amazing vendors!
Ceremony: Queen of Peace Church
Venue: Fiesta Banquets
DJ: Elite Entertainment
Photographer: Jessica Lauren Photography
Videographer: Rock Life Studios
Florist: A Velvet Rose
Transportation: NJ Limo Bus
Hair/Makeup: La Belle Visage

Wedding love & friendship - Jenna & Matt

My beautiful friends Jenna & Matt got married this past weekend at Grace Church in Nutley. What an amazing church. It's right out of a movie, right?! I met the lovely couple when my husband and I first started dating. He and Matt went to college together. I just fell in love with them right then and there. You won't meet two more caring, generous, sweet people in your life. They're just salt of the earth. I was thrilled to help them on their wedding day. Their reception took place at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City which is one of my favorite venues! The 9th floor Ballroom view is incredible, you feel like you can throw a baseball over to Manhattan. Amazing wedding, beautiful couple, perfect day! Thanks Jenna & Matt for letting me be a part of it!

A big thanks to all the vendors who made it happen!
Florist: Lodi Flowers
DJ: Ultimate Entertainment - A Robert Franicola Production
Photographer: Milton Gil Photographers
Transportation: NJ Limo Bus
Cake: Carlo's Bakery
Reverend James Bimbi
Musicians: Peggy Reynolds

Wedding Planner Vs. Catering Manager

So often we hear that brides don’t need a wedding planner because their venue provides a catering manager. While most venues do provide a venue contact their responsibilities are much different than those of a wedding planner.

The catering manager is your main contact from your venue and is there to manage the venue staff, assist with menu selection, make sure the tables are set, the service is on time, the staff is on task and will handle any special requests for set up of your room.  More times than not, they are not there for your entire wedding. They are not responsible for overseeing your vendors, running your processional or making sure the details of your day are perfect. That is what a wedding planner is for.

Though we love working with catering managers, we both understand we have different roles in making the wedding successful.

A wedding planner is responsible for coordinating all of the elements of your wedding and also serves as an advisor throughout the process.  Your wedding planner will be the main contact for all of your vendors, create a comprehensive timeline and make sure everyone follows it, set up your ceremony, programs, run your processional, coordinate your reception, first dances, toast, cake cutting, distribute tips to vendors, collect any personal items you may have brought and be there to handle any surprises that occur.

For the amount of time you put into planning your big day, it should be perfect! Bottom line is the wedding planner works for you but the catering manager works for the venue. Knowing what to expect will ensure no last minute surprises and will keep your wedding day stress free!

<3

Kim

Alli's Minnie Mouse 1st Birthday!

I had the pleasure of planning my beautiful niece Alli's 1st birthday party! This Minnie Mouse inspired party was a blast to plan.  I made the centerpieces out of styrofoam balls, wooden rods, black and white spray paint, pink ribbon and a hot glue gun.

 Got this adorable minnie mouse cut outs from Etsy!

 Personalized favor bags

Pink, black and white paper lanterns to jazz up the room

A beautiful sign to show how much she has grown in a year!

Minnie Mouse made a surprise appearance, Alli was so excited!

Me and the birthday girl. 

Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day Alli!

Why do we save the top tier of our wedding cake?

Ever wonder why we save the top tier of our wedding cake?? To understand this tradition, you have to think back to a familiar rhyme: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage!” It used to be thought that once a wedding took place, a baby was going to come soon after. Since the top tier of the wedding cake was almost always left over, couples began to see the christening as the perfect opportunity to finish the cake! Today couples enjoy saving the top layer of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary. Don’t want year old cake? Have a baker recreate your top tier!

Sophia Turns One!

Sophia turned 1 and I got to plan this little cuties birthday party. Friends and family enjoyed a party at home with lots of great food, a dessert bar and fun!