The Center: New Year's Q&A

We at The Center are moving out of 2012 with three amazing events on December 29th, 30th and 31st. Before we head into the weekend, we're taking a look back at 2012 and also thinking ahead to 2013. We are so blessed to have worked with great clients and vendors in our first full year and we are looking forward to working with even more in 2013!

What was the highlight of 2012?

Alana: Shutting the literal gate on my fence building process. It took 6 months, but building the fence myself (with the help of family and friends) saved me $2,000.

Shannon: I have had some big moments in 2012 - I bought a new car (his name is Wolfgang and he's beautiful), I have celebrated at several weddings (both through work, and through the marriages of family and friends), I was able to go to Las Vegas and to Texas and saw my cousins for the first time in many, many years. All in all, 2012 was a good one!

Sam: Buying a house, The Reds AND The Bengals both making the playoffs in their sports!

What was your favorite song of 2012?

Alana: My favorite song will always be, "I Missed the Bus" by Kriss Kross, regardless of the year.

Shannon: I can't say it was my favorite song, but I think that the song I sang the most in 2012 was Flo Rida's "Wild One" - mostly because the first time I heard it, I thought the lyrics were, "I want to shut down the clown with you." I still prefer clown to club.

Sam: Randy Houser's "How Country Feels"

What was your favorite TV show in 2012?

Alana: I'm really into Chicago Fire right now and maybe just ashamed to admit that I never missed a Jersey Shore episode and I enjoy Duck Dynasty more than any person should!

Shannon: Modern Family

Sam: Duck Dynasty for sure, and this season of Dexter was very good!

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

Alana: Vacation!

Shannon: Road trips with Wolfgang.

Sam: Is the second Hunger Games movie coming out?

How do you usually celebrate the new year?

Alana: I usually surround myself with family and friends dancing the night away till the ball drops.

Shannon: Usually I spend New Year's Eve with my family. The parents go out to dinner, while my cousins and siblings and I watch movies and play games. Then everyone watches the ball drop together. In the morning, we eat breakfast and then head out to Skyline for lunch and kick off the next year in style.

Sam: I am such a home-body. I usually am already in bed by the time midnight rolls around.

What will you be doing for New Year's Eve this year?

Alana: This year I'll be packing my best friend up to move from Lexington to Cincinnati! I am so excited she will be right around the corner! For whatever reason, I actually enjoy packing and moving, so I'm set.

Shannon: Either the traditional family celebration or going to a party with friends. I know that I should decide soon, but these holidays keep sneaking up on me!

Sam: I will be working a wedding in The Center!

Will you be making a resolution for the new year?

Alana: I will not be making a resolution...

Shannon: I know that in past years I resolved to never make a resolution again, but there are a lot of things that I would like to do or change in 2013. So, yes, I will be making many resolutions.

Sam: I don't think I will be making one this year.

Do you usually make resolutions? If so, do you stick to them?

Alana: I've never made one - I am just that awesome, or lazy, maybe care-free... fill in the blank with the appropriate adjective here.

Shannon: Yes, I do. No, I do not.

Sam: Haha, no I don't make them because I don't stick to them.

Infographic



 

Whether you plan on getting engaged or not, we know that you cannot head into the holiday weekend without a stellar infographic. Never fear, because we found one on weddingrepublic.com. So, for those who are preparing to propose - follow the advice below and remember that practice makes perfect! For those who aren't - enjoy the information... and the graphics!   

 



Holiday Q&A with The Center

Each year, it feels like the holidays sneak up on us faster and faster! This year is no exception - Thanksgiving has already flown by and more celebrations are right around the corner. Seriously, right around the corner! How does that happen? We took a quick break from our busy schedules to share some of our favorite things about the holidays.

Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Sam: Putting up the Christmas tree with tons of ornaments!

Sam's Tree!

Shannon: Sleeping in and then sitting down to a big breakfast, still in my pajamas. Cozy PJ's are the best part of any holiday.

 

Alana: My family used to always open gifts early on Christmas morning. When my sister-in-law became part of our family, this tradition changed to Christmas Eve, because she couldn't stand to wait for Christmas morning. It started out with one gift a piece and now we are complete Christmas Eve gift openers. The rest of the evening is spent playing with whatever games or electronics we've received and of course sleeping in on Christmas. Not a bad tradition if you ask me!

Q: What is your favorite holiday movie?

Sam: Elf and Christmas Vacation
Shannon: The Grinch (cartoon version)

Alana: Love Actually, hands down. This movie reminds me to slow down during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and realize that Love Actually is all around.

Q: In your opinion, what food/drink is a must have for a holiday feast?

Sam: A Honeybaked Ham
Shannon: My aunt makes the best noodles.
Alana: Buckeyes, or peanut butter balls for all of you non-Ohio State lovers out there. I grew up with my aunts and Grandmother making buckets of this amazing candy. It doesn't quite seem like the holidays without downing enough of these to put myself into a diabetic coma til the new year!

A nervous Alana making Buckeyes without any assistance for the very first time. 

Q: Do you decorate for the holidays - inside, outside, neither or both?

Sam: Both, of course!
Shannon: Inside. At the house I grew up in, getting up on the roof and putting Christmas lights everywhere was my favorite part of the holidays. Now that we've moved, getting the lights up (and down) is not quite as easy and they also aren't as visible. I do love driving around different neighborhoods and grading people on their decorations according to my own grading system based on my personal lighting preferences.

Shannon and her siblings after decorating for the 2011 holidays.

Alana: Decorating for the holidays is one of my favorite things. While I decorate inside, one of my favorite things to do is decorate outside. I live in a neighborhood where most everyone, with the exception of myself, seem to be empty nesters and decorate with white lights and wreaths. In my typical go against the grain fashion, I enjoy putting up the tackiest clark Griswold display of lights I can manage. Rainbow icicle lights, check! I can't help but smile every time I pull up to my house, knowing I'm adding a little spice to the neighborhood.

Note: This is not Alana's house. But, if she could have her way, it would be. Also, Shannon would give this house an A+ for effort, not mixing multi-color and white lights (solid color strands are okay), having gone above and beyond just the yard and bushes (the roof!), and incorporating other holiday decor into the overall design.

Q: When do you do all of your shopping?

Sam: I feel like it changes every year, sometimes early, sometimes I wait till a couple days before.
Shannon: I am not usually a good shopper, so I tend to put it off longer than I should, or I convince myself that everyone would really love a new mix and I make CD's... and everyone loves them! ;)
Alana: I'm always a last minute shopper. Every year I say I'm going to get started on this early. However, there are only a few days before Christmas and I've barely started. Maybe next year?!

Corporate Winter Party 2012

Decor

Check out these awesome pictures taken by Nathan Peel Photography at the Winter Party held at The Center last week! The decor was courtesy of Entertainment Unlimited Events and Prime Time Party Rental and Cincy Event Planning was a huge help in making all of the pre-party arrangements!

The event was catered by Village Pantry Catering and Party Pleasers provided the DJ services for the evening. The party also featured Fortune Tellers, Valet Coffee, and guests made donations to Toys for Tots. Scroll down through the pictures to find images of the stunning decor, cupcakes from Frost Cupcake Bar and our pub-inspired Beer Tasting room!  








The white trees lining the back wall of the ballroom added a simple and elegant look to the room. The amber uplighting created a warm and cozy feeling and made for a relaxing evening for guests to unwind after work!









Our champagne chiavari chairs are perfect in the space! (I'm only a little biased.)





And no event at The Center would be complete without an amazing "Wow" factor at the bar. Entertainment Unlimited Events delivered in a big way!






















Cupcakes

Frost Cupcake Bar provided a beautiful spread of delicious sweets and also brought an interactive element to the party!


















Beer Tasting

The beer tasting offering Nut Brown, Winter Ale, and Stout from Mt. Carmel Brewing was a big hit in this pub-inspired side room!

Get to Know: Smith Digital Photography

Once again, we are so excited to share the stunning images captured by a fabulous photographer at one of our events! Lindsey Smith, of Smith Digital Photography, very graciously provided us with the pictures she took at Molly and Simon's October 6, 2012 wedding and reception in The Center, and answered our questions about her experience in photography. We love the emotions that Lindsey was able to capture in her shots and are thrilled to see one of the rare images showcasing the length of the Ballroom!

This event is a memorable one for us. Booking only 5 days in advance, after it became clear that their original outdoor venue would no longer work following a heavy rain, Molly, Simon and Simply Events pulled together a fantastic event. We were so impressed with Molly's pumpkin floral arrangements and the lanterns she had lining the stairs, that we called on her for assistance for another event! The night was a success, with beautiful decor, a ceremony, reception, and plenty of friends and family. The best part? Thanks to Lindsey Smith, you can see for yourself!

 

Background on Smith Digital Photography:

How long have you been in business?  Since the spring of 2008

What are your specialties? Wedding and portrait photography

What areas do you serve (geographically)? My service area typically includes the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area, but travel pricing is also available.
 

Additional Information: I’m a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

Personal Background:

Tell us a little about yourself: I moved to Northern Kentucky 8 years ago from Virginia. I live in Independence, KY with my husband and 2 beautiful little boys.

How long have you been a photographer?  It’s hard to say exactly when it started as a hobby, but I would say professionally for a little over 5 years.  

Have you worked in other fields outside of photography?  I worked in public relations/marketing for a couple of years before switching to photography full time. I started out working as a full time commercial photographer and photographing things like bathtubs and faucets for a local company’s catalog and website. I did that for 3 years before deciding to shoot weddings and portraits full time. Now I wouldn’t change a thing.

What are your favorite events/things to photograph?  Weddings and engagement sessions are at the top of my list. I am in love with love, and witnessing couples vowing to spend their lives loving each other is something I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing.

Work in The Center:

What do you like most about the venue?  I love the natural lighting! A lot of venues, particularly for receptions, don’t have any windows and this definitely sets The Center apart! And aside from great natural light, the windows in the ballroom offer a fantastic view of downtown!
 

Do you have any suggestions for where a couple should have their picture taken in or around The Center? I really loved the area with the huge skylights near the escalators. The lighting was beautiful and the cream, stone architecture made for a magnificent indoor backdrop!