Friday Find: Must Reads for the Newly Engaged

When two out of three in your office are engaged there is a lot of wedding talk happening. Especially when you already work in the world of weddings! Our staff put together some of our top picks for newly engaged couples to help you not only get started on your wedding planning but also to make sure you start your marriage off on the right foot. Check out our list below!

• The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
  
  
  
   

• The Knot Complete Guide To Weddings

• Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette

• The Knot Book of Wedding Lists

• Williams-Sonoma Bride & Groom Cookbook

• 101 Conversation Starters for Couples by Gary Chapman

And just for the groom because we would never leave him out...

• The Groom's Instruction Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man (Owner's and Instruction Manual)

• The Knot Guide for the Groom

What are some of your favorite wedding and marriage books? 

Vendor Spotlight; Capstory

You may remember a certain past Bachelorette's engagement party we were obsessed with a few weeks back. After tweeting, blogging and instagraming about this extravagant affair, we were approached by the company who put it all together.

Meet Capstory, a photography company that allows guests to send in pictures taken throughout the bride and groom's wedding process via text. These pictures are then stored in a capsule, which are later edited and polished to create a post-wedding slideshow and a photo keepsake book. One of the coolest things about Capstory? These pictures submitted by friends and family can be projected on a live slideshow at the reception!

In the words of Capstory, "every guests' perspectives of your love story will be captured and submitted." And in the words of our BFF, Des, "When your maid-of-honor snaps photos of you getting ready, laughing, crying, hugging family, and enjoying your special day, you will want to see those moments."

We had the chance to sit down and talk with Dustin Studer, Co-Founder of this growing company, to find out more about what Capstory does and how it worked it's way to Desiree Hartsock. Check out our Q&A sesh!

Tell us a little bit about Capstory. How did the idea for this company come about?

Capstory started after we heard over and over the stories of brides wishing they had more photos from their wedding and, especially, all the events and moments leading up to that day. We've built a simple-to-use way for family, friends and guests to submit all their photos into one private place for other guests and the couple to enjoy. We like to think of it as capturing the story behind the story. We love working with pro photographers to get all the candids that they may miss and to collect the unique perspectives of loved ones.

What types of services/packages do you offer brides?

Currently, we offer one all-inclusive package for brides ($495). This package includes: a private webpage where guest content is uploaded, professional retouching of the best 120 images, 2 keepsake photo books and a video slideshow recapping the events of the wedding journey. Most exciting for brides, we include a live stream option in the capsule -- any computer hooked up to a projector or TV at the reception will show guest photos being sent in real-time! Interested brides can contact us for custom package pricing if they would like to vary these options.

What sets this company apart from any other type of photography/Photo booth company?
Capstory is based off of text-messaging, we are not another smart phone app. When your guests arrive at your wedding celebration, there is nothing for them to sign up for, nothing for them to download. As long as they know how to send a text message on their phone, they can easily share their pictures into your capsule's unique texting address (the private webpage where your pictures end up). Capstory is an excellent compliment to professional photography allowing couples to get photos from those events when the photographer isn't around (rehearsal dinner, bridal showers, dress fittings, cake tastings, etc.). This way they can capture the entire wedding journey, not just the photos from the one day.

So far, what has been your favorite part about working weddings?
The best part of working weddings is knowing that Capstory gets to enhance such a special day of our clients' lives. Our brides love Capstory, and getting to hear that feedback of how awesome this was at their event keeps us coming back to work every morning.

Any additional information you'd like our readers to know about your company?
Aside from our mentions in People Magazine and from ABC's Bachelorette, we're proud that brides can ask any of our past clients and get a great feeling for what Capstory adds to the wedding experience. If brides have any questions about Capstory, they can contact our team at "hello@capstory.em". We're excited to work together with The Center to host and remember some amazing weddings to come!

Thanks, Dustin. We're excited too! To learn more visit their website at www.capstory.comhttp://www.capstory.me/, call them at 614-416-8010, or email them at hello@capstory.me.

Photos provided by Carla Ten Eyck.

Come on; Ask Away!

Now that we’ve shown you how you can utilize The Center as both your ceremony and reception venue, we’re here to advise what types of questions you should ask us! Deciding on a venue is one of the first wedding steps that’s going to set the tone for the rest of your planning and décor.  If you decide on a space that has flower-patterned carpet and pink walls, chances are you’re going to have to find decorations that match with this venue’s color scheme. Or if your venue has blank walls and hardwood floors, you can let your imagination run wild and choose the décor that best represents you and your groom as a couple (hint, hint).

With the venue being such an important decision (in our eyes, anyways), we decided to let you in on a couple questions you should ask that often get overlooked! We are basing these questions off of The Knot’s “Complete Guide to Weddings.” This is a 434-page book that lets you in on everything you need to know about weddings and a book we eat, sleep, and live by.

• While this first question is a bit more obvious, it's one of the most important ones to ask: is your date available? If you have one date in mind that you absolutely HAVE to get married on then you need to first ask if that date is open.
• One major question, that is important to us, is asking about the insurance policy. We require a Certificate of Insurance from every outside vendor working on our space. This acts as additional protection towards the bride and groom. While  insurance and legal structure isn't typically on the mind of every bride, it is something one should address!

 

• Always be sure to ask your ceremony venue about setting a time for your rehearsal. Often times, this wedding event gets overlooked and leaves the bride and groom in a panic when just weeks before their wedding they realize they haven't set a rehearsal time with their venue.
• The Knot also suggests asking the venue if there is a private room where the bride and groom can get away from all the hustle and bustle of their reception. With the entire spotlight on you all day, it's nice to have a place to go to and relax, even if it's for just a few minutes!

 

• Where can guests park? The Center is in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati, which many may think could cause parking problems. Don't fret! We have a number of guest-friendly suggestions for parking and we would be more than happy to recommend them to you!
• Are you able to hang décor from the walls/ceilings? While looking for your venue, you might not take into consideration the physical requirements of the décor you've been dreaming of.  Always be sure to ask us about any décor you would like in the space.

 

• You should also ask what is included in the rental fee. Make sure you have a clear understanding, prior to booking your venue, of what the venue provides and what you will need to rent from other vendors. Along with this question, you should ask how set up and tear down time works. This is often a confusing matter and we want to make sure everyone, including outside vendors you are working with, are all on the same page!
• One question that is crucial to making a reception happen is how is the alcohol going to be provided? All alcohol must be purchased through The Center on a per bottle charge. This often cuts down your alcohol cost since you do not include those who won't drink in the guest count!

Want The Center to provide detailed answers for these questions? Call us at 513-824-7274 or email us info@mcacenterllc.com. We would love to have you in for a tour!

Bride Spotlight - Jessica St. Clair

One of our fabulous brides, Jessica St. Clair, is providing us with information to help future brides plan their wedding at The Center! Her big day is coming up on September 28th. We cannot wait to see what she has in store for our space! So, if you need help planning your wedding at The Center, tune into our blog for Jessica's posts. Questions are welcomed!
 
 

Photo courtesy of Kandice Smith Photography
Do you want beautiful pictures like Jessica?
Check out Kandice's facebook page
 

Why did you choose The Center to host your wedding?

　

　 　I chose the Center for multiple reasons. When I first stumbled across The Center's website the first thing I noticed was that it had hardwood floors! They are beautiful and exactly what I envisioned. I also loved the fact that I could do a completely DIY wedding there. I can put all my crafty wedding projects to work and not have to worry about the decor of the room clashing with my chosen decorations. The whole "blank slate" idea really is great when you are a DIY bride!　

　 　The ladies who work at The Center were also a big reason I chose to have my wedding there. They are so sweet and I am excited to get to spend more time with them as my wedding approaches!　

　 　We really wanted the "downtown wedding" without the "downtown price" and I really think we nailed it by going with The Center! Yes, weddings are expensive but if you play your cards right and don't mind doing a lot of stuff yourself, you can keep it to a small fortune, instead of a large one :-) The Center allows us to get the full feel of an awesome downtown space without having to deal with the hotel "minimum" prices and allows us to find our own caterer who better suits our budget.　

 

What stuck out to you about The Center that other venues do not have?　

 

I already mentioned the hardwood floors that The Center has. Too many times I would view a reception space and the carpets are just horrible. I could never look past the way the carpets were and the patterns that were made for the 70's, not 2013.　

Most venues have a "package" deal which if you aren't a DIY bride would probably be a great thing. Myself however, it wasn't quite what I needed. I needed a space that I could make my own and that's exactly what I get to do at The Center.

More to come!

　

 

Please Don't Stop the Music

The life of the party!

Source:The Knot

 

As a bride, choosing the right type of music to play for your crowd begins when you look for a Dj and a band. There are many misconceptions about the way a DJ and band will arrange your wedding. The kicker is that it is up to you!

 

The Center has outlined some important myths that are just not true about your entertainment:

 

1. They talk too much! A seasoned DJ will talk as much, or as little as you want. Typically, you should give them a list of when it's okay to speak up and when to keep the lips shut. Everything should be coordinated before the event, ensuring there are no slip-ups.

 

2. There is no variety! Surprisingly, a band can work with many different types of music. Ask to watch videos of their previous live performances to get a direct feel for how they play and interact with the crowd. It is a good sign if a band has multiple singers, this shows versatility. If you notice a few of your favorite tunes are off their list, ask them to learn those songs; they typically will learn a handful of songs for your big day.

 

3. Don't mix it up! Many brides want their DJ or band to play older and slower songs towards the beginning of the wedding while the older guests are there. Don't be afraid to blend all types of music throughout the night. This gives your wedding a steady beat which will keep your guests on their feet.

 

4.  Too many breaks! There doesn't have to be a lot of breaks in between live music. If you ask the band to stagger their breaks it will ensure live music throughout the night. This may cost an extra fee, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

5. You can't have both! Be different and hire both. If the band would rather have longer breaks, you can hire a DJ to spin and emcee while they are resting. In case a full session is out of your budget, hire the band for the sit-down reception and have the DJ at cocktail hour. This makes for a nice style transition.

 

Check out "Hey Mr. DJ Entertainment" right here in Cincy!
 

 

For a third year in a row, they have won best of weddings from "The Knot!"

 

A Brief History

 

Prior to serving as an event venue, the space now called The Center, was home to the Contemporary Arts Center. The Mercantile Building, in which The Center is located, was designed by Chicago architect Harry Weese and opened in 1970. Weese is known primarily for his work designing many of the Metro stations in Washington, D.C.

DC Metro Station, Designed by The Center's Architect - Harry Weese

 

The main entrance, when the Contemporary Arts Center was in the space.

 

The Contemporaty Arts Center relocated to its free-standing building, the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art on Sixth and Walnut in 2003 (contemporaryartscenter.org).

 

The Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art

 

The Center opened for its first event on October 1st, 2011. The space has undergone three phases of renovations over the past two years to improve the overall quality and functionality for events. We are very pleased to see the space utilized in a new, exciting way and are looking forward to sharing the most recent upgrades with you on our blog soon!

Tipping Wedding Vendors

As promised in our "Your Questions Answered" post, we are here to help all of our clients navigate through the "How do I do that?" questions in the early stages of event planning and those last minute,"I didn't even think about that!" concerns that hit moments before the event.

The topic for this Information Tuesday is tipping. Which vendors get a tip, and how much? Is the tip based on the total bill (which in the case of larger expenses, could get pricey fast) or is there another way to calculate the appropriate amount? When do you give the tip to the vendor? All excellent questions, and we have found answers!

The Knot offers a great list of the vendors who may be involved in the wedding day:

The Planner: Tip Optional, does not have to be monetary, envelope at end of reception
Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist: Tip Expected, 15-20%, at the end of service.
Delivery/Set Up Staff: Expected, $5-$10 per person, give in envelope to person accepting the delivery (venue, caterer, etc.) ahead of the delivery.
Officiant: Expected, depending on denomination. $500 donation to church or synagogue or $50-$100 to a non-denominational.
Ceremony Musician: Tip Optional, $15-$20 per person.
DJ/Band: Optional, $20-$25 per musician or $50-$150 for DJs.
Photographer/Videographer: Optional, $50-$200 at the end of reception.
Catering Staff: If not already included in the contract, 15-20% of the food and beverage bill (based on labor).
Reception Attendants: Optional, $20-$25 per bartender or waiter, $1 per guest for coat room, $1 per car for valet.
Transportation: Expected, 15-20% of the total bill, pay at the end of the night or after the last ride.

It's definitely important to check the contracts and invoices for each vendor to make sure that gratuity isn't already included before you determine your tip. Also, keep in mind that quality of service factors into the equation - for better or worse. The numbers above are guidelines.

Martha Stewart Weddings also has an article with advice for tipping your wedding vendors:

For Officiants, tips are often not accepted or not permitted, which does make a $75-$100 donation an acceptable option.
For Caterers, either a 15-20% or a flat amount for each worker - a good guide would be $100-$200 for the catering or banquet manager, $50 each for chefs/bakers, and $20-$30 for waiters and kitchen staff. (Not mentioned in this article, but something else to take into consideration, a higher tip is expected when the event falls on a holiday.)
Musicians and DJ's: Tips are usually not expected. If you feel that the band/DJ did an exceptional job, $20-$25 per musician or at least $25 for a DJ are recommended.
Stylists and Makeup Artists: 15-20% and if additional assitants are helping out, plan to give them $3-$5 each. Tips can be handed out to each stylist directly or paid to the salon to distribute. Photographers, Videographers, Florists, and Wedding Coordinators: Tipping typically is not expected.
Remember those involved in the event set up and those who've helped along the way, but may not be present at the actual event (seamstresses, delivery people, drivers, etc.). Gratuity may already be included, but if not, at least $5 per person or 15-20% of the cost are appreciated.

*If you have a Wedding Planner or Day-of-Coordinator, tips can be placed in envelopes designated for each respective vendor. Your event planner can be placed in charge of distributing the gratuities so that family and friends do not need to be assigned this task and can enjoy the event.

Choosing the Dress

Pinterest is just great, isn't it? If you're planning a wedding, you've probably pinned dream dress after dream dress, dog-eared pages in wedding magazines, and maybe even set foot in a boutique or two. But how do you find the dress that's right for you? The length, the style, the waist, the cut... Here is a guide from B for Bel to give you a starting point to begin your search!

 



What's in a Name?



"What's in a Name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." - William Shakespeare

 



Keeping your last name? Hyphenating? Changing your last name? Assuming an all new identity? The last option may be a little extreme, and would certainly involve a lot more work than we are going to cover in this blog post, but if you are considering changing your last name after tying the knot, here's what you need to know!

You need your marriage license, before you change your name. Click Here for details on how to get your license. Your license will either be mailed to you or you can call the clerk's office where it was filed. (The Knot)

Fill out an application for a new Social Security card (you can do this by visiting the Social Security website).

Change your Driver's License. Your local DMV can help you with this, but you will need to have your old license, your marriage license, and your NEW Social Security card with you.

After you've done these official things - you'll also need to inform the following organizations/people of your name change:

- Bank Accounts
- Passport Office (This update may take 4-6 weeks, so keep that in mind if you're planning to travel)
- Employers/Payroll
- Facebook (You know it's not official until you've done that!)
- Electric and other utilities
- Schools/Alumni Associations
- Credit Cards
- Doctors' Offices
- Mortgage Company
- Voter Registration
- Investment Accounts
- Attorney (for legal documents)

Floor Plans

One of the many unique aspects about The Center is that the venue is not a full service facility. This allows us to offer our clients the "blank canvas" they want. We provide the space, and everything else is brought in to create a very personal and customized look and feel. It's a professional event planner's dream, but for the DIY bride, the task of filling such a large empty space may feel a little daunting. Our amazing brides prove time and time again that it is definitely doable, but we are happy to provide more information and the tools that will help along the way.

The Center does have tables (up to 30 six foot rounds, which seat 10-12 people) and chairs (up to 300 champagne chiavari chairs with ivory cushions) available for rent. See below for a look at our tables and chairs! (Linens not included.)

The Center will place this furniture for the client, based on the floor plan provided. So how do you create a floor plan?

First, you'll need to know how many guests you are expecting, to determine the total number of tables and chairs you will need, and to get an idea of how much room it will take. Will your dance floor be in the same area as your reception dinner? Will you have a separate area for your cocktail hour? Do you need a buffet station for your caterer or will you have a plated dinner? Think about extra tables you may need for gifts, cake, escort cards, a photo booth, or your DJ as well. You will also need to think about whether or not you want a head table, sweetheart table, or to sit among your guests. For help on planning your seating chart, check out this post from our Wedding Alphabet series: S is for Seating.

Once you know exactly what needs to go into the room, you can begin your floor plan. We are always happy to provide our clients with a blank plan to help them get started. Often, a handdrawn plan will do the trick, but computer generated floor plans can help you be a little more realistic with measurements and what will actually fit in the space. There are a lot of planning software options out there, but we like using the free planning tools offered by sites like Wedding Wire and Martha Stewart. All you need to do is set up an account, find the seating tool, and enter in the room size and furniture information.  

Where to Stay?

One of the questions we're often asked is, "Where can my out of town guests stay?" We've created the map below to show downtown hotels. There are also links to each of the hotel's websites and a brief description below.

 

Westin Hotel Cincinnati

The Westin overlooks Fountain Square and is conveniently connected to The Mercantile Building (home to The Center) by the skywalk over Walnut Street!

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza

The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is also accessible by way of the skywalk, to and from The Center!

Hyatt Regency Cincinnati

The Hyatt is located across from the Duke Energy Convention Center and is currently undergoing renovations.

The Cincinnatian Hotel

Combining luxury and elegance with history, the Cincinnatian has been hosting downtown guests since 1882. Located on 6th and Vine, this hotel is on the opposite corner of Fountain Square from The Center, providing a perfect setting for pictures between the two locations!

21c Museum Hotel

Contemporary art in a newly renovated historic landmark, the 21c Museum Hotel brings people together in Cincinnati's Backstage District to eat, drink, shop and enjoy its art exhibitions 24/7!

Millennium Hotel, Cincinnati

The Tristate's largest hotel, the Millennium Hotel is located on 5th and Elm across from the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Garfield Suites Hotel

The Garfield offers 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and Penthouse Suites for, "condo acommodations at hotel rates!"

Residence Inn Cincinnati Downtown

This extended stay hotel is located in the historic Phelps Building and overlooks Cincinnati's Lytle Park.

Symphony Hotel

Located across the street from Music Hall, the Symphony Hotel (originally a mansion) features rooms named after famous composers and offers bed-and-breakfast accommodations.

Your Questions Answered

When I was working on my thesis in college, I was constantly asked to explain it. The first several times, I did not do a great job of articulating the whole concept. Then, I had a professor tell me to practice three different versions of the description - a thirty second pitch, a two minute pitch, and a five minute. I am grateful for this advice because each day at The Center, as we field phone calls and emails, work bridal shows or attend networking events, my fellow Event Coordinators and I need to cover a lot of details quickly.

We hit our key points: location (centrally located), unique features (view of Fountain Square and LED lit dome), and what sets us apart (blank canvas space, hardwood floors, neutral decor, history as the former location of the Contemporary Arts Center and no preferred vendors). If there is interest, we can respond to specific questions or go into detail about the upgrades and improvements to the space. And of course, on the tours, we can cover it all, starting at our travertine staircase, moving through the ballroom, side rooms, kitchen and recently remodeled restrooms.

This blog gives us another opportunity - to answer those questions that you have, but forgot to ask. Because let's face it, touring multiple venues and stopping at booth after booth after booth at a bridal show is a lot to process. You may feel like you're on information overload or working on a thesis project yourself... (See how that came full circle there?!) So let us know what you want to know more about and on Information Tuesdays [working title] we will bring you an in depth look at where to stay downtown, where to have guests park, great places for a rehearsal dinner, and more!