Real Weddings

'Twas months before wedding season when all through the house,

every bride was planning her big day with her future spouse.

Her Pinterest board was full of color schemes with care,

in the hopes that two colors will make a great pair.

When the bride and groom were all nestled in their bed,

thoughts of flowers, centerpieces and decor ran through their head.

Let's face it, newly engage couple, with wedding season right around the corner, now is the time when you are starting to think of wedding ideas from Pinterest, blogs and magazines in your sleep. Everywhere you turn, you feel as if you're bombarded with wedding theme possibilities. Well, we, here at The Center, wanted to hop in on the action and throw some additional inspiration your way (aside from sharing our rendition of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas"). To help us do that we're going on a blast from the past; taking a look at two 2013 weddings that were hosted at The Center. We're hoping this Real Weddings post will help you envision how you can take our space and turn it into a (purple) wedding wonderland.

Lauren & Josh
November 30, 2013

 

 

 

Katie & Andrew
September 7, 2013

 

 

Pictures provided by Kortnee Kate Photography.

Food for Thought Friday; McHale's Events and Catering

Every Friday, we have decided to post a "Food for Thought' segment, where we introduce a local caterer or baker asking them to share their story and some wedding insights to our readers. This week we are McLovin' some McHale's! We spoke with Jeff Schachleiter, General Manager of McHale's Events and Catering, to learn how this McAwesome McBusiness McStarted (OK- I'm done J)

 

Jeff explained that the owner of this catering business, Chuck McHale, started in the grocery business in the late 70s, eventually selling his grocery stores to Remke Markets. Soon after, he purchased his Florence store back and turned it into a catering company. After this transition into the catering world, business flourished. Chuck found himself purchasing more and more space to create a Banquet Facility, which now features six banquet rooms and a nearly 4,000 square-foot state-of-the-art kitchen. Today, McHale’s Catering operates the Grand, Pinnacle, Marquise, Gardens of Park Hills, and The Florentine. Along with this, they won Best Catering and Chef Chris Weist won Best Chef in NKY Magazine’s Best of Northern Kentucky for two years in a row!

Along with being an award-winning company, McHale’s Events and Catering also gets The Center’s stamp of wedding approval. Knowing that brides can constantly change their needs, Jeff said McHale’s offers “over 25 different napkin colors, multiple centerpiece vases, 3 different under and overlay linens, [and] even chair covers and bows.” My, oh my, we can already see the blank canvas of The Center come to life!

 

"As for catering, we are also able to move into any space and create a successful event," Jeff said. "We provide an event planner to ensure all details are communicated properly. We will also provide a banquet manager to run your event evening. They are solely dedicated to ensuring the success of your event and making sure your experience is nothing less than perfection."

How else is McHale's Catering going to help make sure your wedding night is a success ? By helping you transform the venue space of course! Jeff said his favorite part of catering weddings is being able to turn any space into an event.“I like taking the brides' ideas and running with it. This year was our first year working at The Center. The Center is a very unique space, with our help we were able to transform this venue into exactly what the bride wanted.”

Transforming an event space is something we like to hear! But let’s not stray away from the “food” portion of this “Food for Thought.” Award winning Chef Chris Weist provided us with a recipe of one of his favorite meals; fire roasted tomato soup.

“I picked this soup because it can be used for lunch, dinner or how we love to serve it; in a small shot with a bite of your favorite grilled cheese,” Chef Chris said.

Here is how you make it!

·         Olive oil for roasting and starting vegetables for soup

·         1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

·         1 medium carrot diced

·         3 ribs celery

·         2 cloves garlic, minced, or 5 to 8 cloves roasted garlic

·         ¼ teaspoon salt

·         2# hearty Ripe tomatoes (meaty thick skin) (plums, or small round)

·         1 (32-ounce) box chicken broth, or 4 cups of homemade chicken stock

·         1 tsp ground fennel

·         ¼ tsp paprika

·         1 lime cut into wedges

·         Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

·         Extra Virgin Olive oil to drizzle

“Light your fire, let it burn down to a nice bed of coals with some flame to char tomatoes. Rub tomatoes lightly with olive oil and place on a grate or basket close enough to flame that skin chars nicely (15-30 minutes). In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and sauté 5-6 minutes. Add salt, ground fennel and smoked paprika, sauté, and [in an] additional 1-2 minutes, add tomatoes, stock and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes. Using an immersion blender or food mill puree until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and top with a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with fresh lime to squeeze on top.”

When he said fire roasted, he meant it!

Not a tomato soup fan? Jeff gave us some advice on what types of foods brides should generally provide at their reception.

“I always suggest to my brides to think simply. Unique foods can be great but always remember you’re feeding a bulk of people. Everyone enjoys foods they are comfortable with. Stick with your major protein items such as beef, pork and/or chicken. Provide some sort of pasta that will appeal to your vegetarians. I always like a potato dish that is simple, again [large] crowds like simple. Then lastly, provide a very common salad, with a dressing that everyone can enjoy.”

Want to hear more advice from Jeff and Chef Chris? Contact McHale’s Catering at (859) 442-7776 or email Jeff at Jschachleiter@mchalescatering.com.
 
Pictures provided by McHale's Catering and Events Facebook.

Here we go to the Bridal Expo!

Get ready, Cincinnati Brides; The Center is going to be showcasing our work at the Bridal Expo on February 9^th! This event, hosted by Claiborne Productions, is taking place in the Grand Ballroom on the second floor of the Horseshoe Casino.  Among the midst of caterers, photographers, rental companies and more; The Center's staff will be there to help you through the process of booking the perfect venue for your big day!

We spoke with Tracy Claiborne, Owner of Claiborne Productions, to get the deets on what brides can expect walking into this wedding wonderland. But before we get into the nitty-gritty detail, she explained what Claiborne Productions is all about.

Having produced Bridal Expos in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus for the past 12 years, Tracy exclaimed that “’Bridal Shows’ are our business!” While many bridal shows are put on about once a year by a wedding professional hoping to promote their own business, Claiborne Productions focuses on showcasing a variety of vendors so that couples can engage and interact with every type of wedding expert to find the ones that best fit their needs. And in eleven days, Tracy and the rest of the Claiborne Productions team, will welcome brides of Cincinnati to attend an 11am– 4 pm wedding extraordinaire featuring over 80 of the area’s best wedding professionals including photographers, videographers, DJs, caterers, reception sites (Like us!), gown stores, tuxedo stores, invitation companies, cake designers, florists and much, much more!

Tracy filled us in on what a new bride-to-be can expect when entering through the Casino’s doors. After parking in the Casino’s Garage (for free we might add!), purchasing a ticket and picking up a Program Index listing all the companies present by category, brides are able to walk through the room and talk to each vendor. “It is a great place to see their products, taste samples, get ideas and actually meet the owners of these companies,” Tracy said.

Tracy then gave us some surprising advice when approaching each vendor. She said for brides to not solely focus on the price! Instead put the dollar sign dilemma on the back burner for a little and take into consideration each vendor’s personality and how you can see yourself working with them.

“[The Bridal Expo is] a great place to compare vendors to see what one offers over another. For example, there will be several DJ’s; look at the packages, see what they include and also talk with the DJ [to] make sure you like his/her personality and trust that you can work with them. There will be several photographers; each photographer has their own style and artistic abilities. Look at their photos and see what style you prefer. Don’t just look at the price but see which one you think will best capture your wedding the way you want." 

If your mouth is running dry from talking to all the vendors, sit down, take a break and enjoy one of two fashion shows taking place throughout the day. The first show starts at 12:30pm with the other one starting at 2:30pm. Both of these shows will display the same items so if you missed the first one, you can attend the last one and not miss a beat! During these 30 minute fashion shows, you will get the chance to scope out wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses.

What’s in it for the groom at this Expo, you may ask? During the fashion shows, there will be tuxedos displayed so your hubby can get some ideas of his wardrobe for the big day. Still not convinced he will be over-the-top excited to come? Tracy explained, during the first Bridal Expo hosted at the Horseshoe Casino (this is going to be their second show at this space), the groom, family and friends of the bride loved the venue. “Not only could they attend the Bridal Expo but they could go downstairs and gamble or catch lunch/dinner at one of the Casino Restaurants,” Tracy confessed. “We saw grooms and groomsmen hanging out at the Bridal Expo for a while and then [go] downstairs to try their luck on the Slots. It is a fun day for all and can make your planning easy.”

Now that you know this will be an event that offers something for everyone, purchase your tickets for $3 per person online at ohiobridalexpos.com or wait to purchase them at $8 per person at the event. Tracy reminded us that only cash and checks will be accepted at the door and you must 21 years of age to attend. So come stop by our booth and say hello! We can’t wait to see you there!

Pictures provided by Clairborne Productions and Ohio Bridal Expos Website .

Vendor Spotlight; Milk & Honey

This week we are proud to turn the spotlight on a new rental company in town; let us introduce you to (drumroll please) Milk & Honey Event Styling & Rentals!

 

Branching off from Cincy Event Planning, Julie Schmidt decided it was time to create a company that focuses on offering a broader selection of rental items; thus welcoming Milk & Honey into the wedding world. However, this isn’t your ordinary rental company; Milk & Honey specializes in providing vintage and antique items.

“From photographers who want to rent a piece for a photo shoot to brides who want to have vintage china for guests, we can accommodate all of those needs,” Julie explained.

 

 

With a large range of items, including glassware, china, décor pieces, statement furniture and so on, Milk & Honey understands that it may be hard for some to pick out and visualize what pieces will be needed for their entire event. Since not everyone has the interior decorating gene, Julie and the staff of Milk & Honey will work with you to be your designer insight. 

“We’ll create visual inspiration boards to share with your team of vendors and help you select the perfect décor pieces to [send] your event over the top,” Julie said. “We can also come to your event and style/set up the items you have selected along with your own personal pieces or other rental items.”

In fact, the Milk & Honey interior creative geniuses have already provided The Center with a couple of pieces including their vintage pub chairs, which were displayed in our venue during a beer tasting event. Julie also stated that M&H's plates and serving pieces would provide The Center with "visual interest to create a show stopping display" for those dessert tables. Keep that in mind, future brides of The Center!

If, after raiding the Milk & Honey closet, you still don’t feel like you have the perfect piece for your perfect event, don’t fret; the M&H staff will start to do the searching for you. Julie explained that by letting the Milk & Honey team hunt down pieces the bride wants, it helps the bride find items that work with her event minus the hassle of figuring out what she’s going to do with the pieces afterwards.

However, we believe you won't have any trouble finding a one-of-a- kind item for your event at Milk & Honey! Julie even had a hard time deciding which piece of furniture for rent was her favorite. She finally picked the chevron sideboard, which she described was a “labor of love," since she created this from a piece she found at an auction... but then she also added that she loved the blue sideboard with a floral arrangement created by Marti’s Floral Designs for a dessert table. We can't blame her for having a hard time deciding between the two, they're both beautiful items! “We’re constantly adding more pieces, so I’m sure if you asked me in a month, I’ll have another favorite,” Julie admitted.

With all these unique items available for rent, what is a bride to do!? Julie gave some final advice for brides who may be a bit intimidated and unsure when it comes to decorations. “If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t give up. We can help you locate the perfect piece or give you ideas on how to bring your vision to life. Be true to yourself and don’t worry what ‘everyone else’ is doing.”

Great advice, Julie! Contact Julie and the rest of the Milk & Honey team to help you create something spectacular at (513)673-2300 or email them at info@milkandhoneyrentals.com.

Pictures provided by Milk & Honey Lookbook and Julie Schmidt.

Food for Thought Friday; Vertigo Catering

Every Friday, we have decided to post a "Food for Thought" segment, where we introduce a local caterer or baker asking them to share their story and some wedding insights to our readers. Our post today puts a spin on the wedding world as we talked to Chef Stephen Spyrou of Vertigo Catering to learn about the company’s background while gaining some dizzingly (yes, I made this word up) reception food advice.

Vertigo Catering works a wide range of events from private in-home parties to church functions and graduations. However, this company didn’t start out as a multi-events business; Stephen explained it began as a part-time personal chef service while he was transitioning out of culinary school. After catering a number of private home parties where he would prepare 8-10 courses all based within the same theme, Chef Stephen decided to take his business to the next level. Since 2011, Vertigo Catering has catered a number of events from smaller get-togethers to large corporate events of 500 guests. 



Chef Stephen

With a name like "Vertigo," Chef Stephen and his team like to say that his company provides, “a dizzying sensation of the taste buds.”

While some of Stephen’s favorite meals to prepare focus around Italian, Mexican Fare and comfort foods, we can see how our taste buds would be spiraling!
 
Vertigo Catering isn't just on a roll in Cincinnati; it also has a large number of resources available in Dayton as well. These two cities allow Chef Stephen and the Vertigo team to take on challenging events while picking up some pointers for the future. According to Stephen, being in two cities allows the team to stay ahead of the game and create some "awesome" events down the road.
 
So what type of "awesome" events is Vertigo creating? Along with graduations and parties, Chef Stephen looks forward to catering weddings!
 
"Every couple is unique and awesome in their own way, and they always bring that to the table. It is always an honor when a client picks us. We know how important their wedding day is to them and know they are putting a lot of trust in us to execute it. We take a lot of pride in what we do and always strive to please the bride and groom, as well as their families," Chef Stephen exclaimed!
 
With a catering business that focuses on creating a "wedding menu that is as unique as [its] clients," who wouldn't want to take Vertigo Catering for a spin?

Worried this dual-city business might be too busy for your event? Don't stress! Chef Stephen explained his company never takes on more than 2 weddings in a weekend, allowing him and his staff to spend ample time with the bride and groom. "Our small staff allows us to develop relationships with our clients so we can better assist you on your wedding day. We strive to keep open communication with our clients throughout the entire planning process."
 
Chef Stephen leaves us with one piece of advice for future brides when deciding on reception foods:

"The best advice I can give to any bride is to focus on what YOU want to serve at your wedding. Weddings are a time to celebrate you and your fiancé coming together (cliché, but true)! I see a lot of brides paying attention to details of centerpieces, colors, dress selections, favors, and decorations. Take your menu to that same level and customize it to reflect you and your fiancé. Do you have a story of the two of you that revolves around food? Work it in! Do you have food that you LOVE and takes you back to a certain time in your life? Share it! As we always say, 'You didn't settle on your significant other, don't settle on your wedding food!'"

Thanks for the whirling tips, Vertigo Catering!

Want to learn more about Vertigo Catering and their twirling treats? Visit their website at http://www.vertigocatering.com/ or call them at (513) 312-7137.
 
Pictures provided by Vertigo Catering's new menu and Vertigo's Facebook page.

 

The Center's Scoop: Why we Think Cincy is the Place to be!

“Tri-state County,” “Greater Cincinnati,” “Cincy,” “The Nasty Nati,” whatever you choose to call Cincinnati this is one of the greatest places on earth (in our opinions). Even if you’re an out-of-towner, you will feel at home in this city right on the river. There are great places to shop and eat, along with beautiful buildings to visit. Not a city-goer? The Kentucky atmosphere gives off that southern livin' feel, while Cincinnati offers acres of land away from the river.

Why are we suddenly becoming Cincy advocates, you may ask? We believe this is a great spot for you and your groom to celebrate your wedding day. As a newly engaged bride, some of the first decisions you have to make focus on where your ceremony and reception are going to be located, as explained in our previous post, “He Just Proposed, Now What?!".  So, we decided to sit down and ask ourselves, why would Cincinnati make a great wedding destination? Our answers were endless! Check it out!


Laura: Since I am a newby to Cincinnati, I was fascinated to learn how many historic buildings and brilliant architecture this city has to offer! One of the first landmarks I was introduced to when I made my across-Ohio move, from Akron to Cincinnati, was Fountain Square. On my first couple of days working here, I heard so many brides excite over how they can see the square from our building so of course I went home and Googled (I Google everything) to find out the history behind this space.  Did you know the square replaced a butcher's market and the fountain used to face east towards Europe, where much of the city's population originated from? (You can also see the fountain in the opening credits of "Ghost Adventures"- I didn't have to use Google to figure that one out!) In my opinion, this area is the perfect place to add a touch of history to a modern day wedding!  

Alyssa: The great thing about Cincinnati is that not only does it offer unique architecture, as Laura mentioned, but it is also offers your out-of-town guests plenty of entertainment. Out-of-town guests put a lot of effot (and expense) to share your big day with you, so it's your job to help make them feel welcome in your town. Cincinnati has a long list of "must-see" tourist attractions that you can share with your guests, but a few of our favorites include:

• Cincinnati Zoo - perfect for your out-of-town guests with children that may require some entertaining earlier in the day.
• Cincinnati Reds/Cincinnati Bengals - Of course the team depends on the time of year your wedding takes place, but a sporting event could be the perfect way for your sports loving guests to end their weekend away from home.
• Fountain Square - Not only is this a great place to capture wedding photos, it also offers a place for your guests to grab lunch, shop, or grab a few drinks before your wedding celebrations get started.
• The Banks - What better way to continue the party then designating a go-to bar at The Banks? For your guests that don't want to stop the party just yet, designate a bar to meet up at once your reception has ended. The Banks offers something for everyone, so we're sure you'll find just the right spot.

Tell your visitors about any free time they'll have, and make sure they are aware of Cincinnati's entertainment, like our list above. Having a wedding website makes this extremely easy to share with your guests ahead of time and gets them excited for their weekend away.

 

 

 



Congratulations, Alyssa!

This is a very special post as our fellow staff member, Alyssa, got engaged over the weekend at Triangle Park in Lexington, Kentucky! Ronnie, her now fiancé, made sure a photographer was there to capture this exciting moment. Take a look at some of these pictures from when he got down on one knee!

 

 

 

We could not be more excited for Alyssa and we can't wait to hear all about her wedding planning process! We wish her and her future hubby nothing but the best!

Picutres provided by Maria Reed.