I came across a very insightful blog that I think was worth repeating! No one can be EVERYthing to EVERYone. We are only as good as the team that we build, and the team built by All in the Details, Inc. includes the best in their fields, professionals with reputations and experience that are worthy of our standards.

Troublesome Trend In The Wedding Industry: The One Stop Shop
Feb 8th 2010 12:01pm | by Azure
Special to OneWed by Craig Sumsky of Cutting Edge Entertainment

Photo: Think carefully when choosing your wedding professionals...

Since the ‘recession’ began, I’ve seen a growing trend in the ‘one stop shop’ business model amongst wedding and event professionals. More and more vendors who might have gotten into the wedding industry years ago because they were really good at something, or perhaps had a passion for a particular craft, are now ‘branching off’ into offering multiple services.

I recently took part in a wedding showcase… You know, the kind where potential brides and grooms can meet with vendors offering wedding services, sample foods, and in many cases, see a fashion show and check out the latest trends in wedding dresses, bridesmaids' dresses, tuxedos and other formalwear. It was here that I encountered the term “one stop shop” for the third time in the last three months.

As coincidence would have it, it was a vendor that I had worked with many times, a wedding band leader who approached me with a brochure for wedding photography, saying that they had just purchased a few cameras and were going to start offering photography as an ‘add on’... in order to sell it to brides and grooms at the point of sale, effectively grabbing a bigger market share. He even went so far as to say “You know, the brides don’t want to be bothered shopping around, they would rather have a one-stop shop.”

So, in other words, he is using the fairly well-respected reputation of his wedding band to sell another service– of which he had little to no experience– simply to earn another thousand or so dollars from the client. He suggested that if I sold his new ‘photography services’ to my own clients, he would even give me a kickback. I made a mental note not to refer this bandleader ever again. My hard earned reputation isn’t worth tarnishing over a quick buck.

I’ve been a DJ in the event industry for over two decades. I’m not a photographer, videographer, decorator, florist or event coordinator. Each one of these is a fairly specialized service, and in many cases, a true art form. To do them well often takes years of practice, honing ones' skills in a craft that requires focus and discipline. A truly skilled photographer can take a much better photo with a $200.00 camera then I ever could with a high-tech $5,000.00 camera. Just as a dentist wouldn’t be the best choice to perform open heart surgery.

As with anything else, there may be exceptions to the rule... but they are few and far between. A skilled videographer or photographer would likely operate out of their own studio, and not depend on working for a DJ company or band to earn their keep. So what you’re likely to end up with in this scenario is just a guy with a camera, which is a far cry from a professional wedding photographer. OneWed says it best with their Wedding Truth #117... Photographs last a lifetime -- invest in a great photographer. And this truth can (and should) be applied across the board when it comes to creating your dream wedding.

I have been looking for a way to pull Peacock into a theme without looking like, well... everyone else! Through some inspiration research, I found this gorgeous idea!  

I also had a mother of the bride I was working with who was trying to incorporate green, a bright springy green into her tablescapes... and was commenting on the use of Limes... which has been done for years now. I told her she should look into using sod on the tables. You can get a nice flat of grass, good grass, mind you - not bermuda - but like golf course pretty and use it as a runner, sticking table cards, lights, etc in it.... and then I stumbled upon this inspiration for the eco-friendly bride:

 

When chosing centerpieces for your event, you do not have to go over the top with floral arrangements. Rather than selecting fake flowers, - which in my opinion by the time you get quality imitations, they end up costing just as much as the real ones.... saving money tends to lead to scrimping on the look of your event- look at a more substainable option. This table uses potted herb plants wrapped in burlap (doubles as a favor) and flats of grass.... look at saplings and other potted plants that can be reused after the wedding! Green doesn't mean plastic.

Trends are cruel. The style that once looked so fresh now looks forlorn, what sizzled has fizzled. Here, five top event designers share which trends are still in and which are so over.

 

Tony Schubert adds new lighting fixtures to add drama. Photo by Line 8.

TONY SCHUBERT

Event Eleven, Los Angeles
www.eventeleven.com

What's In

Hanging interesting light fixtures from the roof of the event space, “especially if they didn't already exist in the space.” Schubert did this for the “Star Trek” movie premiere party.

Putting large, customized props in large open spaces. This “sets the tone and makes a statement,” Schubert says. This technique added zing to TV Guide's 2009 Emmy Awards after-party at nightspot Kress Hollywood in L.A.

LED technology

Video curtains

Anything that makes your environment welcoming and comfortable

What's Over

Backlit bars and buffets that glow

Logos on pillows

Lucite

TOM KEHOE

Kehoe Designs, Chicago
www.kehoedesigns.com

What's In

Color, color and more color

Stylish eco-events that look “uber cool yet have a meaningful purpose and a clear message of sustainability,” Kehoe says.

Creative theme events. Think “Old Havana — an ultra-sexy environment that makes you want to dance!” he says. “It's escapism — we are looking to new social clubs popping up all over the world as inspiration.”

Giving with a cause. “Again, it is all about having a worthwhile purpose and embracing it with fun, whimsical props and branded decor,” Kehoe says.

What's Over

Frivolous events. “Nothing is more annoying than to attend an event with meaningless objectives and uninspired event decor.”

Water tables and cylinders with submerged flowers

Manzanita trees or branches as centerpieces

DAVID MERRELL

AOO Events, Los Angeles
www.aooevents.com

What's In

Designing a room primarily in one color, then adding one “pop” color.

Less is the new more. “Or at least the appearance of less is the new more,” Merrell says. “I know of clients that will actually spend more on things just to give the perception of spending less. I'm seeing clients spend more money going to an inner-city venue, just because doing an event at a luxury resort has the perception of opulence.”

What's Over

Strongly themed parties. “Everyone wants to appear to be ‘responsible’ in their spending,” Merrell says. “Most clients I talk to want the party to either be an enhancement of the location they are already in or an extension of their own personal or corporate image.”

KING DAHL

MGM Mirage Events, Las Vegas
www.mgmmirageevents.com

What's In

Natural world meets upscale chic. The big trend toward eco-friendly events is “admirable,” Dahl says. “However, there are limits to the sophistication and elegance that is possible from the likes of recycled paper cups used in a ceiling chandelier. Recently we've been playing with a new aesthetic we have branded ‘Gilded Earth.’ Stunning, shimmering metallic gold and platinum finishes are incorporated into actual tree stumps, adding new life to woodland forms. All wood is reclaimed from the forest floor during fire clearance with zero environmental impact. We have infused ‘Gilded Earth’ into several events over the past few months. The result is organic and opulent — as timeless as it is modern, as familiar as it is imaginative.”

What's Over

Black and white brocade

DAVID HALSEY

The Meetinghouse Companies, Elmhurst, Ill.
www.meetinghouse.com

What's In

Stylish minimalism, which Halsey describes as “beautiful contemporary pieces that are easy on the budget, or at least appear that way.”

Theme decor with a purpose. “These are high-quality decor items with the ability to be interactive, such as vignettes with living decor or buffets and bar stations decked out to enhance a guest's experience. How fun is that!”

What's Over

Opulent abundance. “Excessive, conspicuous spending that appears over the top in design and budget is so 2008.”

Wastefulness. “Wasting time, money and product … enough said.”

One-dimensional, poorly maintained decor. “Clients are more informed than ever and will not tolerate, subpar equipment or service — nor should we!”

 

 

Jill Tolson and Justin Fiser were married in the Rivermarket on March 21, 2009.

It turned out to be a beautiful day, and the guests partied into the night with live music from Johnny Rocket and Benjamin del Shreve.

Wedding party included 8 groomsmen, 8 attendants and 8 ushers, as well as a flower girl and ring bearer. There were at least 150 people in attendance for the wedding and first reception, followed by the post reception party, which added a pretty large number of guests to the party.

Bride's Bouquet was made with Cymbidium Orchids. Centerpieces used Curly Willow, Cymbidium Orchids, Bells of Ireland, Hydrangeas and moss.

The couple will live in Bryant, following a honeymoon in Costa Rica

All in the Details worked with Ballet Arkansas for the special events associated with the Nutcracker in 2008. Preliminary plans for a VIP Date night for the Saturday performance were put on hold until 2009, but involved a strawberry and champagne VIP intermission reception, and plans to incorporate local restaurants will be worked into future plans.

The Nutcracker Tea was taken to the next level by moving it from the lobby of the Peabody, to the Pallisades Ballroom of the Doubletree. Centerpieces were fishbowl vases filled with red mums and gold ting ting accents. The color of the mums brought some of the red from the carpet onto the white on white table service.

A special blend of Tea was created with River City Tea & Coffee, individually packaged as Nutcracker Tea and sold for $9 per bag, as well as served for the actual event. I worked with the the owners of River City Tea to create a tea that would please pallates of children and grandparents alike. It had hints of mulled cider, orange, and spices, without being over the top. Beautiful red color when brewed, and received many compliments. We also took the event from a buffet which was not maintained properly, to a seated, plated tea with an assortment of sandwhiches and pinwheels with delicious scones and desserts. Adults and children had different plates as well.