New logo and title!

You may have noticed my new logo for Top Shelf Weddings & Events. I've been wanting to update my logo ever since the new fabulous Assn. of Bridal Consultants logo was unveiled at the ABC conference last November (see right). The curvaceous nature of it inspired me to get more curvy with my font. Bertram, my refined mascot, remains because I feel he embodies everything that I stand for. Refined sophistication, but also a love for life and enjoyment that people from his era were so known for.

My second announcement is the change in my title with ABC. Last Fall I began working on a portfolio application in order to earn the title of "Accredited Bridal Consultant, TM". This is a very involved process. First, there's basic things such as marketing materials, use of the ABC logo, recommendation letters from brides, vendors, and fellow bridal consultants, and proof of continuing education. I also had to take a competency exam and submit essay responses to test my knowledge. The most difficult part was the complete portfolio of a recent full service wedding. I profiled one of my best brides of last Summer/Fall, Sara Utzinger (she's the beautiful brunette in front of the red door in one of my past posts).

The portfolio required proof of every communication I had with her and with every vendor (good thing I use email diligently!). The panel needed to see that I know how to work well with vendors and my client with regards to all aspects in the planning process. They wanted to see all the printed materials from the save-the-date to the place cards. Fabulous photographers Micheal and Heather Krakora (www.michaelkrakora.com) created some beautiful collages of the photos they took to showcase the couple, some moments we had together (like me pinning on boutonnières and fluffing her train pre-walking down the aisle), and the decor of the ceremony and reception.

Putting all of these aspects together was the most difficult part because I had to rely on the dozen-plus vendors who were involved in this wedding to also submit their post-event feedback and thoughts. Most came through for me like champs and helped me submit my portfolio before the November conference and I received my congratulatory letter from the Association early this Spring. Essentially, they needed to know that I have the skills, experience, continuing education, and professionalism to call myself an Accredited Bridal Consultant, TM.

I was amazed to find out that there are only about 25 active members of ABC worldwide who have earned this designation. At this level, I may be expected to present at local seminars or even at the national conference (I think I'll wait a few more years before doing that!). I'll keep to educating my current market in the Madison and south central Wisconsin area. Brides need to know that wedding consultants aren't an extra expense or a luxury, but a necessity for your sanity and well being! Vendors, too, are starting to pick up on the fact that their jobs are easier and they provide a better product or service when a wedding planner is involved.

I'm also trying to help spread the word to other wedding planners out there not yet associated with ABC. Collaborating with each other and learning from each other is the best method, not being territorial or competitive. Each bride and groom will connect with their wedding planner in a unique way (most of the time), so I feel that if someone didn't choose me, but did choose another ABC member in the area, then they are fortunate to have found a true professional who will do a great job for them. The more members there are, the greater our reputation as an integral part of the wedding community is.

Stepping off soapbox and signing off...

While I'm at it...

I might as well continue the thoughts running through my head, such as "what was I thinking booking a wedding show in the middle of June?" June was my busiest month I've ever had. Not because I had a wedding every weekend, but because three of the four were full service and heavy on design, labor, and time. My rep at the Wedding Planner & Guide is very convincing and got me to agree to do their boutique summer show at the Marriott West. I had heard conflicting information about how well attended the show was, so I was a little nervous. Dana asked me to also do a theme table in addition to my booth. If you've seen my other posts, you'll know that I don't do anything half way - it's all out or nothing!

I must send a special "shout out" to the ladies at BBJ Linen in Milwaukee. They have come through for me in a very special way by helping me secure the linens I used for my booth. They are also very creative and are excellent sounding boards for even your most outlandish ideas. Side note - most wedding consultants say they have a special interest. Sometimes it's invitations, sometimes it's the dress, but for me, it's linens. I feel very strongly about having specialty linens and the impact they make on a reception space. BBJ Linen in Milwaukee is the best in the area and their new showroom is the best place to get creative, see and touch your ideas before making the commitment.

Without further ado, below are images of my booth and my theme table. I received several comments from attendees and exhibitors about my theme table. I was very proud of it and hope to continue to expand on my design services with future clients. Enjoy!


You know me, always with the pink. Portraits of my beautiful brides grace the tabletop.


This centerpiece was so easy to create and everything came from the grocery store! I like to show brides that they can come up with creative and fun centerpieces to mix in with traditional floral work.


This is a more traditional design, perhaps for the Fall, consisting of warm reds, eggplant and some hot pink mixed in. I created a simple red apple bowl for the centerpiece and instead of a menu card, I created a reception itinerary card. We have programs for the ceremony, why not for the reception? Maybe I'll start a trend... Now the theme table...




The theme assigned to me was "Enchanting." I chose to go for a "Midsummer Night's Dream" feel with the sparkly moss overlay and rosy pink accents. Andrea from Fleurishes Floral Artistry collaborated with me to create the whimsical floral centerpiece with curly willow and hanging votive holders (filled with flowers instead of candles!). I accented the table with moss colored wine glasses and charming silver lanterns on the tables. You can't see it, but the menu cards celebrated the wedding of Ross and Rachel. One of America's favorite on and off couples in TV history!

Another event I had the pleasure of being invited to was the Wisconsin Bride Best of 2008 awards. I had been nominated for best wedding planner. I'm so proud to have been nominated, mainly because the other two nominees were both from Madison and all three of us are Association of Bridal Consultant members. That just proves once again that when you need a wedding planner, you should hire a true professional associated with this fantastic worldwide organization (www.bridalassn.com). Congrats to Bill and Jayme and all the other Madison vendors who won or were nominated!

June Wedding Belles

See what I did there? I changed the word "bells" to "belles" to describe my lovely brides from this June. First, was a beautiful, large wedding in Madison. Ceremony in Maple Bluff on private property and reception at the Overture Center Main lobby.

To the left is a picture from inside the unique ceremony tent. We used fruitwood chivari chairs to create a warm, natural feel in the tent. You may be able to see the lovely floral arrangements and pomander balls on shepherd hooks up on the stage. June 7th was the day of tornado warnings in and around Madison. Before the ceremony, sirens were going off and the tent was swaying in between bursts of rain. Luckily, our guests were in comfort because there was a floor, sidewalls and air conditioning!

For the previous three years I've been planning weddings, not one drop of rain has fallen while I was working (there was one wedding where it rained in the morning and rained after the reception was over, which doesn't count!), so I have come to be known to "guarantee" no rain on your wedding day. Of course, it's more of a joke than a true guarantee, but I have been very lucky. This is the year that fate, Lady Luck, or whatever you want to call it, decided to test my preparedness and crisis skills.

The second weekend of the month was a very special wedding. The ceremony was held at the First Unitarian Society meeting house. Originally, this is where the wedding was scheduled to take place, but due to the renovations and construction, they had to find an alternate location (Overture Wisconsin Studio) just in case. Luckily, the space ended up being available and they got to have their ceremony at their church. The reception followed at the Stoughton Country Club. It was my first time to have the honor of working there. It's a lovely facility, very clean and warm. A bit of the beaten path, perhaps, but the staff is very accommodating and friendly.

Here is a picture of the delicious cake from Chris's Confections.
Again, though, lots of rain on this day.

The wedding on June 21st on private lakeside property in Lodi was the most important weather related wedding of the month. The tent was pretty well protected with tall pines, but even in clear weather, I was concerned about heat. My concerns were unfounded because it was the most beautiful day I think we've had this year. It was of a comfortable temperature, not humid, and not rainy (thank heavens!). In this wedding, we combined Chicago class with Wisconsin ruggedness (a mixture of the couples' style, living in Chicago during the week and escaping to the woods of Wisconsin every weekend they could get). See left for an image from the tent.

The bridesmaids dresses were this celedon green that we pulled out as an accent on crisp, white, floorlength cloths. You may not be able to see it, but to welcome their guests with Wisconsin, they received a small vial of local honey (along with local chocolates, cheese, and postcards in their hotel gift bags!).

With this wedding, we learned the importance of lighting. Though citronella torches lined paths, twinkle lights hung overhead, and professional spotlights uplit the trees, we quickly discovered several areas that were black as the night. Guests started taking candles from the tables to find their way to their cars or to the shuttle bus back to Madison. What do wedding planners do best in a situation such as this? We improvise! There were lanterns in an area that was not utilized as much as we had thought it might, so those lanterns had a new job of lighting the road. I also had to personally escort a grandmother to the road since it was quite a distance to hike and our trusty Bobcat that was carting people around the property had run out of gas (for the second time!).

Despite the daddy long legs, ants, earwigs and mosquitoes that were constantly in my way during setup and tear down, this wedding was a raging success and I value the friendship I gained with the bride and her new groom.

Having two outdoor weddings in a row was certainly tiring! In fact, so exhausting that I will have to post at a later date about the fabulous wedding I just completed. Stay tuned!

Where's Angela?

After running into a fellow bridal consultant recently, she reminded me that I have this great blog that is going to waste. If you've been checking back regularly, I apologize. I will be better. Writing has just been difficult for me, but after a month long of wedding after wedding, I feel I have plenty to talk about.

First, what I want to write about is how incredibly grateful I am for my assistants. Sure, I can fix a ripped hem or do a quick fix on a bustle, but one of the top snafus on wedding days are dress or clothing related and I must say that having an expert seamstress as my assistant has come in very handy. Cindy also has a calm and upbeat demeanor that I value in myself. As the person in charge, it helps no one if I respond to undesirable situations with panic. It's the same for my assistants. If they appear frazzled, then the bride, groom, vendors and guests will pickup on that and become stressed. To the right is a picture of Cindy and me after we decorated a honeymoon suite for one of my clients last summer (a little surprise I give my clients when possible).

My spring intern and assistant for this summer is a stylist. Tracy has come to the rescue with bobby pins and shears to fix up loose tendrils and shaggy bangs, keeping brides and bridesmaids looking their best. Both of these professions require fast and steady hands, skills that are handy in setting up for weddings (especially for chair covers!).

Anyone who is anyone knows that they could not be who they are without great assistants. So, this blog's to you Cindy and Tracy. Thanks for helping me to give brides, grooms, their families and guests a seamless and beautiful day!

Next up, June wedding bells!