Archive for Weddings

Tips for Choosing a Caterer

By admin · Comments (0) · Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Choosing a caterer can be an overwhelming task and it seems like your choices are ever increasing.  By keeping the following ideas in mind as your shopping caterers, you will be able to make a much better decision on a very important part of your event.

Make Sure Your Caterer has a License and Insurance

Everyone knows someone who’s a caterer.  Whether they do it out of a church or a commercial kitchen, it is important to ensure that the caterer you choose is  licensed and insured.  Having a license means that the caterer’s kitchen will be regularly inspected by the Health Department.  It also means that your caterer is serious about what they do and will likely follow through on your event.  Having insurance means that if someone were to become ill or a staff member were to accidentally damage something of value or even injure themselves, you would not be held liable.

Check References

Catering can be expensive.  It will definitely be worth your while to make sure that others have been pleased with your caterer before you spend your hard earned money.  Be leery of referral lists provided to you by your caterer.  Most likely, these references are biased in some way.  You may want to consider choosing a few random dates and asking your caterer if they would give you the names of their clients for those dates.  Also, check online resources for reviews from past customers.  Sites like weddingwire have great referral systems that prove helpful in narrowing your search.  However, if you do come across a bad review, don’t be afraid to talk to your caterer about it and get their side of the story.

Taste their Food

If you wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it, why should you be expected to spend thousands of dollars on food without tasting it?  Many caterers have different policies when it comes to tastings.  Some do it for free for a limited number of people on an individual basis.  Some will invite you to someone else’s event to see their set up and try the food (Remember, if they do this for you, you can expect that someone will be coming to your event to try food as well).  Some hold tasting parties on a monthly or quarterly basis.  Some charge a fee that can be applied to balance once you choose to book the caterer.  However your caterer chooses to do tastings, be sure to try their food.  Doing this will help make sure that you are not disappointed or surprised the day of your event.

Get it in Writing

When a caterer tells you that they can do something, it doesn’t mean that they will.  Usually it means that they will once you decide you want to pay for it.  So don’t assume anything.  A simple rule to remember is that if it is not in writing, it most likely won’t happen.  Therefore, as you’re discussing details and options with your caterer, ask them to include them in their contract.  Even if the caterer has every intention of fulfilling their verbal promises, it is possible that they will forget what you discussed between now and the day of your event.  Having everything in writing will give you peace of mind that your caterer will follow through on all the details that are so important to you.

Be Honest with your Budget

A good caterer will try to work within your budget to provide you with the best possible menu at your price range.  Being honest with your caterer about how much you are willing to spend doesn’t necessarily mean that they will try to spend every penny of your budget.  Instead, it helps them know which way to steer their sales presentation and menu preparation so that you are comfortable with the price they give you.  Also, leaving the budget open will result in very different proposals from each caterer, making it much more difficult to compare apples to apples.  The best price doesn’t always mean the best value.  Value comes when your caterer knows your budget and can come up with the best possible combination of food items within that budget.

I hope these tips will help you as you plan your exciting day.  Feel free to call us at anytime to talk about how Draper’s handles these issues.

- Ryan Draper, Draper’s Catering of Memphis
www.draperscatering.com

 

 

 

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Categories : caterer, wedding tips, Weddings

Valentines Contest Winners- Erin + Gary and The Girls

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, February 10th, 2012

This is an incredible couple! They have been through so much together, and because of family tragedy and health needs they have had to put off the wedding that Erin dreamed of. Last year, The Wedding & Event Association of Memphis created a Valentines Contest and asked for couples to share why they should win a complete wedding provided by members of the association. We are so happy that Erin and Gary won the contest and we look forward to shooting their Valentines wedding! Their unselfish acts of kindness and giving to take care of others has won the hearts of association members. These are a few photos of Erin, Gary and the girls shot by Don Lawler of Storytellers, and edited into a video  montage. Happy Valentines Day!

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Categories : Uncategorized, Weddings

What you should consider before hiring your DJ

By admin · Comments (0) · Sunday, January 8th, 2012

I recently did a web search just to see what was present in the business of Mobile DJs. To my surprise, I found over 80 local DJs just in the Memphis area and most of them have appeared over the last 4 or 5 years. I did however notice that the top 5 or 6 disc jockeys that started in Memphis, including myself over 20 years ago, are still going strong. Peace of mind is what you want, not horror stories after the fact. By then it is too late. Price alone is not enough to obtain that peace of mind that you want on your special day. The professionals at Memphis DJs understand all aspects of the wedding industry. That’s why I say it is imperative to meet, in a comfortable setting, with your prospective DJ before you make any financial decisions. After all, it would be nice to know that you actually like the personality you are hiring. It is important for you to know just how essential the entertainment is for your event. The mobile DJ plays many important roles in your wedding, as well as the reception. Some questions you should be prepared to go over when meeting are: Will your DJ perform the ceremony music at no additional charge, especially if the ceremony is is the same area as the reception? Can they perform the ceremony with additional equipment if the ceremony is in another area away from the reception? Will your DJ have additional equipment on-hand in the event of a malfunction? Will your DJ act as an MC and make all important announcements throughout the event? Are lights included with their set-up? Some services will charge you additionally for this. When you leave at the end of the night, it is important that you know you’ve made the best investment in entertainment that you possibly could have made. Make sure your DJ is open to your likes and needs. The last thing you want is an over the top professional telling you how to run your event. A DJ is there to give you options and suggestions. It is of the utmost importance that you hire the best that Memphis has to offer. Memphis DJs networks with some of the finest experts in the wedding industry.

” After meeting with you to discuss our plans and what you had to offer, we discovered that you had covered things we had not considered. Since my daughter and I had considered to go at this alone without the assistance of a planner, your continued help throughout the rehearsal, the wedding and the reception was God sent! You are very good at what you do and we want you to know how very much we appreciate your assistance. The music selections you made filled the dance floor considering we thought that there were not going to be many dancers, we were wrong…..”

Many, Many thanks, Linda Rath along with Tom Rath, and Jessica & Cesar Del Bianco (Oct. 14th at the Peabody Hotel)

Anyone can press play, you need more than that. One of the things that your guests will most often remember about your event is how much fun they had. That brings us to the music selection. Your guest list will likely include several generations of your family. Make sure your DJ carries all categories of music from all decades and make sure that you receive a copy of the catalogue so you may choose the type of music that  you, your family, friends and loved ones want to hear. The blend of music that is delivered makes the difference between a full dance floor and guests sitting at their tables all night long.  Beware, some DJ’s are not familiar with music beyond the 1990′s.

“You were the dj at the wedding reception of some friends of ours Chase and Anna Marie Peeler (June 2010 I think). They definitely recommended you, and I remember having a blast at their reception so that speaks for itself. I am looking forward to reviewing the package you are sending in the mail.” Thanks for your time,
Wesley McCarver

“You were able to adapt to curve balls thrown at us by other vendors at our event. Thank you for being so flexible and making everything flow so smoothly throughout the evening. We were impressed by your professionalism as well. We believe that having you as our DJ made our wedding better than we could have ever planned or imagined. Your method of  transitioning from one genre of music to another worked very, very well. Again thank you for being flexible in your arrangement of the music and in the rearrangement of  the evening’s scheduled events. “(first dance, cake cutting, etc.)”

Chris and Amanda Wilson, June 8th

Planning is every bit as important for your entertainment as it is for your event. Make sure that your DJ is going to sit down with you at least two weeks before the big day to go over all of the final details from start to finish (cake cutting, toast, first dance, garter/bouquet, and the exit, just to name a few).  Your ceremony should be as traditional or non-traditional as you want it to be so make sure that your entertainer is open to all types of requests.  Flexibility is a must. Everything from payment options, attire and last minute changes will separate the professionals from the rookies. You should always consider value.  You absolutely get what you pay for.  If the price seems to good to be true, it almost always is just that.  Make sure that you choose a professional who will provide you with what you deserve on one of the single most important occasions of your life. How much are your life long memories worth to you?

There is undoubtedly much, much more information to cover before your wonderful day,  so give us a call or send us your information. We are listed on this web site as a proud member.

Sincerely and congratulations,

Kerry Rogers              Visit me on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Memphis-DJs/155805001172311


 

 

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Categories : DJ, wedding tips, Weddings

Improve Communications with you Wedding Photographer

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, January 6th, 2012

The best way to avoid problems down the road is to have an open and honest discussion about your expectations in your wedding photographer and their expectations in you. To do this you need to establish a great relationship and communication with each other.
You’re not just renting wedding cameras and equipment! Your hiring a talented artist who will capture the moments you’ll treasure forever.

Photo taken by Dorothy McCuskey PBD Studios 901.359.8575

*Have a Pre-Wedding shoot! Whether an engagement or bridal session, take this time to get to know your photographer and get some of those “photo” jitters OUT!”

*Remember that a photographer is a trained professional…not a phsycic, Make sure you have a relative, friend, or possibly your coordinator available to the photographer during posed shots so that he/she can point out close family members needed for those important photographs.

*Spend time with your photographer before your wedding day. Sit down for coffee, or chat with them during your engagement and/or bridal sessions. As a photographer, I will not just show up at the wedding completely unaware of what the couple likes, their personality and ideas. As a bride or groom you should expect the same!

-Dorothy McCuskey

www.pbdstudios.net

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Why use a tuxedo specialist for your wedding?

By admin · Comments (0) · Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

tuxedoQ.  How do I insure that my groomsmen will look super for my wedding?

A.  Use a tuxedo specialist, not a “big box” men’s store chain.
Then meet with that tuxedo specialist at least 2 months prior to your wedding to make your
selections.  Be sure to take a swatch of your bridesmaid’s dresses on your initial visit
to the tuxedo store.  They will be able  to help you select the perfect color vest/tie to match your dresses. On each of
your groomsmen’s initial fittings DEMAND that they try on the following items:  coat, pants, shirt, vest, and shoes.

Do not let anyone simply use a tape measure to estimate sizes!  Finally, at tuxedo pickup, make sure all your men try “everything” on.

Q.  What do I do if some of my groomsmen live out of town?

 A.  Find a tuxedo specialist who is a member of a nationwide fitting network.  They can provide an online list of tuxedo
stores in every city who will measure them.
Then mail, fax, or email these sizes to your tuxedo store.  When the men arrive in town for your wedding
have them try on their tuxedo so that any last minute alterations can be made before the wedding.

Q.  I used a bridal chain for my bridesmaid’s dresses and they suggested I go to a men’s store chain for my tuxedos.  When I went there they did not have vest/ties to match my dresses.  What should I do?

 A.  Some bridal chains are paid to recommend certain national men’s stores to their brides.  These men’s store chains see tuxedos as a side-line and stock a very limited selection of vests/ties.  I suggest you see a tuxedo specialist who
will make available any color vest/tie you desire.

Q.  Should my groomsmen rent formal shoes for our wedding?

 A.  YES!  Leaving the shoe selection up to each man will guarantee that they will NOT match and  most likely some won’t be properly polished which will show in the wedding pictures.  Always, rent the shoes with your tuxedos (most stores include shoes in their pricing).

Q.  Why should I use a tuxedo specialist for my wedding?

 A.  A tuxedo specialist will stock tuxedos in town.  A “big box” men’s store will stock their tuxedos hundreds of miles away and ship them in a day or so prior to your wedding.
A tuxedo specialist cleans, presses, and alters your tuxedos in town.  A “big box store” provides these services from hundreds of miles away.  A tuxedo specialist allows you to look at actual tuxedos to make your selections.  A “big box” men’s store will
provide pictures to help you make your selection.  Tuxedo specialists have full time professional  wedding experts to help you with your formalwear needs. “Big box stores” will have any clothing salesman at the store take your tuxedo order.  Tuxedo specialists have an almost unlimited selection of tuxedos and accessories.
The “big box store” will provide a very limited selection of tuxedos and accessories.

For more information, go to Guy’s Tucedo’s and get fitted the right way.

www.guystux.com

 

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To see or not to see

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, December 16th, 2011

For starters there is no right or wrong way here. It is only a personal decision, based upon what works for each couple. Now….

We have had conversations with future couples when they come in for the consult and discuss this very subject they will say we were at our friends wedding or in a wedding that the photographer they used was great, BUT, that they had taken too long to complete the formal posed photos after the ceremony. When I have asked I have gotten answers like “AN HOUR” can you believe that?!” We do not want our wedding photographs to take so long. Then the explaining that an hour is perfectly normal if there were approximately 10 groupings for the formals. I further explain that it can take as long as four to five minutes per grouping, depending on the complexity of the groups and whether everyone was on task. Weddings can be a bit like organized chaos. No, it’s true. Really.. So, four and one half minutes x 10 groupings equals approximately 45 minutes. I will explain the other 15 minutes in just a moment. The size of the the groupings (head count) and how well everyone stays on task are two driving factors as to whether things go as scheduled or not.. I explain that IF the bride and groom are not seeing each other before the ceremony AND if there are 10 or more group shots to be taken, an hour is actually very good. Typically, the photographer does not set the pace for the photos, despite what many people think. There are some things that even the photographer cannot control. For instance; the best man and one of the groomsmen slip away for a smoke, or worse, a drink and a smoke, or little Johnny needs to use the restroom, or the flower girl is very upset and does not want her photo taken, or the guests insist on taking their own photographs, or etc, etc, etc. By the way, these have all happened at weddings we photographed. Additionally, we have to keep in mind that the bride and groom usually spend at least 10 to 15 minutes together, alone, just after the ceremony. The reason being is twofold: First, the images captured in those few minutes are usually the best of the entire day. Actually, these photos will often be the best of their entire lives together. At what other time will they have such powerfully charged emotions for each other AND have a professional photographer to capture them? Second, this is their day and they should get some time together, alone, without others watching. Do you think that the couple deserves a few minutes alone when just newly married? Can you see how powerful and awesome those photographs can be? Years from then, these images will invoke those emotions time and again. Is this not the reason that we photograph our weddings? General photos of the day are highly desired. We need them to remember our wedding day, right? Yet, the images captured of a stolen kiss and of the incredible love and energy that we wear on our sleeves for those few moments are priceless. That is why our clients hire us.

Back to the subject at hand; I then explain that there is only so much time on any wedding day and only so many opportunities to complete the many tasks that play out. Think about it is something special about seeing the groom watch his bride walk down the aisle for the first time. First, all eyes are on the bride, not the groom. Additionally, we will put the groom on the spot and make him more nervous than he already is. If that is not enough, we do not give him the opportunity to spend the first moments he sees his new bride to be, alone with her, and share that special moment just between themselves? In other words, it is more important that all present at the wedding get to share that moment with them, than it is for them to spend this very intimate moment alone? Our couples that did see each other before the ceremony, not a single one, even those that originally thought they would not see each other, had a any regrets about doing so. In fact, each of them were outwardly overjoyed about it. With these couples, we were able to take the formal group shots before the ceremony. The amount of time saved after the ceremony is a gift to their guests. How many weddings have you attended where the newly married couple kept everyone waiting an hour or more? One thing that we do not want is to have to rush through the formal photographs. Why? Because it shows in the pictures, it is stressful, and after the ceremony, everyone always wants to get to the reception to eat, celebrate and have fun. Posed photographs are family heirlooms. As such, they should be the best they possibly can, which requires appropriating the required time to do them right.

Sometimes people do things traditionally just because it is, well, tradition. Often times when I ask brides and grooms why it is that they have not considered spending this very intimate first meeting together, alone, rather than in front of everyone in attendance at their wedding, usually the response goes something like this: “well, I don’t know… just because… isn’t that the way it is supposed to be done?… we haven’t thought of it this way… etc.”

We can reassure you, a couple that did see each other before, and from the many couples we have had as clients that chose to see each other before the ceremony, it works, it always is special for the couple, it is a nice thing for their guests, the images captured are always awesome and they (we) never regretted it. Oh, and if you are thinking that it will spoil your walk down the aisle, forget it. It isn’t going to happen. He will feel even more elated to see you walk down the aisle. He will not be able to wait to marry you. In fact, it means more to the groom. He will be more relaxed and able to enjoy watching his beautiful bride walk down the aisle. The guests will be just as impressed with the brides grand entrance, as will the groom.

Imagine leaving your guests feeling as though yours was the best wedding they had ever attended because they were not kept waiting for an hour or more between the ceremony and reception. Imagine how great the photos will be because there was no rushing the formal group shots this way as a photographer am able to capture the very moment when your groom sees you for the first time, and it is more than just a single shot. These images are very powerful.

In the end, it is your choice and you should do what is right for you. That is what we tell all of our clients. But, and you knew there was going to be a but, right? But, not seeing each other just because that is the way it is always done should at least give rise to, “what if we…”

-Dorothy McCuskey
901.359.8575
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