Click Here To Continue Reading

to read the entire article, please click here

click here for full article

Click Here to read the full article.

To read the full article on Harriette Rose Katz, please Click Here

Huffington Post features a blog entry by Harriette Rose Katz.

Click Here to read the full article

The timeline is like a blueprint for the wedding day. It sequentially outlines, to the minute, the entire schedule for the day. It is an essential tool that coordinates all aspects, vendors, and guests. Without it, it would be hard to keep the event on track. A timeline keeps everything organized, and I mean everything. To give you some perspective,  my timelines are generally multiple pages and include detailed notes. If the groom’s favorite band is the Rolling Stones, you had better believe I have that documented.

Every moment is accounted for, from the time the florist is expected to arrive at the venue with the bouquets and boutonnieres, to when the band needs to be directed to the reception area for a sound check. The timeline serves as a guide that informs me of exactly what I need to be paying attention to at any given time. If the timeline says that the main course is to be served at 9:00pm, you can bet I’m in the kitchen at 8:40pm making sure everything is set to go. It also helps me to direct the vendors as to what they should be doing and where they should be at all times.

In creating my timeline, it is important to note that I always leave a cushion of extra time to prepare for any surprises or delays that could arise. Sometimes the baker is in traffic with the cake or the DJ has a slight issue setting up his or her equipment. Tons of things can possibly go wrong, and if the timeline doesn’t leave room for error, one tiny veer off schedule could set off a domino effect and negatively impact the rest of the wedding. The goal is to account for anything so even if things are hectic behind the scenes, everything still appears to the guests to come together seamlessly.

It is very important to me that every couple whose wedding I plan enjoys their special day. Every bride and groom puts so much thought into what the day will be like for themselves, their family, and their guests. I work with them to capture that feeling, along with all of the important details, in the timeline. Then the bride and groom go into their big day confident that I am managing the vendors and the details to their specifications. I have been in this industry for many years and among the many things I have to show for it, my ability to create and execute an excruciatingly detailed timeline is among the things I am most proud of. It helps me do my job perfectly and have satisfied clients every time.

Throughout my career, many brides have come to me with the vision of being married under the sky, be it a cloudless day or a starry night. Believe me, if I could, I would make it happen for them every time. I am not Mother Nature, and as I inform my clients, any outdoor wedding is at her mercy and you have to protect your event and your guests accordingly. As the planner, my job is to bring to life whatever it is that my clients have long imangined. If a couple dreams of being married outside, I am here to make it happen, so I make sure a couple prepares for weather that is less than their dream.

When hosting any part of a wedding celebration outdoors, be it the ceremony, cocktail hour or reception, it is crucial and quite frankly required, that there be a tent. First and foremost, a tent provides protection, even in the best of conditions. On the most gorgeous sunny day, a tent is still necessary to keep the guests from overheating, the flowers from wilting and the food from sitting out too long in the sun and going bad.

Furthermore, the use of a tent assures a maximum comfort level for your guests, which is extremely important when inviting people to celebrate outdoors. A tent can be both heated or air conditioned, so that no matter what the outdoor temperature, everyone will remain comfortable inside. It is also key to note that there must be a floor brought in and placed on the ground to create a flat and sturdy surface for guests to walk upon. This will prevent the dreaded sinking of heels in grass, which any woman will attest, is no fun for them or their shoes. Keep in mind that this definitely adds a large cost, which should be taken into consideration when planning the budget.

As for the aesthetics, a tent can remain open on the sides allowing for the natural setting to serve as a scenic backdrop and allowing for air flow, while a closed tent can be tastefully embellished to produce a beautiful atmosphere. For instance, a custom-made flower wall placed behind the clergy during the ceremony creates a whimsical effect that ties into the outdoor feel.

With all of that said, when something as unpredictable as the weather plays a factor on such an important day, it is crucial that there be a back up plan. In most circumstances a tent will suffice, even in the case of rain or light snow. However, it is not unheard of that severe weather such as a hurricane, major snowstorm, or even a tornado should rear its head on your big day. An unexpected weather event of this magnitute would force a last minute location change and it is important that my clients are both physically and mentally prepared for this worst case scenario. With all outdoor nuptials that I plan, I consult with my clients well in advance about the slim possibility of needing to resort to a back up venue and then work with them to plan how they would want this venue to look. It is my job to make sure that despite what we can’t control, the outcome still meets the clients’ expectations and makes them happy.

An indoor wedding, of course, eliminates any chance of weather interfering with the original planning (except in the most extreme of instances!) and is generally more comfortable as well. The beauty of planning an indoor celebration is that the client can transform the space in any way that they like; they can even make it look and feel like the outside. Any venue can lend itself to the client’s envisioned theme if conceived creatively and executed properly. Imagine transforming a hotel ballroom into a lavish garden with lush flower centerpieces and accents of elegant trees, plants, and stones! The possibilities are boundless and it’s all in the details.

In closing, both an indoor and outdoor wedding can be beautiful and the decision ultimately comes down to the style and desires of the bride and groom. I do, however, believe that celebrating indoors is the safer way to go and, ultimately, more cost effective. Your wedding should come but once in a lifetime. Rather than stressing over the weather, let it be a day filled with happines and pure joy.

The Execution

When it comes to mood and theme, many times the bride and groom feel the rehearsal dinner must be executed in a style that complements the wedding. This, of course, is always a practical route but I emphasize that opting for a complete contrast is just as becoming. There are no rules! If you planned a winter wonderland wedding, a fun theme for the rehearsal dinner, suchas Moroccan, is certainly going to look and feel different, as it is colorful and exotic with food that is unusual and exciting.

I particularly love when a bride and groom choose a theme that is inspired by a fun interest they both share as it adds a personal sentiment to the special weekend. One couple I worked with were very into the NYC bar scene so for the rehearsal dinner, we created a New York saloon menu by reinventing dishes they both loved from their favorite saloons around the city and served them buffet style. The two were so thrilled to be able to share with their friends and family these handpicked dishes that they both loved, it made the night that much more representative of them as a couple and thus, memorable.

The Purpose

As it’s name suggests, the rehearsal dinner typically follows the ceremony run through, but it is more than just a meal. There are certain functions a proper rehearsal dinner should serve, the most important being the toasts and speeches. In my opinion, the only speeches that should be made during the actual weddingare those of the bride and groom’s parents, the maid or matron of honor and the best man. If too much time is spent during the reception on speeches, it kills the mood and becomes too long winded. Of course there will be multiple guests who have speeches prepared: close friends, cousins, grandparents and so on, so the rehearsal dinner is the perfect time and place for those individuals to deliver them.

In many instances the rehearsal dinner is the first occasion that all of the bride and groom’s friends and family are congregated together. There is a good chance that a lot will be meeting for the first time, especially when people are traveling from out of town. Because the rehearsal dinner is typically more laid back and intimate in vibe, it is the perfect setting to encourage everyone to mingle and get acquainted, which is why I suggest to my clients that they create a seating chart. Sit people together that you feel would hit it off and take the time to make personal introductions.

Guest List

Selecting a guest list for the rehearsal dinner can be somewhat difficult. You can’t invite everyone who is attending the wedding so it requires that certain cuts be made. All members of the wedding party are a given as they are not only the people who are closest to the bride and groom, but are also required to attend the actual rehearsal. Parents and grandparents fall into the no brainer categroy as well. I have been asked whether or not those guests traveling from out of town should be invited and my answer to this is always yes. I understand that these specific individuals may not be the closest to the hosts but they have spent time and money to be there for the occasion, so they deserve to be included in all stages of the celebration.

Lastly, it is imperative that I emphasize, the rehearsal dinner should be a joyous occasion where the husband and wife-to-be share their excitement and happiness with everyone they love. Whether the evening is casual and intimate or large and extragavant, the most important thing is that everyone has fun. I say this especially to the brides: You have stressed about the details of the wedding for months, perhaps years. Take this moment to simply relax and soak it all in. After all, tomorrow you are marrying the man of your dreams!

I Invite You To Share With Me:

Are you looking for a creative way to incorporate a unique theme into your rehearsal dinner? Shoot me an email and I will try to provide you an effective solution.

This may be easier said than done but when a bride envisions an outdoor garden wedding while mom is pushing for the Plaza and dad just wants to get through the whole process without having to take out a second mortgage on the house, it becomes a bit more tricky. Perhaps your son insists on a basketball themed bar mitzvah at Madison Square Garden and you were thinking something more traditional. No matter what the case may be, a great event planner finds a way to successfully meet everyone’s needs harmoniously and within the given budget.

At times, I consider myself a psychologist. Not only do I want to efficiently produce the best final outcome that pleases everyone, I want my clients to enjoy the planning process. In order to do this, I tell my clients they must do the following:

Compromise: It does not surprise me when different people have different visions for the same event. In fact, it would be more shocking if everyone were in total agreement. That said, there is no way that all requests will be met and the clients must understand this. Compromise is key in the decision making process, especially in adhering to the budget.

Communicate: It is crucial that the lines of communication be open. Everyone needs to be able to articulate their ideas and opinions and it is equally as important that they are able to listen to one another as well. When it comes to my role as the one to execute the final event, I will find the best solution that incorporates everyone’s visions cohesively but it is important that I have a clear understadning of what everyone wnats.

Keep an Open Mind: No matter what the event may be, it is never good when an individual enters the planning process with a closed mind. Often times when everyone comes together to bounce their ideas off one another, they actually end up embracing pieces of each other’s concept to formulate something even better than what they had originally imagined. Especially with limits from the budget, it is important to keep an open mind about alternative solutions to certain requests for the purpose of being cost effective.

Above all else, the client has to trust me! One of the most important values upon which I built my company, Gourmet Advisory Services, is the strong and trusting relationships that are built with my clients. I have nothing but their best interst at heart and as a knowledgeable expert with many of New York’s best vendors in my arsenal, I will find the most effective way to bring their dream event to life. And to reiterate, this process is supposed to be enjoyable! It is always best when all parties concerned take the time to get on the same page and are excited about the special event as it comes to fruition, whatever it may be.

I invite you to share with me:

If a difference of opinion(s) is throwing a wrench in your event planning process, shoot me a message explaining your situation and I will do my best to provide a solution.