Wedding Venue in St. Charles County

I went to visit one of my clients wedding venue today. Ceder Lake Farm in Wright City.

This is the cutest place. It is in the country, even had to go down a gravel road to get there. There a several options for Weddings and Receptions. There is a big red barn with a deck and patio. You can have your reception on the patio and the deck if you have a large number. There is also another building with inside seating, a bar and outside patio. Inside the barn is a nice long table in one room and then comfy seating and a fireplace in the other room. you could have a nice rehearsal dinner there.


Outside the barn is a beautiful rock fountain for a picture moment or you can have your ceremony right there too.

The grounds are very well maintained. Perfect spot for Engagement photos too!!!

Happy Planning
Lisa

Tweet Up with Steven Becker Fine Dining

I had such an amazing day yesterday. It started with a visit to Aries Company with my fellow planner Yara Holt with Bridal Horizons. Then off to the "Tweet Up" at the Coronado and Steven Becker Fine Dining.

I got to see some fellow wedding industry peeps as well as friends. Regina Grasso and I got to catch up during lunch. She has just joined the team at SBFD. I also got to chat with Ashley Rath from Dishy Events, Gina Barrera from the Aries Company, Aaren Muex with Divine Events, Carolyn Burke, and Tami Heroff with A Perfect Day. Just to mention a few.


We had an amazing lunch, their chef is always using the freshest ingredients to prepare their food. During lunch we were lucky enough to have Steven Becker talk to us about the a new amazing venue across the street from the Coronado. It is called The Grand Center Guesthouse. This is a 3 bedroom B&B, with an amazing green space in the back for weddings and events. So nice to see an outdoor venue in the middle of the city!!


We were then lucky enough to have Rob Schaefer speak with us on some of the latest wedding trends. Rob is the Vice President of Catering and Design for SBFD. He has been in the business for 20 years and was inducted to the wedding Hall of Fame. What an honor!! I have been lucky enough to see his work on several occasions and he is truly gifted in design.

It was a beautiful day and I can't thank SBFD enough for hosting all of us.

Happy Planning
Lisa

credits:
Connie Duglin Linen - linen
Steven Becker Fine Dining - Design and food
Grand Center Guesthouse

ABC Heartland Regional Meeting

I am so excited for you all to see the wonderfulness ( probably not a word) of Lacy Branch. She and I hosted the ABC Heartland Regional meeting here in the LOU on March 21. It was amazing. Please go to the link below so you can read all about it on Lacy's blog.

http://lacybranchevents.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-time-decor.html

Happy Planning
Lisa

Stationery: DIY or Custom?

DIY or Custom that is the question!

I used to put invitations down on my list of priorities to spend money on for a wedding. However over the years I have changed my mind.

The invitation sets the mood for the wedding, so the quality of the invitation is important. Then there are the other stationery needs, place cards, menu cards, table number cards. All of these items should tie together to create one style.

So which one is better? Well it depends, If you are doing DIY on your own and buying your stationery from a store like Micheal's you can get everything to match, however it can be very costly. Most of the kits only come with maybe 25 items or less in a package. Then you have to really practice the printing process. Printing your own can be very time consuming and not so cost effective when you factor in ink costs. You also really limit yourself to font colors. You can have one mock invite and then take it to be printed, this adds another cost.
I like DIY stationery from a reputable stationer who offers everything for you and you put it all together to save on cost.

My most preferred method it to go to a stationer, not a mail order or online stationer, but one who is in your area that you can go to there store. This way you can touch and see what your are getting. Paper quality, and color options, and little extras that you might not have thought of. Most stationers may be a little more costly then a mail order, but the idea of not having to go through the headache of having proof after proof and paying is worth it. If you order custom from a local stationer the cost of revisions are usually included in the price. Check around in your are you will probably find several to choose from.

Happy Planning, Lisa

Credits:
Menu Card, Two Blue Doors