By Patti Carlin, Banquet Manager, Ram’s Head Inn

Every wedding photographer has his or her own style. Be sure to ask your photographer what their style is, and review samples of their work, so that you understand their point-of-view. For example, some photographers are strictly old-school and are known for posed shots. Others consider themselves story-tellers and create a narrative of the wedding day through pictures. Still others are totally candid, looking for those interesting “just happened to happen” type of shots that can keep people turning the pages (or viewing online) of a wedding photo album.

Make sure the style you want (perhaps it’s a combination) is something your photographer is capable of achieving. Photographers now take a variety of different photos. If there are any specialty shots you want, make sure you have everything the photographer will need to take it. For example, one photo that has become popular is the wedding invitation with your wedding rings on top. If you want such a picture, be sure to have an invitation available. And be sure to communicate with the photographer to make sure the best and most memorable moments are captured. Designate one member of the wedding party to be the liaison during the festivities so the photographer isn’t getting instructions from five different people. This will help make sure your storybook wedding has a storybook that captures all its fun and excitement.

Have a great day!

Patti

By Rolf Shick, Banquet Manager, The Manor

Just because it’s raining – or even snowing – doesn’t mean you can’t get outdoor wedding photos at your ceremony. When discussing your photo needs with your wedding photographer, be sure to mention any weather- or season-related issues that he or she needs to be ready for. If your wedding is going to be in January and there could be snow on the ground, discuss this with the photographer beforehand, so that he can be prepared with the gear needed to take photos outside.

You don’t need a sunny sky for great wedding photos, either. Rain and grey skies can actually provide very dramatic photographs that a clear day can’t match. You and your photographer need to be aware of wind conditions, too. Taking wedding photographs in heavy winds can be a challenge – especially if your bride or bridesmaids have long hair. Be sure to bring extra bobby pins or other hair clips to keep it in place. And inquire about any outdoor spots at the wedding venue that are both scenic and provide shelter from the wind or other elements.

Thank you!

Rolf

By Paul Keenan, Banquet Manager, Highlawn Pavilion

High-quality “HD” or high-definition videos are all the rage for capturing many of today’s wedding ceremonies and receptions. The better the quality, the more easily viewed the video will be when you post it on YouTube and Facebook. HD video will also last longer and stay “up-to-date” for more years than the alternative video technologies. Another benefit of state-of-the-art video equipment is that they can record well even in low light situations, so the videographer doesn’t need to set up lights, which can be intrusive and time consuming to set up. The downside is that HD videography costs more than a standard formats – after all, the equipment costs more. But the cost differential should come to a plateau as all videographers will be using this technology in the near future.

If you’re considering having your wedding ceremony or your wedding reception professionally recorded on video, consult the staff at the venue for recommendations. Here at Highlawn Pavilion, for example, we have a rolodex of qualified videographers. They’re all very good, but some might be more suited to a particular size or kind of wedding ceremony than another videographer might be.

All the best,

Paul

By Mitchell Altholz, Executive Chef, The Manor and Highlawn Pavilion

Floral arrangements are one of the most important decorative elements in any wedding ceremony. And they can also be one of the most expensive. But you don’t have to spend a fortune – or even much of anything – for unforgettable floral arrangements. In fact, you can create them yourself. Unprotected wildflowers, herbs from your parents’ garden, or even store bought fruits and vegetables can be cheaper and “greener” than extravagant floral arrangements – and just as beautiful. Centerpieces created with wildflowers or home garden vegetables like pumpkins or squash (especially in the Fall) are a great green option you might consider. And how about that boutonniere for the groom? It doesn’t have to be store bought. A boutonniere made from home grown herbs works perfectly.

Cheers!

Mitchell

By Caitlyn Bradley, Director of Private Dining, Ram’s Head Inn

Wedding invitations printed on recycled paper are very popular today. It’s part of the eco-friendly, green concerns more and more couples are incorporating into their weddings, ceremonies and receptions. Invitations made from recycled paper are widely available with a number of patterns to choose from. The only drawback is that some people think it has the look and feel of a slightly less formal wedding. But that’s for you to decide – the choice is entirely the bride and groom’s to make. Another green option is the “plantable” invitation – an invite made of biodegradable material, often recycled paper, with seeds embedded in it. We’ve seen this done for save the date cards too. So if you’ve been eager to incorporate some eco-friendly element into your wedding ceremony, consider this your invitation.

All the best,

Caitlyn

By Christopher Gellings, Banquet Manager, Highlawn Pavilion

Here at the Knowles restaurants in the New Jersey, New York metro area, we’re seeing more interest in all things “eco friendly” and “green” when it comes to wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions these days. These “green” trends range from choosing wedding and reception locations that minimize travel for guests, to selecting invitations made from recycled paper. Now we’re also seeing the green trend in the wedding favors the bride and groom bestow upon guests.

If you’re interested in giving guests an eco-type gift, here are a couple of recent examples from ceremonies hosted at the Highlawn Pavilion . One couple gave their guests potted saplings. We’ve seen other couples make charitable donations in their guests’ names to organizations from Greenpeace to the Environmental Defense Fund. You could also dispense with favors altogether and explain it’s part of your effort to minimize the footprint of your wedding celebration, and save yourself some green in the bargain. The things you can do to inject a green element into your wedding are almost limitless. However, we would draw the line at choosing recycled burlap for your wedding gown!

Thanks!

Christopher

By Rolf Shick, Banquet Manager, The Manor

We want everything to be perfect on our wedding day. But sometimes things out of your control go wrong – for example, a vendor messes something up. Maybe the flowers are droopy, or the photographers or musicians are dressed sloppily. The possibility of a vendor faux pas is one reason why it’s important that a contract or contracts with vendors for all your wedding services stipulate the last check is due at the end of the wedding day. That gives you leverage to hold out on final payment if you are unsatisfied with the performance of any of your vendors. If you are unhappy with the way the flowers look or the musicians are dressed, for example, make sure someone you know takes photos of the culprits or offending items so you have visual documentation of what you are unsatisfied with. Even pictures from a camera phone can suffice, and almost everyone has one of those today. That way, even if your dream wedding isn’t completely picture perfect, you can help ensure vendors will make the proper financial adjustments to their fees.

Thank you!

Rolf

By Roman Bienkiewicz, Banquet Manager, The Manor

The unthinkable has happened – no, your groom didn’t get cold feet. But you think this is almost as bad. You – or a now mortified guest – has spilled something on your wedding dress. The first rule of spills: Don’t panic. Making a scene won’t help. But there are a few simple steps that can. First of all, realize that you probably won’t get the stain out during the reception, but you can treat it so that it won’t set permanently. Chalk is great for covering stains on a wedding dress. For example, the bride traditionally takes photos outside, and sometimes nature leaves its mark on her dress. That’s the kind of fabric blemish simple white chalk can fix. Make sure you or one of your bride’s maids has some ready just in case. Red wine, lipstick and ink can also end up on a wedding dress. Here’s how to deal with each:

Red Wine: The chances of a red wine stain happening are quite high, so remember these basic steps. Dab the stain with a clean cloth. Club soda (or water in a pinch) can be poured generously on the stain. Dab again, but don’t rub vigorously.

Lipstick: Kissing is common at weddings. And some mothers-in-law wear more lipstick than others. If for some reason you get lipstick on your dress, ask the maitre d’ or your bridal assistant to get some baking soda from the kitchen. Apply it generously to cover the stain. It will mask the stain until your dry cleaner can carefully get it out.

Ink Stain: Though less likely than the lipstick or red wine stains, ink stains are possible nonetheless. Good news – the solution should be readily available in the bathroom! Hairspray does the trick. First test the hairspray on a nondescript part of your dress to make sure it doesn’t stain (some hairsprays don’t work well with certain fabrics). Then put a clean cloth behind the fabric where the stain is and spray the ink stain carefully. Wait a few minutes then dab gently with a damp cloth.

Thanks!

Roman

By Laura Madden, Senior Sales Manager, Pleasantdale Château
The ceremonial “First Dance” at a wedding reception often looks uncomfortably like its name implies: The newlyweds are usually nervous and hesitant, even if they took dance lessons a few weeks before their wedding day to be prepared for their pas de deux. We say don’t worry about it – just grin and bear it. First dance songs are usually a classic or traditional standard, and danced in relatively slow motion anyway, so there’s not much risk of embarrassing yourselves. But one trend that’s getting more popular at wedding receptions is the Second Dance.

The Second Dance can be a surprise the bride gives to the groom, a dance for the newly married couple to really enjoy themselves. It can be fun and fast or slower and romantic, but it’s a way that a bride can really show her new husband a good time on the dance floor. It’s also one more time where you two can steal the spotlight together, dancing. If the couple had trouble agreeing on what to play for the first dance, you can use the song that got passed over for the second dance. (In other words, the groom’s choice that he was gallant enough to defer in favor of the bride’s selection!) Whatever song you choose, the Second Dance is another good way for newlyweds to start off their new life together in step.

Have a great day!

Laura

By Rolf Shick, Banquet Manager, The Manor
By now we’ve all seen the crazy freestyle dance on YouTube, and again during The Office’s season finale when Pam and Jim got married. But that style of wild celebration clearly isn’t for everyone. That begs the question: How should the bride and groom, and the wedding party make their entrance to the wedding reception? One interesting way to introduce the bridal party is to use a song that builds up over the course of a minute or so, with the bride and groom coming into the reception at the highpoint of the musical build up. The Dave Matthew’s Band’s “Two Step” is an example of a song that works well as an entrance soundtrack. If you’re sports fans, you can use Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll (part 2)” or Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” both famous for being played during the intros of many professional sporting events. A simple announcement made by a member of the wedding party or event staff will also work for an entrance, but for couples who want something a little more, there’s nothing wrong with putting a little pizzazz into it.

Thank you!

Rolf